Ouran High School Host Club Volume 16 Review

 Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 16  

Author: Bisco Hatori

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: June 7, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/192 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

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The time is rapidly approaching for Hunny and Mori’s graduation, hard as that is to believe. Even more unbelievable is that Mori has challenged Hunny to a duel! What’s up with that?

Synopsis:

Ouran High School is abuzz with the news of the impending duel, and bets have even been placed. But no one can predict how the duel indeed ends.

April arrives, and time for the new school year, but the door to Music Room 3 remains locked…

So much is changing, more than friends graduating and moving on. Tamaki has been asked to move into Mansion #1, his longtime dream come true. Or is it a nightmare?

Suddenly Tamaki has no time for club activities. Or anything else that includes the Host Club. Determined to find out what’s going on, the Club approaches Tamaki’s father, to Tamaki’s dismay. Is he lost to them forever?

As a bonus story, we’re given a glimpse into the courtship of Haruhi’s parents.

Commentary:

This volume of Host Club is both wonderful and infuriating. Wonderful because we’re getting closer and closer to everything we’ve waited and hoped for. Infuriating because sometimes you just want to shake someone and tell them to see what’s really going on around them.

Only two more volumes left. I have no doubt that Haruhi and Tamaki will overcome everything and end up together. I hope. Okay, maybe I have a little doubt. And a lot of worry. And what will they have to suffer in the meantime? Let’s just say I’ll be disappointed with anything less than them being together.

Bisco Hatori has made the Host Club very real. I feel like I know the members very well. I love her artwork and her writing style. This series is definitely a classic.

I suspect that in the next two volumes we’ll be able to tie up everything, answer questions, and weave it all together into one soul-satisfying cohesive whole.  After the series is finished, I guess I’ll have to satisfy my desires to visit with the members of the club by writing fanfiction about them.

Can’t wait for Volume 17!

Ouran High School Host Club Volume 16 Review

Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 15  

Author: Bisco Hatori

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: December 7, 2010

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/200 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

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Haruhi learns that Ouran High School Host Club is holding an Orienteering Tournament, with the entrants to be divided into teams of two to run the gamut of six checkpoints to be run by the members of the school. The prize is having the host club members do whatever you ask for one full day! Everyone has their ideas of what they will do with the prize, should they win, including having Kyoya as a servant, a date with Haruhi or a private date with the entire host club!

Synopsis:

The checkpoints can be visited in any order, the point being to accumulate items from each. Those members that are not participating in the checkpoints are free to pair up with customers. Haruhi suggests that Tamaki team up with Miss Kanoya. With the ingredients that are gathered, each team is to make a curry, and the winning curry shall be judged both on the basis of flavor as well as the speed with which its makers have gone through the checkpoints.

Checkpoint #1 features Hikaru and Kaoru in their classic rendition of which twin is which. For this occasion, they’ve reverted to their identical looks. Tamaki passes the test with ease, but the ingredients he chooses earn him a puzzled look from Miss Kanoya. Checkpoint #2 is manned by Black Magic Club – the “Identify and Explain the use of a Dark Relic” Challenge.

Everything is proceeding smoothly when Haruhi learns that the location of the finish line has been changed, so she’s running from checkpoint to checkpoint, alerting everyone so they can in turn alert the contestants.

The third checkpoint is Hunny’s “Whack the Bunny When it Pops Up” Challenge—but it isn’t as straightforward as it seems, as Hunny gets upset every time a bunny is bopped on the head.

As the test progresses, those in the contest and those who run it learn a few things about themselves, coming closer and closer to the hidden truths in their lives.

Tamaki’s enlightenment regarding his feelings for Haruhi leaves him feeling uncertain around her, and acting even more idiotic than ever. Meanwhile, Kyoya is keeping tabs on a certain lawyer who seems to be engaging in secret meetings—with Tamaki’s grandmother!

Haruhi’s birthday brings on the hilarity of finding the perfect present, without being extravagant, a trait little valued by Haruhi. And then comes the news that Hunny and Mori are about to graduate, so the Host Club hosts its final event before the Third Year graduation. When asked about their future plans, Hunny and Mori give surprising answers, to everyone’s dismay.

