In last year’s Anime Expo report, I mentioned that The Way of the Househusband got the biggest crowd reaction at Viz Media’s panel. The huge crowd laughed the most at the idea of a big-time yakuza going straight in an unexpected way—becoming a househusband.
Since then, The Way of the Househusband’s first two manga volumes have been released. The series is a huge success both in Japan and here in the U.S. Viz, fully aware that they have a winner, is busy cranking out the volumes to meet the demand (volume 3 is due out in May).
So what makes The Way of the Househusband so funny?
The main character, Tatsu, is a reformed yakuza who still goes through life in every possible way from his perspective and experiences as a gangster.
After taking down entire opposing clans in a single night, Tatsu retires from yakuza life, marries a cute woman who works full-time as a designer, and keeps house for her.
It’s a one-note joke, but a really funny one. The main thrust of the humor is found in Tatsu’s approach to his new life, which is one of extreme intensity no matter what he’s doing: preparing an Instagram-worthy bento for Miku, going bargain bin shopping at the department store, even doing yoga with the other housewives.
His terrifying visage is a running joke that leads to misunderstandings.
The story works in emotional terms because Tatsu is a genuinely good-hearted individual. We haven’t been shown yet what he was like when he was a yakuza, but in the volumes that are out so far, every time you’re afraid Tatsu is about to backslide and do something vicious he does something remarkably kind instead. If Tatsu wasn’t lovable, the comedic moments would still be funny but kind of empty. Instead, you fall in love with Tatsu and Miku and really want to see their relationship succeed.
They haven’t shown yet how Tatsu and Miku met and courted—and I can’t wait to see it when they do.
There’s not much else to say about The Way of the Househusband except—it’s hilarious and fun, so go buy it and read it. =D One warning: you’ll finish each volume in about fifteen minutes flat. Seriously, I ran through these two volumes like candy, and like candy, it left me immediately wanting more.
Oh, and seiyuu Kenji Tsuda has directed a live-action promo featuring himself as Tatsu. It's seriously funny.
In case my embed skills have failed me... the link is here.
