Jul 13, 2016
underneath the facade of a simple and adorable storyline lies a hidden message tactfully concealed by well-developed characters and a good sense of humour. This manga, under the disguise of a normal shoujo, subtly tackles the taboo subject of social norm and sexual individuality.
A feminine boy and masculine girl.
It's not typical for a shoujo manga to use these as their plot device, yet the author skillfully executes such a delicate subject in a fashionable and subtle manner.
It's also risk to touch such topic in the realm of shoujo, for its appeal on the target audience is less popular than your
...
stereotypical setting.
Traditionally (and mostly supported by fairy tales), the knight in shining armour is supposed to be brave and strong to save the damsel in distress. A knight, a prince, a king, you name it. The roles of men have always been the saviour, the protector, the shield. Even with your typical character twists in this modern generation, men are the "devils", the "most popular guy in school", "the strongest delinquent", "the athlete" who eventually falls for the heroine and protects her from danger, like bees and thirsty bitches.
Mizutama Honey Boy shows you the exact opposite. A weak, physically-challenged hero who's extremely talented at sewing, cooking, and all the activities that "girls are supposed to be good at" is in love with our strong, six-packed, and stoic heroine.
The obvious clash of personalities makes a good comedy, but in reality, this comic relief hides the cunning true nature of the message behind it.
The main characters play a huge role in conveying a controversial issue in the real world, and they do so in a way that it's very hard to criticize, because they make really good points you can't easily shrug off.
All the other supporting characters play a significant role in bringing out the best in our protagonists, making them stand out among the rest of shoujo heroes and heroines.
Unlike other series on the same category *coughs*otomen*coughs*, this one doesn't have any direct antagonists who clearly opposes the protagonist's nature. Instead, there's the father, who obviously mourns for his son, but deep down it is shown that he has accepted his fate and the only thing he could do was cry about it. (Literally, every time you see him, he's crying)
The thing is, this will make you question the real world, 'what is wrong with defying societal standards? What is wrong with being a girly boy or a boyish girl? Just what is wrong with being yourself?' And the answer is right under our noses, and perhaps in this series.
What makes this story so unique is its compelling way of storytelling, like a children's picture book capable of educating people about intricate political and social issues, but in an ingenious way where children can still innocently enjoy and perhaps subconsciously learn from. It is devastating to see how underrated this series is, with so much potential in its daring material. It's definitely one of the hidden gems in shoujo manga.
All in all, Mizutama Honey Boy is not your typical fluffy mushy romance manga, yet it's capable of making you think it is.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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