Otomen, Vol. 15 (15)

What got me interested in this series was Kanno's beautiful art style. I just love the way she draws her characters! The only complaint I have is the slow progress of Asuka and Ryo's relationship.... At least it isn't as frustratingly slow as Kimi ni Todoke was, but seriously. We've gone 15 books now without any hugging or handholding that I can remember! And they're a couple!!!! What is the excuse for that!? But I have to add that I'm a pretty impatient person AND a huge romantic junkie so it might not bother others as much as it does me. And besides, the main focus of the story isn't their relationship but of Asuka and his friends accepting themselves and finding their place in society. And I just love that. I love how Kanno takes the time to draw out every character's life and really shows the readers how they tie into and affect Asuka's story. The plot progresses slowly and I think it's a real enjoyable read. :) And I absolutely adore the artwork (not too flashy, yet very simple and defined). Again though, as a fan, I want more progress on AsuRyo's relationship!!!

Once more, Kanno does not disappoint! This volume is full of little chuckles and a few bigger laughs, and it advances personal character development for Tonomine and Yamato quite nicely (although at the end Yamato is still acting a little goofy, which is only to be expected). Not enough Juta this time...seriously, we NEED MORE JUTA. But otherwise, an excellent continuation to the series. I've given up on preordering all the other series I was interested in, but will continue with Otomen as long as it goes. The characters are very sweet and Kanno brings us life lessons in a way that's not too heavy-handed. Recommended.

It's fantastically refreshing to see this kind of story. The characters are just adorable and easy to get attached to. I highly recommend this manga to anyone who are into otomen (guys who love girly things). Otomen are the future~!

~4-4.5/5[Contains spoilers.]So, I don't really know what happened, given how before I was just enjoying the series, but now I'm kind of in love with it. It's just... this volume was so good. It just was. And I loved it. And I really want the next one now.The first half of the volume focuses on Tonomine, who I like, but am not a huge fan of. Still, the story was entertaining. I feel for Tonomine, I'm glad for how his story turned out. He's being pressured by his dad to go into politics, while he wants very badly to be a makeup artist, and his sister knows this. There's also a bridal show, which includes Asuka and Ryo and is just kind of cute. And even while it was being super cheesy, I was, for some reason, grinning. It was just so enjoyable, I don't know why.One of my problems with this series, I think, is that there's so much drama and anguish over something, like how Tonomine's father will react, and then it just turns out like roses and butterflies at the end. The conclusions are just too sweet, and sometimes the setups are too convenient. This bothers me, but I try not to let it, because I still really enjoy this series.After Tonomine, the story shifts to focus on Yamato. Yamato is just an okay character, really, but I really enjoyed his storyline here. He has a hard time with the fact that he looks girly, because he wants to be so manly and tough. And then a guy who he used to go to school with, who bullied him, shows up and Yamato tells him that Ryo is his girlfriend. He doesn't tell anyone else this, Ryo has no idea, and yet his charade goes on. And turns out rather well for him in the end, as he learns to embrace his girly looks, in a rather awesome, hilarious way. This whole half of the volume had me grinning and laughing, honestly, and I'm not even sure why. It was just so good.The best part about this whole volume, though, was Ryo. I just love her. I don't even know how to express my utter love for her, but she is simply amazing, and I love her. She's so simple minded, and tough, and oblivious. And she's so open, and happy to try anything. She's not a good cook, but she tries anyway; she's a girl and it's unconventional, but she'll happily fight with anyone. I mean, Yamato and his old bully are fighting it out at carnival games, trying to prove who is tougher, and she is beating all of their asses at everything, without even realizing what this means to them. And then, when she realizes Yamato is having a hard time with his self-confidence, she spouts off, twice, with very helpful advice, without even realizing how helpful she is being to him. I just love her, and I want more of her. I want her to get more focus in later volumes; I want her to get all the focus, really, because I want her, all the time. More of her. Please?Anyway, on the romance front. (SPOILERS!) So, Yamato comes to realize that he's kind of falling for Ryo, and want this to stop, but of course, when he goes to Juta, he spouts off about how "Love is a Battle", which gets Yamato all worked up. This is surely not going to be good for Ryo and Asuka, but good writing material for Juta, and all around funny in the next volume.On the other hand, I really enjoy Ryo and Asuka's relationship. There is very little actual romance between them that is shown; they're barely ever holding hands or kissing or even going out on dates but once in a blue moon. But it's so obvious how they feel about each other. I mean, they're always thinking about each other, they kind of light up when they're around each other. Asuka would love to do love-dovey things with Ryo, while she is oblivious to it all, and he's okay with that. They're just happy together, and I love that.I am really looking forward to the next volume. I want it to focus solely on Ryo, and then on Ryo and Asuka, but as long as it has Ryo in it, I'll be happy, I think.[This review is also available on my blog.]

Wonderful! Love this series!