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桜蘭高校ホスト部 [Ōran Kōkō Host Club] #1-18
Ouran High School Host Club Box Set
The complete best-selling series, now in a value-priced box set
Reads R to L (Japanese style) for teen audiences.
In this screwball romantic comedy, Haruhi, a poor girl at a rich kids school, is forced to repay an $80,000 debt by working for the school's swankiest, all-male club, as a boy! There she discovers just how wealthy the six members are and how different the rich are from everybody else.
Reads R to L (Japanese style) for teen audiences.
In this screwball romantic comedy, Haruhi, a poor girl at a rich kids school, is forced to repay an $80,000 debt by working for the school's swankiest, all-male club, as a boy! There she discovers just how wealthy the six members are and how different the rich are from everybody else.
3528 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2014
45 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
About the author
Bisco Hatori
51 books1,479 followersName (in native language): 葉鳥ビスコ
Bisco Hatori is a Japanese manga artist. Bisco Hatori is a pseudonym; she states that the name has special meaning to her. She has worked for such magazines as LaLa. Her manga debut was A Moment of Romance in LaLa DX. Her first series was Millennium Snow. However, the comedy Ouran High School Host Club is her breakout hit.
Bisco Hatori is a Japanese manga artist. Bisco Hatori is a pseudonym; she states that the name has special meaning to her. She has worked for such magazines as LaLa. Her manga debut was A Moment of Romance in LaLa DX. Her first series was Millennium Snow. However, the comedy Ouran High School Host Club is her breakout hit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
July 17, 2013
When I finished the last chapter of Ouran High School Host Club (a manga that will now be referred to as ‘Ouran‘), I started giggling like an idiot and crying like a baby. Giggling because the series is just too darn funny and crying BECAUSE IT WAS OVER! Ouran is unlike any shojo I have ever read, and after reading the manga through the wee hours of the night, spending time with the wonderful characters, it’s really hard to watch the story end. But really, I fell in love with this series and can’t thank Bisco Hatori enough for bringing it into the world.
The series opens up with Haruhi, a sharp and cynical “commoner” scholarship student, stumbling upon the Ouran Host Club, coming face to face with a bunch of rich, handsome guys, and breaking an expensive vase. And since the guys of the club had mistook her for a boy, they make her join the club in order for her to pay off her debt. Thus begins a story about a girl joining a club where filthy rich pretty boys with too much time on their hands entertain filthy rich pretty girls with too much time on their hands.
Middle of the bottom row: Haruhi
Top row, second from the left: totally a 17 year-old.
Ouran does sound a bit shallow, I admit, but at its core, it is a hilarious and adorable manga that takes a heck of a lot of joy in poking fun at things. Stereotypes, archetypes, cliches, random and sometimes absurd events, occasional serious moments, are all lovingly placed into one manga series. You really wouldn’t think that a person would make such a combination of things work, but Hatori did, quite beautifully. She adds a refreshing twist to everything, and makes fun of them, of course.
Most of the members of the host club begin as stereotypes, or at the very least, archetypes– you have the silly and stupid Tamaki, the mischievous twins named Hikarou and Karou, Kyouya who is a glasses-wearing guy that is always scheming, the stoic and silent Mori, and the childish, immature Hunny (whose size fits his personality very well). You can pretty much describe their personalities with two words maximum. Which could have been extremely grating on the nerves, but the characters are all just so fun and cuddly that you absolutely love them anyways.
And then there is the fact that they are all given a massive amount of development throughout the course of the series. You get to see their backstories, learn their motivations, find out how they became who they are at the present, and even see that they are growing as people. They all eventually become a group of characters that are not merely made up of stereotypes and archetypes, all while retaining their original flare and ability to be made fun of.
Haruhi, the female lead, is not a stereotype or an archetype– but she could be called the exact opposite of the typical shojo girl. She’s blunt, cynical, sharp-tongued, and usually has a “what the Hell?” attitude toward whatever the club wants to do next. She’s awesome because of that and couldn’t help but adore her.
Ouran‘s supporting characters are also very fun and only add more life to the story, though the main characters give more than enough of it already. From the otaku Renge to the girls who are customers at the host club to Haruhi’s transvestite dad (who I give the title of Best Manga Dad Ever), the supporting characters are nearly as funny as the leads and can quickly get you caught up in the moment.
These characters and the chemistry between them all are wonderful. And their crazy antics are so very fun and entertaining to read. Whether they are charming girls in the music room, dressing up as girls to win back a girl, playing matchmaker, flying on a helicopter to Karuizawa so they could ‘save’ Haruhi, who was on vacation, creating a movie directed by Renge that only exaggerates their personalities even further or just turns their personalities all the way around, or trying to learn more about the lives of “commoners” so they can understand Haruhi better, they are hilarious to read about and I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times. And then there are the incredibly sweet moments that make you realize that the host club is like a family and that they really care about each other. Their antics and interactions relates reason alone to read Ouran.
The story of the manga is simple, as it is about the host club’s random antics and the character’s lives. The romance doesn’t even kick in until much later into the series and there isn’t much seriousness until the last volumes. But still, I was always craving to read more Ouran. This series is surprisingly addictive and my attempts at putting a volume in the series down rarely amounted to anything. The lively, colorful characters are just to hard to part from :P Oh, and I thought that the ending was well thought-out, even though it’s sad that the appearance of an ending means the manga is over. I liked that it ended on a happy and funny note.
Hatori’s art is nothing to write home about in the beginning. To be honest, since I watched the anime first, I was a little underwhelmed by it. But her art soon becomes quite astounding as it evolves. There is more clarity, the characters looks gorgeous (well, not when they are going all chibi on you, but yeah), and it is all-around fun to look at.
