If Attack on Titan and Tokyo Ghoul are known as the great cruelties, Ouran Highschool Host Club is a famous shojo. Indeed, as a teenager, I found myself hooked up with the romantic yet hilarious scenes of this series. Thus, after years of hesitating, I’ve decided to get my hand on Ouran Highschool Host Club Manga Box Set and come up with an unbiased review.
Table of Contents
Ouran Highschool Host Club Manga Box Set Review: Worth The Praise?
Since the first days, I’ve been a big fan of the manga series. So, when the box set came out, I knew that I had to buy it – which proved to be a wise option!
As always, Bisco Hatori’s artwork is still a fantastic complement to this manga; it’s sleek, entertaining, and feminine at the same time.
Indeed, the artwork in the manga is stunning. The publication team selected the best-drawn version, in which each costume has a distinctive black and white design (like polka dots, stars, etc.).
Moreover, the box set also includes some accompanying side stories in which the author shares her journey in creating this manga.
What impresses me the most is when Bisco states that her concept is to depict the characters in different traditional attire from all over the globe (for example, Scottish dungarees). However, this had become a great deal of labor as the chapters stacked on.
Still, Bisco persisted with this idea. In the end, this has been a signature of the series. Indeed, it lends more fun to the drama and the extravagance of the club owners, making everything appear so fantastic.
One complaint I have here is that I hope the plot delved more into sexuality and gender diversity. However, this manga was debuted in 2002, so that part now sounds as outdated as the characters’ flip phones.
A similar issue is that the interpretation does utilize the term “tranny” in several scenes, which is very weird. According to the context, the term should have simply been “drag.”
If you’ve owned previous Viz manga collections, you’ll recognize this as their standard box type, featuring a solid grip on top plus a side-opening that seals everything using Velcro.
This design is fantastic as it keeps the volumes in order; however, it makes shipping to other places tricky. That’s also why my box wound up with a dent in the side.
Ouran Highschool Host Club Manga: My Honest Thoughts
Story (8/10)
The plot of Ouran High School Host Club revolves around Fujioka Haruhi, a typical teenage girl. She is accepted into an institution (mainly for kids of the wealthy elite) thanks to a special scholarship for being an exemplary student.
While seeking a study area, she runs into the Host Club (formed by 6 handsome boys of the utmost lineage who pander to girls with plenty of money on their hands) and is misunderstood as a man due to her shoddy outfit.
After she inadvertently smashes an exquisite porcelain vase belonging to the Host Club, she is obliged to serve them for the remaining of her high school time to repay her debts.
In typical shoujo rom coms (like Sailor Moon), all of the boys will gradually yet steadily form a romantic relationship with her, and she chooses the most unexpected guy. They live a happy life forever – the end.
However, Ouran Highschool Host Club doesn’t follow this old path. This is mainly because our lead heroine isn’t searching for the man of her life; she studied at Ouran to pursue a law career.
So, even though she’s accompanied by many men and has the privilege to decide who is the one, she doesn’t care about them. She simply hoped they’d all leave her alone so she could learn in peace. So starts Haruhi’s journey in Ouran.
The Host Club’s concept is to exploit everyone’s special abilities to attract female readers with diverse tastes. Tamaki is the royal boy, Kyouya is the cold type, Hikaru and Kaoru are the wicked ones, Honey is the adorable guy, Mori is the quiet man, and now Haruhi (a girl) is the innocent one.
Sure, I’ll agree that the series contains a great deal of filler material (particularly in the early chapters when you’re still learning the personalities). Still, you find that the central heroines are all pretty weird after you get to know them properly.
In some ways, all of their characters are horribly twisted and exaggerated. Why? However, the genius of this manga is in the writer’s effort to discover the answers.
Art (8/10)
I have nothing notable to comment about the artwork. Bisco Hatori’s technique is neither unusual nor exceptional.
