げんしけん: 二代目Chapter 106 Manga Review
Genshiken Nidaime chapter 106 Manga Review

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

The Genshiken girls (sans Sue) and Hato discuss how his manga became a mess. Rika notes that Hato has no longer been going by Madarame’s house, leading to suspicion that something happened. The discussion is interrupted when Kuchiki comes in, announcing he will be graduating and that he wants Genshiken to go on a trip with him. Ohno is hesitant about this, but when Kuchiki loudly reminds them that his departure should be cause for celebration, Ohno, Ogiue, and Rika are immediately for the plan since it will likely mean he’ll never return to the club room.

Kuchiki remembers the fun the group had on a trip to Karuizawa, where Ohno reveals to the others that this is where Ogiue and Sasahara became a couple. Yajima throws cold water on things by reminding Rika and Ohno that they are broke. Rika remembers that Yajima lives in Nikko, where the Tosho-gu Shrine is, meaning the group should go to Yajima’s house, something she’s OK with assuming her parents are OK with it.

Yajima and Hato walk home, where Hato asks about his manga. Yajima gives only a general but positive comment about the manga, but Hato isn’t convinced. They discuss the reactions the club had to both of their manga, where Yajima confesses she was happy that Ogiue liked her material. Yajima doesn’t admit that she also enjoyed Hato’s negative reaction to the praise Yajima got. To that end, Yajima ends up giving an honest critique of Hato’s work.

Yajima is shocked by what she’s done, but Hato really appreciates the honest words since it will help him with his manga.

With the whole club present in the club room, Yajima announces that her parents are very happy to host the club for a trip. Yajima figures it will be just the seven of them, but Ohno and Ogiue have news. Ohno mentioned the trip to Angela, who wants to come. Ogiue mentioned the trip to Sasahara, leading to Keiko finding out about it and asking to come along. To Sue’s irritation and Kuchiki’s dismay, Angela and Keiko want Madarame to come on the trip as well.

Ohno figures that since those three aren’t members of Genshiken, Yajima won’t want them and suggests they turn down the request. However, when Yajima sees Hato, she decides to have all three come. Using the excuse that it is Kuchiki’s last trip, she says anyone who wants should come along.

Thoughts/Review:

Heh!heh!heh! As a setup chapter, this one worked quite well as it makes me really anticipate the arrival of the next chapter. ^_^

Kuchiki has never been a character I cared about. He never served much of a purpose except to be weird and barely tolerated by the female members of Genshiken. That’s what made the reaction of Ohno and Ogiue (and Rika to a lesser extent since she wasn’t part of the original Genshiken manga) so awesome when they realized that going on a trip with Kuchiki was a worthy sacrifice on their parts to keep him away forever.

Since Yajima basically opened the floodgate on people coming, I’d like to see Ogiue bring Sasahara and Ohno bring Tanaka. There’s a weak chance that could happen since both are friends of Madarame and could be there for him after the end of what could be a terrible train wreck for him.

Another thing I’d like to see happen is a verbal confrontation between Sue and Angela. The two are supposed to be good friends from America. Now they are rivals and as such, I’d love to see Sue confront her friend in a verbal fashion to basically say, “stay away!”

There could be a “bitch fight” (pardon the expression) between Keiko and Angela, which could be a lot of fun. The last time they were together, they were both laying down markers at each other.

Regardless of what’s to come (and my favorite part of this chapter), the main thrust of this chapter was actually Yajima’s and Hato’s relationship as friends and in Yajima’s case, wanting something more. I liked that Yajima was honest with Hato regarding his manga. At the same time, I liked how she admitted to herself that she rather enjoyed Hato’s jealousy over the reactions she got from Ogiue about her manga.

Of course the only reason we are getting the continuation of the Madarame Harem arc is because Yajima does want to see Hato get a resolution on this. Hato getting over Madarame means that Yajima has a chance with Hato. And now, Hato is coming to her house with Genshiken. That could be most interesting.

Can’t wait for the next chapter to come out.