MANGA REVIEW | "The Way of the Househusband" - Volume Fourteen
The Way of the Househusband has one question for you:
If the answer is “A lot”, then you are in luck! There’s a good amount of feline fun in the fourteenth volume of The Way of the Househusband. But the Immortal Dragon has some other things in store for his readers. Things like babies, sweet potatoes, and a certain magical cop girl show that a good wifey is obsessed with.
But first, the cats. Tatsu’s comrade Ms. Torii needs a new puss, and a visit to a cat foster home gets her and its owner into a fuzzy frenzy. She finds the perfect purring partner, one with sharp fangs and the tendency to bite things. Torii later returns in a chapter involving the kotatsu, and why even the most cold-hearted yakuza member will be warmed by it.
When kids are the focus of The Way of the Househusband, the series likes to have fun! Tora takes a group hiking, which results in good coffee and a lot of nasty wildlife attacking him. But even that level of excitement can’t turn the kids onto nature, as they’d rather stay indoors and play video games. (Considering how hot it gets in summer here in Japan, I can’t say I blame them!)
Tatsu also has his fair share of childcare duties. When a yakuza member leaves their baby with Tatsu, it becomes a race against time to get the kid to stop crying. Jokes, baby powder, and a nice carriage stroll through a hideout don’t do the job, until the Immortal Dragon finds what’s eating at the kid. Needless to say, it’s a bomb far worse than any terrorist could plant!
Where this volume shines is when Policure enters the picture. Tatsu’s wife’s favorite anime gets the trading card treatment, and a good househusband will do anything to get the best cards for her. Just how far he will go is beyond desperate, until other grown-ass men get into the game and attempt to swipe the best card from him. Thankfully, friendship saves the day in a way that’s both funny and endearing.
When it wants to, The Way of the Househusband can have some sweet moments. This comes in the form of a story involving Tatsu visiting the grave of his old boss. While the junk food aspect is the series delivering its usual silliness, the overall tone of this chapter is surprisingly touching. It goes to show that even a goofy manga like this can deliver something heartfelt.
Perhaps this is why I can never be too disappointed in a volume of The Way of the Househusband. Sure, it has had its low points, but the addition of new characters and situations has helped to revitalize the tale of the Immortal Dragon. Volume Fourteen knows when to be funny, when to be sweet, and when to just go with the flow. All in all, it’s a truly entertaining collection of stories.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