Commentary:

Things are really beginning to come together now, and plots are coalescing and developing apace. There is a great deal of character development going on, in self-awareness and growth, as is to be expected of young people of this age. Is not high school a time for learning, both academic and personal growth? These students are no exception to that, although maybe at one time it appeared that not all of them would end up with a clue.

Even so, there are still some elements of mystery remaining. It seems inevitable that Haruhi and Tamaki will end up together, but there are no guarantees in life, right? Even in a manga? So that remains to be seen. Life doesn’t always end up the way we think it should, and that’s just how it is.

Only three volumes remaining. While I look forward to getting the answers to my questions, I will feel sad when the journey is over. I’ve enjoyed it immensely. Oh well, no sense in growing maudlin. On the plus side, there are three volumes remaining! I look forward to them greatly. This was another wonderful volume in the series, a can’t miss one. Onward and upward!

Ouran High School Host Club Volume 12 Review

Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 12  

Author: Bisco Hatori

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: June 2, 2009

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/200 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Kyoya has made it his personal mission while in France to seek out Tamaki’s mother and bring back some word of how she is doing. To that end, and with his usual thoroughness, he devises a strategy to discover her whereabouts. Meanwhile back at home, Hikaru requests asylum with Mori while Hunny flies to Kaoru’s side, bearing well-meaning gifts.

Synopsis:

Word has gotten around about the sibling feud and fangirls are having a holiday! They see this as a very romantic situation, the brothers fighting over Haruhi. Something is afoot when Haruhi takes Hikaru to an amusement park, while Hunny brings Kaoru. An angry Mori demands to know what’s up. A bored Tamaki approaches his father in his office, something he never does, and confesses to his boredom, so his father offers to take him to lunch and buy him some nabe.

The twins reach an accord, and while maintaining their solidarity and togetherness, they launch a new campaign of individuality, beginning with a new hair color for one of them.

Back in France, the travelers visit an area that was a favorite getaway for the Impressionists. Kyoya is exhausted with his efforts on behalf of Tamaki, but he refuses to give up. The object of his endeavors, meanwhile, is very unhappy. He’d thought being without the others for ten days would be easy, but he hadn’t counted on the staff thinking he wouldn’t be home and having other plans, so he relies more and more on his father, clinging to him. One servant remains to protect Suoh Mansion #2, and she gives Tamaki a lot of food for thought about his future, and what he wants to do with it.

Haruhi has been trying to reach Kyoya but her calls don’t seem to be getting through to France. She finally gets him on the phone, but when she asks about Tamaki—unaware that he hasn’t gone on the trip with the others—Kyoya hems and haws and says that Tamaki has gotten diarrhea and can’t speak. Until Haruhi notices something strange in front of her house.

While Haruhi is dealing with a delicate stomach, Kyoya has discovered a woman who once worked for Tamaki’s family and goes to see her and gains great insights into his friend, and why he is the way he is. After talking to Haruhi, Tamaki has an idea of what he wants to do, and Kyoya has an idea where Tamaki’s mother might be.

In an extra story, Kuze’s Happy and Unhappy Everyday Life, we follow Takashi Kuze, American Football team captain, on his birthday.

Commentary:

While I was sad that Tamaki did not go to France with the others, I understand his selfless reasons. Kyoya’s search for Tamaki’s mother is very heartwarming and sheds new light on the sort of person he is, dispelling the myth of his lack of warmth and emotion. I’m happy that the twins have resolved their differences, although I thought Hikaru’s change was a bit extreme. I hope they aren’t serious about getting rid of the incest-play at the Host Club. I think their guests would be very saddened.

This volume of the Host Club has a lot of depth, and goes deep into the minds of some of the characters. I think my favorite scene was between Haruhi and Tamaki in the bathroom, when he’s shirtless. I had hopes, for just a moment…

I can only hope that one day these two will figure things out, and Tamaki will finally realize that he is not Haruhi’s father. I think they’d make a very cute couple.

Ouran High School Host Club Volume 11 Review

Ouran High School is about to hold its first sports festival! Tamaki and Kyoya are on opposing teams, a highly unusual situation. Which one will prevail? And what effect will it have on their friendship. Kyoya is the strategist, while Tamaki operates on sheer emotion. Will Kyoya over think the situation, or has he pegged his friend perfectly? But what other forces are in play that might have a hand in what is happening?

