Ouran High School Host Club

Total Volumes: 6+
Story and Art: Bisco Hatori
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Core Storyline: When Haruhi, a poor scholarship student, breaks a $80,000 vase, she's forced to repay the debt. Mistaken as a male, Haruhi becomes one of Ouran High School Host Club's members, catering to the leisurely entertainment of "clients," the female student-visitors. As Haruhi gains more points towards repaying her expensive debt, she learns more about the etiquette of the wealthy and more about her new male friends of the Host Club while trying to maintain her gender secrecy.

Main Characters
 

Haruhi Fujioka (Main Character) 1st Year, Class A, Scholarship student.
She's level-headed, with a blunt way of pointing out her observations. Although Haruhi's indifferent to most things, she steals the spotlight throughout most of the manga. Sometimes, when Tamaki goofs around with her, Haruhi can be childish as well. She's very practical, being that she comes from a poor family. After Haruhi's mother died when she was four, Haruhi learned how to cook. Even as a child, Haruhi was very practical and selfless. Her reasonable ways seem to be lost on the expensive tastes of the other Host Club members, but she helps them realize the ways of the "common folk" while tasting the world of the wealthy.

In the story, Haruhi is so straight-forward, it's hard to write a lengthy analysis of her personality. Her preferences seem to be bent in different directions, such as disliking the pool versus enjoying the beach, but her preferences are mostly based on practical reasons. Because her personality is based on a practical sense, Haruhi serves as the blatant "commoner" of the group. She keeps the rest of them grounded, but entertained, nonetheless.

Tamaki Suoh (Comedic Relief?) 2nd Year, Class A, Host Club President
He's the narcissistic sophomore with a soft spot for the ladies. He regards all girls as beauties, charming his way through Ouran High School. Despite his "methods" of charm, Tamaki finds it hard to charm the collective mind of Haruhi. Although the story doesn't go into depth about Tamaki, he proves himself to be smarter and more diverse than he actually seems.

In the story, Tamaki seems to be the comedic relief, helping the story remain in its comedic sense as when the story began. Oddly, because of Tamaki, the story goes off into different tangents, but this also helps transition certain events, such as Kyoya being referred to as "Mom" for the rest of the manga series.

Kyoya Ohtori (Business Man) 2nd Year, Class A, Host Club Vice President
Kyoya is the "shadow president" of the Host Club. He runs the operations of the club (especially the money), ranging from the request lists to the Host Club's auction site. Kyoya is serious, with enough humor to get along with Tamaki. He is practical, as well, but only to save an extra penny or so. He has a wealthy taste like the others, but he's willing to try other things. Kyoya not only runs the operations of the Host Club, but he also keeps things in order with his indifferent personality.

In the story, Kyoya is the objective explanation person. He explains the backgrounds of other students as well as the Host Club members, while imparting small wisdom on Haruhi and the other members. He helps the audience (and Haruhi) gain further insight into the characters of the manga and the etiquette of the wealthy world.

Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachin (Troublemakers) 1st Years, Class A
These twins run wild in the Host Club, causing a trail of trouble whenever they get bored. Up until high school, the twins have held a "close relationship" where they only associated with each other. Since entering Ouran High School, Hikaru and Kaoru have opened up. Of course, the confusion over their identical appearances make it very hard to tell Hikaru and Kaoru apart. So far, Haruhi is the only one who gets a clue about which twin is who. Both brothers love to make anything into a game. Although their relationship seems more than brotherly love, their incestal words are only an act to attract customer. Besides Haruhi, they are close to Tamaki as well.

In the story, Hikaru and Kaoru make the worst come out of everyone. They also serve as straight-forward beings (again) who tell all, but take the word "straight-forward" to borderline "rude". Because the twins aren't afraid to tell what's on their minds, they voice the true thoughts of all of the members, especially when it comes down to the "common folk" ways. Although they should be characterized as brats, Hikaru and Kaoru are good for lengthening Tamaki's comedic tangents and pushing Haruhi into the tastes of the wealthy world. 

Mitsukuni (Hunny) Haninozuka (Little Man) 3rd Year, Class A
Hunny is the smallest member in the Host Club. At 4"9, he also plays as the most child-like character in the story. He's always seen with his beloved Bun-Bun, a stuffed bunny made by his grandmother. Though small in stature, Hunny is extremely sweet and innocent. He doesn't like to hurt people or see them hurt. When his friends are in peril, Hunny will come to rescue with his martial arts skills. Despite his sweet nature, there are rumors of Hunny's dark side.

In the story, Hunny seems the most one-dimensional character out of all of the other members, but as the manga runs through its volumes, you start to see how heroic and caring Hunny really is. He's almost like Haruhi's little brother. Besides his relationship with Mori, Hunny doesn't really do anything for the story except comfort or support Haruhi.

Takashi (Mori) Morinozuka (Quiet Guy) 3rd Year, Class A
Mori is the quietest character in the manga series. He only interjects his opinion every chapter or so within a blunt sentence. He is very kind and takes a liking to Haruhi. He's also the tallest of the group. Although he seems to have the physique of a bodyguard, Mori isn't malicious or controlling. He actually seems to be a very caring guy, even though he hardly shows affection (except to Haruhi and Hunny). Also, his quiet ways doesn't make him a sore thumb in the group. He's actually depended upon by all of the members sooner or later.

In the story, Mori serves as the opposite of Hunny. Even the developing relationship between Mori and Haruhi are the opposite of Hunny and Haruhi's relationship; Hunny likes to play with Haruhi while Mori helps Haruhi. In all sense, Mori and Hunny can't work separately in the story because they are inseparable.

Jade: I love this series! There aren't many girl-posing-as-guy series like this, so it makes this one rare. I like comedic romances! The drawing style in this series works well with this type of story. After writing out the character bios, I realize that Bisco Hatori (the artist) made all of the characters different, but similar in certain aspects. Of course, I'm a sucker for romances, and although it seems forever for Tamaki to admit that he's infatuated with Haruhi, I still love this story.

I think couple-wise, Miss Bisco is making it look like Tamaki and Haruhi will ultimately get together. Honestly, I think that's nice, but I'd rather see Mori and Haruhi together or Kyoya and Haruhi. Even though it looks like one of these couple types are possible, I think that the artist made sure that all of the characters grew to care for Haruhi in their own special ways, like the readers of the manga.

So far, my favorite character is the stoic yet kind Mori. He's the way guys should be (hahahahhaha).... Anyways, the overall manga is a 9 out of 10 for me.