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ζ°΄ηγγγΌγγΌγ€
63
10
Finished
Jan 24, 2014 to Dec 22, 2018
8.0/10
Average Review Score
100%
Recommend It
2
Reviews Worldwide
This manga might start out with a pretty steady stream of shoujo manga cliches and contrivances, but hang in there! It takes a handful of chapters, but as it finds its feet, Mizutama Honey Boy turns into a genuinely delightful, hilarious read, with a really lovable cast. The relationship between Fuji(the girly guy) and Sengoku(the tough girl) gradually grows into a really sweet, believable friendship that really had me rooting for them to finally reach that next step, and the narrative places value on both of their distinct skillsets, having them lean on each other in ways that feel very natural. The comedy, too, reallypicks up as the mangaka gets a better handle on the characters (particularly Nanao, who starts out as part of an awkward love triangle situation but winds up as a hilarious agent of chaos, along with his many siblings). I tend to have trouble sticking with shoujo manga, because generally they either they wind up wallowing constantly in stupid melodrama, or just nothing. Ever. Happens. Thankfully this one largely manages to thread that needle (again, after those weaker early chapters); the characters have actual hobbies and interests that they pursue, responsibilities they deal with, and while it's fairly plot-light, it does a decent job using comedy to fill the gap. Obviously this manga plays around a lot with Gender Stuff, which can be fraught, but in this case I was almost universally pleased by how it was handled. Fuji's(the male lead) feminine traits and hobbies are wholeheartedly embraced by the narrative, and considered an admirable and integral part of his character rather than a flaw, or embarrassing secret, or obstacle to be overcome. The same goes for Sengoku(the female lead) and her typically un-feminine traits and hobbies, although it takes the story a little longer to find believable ways for her strengths to really shine. Probably the best summary of the manga's overall attitude toward Gender Stuff and, well, people in general, is a minor recurring character introduced a ways in named Nadeshiko. She's a huge, burly girl with chiseled, masculine facial features, who likes cooking and sewing and typically wears feminine clothes. In any other manga I'd basically be resigned toward her being the butt of constant jokes, but instead she's treated with compassion and acceptance, like an actual character who deserves to be happy as she is, rather than a cruel caricature to pummel. I think my one complaint (other than the rocky start as mentioned above) is that, for a manga that puts so little stock into Gender Role Nonsense, it's surprisingly heteronormative. Fuji's go-to strategy when dealing with shitty dudes is to hit on them outrageously, creeping them out and sending them packing every single time. He also has a strange relationship with Nanao where, due to a very silly series of events, Nanao (despite being presented as a straight man) spends most of the manga insisting that Fuji is his boyfriend, much to Fuji(also straight)'s dismay. This is only ever presented as a joke, and while I generally found the execution pretty funny, it still felt pretty weird for the entire concept of "men being attracted to other men" to be dismissed as exclusively joke material. I don't consider this a real sticking point, because the contrast is the only thing that makes it surprising or notable in the grand scheme of manga, but I figure it's worth mentioning. Overall I'm really glad I stuck through the growing pains, because this manga feels very special to me (I can't help but feel like it deserved an anime, but alas). Also Fuji-kun is extremely good and I love him.
Mei Sengoku is the captain of the kendo club at her school, and is known as a very strong person, physically and mentally. Her friend, Shirou Fuji, is a boy who acts like a girl, but says that he loves her. Mei is focused only on becoming stronger, but she is beginning to question what is most important after all. Included one-shots: Volume 2: Yoroshiku Brother?, Fuyuzora ni Hibiku Volume 5: Android Box Volume 9: Kaiki Youko no Kaiki na Ani-tachi
I remember picking up this series because of the cover art for volume 6. The stance of a strong woman, and two interesting looking characters in the background. After reading a few volumes, my assumption was actually correct haha. Let's get into the manga basics. Story; The beautiful warrior of her high-school, Mei Sengoku, is strongest kendo club member at her school and focuses on one thing; STRENGTH. Being a descendant of long family line of kendo masters and having the will to protect others, Sengoku thought nothing else would become as important to her in life. Until she stumbled upon the well known girly-boy inher school, Shirou Fuji, who fell in love with her after being saved from her only once of many occasions. Although he seems pushy at first with his feelings, all he wants is the best for Sengoku whose goal in life is to be strong and gain as much strength as possible. He supports her from the sidelines(obviously of course) by cheering her own, showing her his good sides that she would never be able to accomplish (sewing, cooking, baking, etc.) and being himself as much as possible (this man ain't ever gonna stop cross dressing). Will their feelings ever become mutual, will Sengoku learn that there's more to life than becoming strong and will everyone except them getting together? Art; The illustration style was typical, which made it feel comfortable and nostalgic for me. I'll always love the filler/shock scenes when all they use it stick figure with empty heads haha. Characters; I love the strong woman and girly boy concept. It's not an original idea, but it was pulled off really well. Overall, this was a good series to pick up. I felt comfortable when I was reading it. Fuji was always coming in, gushing over Sengoku and being as feminine as possible while she would glare and then handsomely save him from falling/tripping/dropping something, etc. At the beginning some of the scenes reminded me of Horimiya, but by end the story turned in it's own direction and ended strong. I would suggest this manga to anyone who enjoys high-school romances or girly-boy/otomen. Some would be Horimiya, Otomen, High School Debut and Strobe Edge.
