Review by Ian Keogh

The opening chapters of Tatsu unable to relax, a rap battle with another ex-gangster, which features a reprise in the bonus shorts, and then a Halloween costume contest are strangely ordinary, working viable themes but with coasting plots. The last gives Kousuke Oono the opportunity to amuse by drawing some fun costumes, but even then it’s a plot that sets up conflicting desires without resolving the prize issue. Is Oono struggling for inspiration? It’s a question that arises from the art also, with some detailed pages, but far more with large panels concentrating on emoting faces.

A fourth story set at an all you can eat buffet is a notch up, the humour coming from Tatsu’s determination to maximise his intake and the decisions that requires. It’s contrasted with his horror at partner Miku just diving straight in with no concern about procedure.

Two episodes standout. When Tatsu feels poorly, Oono represents the infection as a gangster invasion set against the assorted home remedies Tatsu attempts to stave off the illness. More joyful is Tatsu, Miku and Masa getting unintentionally wasted in a sake bar.

Although the art is restored to the usual standard by midway through, the opening chapters prove the path this volume takes. Oono introduces one good idea after another, but without enough traction or variety to sustain the length of a regular chapter. He incorporates recurring supporting characters well, several in the single story about new year, but this is Oono’s weakest selection since the first volume. Let’s hope things pick up in The Way of the Househusband 6.