So, thank you, Ouran, for being so playful, funny, sweet, and adorable. Thank you for the wild ride that you are. Yes, you can be pretty weird and random, but hey, you’re Ouran and I love you because of that! Now… Please leave me be. I need to cry some more since I am having a really hard time accepting that you ended.
The series opens up with Haruhi, a sharp and cynical “commoner” scholarship student, stumbling upon the Ouran Host Club, coming face to face with a bunch of rich, handsome guys, and breaking an expensive vase. And since the guys of the club had mistook her for a boy, they make her join the club in order for her to pay off her debt. Thus begins a story about a girl joining a club where filthy rich pretty boys with too much time on their hands entertain filthy rich pretty girls with too much time on their hands.
Middle of the bottom row: Haruhi
Top row, second from the left: totally a 17 year-old.
Ouran does sound a bit shallow, I admit, but at its core, it is a hilarious and adorable manga that takes a heck of a lot of joy in poking fun at things. Stereotypes, archetypes, cliches, random and sometimes absurd events, occasional serious moments, are all lovingly placed into one manga series. You really wouldn’t think that a person would make such a combination of things work, but Hatori did, quite beautifully. She adds a refreshing twist to everything, and makes fun of them, of course.
Most of the members of the host club begin as stereotypes, or at the very least, archetypes– you have the silly and stupid Tamaki, the mischievous twins named Hikarou and Karou, Kyouya who is a glasses-wearing guy that is always scheming, the stoic and silent Mori, and the childish, immature Hunny (whose size fits his personality very well). You can pretty much describe their personalities with two words maximum. Which could have been extremely grating on the nerves, but the characters are all just so fun and cuddly that you absolutely love them anyways.
And then there is the fact that they are all given a massive amount of development throughout the course of the series. You get to see their backstories, learn their motivations, find out how they became who they are at the present, and even see that they are growing as people. They all eventually become a group of characters that are not merely made up of stereotypes and archetypes, all while retaining their original flare and ability to be made fun of.
Haruhi, the female lead, is not a stereotype or an archetype– but she could be called the exact opposite of the typical shojo girl. She’s blunt, cynical, sharp-tongued, and usually has a “what the Hell?” attitude toward whatever the club wants to do next. She’s awesome because of that and couldn’t help but adore her.
Ouran‘s supporting characters are also very fun and only add more life to the story, though the main characters give more than enough of it already. From the otaku Renge to the girls who are customers at the host club to Haruhi’s transvestite dad (who I give the title of Best Manga Dad Ever), the supporting characters are nearly as funny as the leads and can quickly get you caught up in the moment.
These characters and the chemistry between them all are wonderful. And their crazy antics are so very fun and entertaining to read. Whether they are charming girls in the music room, dressing up as girls to win back a girl, playing matchmaker, flying on a helicopter to Karuizawa so they could ‘save’ Haruhi, who was on vacation, creating a movie directed by Renge that only exaggerates their personalities even further or just turns their personalities all the way around, or trying to learn more about the lives of “commoners” so they can understand Haruhi better, they are hilarious to read about and I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times. And then there are the incredibly sweet moments that make you realize that the host club is like a family and that they really care about each other. Their antics and interactions relates reason alone to read Ouran.
The story of the manga is simple, as it is about the host club’s random antics and the character’s lives. The romance doesn’t even kick in until much later into the series and there isn’t much seriousness until the last volumes. But still, I was always craving to read more Ouran. This series is surprisingly addictive and my attempts at putting a volume in the series down rarely amounted to anything. The lively, colorful characters are just to hard to part from :P Oh, and I thought that the ending was well thought-out, even though it’s sad that the appearance of an ending means the manga is over. I liked that it ended on a happy and funny note.
Hatori’s art is nothing to write home about in the beginning. To be honest, since I watched the anime first, I was a little underwhelmed by it. But her art soon becomes quite astounding as it evolves. There is more clarity, the characters looks gorgeous (well, not when they are going all chibi on you, but yeah), and it is all-around fun to look at.
So, thank you, Ouran, for being so playful, funny, sweet, and adorable. Thank you for the wild ride that you are. Yes, you can be pretty weird and random, but hey, you’re Ouran and I love you because of that! Now… Please leave me be. I need to cry some more since I am having a really hard time accepting that you ended.
February 15, 2018
One of my all time favorite mangas and animes. I will love, reread, and treasure these stories for as long as I live.
May 11, 2020
This manga is so much better than its description will have you believe. Yes, it has a tad bit of shoujo clichés, but there are a lot of elements that are different. It is hilarious in the beginning. Somewhere in the middle, the humour starts to fade and the plot drags on. Towards the end, there is some drama, but it's not the kind that makes your eyes roll, it's the kind that makes you look forward to how the story will end.
After a long time, I’m reading a manga where I actually like the main and supporting characters. Granted, the male lead is a blithering idiot, he meddles into other people’s business and acts as a player, but he has a good heart and I dig that. I’m so sick of the “jerk male lead” thing, that it is refreshing to see a nice guy as the lead.
The female lead was a complete contrast. Her no-nonsense attitude was cool. I liked that she comes across as cold, blunt, cynical and emotionless because that is the opposite of a typical shoujo girl. Though she appears cold, she is sweet and considerate. She just doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve.
The side characters are adorable as well. They may be stereotypical in the beginning, but their backstories and character development (though not much) make them interesting. The whole "host club" may sound weird, but the story focuses more on the characters and the club activities don't make you frown.
If you are looking for a fun read with some humour and not too much drama, I’d highly recommend this manga.
After a long time, I’m reading a manga where I actually like the main and supporting characters. Granted, the male lead is a blithering idiot, he meddles into other people’s business and acts as a player, but he has a good heart and I dig that. I’m so sick of the “jerk male lead” thing, that it is refreshing to see a nice guy as the lead.
