If you were to ask a shōjo fan what anime series they would recommend from the genre, Ouran High School Host Club is likely going to be part of the list. Adapted from the manga of the same name by Bisco Hattori, this series has grown to become a classic, comforting anime for many fans—whether they’re shōjo veterans or not.
Ouran High School Host Club follows the story of Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student studying at a prestigious school for the elites called Ouran Academy. While looking for a quiet place to study, she stumbles upon Music Room #3—the headquarters of the infamous Host Club. Due to her short hair, the Host Club’s members initially mistake her for a boy.
After accidentally breaking an incredibly expensive vase in the room, she’s forced to work for the Host Club as a male host to pay for her debt.
A mix of romantic comedy and reverse harem, Ouran High School Host Club aired in 2006, showing a total of 26 episodes. The diverse and lovable characters have definitely grown on its watchers, and the way the show tackles LGBT representation from specific characters may be considered progressive during its time. Years later, fans are still lowkey hoping for a Season 2 adaptation.
Unfortunately, it’s been over a decade—the possibility for a new season is running on a very thin thread. If you really want more Ouran content, how about reading the manga?
Ouran High School Host Club was serialized from September 2002 until November 2010. There are 18 volumes in total which include 83 chapters. Comparing the anime to the manga, there are many parts and small details in the anime that aren’t canon in the manga.
The anime covers up until around Chapter 36, so if you want to read the manga coming from the show then you can start reading Chapter 37. Although why not read it from the start just to add the missing Ouran anime content in your heart? Surely reading the manga from the beginning will have you laugh and smile—not to mention you’ll be able to see your favorite characters from a different perspective!
Related: Did You Know These Popular Manga Were Written by Women?
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