Member Review
Review by
Maria Flora P, Reviewer
‘Senpai is an Otokonoko: My Crossdressing Classmate 1’ was originally a webtoon; next week is going to be printed in a full-color paperback edition by Kodansha Comics Us on the 17th of June.
I’ve decided to read it, to see the difference with the Italian edition. The Us edition is more beautiful.
It’s a work of art!
The story is simple but complex because it touches many themes that are dear to LGBTQIAP+ community.
It is settled in a Japanese high school and three are the main protagonists:
- Saki Aoi, a cheerful straightforward brunette, she is a first year high school girl who has a crush on an older student, Makoto Senpai, a beautiful blondie!
When Aoi San confess her love to Makoto Senpai, she finds out that Senpai has a secret…Senpai is a guy, a crossdresser. She’s determined to enjoy both version of Makoto. She has always admire him for his gentle eyes, his height and his deep voice.
- Senpai is Makoto Hanoka. In the day, at school, he’s an Otokonoko, he dresses as a girl. The school is a place where he’s free to be himself, to express himself.
In the evening, at home, is just an ordinary guy. He lives with his mother who doesn’t know that her son is a crossdresser, she would not understand. In fact, at the beginning she is drawn without eyes to emphasize her inability to see and understand her child in his true identity.
In addition, Senpai’s figure is associated with flowers: chrysanthemums and lilies. The previous one indicates personal growth, finding the true self, healing and personal transformation. The latter is love, intense emotions and femininity.
The third character is Ryuji, Makoto’s overprotective best friend who will stand for him no matter what! He plays the role of the antagonist, he’s the one who is in competition with Saki San.
The three of them form a love triangle connected with a red string of fate.
What I’ve really appreciated about this manga is the use of colors, the illustration gallery and the notes from the translator.
Senpai’s world together with his friends are drawn and colored with light and pale watercolors, the colors used give us peacefulness.
To point out the stereotypes of society, Makoto sexual attraction to Saki as a guy, and moments of fear and silent of the past, the mangaka uses dark colors such as black, gray and dark brown.
The illustration gallery helps us to figure out the story and the notes from the translator are also important to understand the Japanese words such as Okama, Otokonoko and first names.
In my opinion, there are not negatives elements to list but it’s missing a guide on how to read a manga.
If you want to know how this story ends, wait until next week. This manga is a two-monthly series of 10.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics Us and NetGalley for the ARC!
5 star
Story: 8/10, Art: 8/10, Characters: 8/10, Overall: 8/10
--
Blog: www.labardolettrice.it (the review will be posted on the 17th of June)
Social Media: Ig, Facebook, You Tube ( the review will be posted on pub day)
I’ve decided to read it, to see the difference with the Italian edition. The Us edition is more beautiful.
It’s a work of art!
The story is simple but complex because it touches many themes that are dear to LGBTQIAP+ community.
It is settled in a Japanese high school and three are the main protagonists:
- Saki Aoi, a cheerful straightforward brunette, she is a first year high school girl who has a crush on an older student, Makoto Senpai, a beautiful blondie!
When Aoi San confess her love to Makoto Senpai, she finds out that Senpai has a secret…Senpai is a guy, a crossdresser. She’s determined to enjoy both version of Makoto. She has always admire him for his gentle eyes, his height and his deep voice.
- Senpai is Makoto Hanoka. In the day, at school, he’s an Otokonoko, he dresses as a girl. The school is a place where he’s free to be himself, to express himself.
In the evening, at home, is just an ordinary guy. He lives with his mother who doesn’t know that her son is a crossdresser, she would not understand. In fact, at the beginning she is drawn without eyes to emphasize her inability to see and understand her child in his true identity.
In addition, Senpai’s figure is associated with flowers: chrysanthemums and lilies. The previous one indicates personal growth, finding the true self, healing and personal transformation. The latter is love, intense emotions and femininity.
The third character is Ryuji, Makoto’s overprotective best friend who will stand for him no matter what! He plays the role of the antagonist, he’s the one who is in competition with Saki San.
The three of them form a love triangle connected with a red string of fate.
What I’ve really appreciated about this manga is the use of colors, the illustration gallery and the notes from the translator.
Senpai’s world together with his friends are drawn and colored with light and pale watercolors, the colors used give us peacefulness.
To point out the stereotypes of society, Makoto sexual attraction to Saki as a guy, and moments of fear and silent of the past, the mangaka uses dark colors such as black, gray and dark brown.
The illustration gallery helps us to figure out the story and the notes from the translator are also important to understand the Japanese words such as Okama, Otokonoko and first names.
In my opinion, there are not negatives elements to list but it’s missing a guide on how to read a manga.
If you want to know how this story ends, wait until next week. This manga is a two-monthly series of 10.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics Us and NetGalley for the ARC!
5 star
Story: 8/10, Art: 8/10, Characters: 8/10, Overall: 8/10
--
Blog: www.labardolettrice.it (the review will be posted on the 17th of June)
Social Media: Ig, Facebook, You Tube ( the review will be posted on pub day)
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