The female lead was a complete contrast. Her no-nonsense attitude was cool. I liked that she comes across as cold, blunt, cynical and emotionless because that is the opposite of a typical shoujo girl. Though she appears cold, she is sweet and considerate. She just doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve.
The side characters are adorable as well. They may be stereotypical in the beginning, but their backstories and character development (though not much) make them interesting. The whole "host club" may sound weird, but the story focuses more on the characters and the club activities don't make you frown.
If you are looking for a fun read with some humour and not too much drama, I’d highly recommend this manga.
April 6, 2019
Ouran High School Host Club is - hands down- THE most hilarious reverse harem manga out there.
The comedic series revolves around the escapades of Haruhi a scholarship student at the prestigious Ouran Academy, a high school for the children of the obscenely rich Japanese nobility. Looking for a quiet place to study, Haruhi stumbles upon the abandoned Third Music Room, a place where the Ouran Academy Host Club, a group of six male students, gathers to entertain female "clients".
During their initial encounter, Haruhi accidentally destroys an antique vase and must work off the debt as the club's errand boy.
Her short hair, slouching attire, and androgynous face cause her to be mistaken by the Hosts for a male student, though they soon realize her actual gender and the fact that she's a "natural" in entertaining girls, promoting her to full-Host status against her will, all while jealously guarding the fact that she's in fact a girl; "their" girl.
Watching Haruhi deal with a group of self entitled, narcissistic, slightly psychopathic, yet loveable boys who are completely out of touch with reality is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
What brings this manga to a whole other level is the amount of background we eventually delve into. This isn't just marvelously funny, their individual background stories is what makes this such a superb story.
If you've never read a manga before, if you're thinking this is just for kids, I dare you to try Ouran High School Host Club.
Great story, cute art, smut free (not a plus for all, but hey...) and marvelously entertaining. The second manga to make it to my exclusive 6 stars shelf.
If mangas are not your thing, you can also watch the movie series adaptation online. I can highly recommend it, though it leaves out some details I assure you won't want to miss.
The comedic series revolves around the escapades of Haruhi a scholarship student at the prestigious Ouran Academy, a high school for the children of the obscenely rich Japanese nobility. Looking for a quiet place to study, Haruhi stumbles upon the abandoned Third Music Room, a place where the Ouran Academy Host Club, a group of six male students, gathers to entertain female "clients".
During their initial encounter, Haruhi accidentally destroys an antique vase and must work off the debt as the club's errand boy.
Her short hair, slouching attire, and androgynous face cause her to be mistaken by the Hosts for a male student, though they soon realize her actual gender and the fact that she's a "natural" in entertaining girls, promoting her to full-Host status against her will, all while jealously guarding the fact that she's in fact a girl; "their" girl.
Watching Haruhi deal with a group of self entitled, narcissistic, slightly psychopathic, yet loveable boys who are completely out of touch with reality is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
What brings this manga to a whole other level is the amount of background we eventually delve into. This isn't just marvelously funny, their individual background stories is what makes this such a superb story.
If you've never read a manga before, if you're thinking this is just for kids, I dare you to try Ouran High School Host Club.
Great story, cute art, smut free (not a plus for all, but hey...) and marvelously entertaining. The second manga to make it to my exclusive 6 stars shelf.
If mangas are not your thing, you can also watch the movie series adaptation online. I can highly recommend it, though it leaves out some details I assure you won't want to miss.
April 20, 2020
Objectively-ish, 4 stars.
Subjectively, 5 stars because why not.
Despite its flaws and all, this is a story that has been with me for 10 years, since the day I started watching the anime (which I rewatched at least 3 times before finally buying and reading the manga), and that will forever stay close to my heart.
Which means, I may be biased in my rating.
Who cares though?
Okay so.
First things first.
It's a shoujo (in case all the pink wasn't obvious enough) and it has all the usual stereotypes-clichés etc. The romance, the love triangle, the romeo and juliet (kind of). So it has its public, and it has the ones who don't enjoy this type of thing.
But, hear this. I'm so not into genre-categorizing manga (and you will hear me complain about this a lot) but since it works that way whether I agree with it or not, let's just say most guys are much less likely to pick a shoujo than a shonen, and also less likely than a girl picking a shonen. Anyway, the one who made me discover the anime 10 years ago was a (male) friend and I recently got my bf to watch the anime. He wasn't fond of the twins at first whom he found annoying, but he ended up enjoying quite a lot. And that's with him himself saying he wants blood, sweat and hmm... wait I forgot the last one, but basically what you very often find in shonen manga and more specifically the JUMP ones. Still, I don't think he'll ever read the manga to the end, but that already shows that it can reach all kinds of audience because of how silly it is.
Which you probably wouldn't expect from something called "Host Club", in which a bunch of guys entertain their female student counterparts in a school for the richest.
Or so it says.
Yes, that's where I'm dropping the synopsis on you.
Because it's not very representative of the manga/anime imo.
I mean, it has a bunch of obvious flaws, but the charisma of the characters (and the fun and stupid situations) makes you look past these issues.
Such as.
Time doesn't flow properly.
But the author is well aware of this, and actually plays with it sometimes when the characters hmm... what's the word? not like break the fourth wall, but are... self-aware? "Dude, go reread the previous episode" kind of type. The kind of thing, while usually being silly, never fails to make me laugh.
Back to topic: I mean, they're stuck in that weird loop where seasons come and go, but everyone is still in the same year (that is, Hunny-Mori in 3rd, Kyouya-Tama in 2nd, and Haruhi-Hitachiins in 1st)... until like volume 15 when graduation eventually shows up for some reason.
The pace of the story is obviously not very balanced.
— What's in the anime covers about 8 or 9 volumes of sillyness. (The ending of the anime actually not being something from the manga even if it borrows some elements from a chapter .)