I would admit that the artwork develops dramatically throughout the volumes. In the end, it becomes somewhat impressive, but I wouldn’t claim that it is the killer feature of this series.
Character (10/10)
If I could, I’d give this part a 14 out of 10. Ouran Highschool Host Club’s characters are indeed very loveable, but most notably, they are depicted excellently.
There is a broad spectrum of characters, and each reader can quickly discover one that attracts them. The finest aspects of the personalities, without question, are their branching storylines. There’s always more to the characters than what meets the eye.
As I previously stated, as you begin to read, you will discover that all of the men in the Host Club (minus Mori) have incredibly distorted and exaggerated mindsets. But when you consider it carefully, what could 6 attractive boys from privileged backgrounds possibly be concerned about?
Indeed, Tamaki Suoh is a captivating man with a showy attitude who comes to readers as shallow and irritating.
And after which, there’s Kyouya Ootori, his strange closest pal, a ruthless and cunning intellect who wears a shell of perfection to disguise his weaknesses. Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin, the kids of a prominent fashion icon who enjoys pulling tricks on everybody, are also featured.
Of course, there’s Mitsukuni Haninozuka (also known as Honey), the handsome 12th student who is hooked up with sweets of all forms and is a martial expert despite his modest height.
And also, his muscular and quiet companion, Takashi Morinozuka (also known as Mori), is hilariously 3 times taller than him.
I promise you will gulp, relate, and perhaps burst into tears as you learn more about these guys and how they become the people they are now.
Don’t justify it by saying, “I’ve watched the anime; therefore, I already knew about it all,” since the anime doesn’t even attempt to brush on their heartbreaking experiences. Instead, just read it, and you’ll get what I’m talking about.
I myself also knew about the series as an anime initially, and I have to admit that the anime skips pretty much of the characters’ backstories.
Enjoyment (10/10)
Don’t be concerned about not being able to get on with the fillers to enjoy the core storyline. Tamaki, the selfish, pompous, and self-indulgent man, will pick up the slack.
His behaviors are always entertaining to see, and his thoughts are always hilariously foolish. He’s the slapstick humor of the series, and he is also the root of a lot of the plot’s drama.
If you don’t like him, there’s always the other of the Host Club: whenever their varied characters collide, something terrible will happen. Or consider Haruhi, who is often teased because she is unfamiliar with the norms of wealthy children.
Overall (10/10)
All in all, it is fantastic work. Of course, the ending was absurd, but I assume it is suitable for the Host Club, whose participants have always been unrealistic and exaggerated.
Ouran Highschool Anime Review: Is It As Good As The Manga?
Character(s) & Their Development
At the show’s start, each figure is built on a stereotype. The ultimate concern here is whether the characters ever evolve out of their images, which is both a yes and a no after seeing the entire thing.
It all boils down to the idea that the volumes are still ongoing, and the personalities are still evolving in that style; hence, they can only make it that far in the anime until it becomes a whole different story.
Yes, they stick to their initial behaviors, but a few scenes clarify every Host Club participant and explain their mindset, viewpoint, and why they joined the club in the first place.
Tamaki and his affections for Haruhi are a good example. At first, he adopts a fatherly position toward her, and the viewers assume that this is just a pattern of behavior.
However, audiences will quickly realize that this is only due to his affection for her. Sometimes, Tamaki doesn’t get it and is compelled to confront it in episode 23. Of course, he doesn’t realize his sentiments in the end, but he does appear to know Haruhi better.
Animation
Many have complained about the scant specifics given to the figures themselves. However, how many details do you need on a guy ready to go chibi upon you?
Honestly, the filmmakers did an excellent job of striking a delicate mix between ordinary and exquisite artwork. Indeed, when an emotional scene is required, the figures possess that essential stunning animating, yet at hyper-active times, the figures are springy and bounce in a jelly-like style.
Another thing that struck me after watching some scenes over and over again was how realistic the backdrop could get. I hadn’t seen it on the initial run-through since I focused on the storyline.
