A review by samstillreading
The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 1 by Kousuke Oono

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m enjoying playing Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth at the moment, a game about an ex-yakuza trying to make things better for others but getting involved in a lot of scrapes. I was recommended by a friend to try this manga as it’s along similar lines – a yakuza called ‘The Immortal Dragon’ leaves that world behind to become…a house husband. He’s involved in the cooking, cleaning and shopping but along the way he seems to get caught up in righting various injustices and gaining a fan or two. 

I haven’t read manga for ages, but these volumes were a lot of fun. The chapters are short and funny, looking at various aspects of the house husband’s life from shonky salesmen to meeting acquaintances from his other life. I did feel that I raced through these (being used to novels and not having a lot of time to read) but I did try to slow down and appreciate the backgrounds and drawing, as well as practise my reading of the various signs etc in Japanese.

Volume 1 is a great introduction to the story, capitalising on the problems an ex-yakuza may face when trying to start a new life. He’s recognised by former enemies, idolised by a junior yakuza and saves the day multiple times while barely being aware of it. He also starts to realise that despite his cute aprons with dogs and cats, he might look a little scary to others…and it’s not just the sunglasses indoors...

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