— The latter half of the manga is more about going further into the backstories introduced in the first half (and anime) and pushing all the characters towards a future. It focuses more on the Host Club members and less on their activities as hosts. It's the part I was actually a bit afraid of before reading it, because I've read some people say it was dragging the story or something. Well, I worried for nothing because I enjoyed it so much. Aside from the fact that it was finally new material to me, it was also seeing them change (or not on certain points) that was nice.
I may add some more within the next few days because there's so much I could say about how much I love this manga.
Subjectively, 5 stars because why not.
Despite its flaws and all, this is a story that has been with me for 10 years, since the day I started watching the anime (which I rewatched at least 3 times before finally buying and reading the manga), and that will forever stay close to my heart.
Which means, I may be biased in my rating.
Who cares though?
Okay so.
First things first.
It's a shoujo (in case all the pink wasn't obvious enough) and it has all the usual stereotypes-clichés etc. The romance, the love triangle, the romeo and juliet (kind of). So it has its public, and it has the ones who don't enjoy this type of thing.
But, hear this. I'm so not into genre-categorizing manga (and you will hear me complain about this a lot) but since it works that way whether I agree with it or not, let's just say most guys are much less likely to pick a shoujo than a shonen, and also less likely than a girl picking a shonen. Anyway, the one who made me discover the anime 10 years ago was a (male) friend and I recently got my bf to watch the anime. He wasn't fond of the twins at first whom he found annoying, but he ended up enjoying quite a lot. And that's with him himself saying he wants blood, sweat and hmm... wait I forgot the last one, but basically what you very often find in shonen manga and more specifically the JUMP ones. Still, I don't think he'll ever read the manga to the end, but that already shows that it can reach all kinds of audience because of how silly it is.
Which you probably wouldn't expect from something called "Host Club", in which a bunch of guys entertain their female student counterparts in a school for the richest.
Or so it says.
Yes, that's where I'm dropping the synopsis on you.
Because it's not very representative of the manga/anime imo.
I mean, it has a bunch of obvious flaws, but the charisma of the characters (and the fun and stupid situations) makes you look past these issues.
Such as.
Time doesn't flow properly.
But the author is well aware of this, and actually plays with it sometimes when the characters hmm... what's the word? not like break the fourth wall, but are... self-aware? "Dude, go reread the previous episode" kind of type. The kind of thing, while usually being silly, never fails to make me laugh.
Back to topic: I mean, they're stuck in that weird loop where seasons come and go, but everyone is still in the same year (that is, Hunny-Mori in 3rd, Kyouya-Tama in 2nd, and Haruhi-Hitachiins in 1st)... until like volume 15 when graduation eventually shows up for some reason.
The pace of the story is obviously not very balanced.
— What's in the anime covers about 8 or 9 volumes of sillyness. (The ending of the anime actually not being something from the manga even if it borrows some elements from a chapter .)
— The latter half of the manga is more about going further into the backstories introduced in the first half (and anime) and pushing all the characters towards a future. It focuses more on the Host Club members and less on their activities as hosts. It's the part I was actually a bit afraid of before reading it, because I've read some people say it was dragging the story or something. Well, I worried for nothing because I enjoyed it so much. Aside from the fact that it was finally new material to me, it was also seeing them change (or not on certain points) that was nice.
I may add some more within the next few days because there's so much I could say about how much I love this manga.
September 20, 2023
Likable characters with some really funny jokes. I also liked the author's little asides. Plot was jus a'ight, but I picked it up more for comedy than plot anyway.
(Honestly it's closer to 3.5)
(Honestly it's closer to 3.5)
July 10, 2017
All in all, I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH THIS REREAD BROUGHT NOSTALGIA, FEELS, FLUTTERS, AND LAUGHS ALL AROUND. I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THE FAMILY THEME/ASEPCT IMMERSED IN THIS SERIES.
P.S. Here's just something funny relating to OHSHC: CLICK
September 17, 2017
A loving parody of the shoujo manga genre, cliches, and tropes it imitations. Intelligent, witty, and satirical without being cruel. Likable, complex characters who grow and change for the better over the series. It has heart, it has laughs, and it has love. What more can we want?
November 25, 2025
will i ever get sick of rereading this? hasn’t happened in the last 10 years…
October 3, 2020
love this series so much, one of my favorite nostalgic childhood reads ever!
although,,, i ship haruhi with hikaru more and i cried when he confessed and was utterly rejected 😔😭😭
although,,, i ship haruhi with hikaru more and i cried when he confessed and was utterly rejected 😔😭😭
July 21, 2022
Slayed absolutely perfect. The beach chapter doesn’t exist😃👍
March 6, 2016
CUTEEEEE
September 12, 2024
while reading these past few weeks i had a bunch of thoughts but upon finishing it… sigh. i love ohshc so so so much. i loved reading the episodes that were adapted and i loved reading new episodes i loved the character development of certain characters especially the twins i love hikaru and kaoru i loved seeing mori being the biggest animal friend of them all i loved seeing more mature sides of honey which remind you of how he is actually the oldest together with mori i loved seeing how the twins didn’t hesitate to go to them for advice i love tamaki i love kyoya i love haruhi i love how tamaki and haruhi are literally made for eachother i loved kyoya and kuzes rivalry and especially kuzes fiancé i love renge she’s an icon i love haruhis dad i love honey and reiko and i really loved mei i found myself looking forward to seeing her more i love how all of them but especially tamaki are such idiots and i love the host club i love their bonds i shed tears at tamakis backstory and i will miss reading it every night i love them so muchhhhh this review probably sounds sappy but ohshc is so special to me 🫶🫶🫶 totally worth buying the entire manga
January 3, 2018
What is there to say? OHSHC is a modern classic of genderbent shoujo. It managed to twist the common tropes of the genderbent genre, while making interesting comments on the interplay of public and personal identity. It's not perfect, but I can't say that I don't consider it to be one of the best shoujo series of all time. I still remember crying at the end, and being punch-drunk happy at the somewhat too perfect ending. Sometimes you need something a little too perfect.
