Manga Review: Behind the Scenes!!, Volume 1, by Bisco Hatori

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2, 2016

Volumes: 3+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 2.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ranmaru Kurisu comes from a family of hardy, rough-and-tumble fisher folk, and he sticks out at home like a delicate, artistic sore thumb. It’s given him a raging inferiority complex and a permanently pessimistic outlook. Now that he’s in college, he’s hoping to find a sense of belonging. But after a whole life of being left out, does he even know how to fit in?!

It’s two months into Ranmaru’s college career, and if he’s learned one thing, it’s that he’s really uncomfortable around other people. But when he stumbles into a zombie mob attack, he’s forced out of his comfort zone in the most dramatic way possible! Of course it’s just a movie shoot, but when he wakes up from his ignoble faint, he’s been whisked away behind the scenes with the Art Squad! Could this group of weirdoes be what Ranmaru’s been looking for all his life?!

Review:

There was absolutely no way that I wasn’t going to pick this book up. And given my utter love for Ouran, there was no way that I wasn’t going to love it.

So it’s no surprise that I do.

Despite the author’s attempts, the set-up is quite similar to Ouran. It's still a club setting, with the main character getting pulled into it by accident, only now they're in college. But the cast of characters are rather different. Our main one, in particular. The artwork is nice, too, now that Hatori has grown so much.

Ranmaru has huge self-esteem issues. From growing up and causing problems and being blamed for everything, he believes everything is his fault. He’s terrified of everything. When he stumbles into the drama clubs set, he’s terrified of backlash, but is somehow pulled into helping them out. And surprisingly, they find out that he has a talent for fixing things and crafting.

There’s the leader of the group, a powerful leader who takes charge and manipulates. There’s a pretty boy, a previous thug, a horror fanatic, and a pretty girl who does the costumes. I do like all the costumes and the work they all put into the makeup and sets and everything behind the scenes for the films. 

Seriously, I’m already in love with this series. I want more, right now.         

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!