Hikaru and Kaoru are also on opposite teams, which makes them uncomfortable with keeping secrets from one another. But there’s more to their estrangement then that, if only they could put their finger on what that something is. Or is it someone?

By the time the first half of the festival is over, Tamaki’s Red Team has proven itself to be its own worst enemy, and it seems that the White Team will handily take the day. Is there any way to turn things around?

When it comes down to the relay race, Tamaki and Kyoya make a private wager between themselves—if Tamaki wins, he gets a free year-round use of Kyoya’s kotatsu passport, but if Kyoya emerges triumphant, then Tamaki  has to greet customers the following week wearing only a fundoshi.

The Host Club is wearing kilts—all except Tamaki, who’s in his fundoshi and complaining about it (although the customers certainly aren’t). Haruhi buys him a superball to keep him occupied; it works a little too well, leading to the discovery of a mischievous tanuki whose behavior becomes a bit extreme.

The class trip is coming up, and the destination is France. Tamaki doesn’t let on to the others, but he confides in Kyoya that he isn’t going. Meanwhile, the twins are discovering new things about themselves.

In a bonus story, we get a look at Hunny’s brother, Chika as he fights against his attraction to cute cuddly animals.

There’s a lot going on in this volume, and we get some real indepth looks into the characters and their motivations, although Haruhi’s appearances are rather minimal. It’s more about the relationship between Tamaki and Kyoya, and Hikaru and Kaoru.  The sports festival stories are enjoyable and fun. In one episode, Ranka and Misuzu and Mei make a brief appearance.  I wish there’d been a host club in my high school. How much fun would that have been?

Another great volume of Host Club, can’t wait to see more!

Ouran High School Host Club, Volume 1 Review

Some Like It Hot meets Twelfth Night meets high school?  Haruhi has no intention of disguising her sex, she is simply looking for a quiet place to study, and the libraries are full as she stumbles into what she assumes to be an unused music room - and directly into the arms of the Ouran High School Host Club!  This host club is comprised of six wealthy young men with too much time on their hands who cater to the female elements of the school in order to amuse themselves.  They are outside of Haruhi's usual purview - being a scholarship student, she is not of their social class.  Thus their unawareness of her actual gender, as they welcome her to the club, led by club president Tamaki.  Haruhi is flustered at finding herself among these six lovelies and, in the course of flailing about, accidentally smashes a valuable vase into smithereens!  Replacement cost - $80,000!  Opportunity gained for Haruhi - priceless!  Now the question is, will she appreciate it, and will they?

As payment for this costly trinket, Haruhi finds herself impressed into service at the Host Club as their dogsbody, and she becomes acquainted with each of the members:  Tamaki is the president/king - arrogant, self-centered, incredibly vain and incredibly good looking; Kyoyo, the vice-president, is bespectacled and studious; Kaoru and Hikaru are twins and very devoted to one another; and Hunny and Mori complete the group - Hunny, although 18 looks like a young child, and is often treated as such, with his naps and his bun-bun, and Mori is his long time friend/companion of the heart. The spoiled rich boys seem fascinated by Haruhi's poverty, and in an act of kindness, Tamaki declares that Haruhi's debt to the club will be waved if "he" comes up with 100 customer requests (not yet realizing that Haruhi is indeed a she).  To that end, Tamaki gives Haruhi instructions on such important techniques as looking up from below, and the elegant way to place a glass upon the table.  They send Haruhi shopping, and are amazed that he brings back instant coffee!  They have no experience with it, so everyone has to try it, naturally  - to appreciate how poor people live.  Which leads, naturally, to experimentation with ramen, which they refer to as prole noodles (and Tamaki becomes addicted to).

They shine and polish Haruhi and set her into position as a host - and the girls that frequent the club are drawn to her,  unaware of her true gender, especially when she reveals her tragic story of her mother's death, and the way she knows her way around a kitchen.  This includes one of Tamaki's regulars, Miss Ayanokoji.  But when mean things begin to happen to Haruhi, she has to wonder how benevolent that interest is.  But perhaps it is a fortuitous thing, for it draws Haruhi closer to the members of the club, and the truth is finally revealed.  Not that she lied about being a girl - they never asked, simply assumed otherwise.  Once it is known, though, they agree to keep her secret, for the sake of the host club.

You can read my complete review at Anime Radius and Yaoi Radius!