If you like witty dialogue, charismatic character designs, and indulgent costume design, I recommend this to you.
If you like witty dialogue, charismatic character designs, and indulgent costume design, I recommend this to you.
August 6, 2016
Maybe 4.5 stars? This is such an entertaining story about friendship and family. And it's hilarious. I have to admit that I was confused by some parts, though.
November 13, 2012
I LOVE OURAN
the characters are so well done and I love how funny the mangas are
the characters are so well done and I love how funny the mangas are
February 8, 2017
5 stars!
Welcome, princess! To the Ouran High School Host Club!
Have you ever found that one group of friends you would consider family? That group of people who amuse, inspire, and exasperate you on a daily basis? When you’re with them…it’s like being at home. Despite the odds, these people, these insane people, found you, chose you, and put in the effort to understand you. They’re the ones who chip away at your apathy, your loneliness, your fears, your insecurities.
They’re the ones who bring out your true, best self.
Though Ouran High School Host Club is a ridiculous story full of ego and cosplay, attractive guys and archetypes, all of it is built around a big, beautiful heart—the unparalleled power of friendship.
The characters truly are the driving force of this manga series.
The Host Club characters all begin as shoujo manga male archetypes: the prince, the glasses-wearing smart type, the mischief makers, the boy Lolita, and the strong silent type. These labels helped me easily latch onto and remember them at the beginning, which was helpful as these boys are utterly insane. The humour is one of the main draws of this series, and for good reason. The antics of this filthy rich Host Club will have you literally rolling around with laughter.
And as this is a manga and not a novel, the artwork of these guys is delicious eye candy. (Seriously, they’re all so attractive.) Almost every episode, they’ll have new extravagantly gorgeous costumes that bring the fantasies of their customers (and readers) to life. I swooned at the cover of Volume 7 in particular, along with the police costumes, the masquerade outfits, and the knights’ armour.
In contrast to the exaggerated personalities of the Host Club, commoner protagonist Haruhi Fujioka has a refreshing pragmatism that plays hilariously with her wealthy male counterparts. Haruhi is honestly an inspiration. Her apathy, bluntness and disregard for gender all subvert the typical passive role of a shoujo heroine. She is the one who centres this reverse harem story on friendship as opposed to romance.
These goofy dynamics are wonderful enough as is, but then Hatori hits you with CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. And OH MAN. The way Hatori deconstructs and develops her characters over the course of the story adds such incredible depth to the story. Suddenly a story that you were compelled to read by the hot guys becomes a story about an unparalleled friendship, unequivocal support and natural banter. There were countless moments where I was reduced to tears by the strength of their character development, some of which hit so close to home. By the end of the series, the maturity of her characters blew me away.
It would’ve been easy for Hatori to emphasise the power of friendship and disregard all other important relationships. But she doesn’t. Though friends can form bonds stronger than those of family, Hatori highlights that family is still so important to a wholesome, happy life. What looked like a silly series on the outside is full of extraordinary messages: communicating your feelings, accepting change, being open to new experiences, being true to yourself, being positive, chasing your dreams, being independent.
To anyone who wants to laugh, flail, cry and rediscover the power of friendship, I welcome you to Music Room 3, to the world of the utterly ridiculous but unbelievably heartwarming Ouran High School Host Club.
Welcome, princess! To the Ouran High School Host Club!
Have you ever found that one group of friends you would consider family? That group of people who amuse, inspire, and exasperate you on a daily basis? When you’re with them…it’s like being at home. Despite the odds, these people, these insane people, found you, chose you, and put in the effort to understand you. They’re the ones who chip away at your apathy, your loneliness, your fears, your insecurities.
They’re the ones who bring out your true, best self.
Though Ouran High School Host Club is a ridiculous story full of ego and cosplay, attractive guys and archetypes, all of it is built around a big, beautiful heart—the unparalleled power of friendship.
The characters truly are the driving force of this manga series.
The Host Club characters all begin as shoujo manga male archetypes: the prince, the glasses-wearing smart type, the mischief makers, the boy Lolita, and the strong silent type. These labels helped me easily latch onto and remember them at the beginning, which was helpful as these boys are utterly insane. The humour is one of the main draws of this series, and for good reason. The antics of this filthy rich Host Club will have you literally rolling around with laughter.
And as this is a manga and not a novel, the artwork of these guys is delicious eye candy. (Seriously, they’re all so attractive.) Almost every episode, they’ll have new extravagantly gorgeous costumes that bring the fantasies of their customers (and readers) to life. I swooned at the cover of Volume 7 in particular, along with the police costumes, the masquerade outfits, and the knights’ armour.
In contrast to the exaggerated personalities of the Host Club, commoner protagonist Haruhi Fujioka has a refreshing pragmatism that plays hilariously with her wealthy male counterparts. Haruhi is honestly an inspiration. Her apathy, bluntness and disregard for gender all subvert the typical passive role of a shoujo heroine. She is the one who centres this reverse harem story on friendship as opposed to romance.
These goofy dynamics are wonderful enough as is, but then Hatori hits you with CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. And OH MAN. The way Hatori deconstructs and develops her characters over the course of the story adds such incredible depth to the story. Suddenly a story that you were compelled to read by the hot guys becomes a story about an unparalleled friendship, unequivocal support and natural banter. There were countless moments where I was reduced to tears by the strength of their character development, some of which hit so close to home. By the end of the series, the maturity of her characters blew me away.
