MANGA REVIEW | "The Way of the Househusband" - Volume Seven
A former yakuza is the least-likely guy you’d expect to run a cat cafe or make frilly clothes for dogs. The Immortal Dragon Taiju, our hero in The Way of the Househusband, makes these sorts of situations feel natural for Japan’s most notorious crime syndicate. But that’s part of the charm of Kousuke Oono’s beloved comedy, as the retired tough guy brings a warm feeling from his hard outer exterior. This is evident in the seventh volume, where Taiju goes the extra mile to offer people happiness.
Taiju plays cat cafe manager, as one of the former head rivals appears to score some tail. A tsunami hits the town, as it shows why Mother Nature is the Immortal Dragon’s greatest foe. Meanwhile, a camping trip adds some roughness to the relaxation part, while a day of haiku reading reveals some beauty from some gritty situations. But when Neighborhood Association fees are due, Taiju winds up being the most intimidating choice to collect.
A lot of this volume of The Way of the Househusband is focused on the toughness and tenacity of Taiju. It has some similar jokes that we’ve seen in past volumes, especially when it comes to people looking at Taiju with fright rather than understanding. But it also takes some time to smell the roses and embrace the beauty of one’s surroundings. Yes, Taiju and the rest of the tough guys are literally screaming at the beauty of camp food and the transcendence of haiku poetry, but it’s not without heart and appreciation.
Perhaps the sweetest chapter involves Taiju and Miku bringing a smile to a child in a hospital. The setup is the usual “tough guy barges in to create joy” premise we saw in the Christmas chapter, but the ill girl is swept up by Taiju’s kindness. When Miku arrives, the two reenact a scene from the Policure series, with great gusto and flair. However, it does end with some criticism and notes from a certain nosey nurse.
Volume Seven of The Way of the Househusband has a great amount of laughs and sweetness. However, I can’t help but feel like Oono might now be running out of ideas, as there have been many gags here that felt repeated from past volumes. It’s still entertaining, and I look forward to seeing how Taiju turns some heads next time around. He just needs to, you know, sweeten the deal or something…
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media