This clearly meant to be an action comedy with some hints of romance, but it just...doesn't do it for me? This story is roughly 90 percent action and about 10 percent actual plot. I feel like halfway through, they realized the plot of "a bunch of assassins trying to kill the mob boss's secret child" was too basic, so they had to add in a primary antagonist. The art is fantastic! The biggest thing about this series is that the art is so good. Clearly the artist excels at drawing action scenes, and that's why so much of the volume is action.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.


I had the pleasure of diving into Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards 1, and let me tell you-I'm hooked. This action-packed manga doesn't just deliver on suspense; it keeps you second-guessing everything.

Trying to avoid spoilers here, but the mystery at the core of the story is gripping. Every twist made me tilt my head, furrow my brow, and turn the page faster. Who is the bad guy? I need answers!

The blend of high-stakes action with a hint of romance adds just the right amount of emotional depth, keeping me fully invested. Needless to say, I'm already on my way to grab the next volumes to unravel all the lingering questions. Highly recommended for fans of pulse-pounding stories that refuse to let go

"I risk my life for Akabane... because she accepts me for me."

I was immediately drawn in with the more bold and action art-style of the drawings. I enjoyed the dynamic between Arakuni Ibuki and his childhood friend, Honeko Akabane. They had some cute moments, the highlight being the promise they made as kids and their library "date." Plus it was fun to see Ibuki act as a secret bodyguard to Honeko, whom doesn't know she's secretly the daughter of a yakuza leader. Not only that but all her class-mates are also there to help protect Honeko. It was entertaining seeing how different Ibuki is compared to the rest of class 3-4, whom have more experience and was raised for the sole purpose of protecting Honkeo. It added a more chaotic energy and different dynamic to the Manga since Ibuki is basically an rookie bodyguard.

In general, Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards was a fun read, there are a lot funny and ridiculous moments. Its very fast paced and there's never really a dull moment due to its more action packed nature. While, I wouldn't say it brought anything super new to the table, I did like its take on the bodyguard trope with it being more of a secret role. Futhermore, I enjoyed the mystery of trying to unravel the mole in Class 3-4, while dealing with Maschika Jingu, the Jingu Gang's heir.

Thank you to Kodansha Comics for the ARC.

Fun and action packed, the story made for a pleasant break from a hectic day. The dialogue was a little awkward at times, but I loved the concept and the art style, and I'm really intrigued by where the story will go and what the future holds for class 3-4. Really makes me want to dive deep into manga again!

Entertaining and comic, I enjoyed reading this manga. Cannot say it's a crazy good one, but it had it's own moments

This is a highly entertaining story with a lot of twists that I never expected. Absolutely love the art style and the cute dynamic of the two main characters. The only thing I didn’t care for was I felt like this comic slightly caters towards a male gaze due to the fact, the female lead underwear is shown at one point, and then another female character is shown in the shower. At no point do we see the reverse for a male character.

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

In the few week or so, after not really dabbling beyond some Beserk, I have absolutely fallen in love with manga and this was another absolute banger that I might never come across, but ended up completely knocking my socks off.

The premise is simple:
There's a whole bunch of assassins going John Wick 2 on a school girl and her childhood friend and classmates have to keep her both alive and none the wiser. Violent and ridiculous hijinks ensue.

The way the premise is realised is a perfect storm of all the classic tropes and all the fun that can be had from the high school hijinks and peril is exquisite.

The writing is engaging, ridiculous, and endearing, just like the fabulous cast of characters.

I absolutely need the second volume when it's translated!

Honeko Akabane is secretly a yakuza boss' daughter, and with his retirement coming up she now has a target on her back. It's Akabane's childhood friend, Arakuni Ibuki's job to thwart the assassins wanting to kill her.

"Honeko Akabane has no clue... ...that she's being targeted by assassins. She can't find out... ...that I'm protecting her."

This manga is a very action heavy, comedy filled shounen adventure. High energy and high paced with lots of crazy characters. The story seems to mostly focus on Ibuki who has a major crush on our titular character. Which leads into the romance aspect of the manga. This manga is a great example of what the modern shounen genre has become, including fan service.

Overall I had an okay time with this series. It didn't really stand out to me among others so I don't think I will personally continue it, but it's perfectly serviceable as far as shounen series go. The action is well drawn, dynamic and easy to follow. I hope subsequent volumes will take time to develop the characters a bit more, and give the audience a chance to get to know especially Akabane a bit better. I was pleasantly surprised with how a certain situation in the library was handled, but then disappointed with how that got resolved in the end.

If you enjoy action heavy shounen with a touch of romance Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards is worth checking out. The art style of the action scenes is especially a highlight.

This was fun!
Volume one is still in the getting to know the characters phase (and there are a lot of them!), but there was enough plot to keep me interested.

Only quibble, there were a couple (I think actually 2) unnecessarily juvenile moments - one was an up the skirt shot, and a naked shower scene. So I guess the preteen boys will be satisfied.

Recommended

Thanks to Net Galley and Kodansha Comics for an ARC!

I really liked this manga. From the beginning, I knew it would be my cup of tea, mainly in the drawing style.

