If you were one of the many people who wanted more crazy adventures with Mitsugu and Tomoe, you're in luck, because DramaQueen has released Challengers volume 2-- and volume 3 is on the way!

For those of you who haven't read volume 1-- for shame! If you just don't remember: Mitsugu is a salary man who suddenly comes to the realization that he's gay when he meets and subsequently falls for Tomoe, who is about to start attending college in Mitsugu's town. Tomoe winds up moving in with Mitsugu for reasons of convenience, and before long poor Tomoe is being hounded by sweet-and-kind Mitsugu and Evil American Gay Rick. Oh, and Tomoe's homo-hating older brother hates both Mitsugu AND Rick. Woot.

Now in volume two, Mitsugu is progressing slowly but surely with Tomoe, who is still being pounced by Rick regularly. But then, oh noes! Mitsugu's MOM shows up to cock-block! Argh!

Additionally, at the end we get the story of why Tomoe's brother, Tetsuhiro, is such a homo-hater-- as a lead in to The Tyrant Falls in Love, due out from DQ in January.



The art feels a little bit cleaner in volume 2; I mentioned last time that compared to Takanaga's other title, Little Butterfly, this title had a slightly oldschool feel...but not as much with this volume.

The humor and situations are as wacky, what with Mitsugu's mom and then Rick's American stalker/boyfriend popping up as well. Another thing I complained about in volume 1 was Rick's "accent;" they changed all his Rs to Ls, which makes no sense. This time they toned down the accent, so he's much less annoying to have around...at least in terms of dialogue!

The only thing that keeps this title from getting a solid A is the complete and utter lack of hot smex. But trust me, the rest is still pretty worth it.

Mangaka: Takanaga Hinako
Censorship: N/A
Warnings: Irresonspible mothers, evil gay Americans.