It would’ve been easy for Hatori to emphasise the power of friendship and disregard all other important relationships. But she doesn’t. Though friends can form bonds stronger than those of family, Hatori highlights that family is still so important to a wholesome, happy life. What looked like a silly series on the outside is full of extraordinary messages: communicating your feelings, accepting change, being open to new experiences, being true to yourself, being positive, chasing your dreams, being independent.
To anyone who wants to laugh, flail, cry and rediscover the power of friendship, I welcome you to Music Room 3, to the world of the utterly ridiculous but unbelievably heartwarming Ouran High School Host Club.
January 2, 2022
I know I didn't write reviews for the last few volumes, but that's because I read them all in the middle of the night and don't remember much. BUT GOD I LOVE THIS SERIES AND I'M SO SAD TO HAVE FINISHED IT!!
Here's some background information on why I got the manga (and yes, I own the box set):
I had wanted to watch the anime for a while, but every time I tried to, I hated it. It made no sense to me, and I thought it was stupid. Nonetheless, I still kept on trying to get past the 1st episode, even though the same results appeared each time. (￣▽￣) On the 6th try, however, I finally liked it. And I thought it was funny. I believe this was around end of May/beginning of June 2021. And then I fell in love with the anime and got pissed at the ending, even though I swore not to. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
A little while later (aka July; a month after I'd finished the anime), I came from a little "vacation" (it was an overnight thing in Philly), and there it was. The box set. My brother wasted $300 on Amazon for this as a present. I'm still grateful to this day. (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ) Mainly because this is probably the nicest thing he's ever done to me.
Okay, history time over. This is one of those few series that made me feel some sort emotion that cannot be explained. It's a mix of several classic emotions, like happiness, anger, sadness, and more. And when I feel that type of emotion over something, then that means that I love it. This series was amazing, and even if I hated some chapters and/or volumes, I will continue to read Ouran over and over again. It is definitely one of the best series I've ever read.
It's so good that I'm even doing a project on the series (it's actually on Volume 4). (¬‿¬ ) At the time (October 2021), it was my favorite volume. But that's changed now. So, I'll give my top 3 volumes:
🥇Vol. 18
🥈Vol. 9
🥉Vol. 4
*The runner-up's (4th and 5th) are probably Volumes 16 and 17
And if you thought rankings were done... NOPE! Here's a final ranking from my favorite to least favorite host club member (after this, I'm done with rankings. I swear):
🥇Hunny
🥈Haruhi
🥉Tamaki
(🥉)4. Kyoya (one of my kins; is actually tied with Tamaki)
5. Karou
6. Mori
7. Hikaru
I never liked Hikaru... (. ﾟーﾟ) Sorry if he's your favorite, I just found him annoying. Aside from that, I shall continue to be obsessed with this series (manga + anime) for probably the rest of my life. It's sad that it's done and finished, but I bet my imagination will continue the series the way I'd want it to go. And everyone should do the same. :)
See y'all in the next Shojo! (◕‿◕) (I just found out the difference between Shojo and Shonen. While I do prefer Shojo, I find the way they're targeted kinda sexist- ＼(￣▽￣)／).
*I do plan on making reviews for Volumes 13-18 the next time I reread the series.*
Here's some background information on why I got the manga (and yes, I own the box set):
I had wanted to watch the anime for a while, but every time I tried to, I hated it. It made no sense to me, and I thought it was stupid. Nonetheless, I still kept on trying to get past the 1st episode, even though the same results appeared each time. (￣▽￣) On the 6th try, however, I finally liked it. And I thought it was funny. I believe this was around end of May/beginning of June 2021. And then I fell in love with the anime and got pissed at the ending, even though I swore not to. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
A little while later (aka July; a month after I'd finished the anime), I came from a little "vacation" (it was an overnight thing in Philly), and there it was. The box set. My brother wasted $300 on Amazon for this as a present. I'm still grateful to this day. (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ) Mainly because this is probably the nicest thing he's ever done to me.
Okay, history time over. This is one of those few series that made me feel some sort emotion that cannot be explained. It's a mix of several classic emotions, like happiness, anger, sadness, and more. And when I feel that type of emotion over something, then that means that I love it. This series was amazing, and even if I hated some chapters and/or volumes, I will continue to read Ouran over and over again. It is definitely one of the best series I've ever read.
It's so good that I'm even doing a project on the series (it's actually on Volume 4). (¬‿¬ ) At the time (October 2021), it was my favorite volume. But that's changed now. So, I'll give my top 3 volumes:
🥇Vol. 18
🥈Vol. 9
🥉Vol. 4
*The runner-up's (4th and 5th) are probably Volumes 16 and 17
And if you thought rankings were done... NOPE! Here's a final ranking from my favorite to least favorite host club member (after this, I'm done with rankings. I swear):
🥇Hunny
🥈Haruhi
🥉Tamaki
(🥉)4. Kyoya (one of my kins; is actually tied with Tamaki)
5. Karou
6. Mori
7. Hikaru
I never liked Hikaru... (. ﾟーﾟ) Sorry if he's your favorite, I just found him annoying. Aside from that, I shall continue to be obsessed with this series (manga + anime) for probably the rest of my life. It's sad that it's done and finished, but I bet my imagination will continue the series the way I'd want it to go. And everyone should do the same. :)
See y'all in the next Shojo! (◕‿◕) (I just found out the difference between Shojo and Shonen. While I do prefer Shojo, I find the way they're targeted kinda sexist- ＼(￣▽￣)／).
*I do plan on making reviews for Volumes 13-18 the next time I reread the series.*
December 30, 2025
Kiss, Kiss, I’m in love. Obviously, I watched the anime for Ouran many years ago and it is one of my go-to comfort animes. I genuinely disliked the ending though so when I, as a teen, learned that the ending of the anime did not match the manga, I wanted to read it. Recently, my spouse bought me a box set, and I eagerly got to work.
