Absolute Boyfriend Book 3
- Posted by Johanna on February 20, 2007 at 3:32 pm
- Category: Manga Reviews
- CREDITS: by Yuu Watase; adaptation by Lance Caselman
- PUBLISHER: Viz, $8.99 US
I thought Absolute Boyfriend Book 1 had some interesting observations about male/female relations, but now the series has turned into a sitcom-like sex comedy. Ever-more-implausible situations are devised to throw Riiko and Night together and then keep them apart.
Events are ridiculous. Riiko nearly gets killed trying to stake her claim on Night at the same time she can’t decide whether she loves him or Soshi. Then the three wind up on a vacation island as part of the pressure being placed on Riiko to have sex with Night.
I really wanted to somehow force Riiko to read the manga of Mayu Shinjo, whose books are about teaching young women to find their own voices and speak for themselves. Riiko’s more like driftwood, buffeted amongst others’ expectations for her, kept moving by a desire not to upset anyone. That’s a circumstance many girls find themselves in, but it can make for frustration on the reader’s part, since Riiko can’t be grabbed and shaken to gain sense.
But if you’re going to be in that situation, trying to decide between two guys gorgeous in their own ways isn’t bad.
July 11, 2007 at 8:39 pm
[…] found myself wondering how much I was really enjoying this series with the previous volume, which I thought was becoming too sitcom-like. […]
January 6, 2008 at 1:52 pm
omfg i cannot WAIT 2 read the 3RD….. ur right, the book HAS turned in2 a sex sitcom! i luv it, and in my opinion, i rlly like soshi and all, but he’s kind of a jerk 2 night in the 2ND book just 2 get them away frm each other which i think is just selfish and rude!!! >=[ but, i do think that riiko should just walk up 2 night and kiss him— then, if she luved him, hav sex w/ him…. idk, but i wanna c wht happens nxt!!!!! =]