Book Review: The Way of the Househusband, Vol 3 by Kousuke Oono

The Way of the Househusband, Vol 3     

Author: Kousuke Oono

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: May 19, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Comedy/160 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Miku arrives home to find Tatsu in a panic and their home in disarray. When she questions him, Tatsu says it’s the black bullet, a hitman with a lot of balls. But he swears he’s not going down without a fight!

When Masa goes to the store with Tatsu, he’s surprised to see his former boss pa Christmasy apron and a Santa cap! Tatsu tells Masa it’s for the neighborhood kids club Christmas party. The kids are somewhat taken aback by Tatsu’s appearance. He certainly isn’t the traditional Santa they expected! Tatsu’s got it all covered, as he puts his own spin on the festivities!

Miku comes home from work, exhausted, to find that Tatsu intends to pamper her with a variety of foods calculated to give her the boost she needs. However, she questions his methods when he pulls out a blindfold. Will this have the effect he hopes it will?

Tatsu is looking to make some cash in a hurry. Something to utilize his particular skill set. Can he serve his customers to their satisfaction?

While browsing the clearance section of the grocery store, Tatsu runs across the wife of the Torii group, who apparently works there. She recognizes him and they catch up on old times.

While Miku and Tatsu are shopping together, Miku suddenly drags him off to show him that there is a live Policure show going on! When the call goes out to the audience for a volunteer to come to the rescue and afterwards have their picture taken with the members of the show, Miku is too shy to volunteer. What else can her loving husband do but offer to go in her stead?

Masa has acquired an item he isn’t sure how to handle, so he comes to Tatsu for advice. Together, can they figure out how to use a toaster oven?

Tatsu encounters his old boss, whom he hasn’t spoken with since he left the family. The boss has something he wants to discuss with Tatsu. Will he suck Tatsu back into the yakuza life?

Masa comes to Tatsu’s apartment, meeting Miku for the first time, in order to bring Tatsu’s birthday present. When he sees the state of the apartment, he offers to help Miku surprise Tatsu when he comes home later that evening. Together, will they make this an occasion to remember?

I am so in love with these books, and with Tatsu! I’ve already pre-ordered the next volume! Tatsu is so adorable! I love him and Miku together. I would love to see more of their past lives, and how they became a couple, see what changed Tatsu from yakuza to house-husband.

The story is very funny, and also touching. The artwork is fabulous, and the characters memorable. I’ve seen some reviewers call the series one-note. I prefer to think of it as variations on a theme, all of them good, and very much fun to read. I would love to see an anime made from this!

Can’t wait for the next volume, although I’ll have to. I think it comes out in September.  lol

Starting With a Kiss Volume 1 Review

 Starting With a Kiss  

Author: Youka Nitta

Publisher: Sublime Publishing

American release date: August 14, 2012

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Yaoi/192 pages, also emanga

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: M (Mature), Parental Advisory – Explicit Content

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★ (4.5 stars)

Tohru’s father, a Yakuza boss, sends him away to a family-owned island in order to keep him safe. Tohru has yet to take his place in the family business, although he’s desirous of doing so, but his slender build and pretty face hold him back, and no one takes him seriously. Shenya sends Matsumi, son of his second-in-command, Kiria, as Tohru’s bodyguard, with strict instructions not to return until someone comes for them. The only way on and off the island is the boat that only Matsumi can operate.

With no one but each other for company, the two young men ending up mutually masturbating one another. Tohru calls it boredom, but Matsumi feels that it’s more, and their relationship progresses during their enforced isolation—physically, that is. Emotionally, not so much. At least, that is what Tohru would have him believe.  Matsumi has been purposely kept away from the family business, and not only has never gotten into trouble, he’s pursued an education at Tokyo University. But now he’s suddenly ready to find a place in the business, and wishes to pledge his life and service to Tohru, who has no wish to accept his fealty.

Will Tohru accept what has happened, once they leave the island, or will he continue to deny his feelings for Matsumi—and why? What will Domoto do to Matsumi when he learns that Matsumi has soiled the young master but, despite his warnings not to touch him, is still doing it? And what is the Suki family secret?

Youka Nitta is one of my favorite yaoi authors, and I was thrilled to fibnd new books by her. Starting With a Kiss is typical Youka Nitta fare—two young attractive men who are thrown together and develop feelings for one another, which one or both of them fight against. Her drawing is awesome, even if the characters from one series strongly resemble those in another. But how can you complain when they’re so pretty?

Yes, there are certain yaoi tropes present here, such as the pretty uke, very effeminate and emotional. Also the dubious consent which, if written into a m/m romance novel would be considered a close cousin to rape. But in yaoi, seasoned readers know the difference. A protective bodyguard is another familiar figure in yaois that feature yakuza, and Domoto certainly fills the bill here.

That being said, even though these are familiar storylines, it doesn’t mean that some things can’t and don’t get on my nerves, because they do. The continual protestation by Tohru that he isn’t interested, right before he gives in, and his general whininess, and his helpless damsel in distress act he pulls when having sex. Some of the graphics go over the top (and some under, but that is the fault of whoever erased all the penii. Who are they kidding? You can still see the outline). There’s an aspect of the final scene that bugs me too, but I don’t discuss it here, as it’s a spoiler. Maybe with the review of the next volume.

That being said, I did enjoy this book, especially Matsumi, the seme. His character is more likable, and more believable. I can only hope for some character growth from Tohru as the series continues.

There is a great potential for romance here. We also get some back story on their fathers, that is not only interesting but probably relates to what is going to happen at some point. There is also a bonus story, Lol Theater, about a shy young man who works for a gaming company, and can only talk about the guy he likes to an online friend.

I love Youka Nitta’s artwork, and I hope to see a lot more of her in the future, as well as a return to translating some of her older works, such as Embracing Love. If you are a fan of hers, you will enjoy Starting With A Kiss. If not, you should get to know her.