We meet the male protagonist, who is tasked with protecting his childhood friend (for no saying crush), who turns out to be none other than the illegitimate daughter of a yakuza boss. This puts her life in danger. So, the protagonist is tasked with taking down the killers alongside going to the same school clase.
It reminds me a bit of the trope "lady and knight," but in bodyguard format. The relationship between them is very cute. There are enough scenes about their feelings to root for them, but it doesn't quite reach the level of a shoujo manga.

What I enjoyed most was the amount of action the manga has. It's not so much that you can't understand what's going on, but it's enough to enjoy a good fight. Love the action-romance balance in this.

And what I loved most by far was the design of the side characters (spoiler: bodyguards yakuzas disguised as all classmates). I think the vast majority have an unique appearence, and although not all of them appear for long in this volume, it makes me curious to get to know them better. It has a lot of potential; I will continue reading. :)

Ofc it's not perfect, it's that type of manga that you have to forget the logic thinking a bit to enjoy it reading, but thats how almost every manga works anyway.

Highly recommended for a light and enjoyable read with action and a touch of romance.

4/5 🌟

I have to say I was obsessed with this one within the first page. The art work is fantastic and the story is so fun. Ibuki is so funny and I love how he and Honeko interact and the whole class really. It’s funny, action packed and keeps you hooked. I’ve already preordered the other volumes and bought volume one and two.

As always thank you to Kodansha Comics for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

This is the best manga I have read all year! I read it all in one sitting because IT WAS THAT GOOD.

Now the plot isn't overly groundbreaking, but it is done so well! I am a sucker for oblivious girl/protective guy trope, and so I was destined to love this. Ibuki's is a hot-headed thug who is just trying to protect his childhood friend that he obviously doesn't have feelings for (...sure). He gives Kyo vibes (for my Fruit's Basket lovers). I can't wait to become even more whipped for Akabane as the story progresses.

It's funny, it's action packed, and the TWISTS AND TURNS. IMMACULATE!

100/10 I cannot waiting to get my hands on the next volume! I am already OBSESSED.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Kodansha Comics for giving me a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

It is amazing just how long it took for this to be officially translated, but FINALLY! It is very cliche in nearly every way, but it executes itself so well that you have to give it a pass. A classroom army of awesome assassins, a bickering tsundere couple, epic fight scenes--and all done in such an expressive art style that gives it so much life in every single way. It is an absolute fun read, and I hope it does stick its landing despite what Internet naysayers have commented, heheh.

Only points deducted for not keeping the possible gay. LAME.

This was a quick paced funny as hell read! I loved that from page one there was action. I never felt that things were stalling. I also really enjoyed seeing a little bit of teenage angst.

Honeko and Ibuki were hilarious together. It was funny seeing Ibuki trying to remain discreet while protecting her & Honeko perceiving it as something else.

I’m curious to see how things will unfold in future volumes!

This was amusing and a good 35 min read, but it didn’t come across as ground breaking or original. Light comedy, standard art style, and a goofy premise. It’s manga 101, and while that’s not a bad hand at all, I have been reading manga for over 30 years at this point. I would have liked more originality.

Translation didn’t feel clunky, so that’s a plus.

2.5

Honeko Akabane is the daughter of a top yakuza boss, only he had her adopted by a normal family in hopes that she could have a normal life. Word has gotten out that he is planning to retire and people are worried that he is going to chose his unknown daughter as his successor. Natural people want to kill her. So what does her old man do? Hires a huge amount of bodyguards to protect his child, without her knowing it.

Arakuni is hired as well. Son of a former member of the gang, and childhood friend to the daughter, he is chosen to help keep her safe by staying close to her. While his classmates are professionals, they don’t know Akabane so they don’t anticipate her ability to get herself into trouble just by trying to be a fair class president. But Arakuni does, so he can anticipate her moves and this helps him be, possibly, her best bodyguard. And, he’s the only one trusted to know there is a mole in their presence.

A fun manga series for anyone who likes the idea of an over the top protection team taking out bad guy assassins while trying to stay completely undercover around their asset. Arakuni can de away with it cause Akabane has known him as a brash person since they were kids. But everyone else has to pretend to be normal around her.

I found this super entertaining. The art style is quite bold, which really suits the style of story they are trying to convey. There's lots of action for anyone who likes battle scenes.

I enjoyed it! Super fun and totally addictive! Packed with hilarious action, lovable characters, and just the right amount of romantic tension, Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards is a must-read for fans of school-action romcoms. The art is stylish, the pacing is sharp, and every chapter leaves you wanting more.

It is a good art style and the concept of the series is one I could see other people liking but I found the dialogue pretty early on to be off-putting and awkward (in how it is written, not in what was actually being said).

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards, Vol. 1 by Masamitsu Nigatsu was a hilarious and heartfelt manga volume about a delinquent's childhood friend, the secret child of a gang leader, who has assassins sent after her. It is up to her friend and the whole rest of her class of 22 trained bodyguards to watch her back and protect her without her ever knowing a thing. This was great and so different from anything else I've read. Several scenes took me by surprise and charmed me completely. Definitely one of the best new series I've read this year.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for showing me this manga.

It feels like your typical highschooler romance manga with yazukas going after the FL and ML being her bodyguard because of it. Really love the art tho!