All the beloved characters from the anime are present along with a few who sadly didn’t make an appearance. My favorite manga exclusive characters were Mei, Misuzu’s daughter, and Kuze, the president of the Football Club. Both characters showed us other sides of our favorites, and it was refreshing for me. Mei’s almost sisterly relationship with Haruhi helped Haruhi express her more feminine side in small ways, and Kuze’s obnoxious rivalry with Kyoya showed us Kyoya’s competitive side more openly. Some of my favorite background characters in the anime also had a stronger presence in the manga, like Kasanoda and Nekozawa.
I really enjoyed the realistic relationships the characters have with their families. Haruhi and Ranka, Tamaki with his dad and grandmother, and Kyoya and his entire family all feel authentic. It’s nice to see that Bisco took the time to really flesh out these families as she wrote for them. My favorite examples are Kyoya and his family. Kyoya is the youngest child of a wealthy family, and they all expect certain things from him, even if it isn’t realistic. His brothers expect him to continue to chase after them, fighting fruitlessly to bypass them. His father expects him to become even better while still wanting him to maintain a relationship with Tamaki that they can exploit later. Kyoya himself won’t rest until he is better than all of them so that he will finally be acknowledged. It is incredibly abusive, yes, but also real.
The final volume of the manga was probably my favorite. Getting to see where everyone went in the future was something I didn’t know I desperately needed. Kyoya had no right becoming that attract, Hikaru and Kaoru having a little sister who is even more chaotic than them was exactly what they deserved, and Tamaki and Haruhi getting their happily-ever-after, much to Ranka’s chagrin was all I could have ever wanted. It is no surprise that I cried like a baby when it came to an end. To Bisco Hatori, thank you for creating one of my favorite manga ever and for letting me get to know who during your panels and the bonus pages at the end.
All the beloved characters from the anime are present along with a few who sadly didn’t make an appearance. My favorite manga exclusive characters were Mei, Misuzu’s daughter, and Kuze, the president of the Football Club. Both characters showed us other sides of our favorites, and it was refreshing for me. Mei’s almost sisterly relationship with Haruhi helped Haruhi express her more feminine side in small ways, and Kuze’s obnoxious rivalry with Kyoya showed us Kyoya’s competitive side more openly. Some of my favorite background characters in the anime also had a stronger presence in the manga, like Kasanoda and Nekozawa.
I really enjoyed the realistic relationships the characters have with their families. Haruhi and Ranka, Tamaki with his dad and grandmother, and Kyoya and his entire family all feel authentic. It’s nice to see that Bisco took the time to really flesh out these families as she wrote for them. My favorite examples are Kyoya and his family. Kyoya is the youngest child of a wealthy family, and they all expect certain things from him, even if it isn’t realistic. His brothers expect him to continue to chase after them, fighting fruitlessly to bypass them. His father expects him to become even better while still wanting him to maintain a relationship with Tamaki that they can exploit later. Kyoya himself won’t rest until he is better than all of them so that he will finally be acknowledged. It is incredibly abusive, yes, but also real.
The final volume of the manga was probably my favorite. Getting to see where everyone went in the future was something I didn’t know I desperately needed. Kyoya had no right becoming that attract, Hikaru and Kaoru having a little sister who is even more chaotic than them was exactly what they deserved, and Tamaki and Haruhi getting their happily-ever-after, much to Ranka’s chagrin was all I could have ever wanted. It is no surprise that I cried like a baby when it came to an end. To Bisco Hatori, thank you for creating one of my favorite manga ever and for letting me get to know who during your panels and the bonus pages at the end.
July 19, 2024
The first time I read this manga series, I hated it. I was used to reading manga of the anime series I liked and discovering all the tiny details that hadn't made it into the episodes, yet more fully fleshed out the characters and story. Instead, this manga series felt like a rough draft of the anime and I was thoroughly disappointed.
Frankly, I probably felt that way because, in many ways, it was the rough draft. Hatori was relatively inexperienced when she began Host Club, and work rapidly started on voice CDs, the anime and a dating sim game, before the manga series was even completed. Hatori admitted in a sidebar in one of the manga volumes that she hadn't really mapped out the layout of the school or even the host club room until the anime team needed a floorplan, which gives some indication of how much more detail was added as the series evolved into other formats. Now, instead of viewing the manga and anime as separate entities, one less than the other, I view them as a connected whole that demonstrate how the series matured over time. Therefore, this time around, I appreciated it a lot more.
Frankly, I probably felt that way because, in many ways, it was the rough draft. Hatori was relatively inexperienced when she began Host Club, and work rapidly started on voice CDs, the anime and a dating sim game, before the manga series was even completed. Hatori admitted in a sidebar in one of the manga volumes that she hadn't really mapped out the layout of the school or even the host club room until the anime team needed a floorplan, which gives some indication of how much more detail was added as the series evolved into other formats. Now, instead of viewing the manga and anime as separate entities, one less than the other, I view them as a connected whole that demonstrate how the series matured over time. Therefore, this time around, I appreciated it a lot more.
January 26, 2018
I absolutely love this series and would recommend it if you liked the anime because it is even more funny and complete's the story! Ouran Host Club is filled with beautiful art and plot. Amazing characters and Amazing Character development that will make you laugh to the very end! Not to forget the becoming and important lessons that can be learned from it. I have to say it is one of my favorites! <3 I'm very sad that it's over because the character development was so good that it's like you are actually saying goodbye to the characters. They seem so real! ( #Writing goals ) I felt like the Characters that developed the most were probably the twins, Hikaru definitely had the biggest development. (I found myself liking him more in the manga than the anime because of it.) Haruhi also has a big character development. The ending was very cute and sweet! An Awesome story about friendship, loyalty, Family, helping others and being true to yourself!