Furthermore, if you look closely, you can see how affluent the artists strove to portray the school’s appearance. Start by looking at the chandeliers and the markings on them; that’s quite detailed, in my opinion.
Music
I was skeptical of the music at first. The first verse of the beginning, Sakura Kiss, had me hooked; yet, I wasn’t really captivated after playing the entire piece.
Shissou, the final song, did not sit well with me. It seemed like typical Japanese metal. Thus, I became even more surprised when I discovered LAST ALLIANCE was the group who played it since they could have given us much better music.
Still, I gave the songs a shot and purchased a CD of each accessible track.
Opposite to the Jujutsu Kaisen, I noticed that the melodies in this manga were wonderfully harmonized with various settings; undoubtedly, the music packed with rich orchestras, joyful piano, and graceful harmonica was perfect for the Ouran universe. It all fits in its sense… except for the concluding song.
Overall
Put simply, Ouran High School Host Club anime is a wonderful experience. It has enough goofiness to make you laugh while still providing enough personality evolution to keep you moving along with a somewhat unpredictable storyline.
I was going to miss this program totally because I shun popular animes these days; nevertheless, I’m happy I didn’t. This was definitely deserving of my time, and I bet it will be worth yours. It’s challenging to think of a figure or a scene that you won’t fancy.
Therefore, you shouldn’t have any trouble enjoying this series unless you’re incredibly fussy. The Host Club has a lot of jokes and handsome guys in store for you.
FAQs
What’s Haruhi Fujioka’s Height?
Haruhi Fujioka, the main character, is about 5ft2 (around 157cm).
How Old Is Haruhi Fujioka? And When’s Her Birthday?
Haruhi is born on February 4th. She was just 16 years old when the manga started.
Who Does Haruhi End Up With?
Viewers pair Haruhi with practically all members of the Host Club. It is clear that Kaoru, Hikaru, and Tamaki are deeply in love with Haruhi.
But, sadly for those other enthusiasts, Haruhi and Tamaki’s relationship is official. So in that regard, the anime’s last episode leaves everything open.
However, the manga goes into great detail regarding their romance. Haruhi and Tamaki eventually marry and share a kid. There are indications and advancements in their romance throughout the series.
In the final ep, Haruhi gets a waltz with every participant of the Host Club. If one looks closely, he will find out that the performance occurs in the sequence of how romantically involved each of the guys was in Haruhi all across the series.
Haruhi’s final 2 performances are with Kyoya and Tamaki. Kyoya snatches her away from Tamaki as they perform, but Tamaki swiftly retrieves her.
Then, before the fireworks start, the couple does a joyful waltz together. Finally, the performance concludes with Haruhi and Tamaki staring wistfully at each other as fireworks flare in the backdrop.
How Many Seasons Of Ouran Host Club Are There?
Up till now, the anime has only released 1 season. However, rumors are that Ouran Highschool Host Club Season 2 is about to be launched. Is it true, and will the 2nd season adds extra stories, or is it just a remake?
This may come as a surprise, but no public information has been addressing Ouran Highschool Host Club Season 2 for the past 14 years.
Yes, such a terrific program hasn’t been renewed in 14 years, and people are understandably upset. However, a spark of hope was ignited when word of mouth surfaced in April 2016.
Todd Haberkorn, the series’ English Voiceover Actors, claimed that he was contacted by the production department about Ouran Highschool Host Club Season 2 and that they would begin developing it right away. This was the closest equivalent to an “Official Announcement” that many had hoped for.
It has been predicted that fans will be able to watch the 2nd season by 2022, following a 14-year hiatus. However, you can make no solid conclusion until the producers officially disclose or suggest the upcoming season.
Wrapping Up
Ouran Highschool Host Club Manga Box Set will be a great asset to any manga lover’s collection. The packaging is so cute, and the series itself is also highly worthy of time. Give it a try, and you’ll see what I mean.
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