P.S. My favorite characters are the twins ( Karou) , Kyoya and Haruhi! I also like Rekio and Nekozawa
P.S. My favorite characters are the twins ( Karou) , Kyoya and Haruhi! I also like Rekio and Nekozawa
May 15, 2023
It starts out pretty rough with the story/characters being pretty annoying.
But it gets better and is pretty fun for the most part.
The romantic threads remain a big shrug and become an increasingly important part of the story; also the lead Haruhi being bored and apathetic to a lot of the wackiness around her often makes me feel the same way about her.
The resolution of the Suoh family conflict is meh given how much time is spent on it.
It seems pointless to have two of the members graduate like 85% into the series when they keep showing up in every chapter. But I'm glad they do keep showing up.
Mostly cuz my top 3 would be: Hunny Senpai, Evil Lord Kyoya (though sadly his development kinda falls by the wayside in the last third of the series), and Ranka.
But it gets better and is pretty fun for the most part.
The romantic threads remain a big shrug and become an increasingly important part of the story; also the lead Haruhi being bored and apathetic to a lot of the wackiness around her often makes me feel the same way about her.
The resolution of the Suoh family conflict is meh given how much time is spent on it.
It seems pointless to have two of the members graduate like 85% into the series when they keep showing up in every chapter. But I'm glad they do keep showing up.
Mostly cuz my top 3 would be: Hunny Senpai, Evil Lord Kyoya (though sadly his development kinda falls by the wayside in the last third of the series), and Ranka.
October 2, 2020
When I finished the last volume, I felt like there was no better way it could have ended. Do I want it to end? No. I love the characters and everything they went through but it was the perfect ending for the story. This story had me giggling and smiling through the whole story. This is easily one of my favorite shojo’s and had a complete story with deep plot lines that make you fall in love with all the characters. This is a series I will absolutely revisit and not forget.
A must read especially if you enjoyed the anime because the manga is so different and will make you fall in love all over again!
A must read especially if you enjoyed the anime because the manga is so different and will make you fall in love all over again!
September 29, 2024
I've always wondered how the anime was supposed to have ended if it had followed the manga faithfully. I originally watched the anime early in 2017/18 but only gave the manga a shot now, in 2024. I am glad that I finally read it because it delved deeper into characters such as Kyoya, Kaoru, and Hikaru. There are also more characters here that were passed over in the anime, like Mori's younger brother and Mei. Despite its imperfections, the story was very good and I loved seeing the development of Bisco's art and the short author stories she included with each volume. I am glad I chose to read this because although the anime is fun, there is a lot more to the story.
September 3, 2020
I absolutely love this manga! I originally watched the anime when I was a kid and was unsatisfied with the ending so I bought and read all eighteen volumes of the manga! This is my second reread of this manga as an adult and I still love it! I love all the characters who are all different and engaging but most display character growth throughout the series even a few of the side characters. I love how fun and unique this story is and diffidently deserves a reboot of the anime because the current one although fun doesn't do the full story justice!
June 3, 2024
genuinely one of the funniest romcoms in the game. all of the boys, but tamaki especially, are such wonderful examples of masculinity that isn't threatening, domineering, or abusive to be sure of itself. the story's commentaries on gender are generally fascinating and refreshing, especially in the context of late 2010s japan. the plot gets a bit soapy in the last few volumes, but the relationships between the characters and bisco hatori's comedic genius more than make up for it. fully deserves its place as one of the all-time shoujo manga greats.
December 10, 2025
>This was a reread<
This series makes me laugh out loud a lot as I read it. The characters a all lovable and hilarious.
The stronger drama in the second half is good, I like how the love triangle (quadrilateral? pentagon?) is handled. The twins development is very good. As is Haruhi's.
The art is wonderful, the standouts being the "welcome to the host club" cosplay double spreads. Which are filled with detail and are so fun. The fits are always cool though. With Haruhi being especially adorable.
An absolute classic.
kiss kiss fall in love! 9.6/10
This series makes me laugh out loud a lot as I read it. The characters a all lovable and hilarious.
The stronger drama in the second half is good, I like how the love triangle (quadrilateral? pentagon?) is handled. The twins development is very good. As is Haruhi's.
The art is wonderful, the standouts being the "welcome to the host club" cosplay double spreads. Which are filled with detail and are so fun. The fits are always cool though. With Haruhi being especially adorable.
An absolute classic.
kiss kiss fall in love! 9.6/10
July 24, 2022
Ahhhhh omggggg
did I binge this even tho it was 18 books long? yes yes I did
i absolutely loved the anime, this was one of the first animes I ever watched. I loved it, Haruhi and tamaki are absolutely adorable the romance between them is superior!!! I’m extremely picky about what i read but this is absolutely my favorite manga (so far.) I read all of these separately but don’t wanna rate them all separately so I don’t finish my reading challenge sooner. Overall 5/5⭐️
did I binge this even tho it was 18 books long? yes yes I did
i absolutely loved the anime, this was one of the first animes I ever watched. I loved it, Haruhi and tamaki are absolutely adorable the romance between them is superior!!! I’m extremely picky about what i read but this is absolutely my favorite manga (so far.) I read all of these separately but don’t wanna rate them all separately so I don’t finish my reading challenge sooner. Overall 5/5⭐️
January 4, 2021
One of my favorite Shojo Manga. I love/hate the ending, why I hate a little, because I wanted to see Haruhi in wedding dress and see what her children look likes. But everything was amazing, the missing detail that the anime didn't show was in the manga. I hope the Author makes a new manga about their children.
December 16, 2023
Incredible. Very much a product of its time at times, needs to be read by someone who knows what they’re going into or they might hate it. But I love it, maybe because of nostalgia. So glad I finally read it after only watching the anime, loved learning more about the club and their lives after school.
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