A review by bookishrealm
The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 5 by Kousuke Oono

3.0

Ya'll....there's so much to be unpacked with this volume. 2.5 Stars On one hand I really enjoyed some of the scenes especially when all of the characters go to a sake tasting event and end up getting drunk or the chapter where Tatsu is trying to prevent his wife's father from cooking. These moments were hilarious. However, the scene with the rap battle rubbed me wrong in so many ways. I'm not sure if it's the translation or what, but that entire scene did not sit well with me. I'm not sure why American slang had to be the equivalent of AAVE, but it left a not so pleasant taste in my mouth. There is a lot to be said about the global perception of Black American culture more so hip-hop culture. I think that it was intended to be funny, but culturally for me it didn't work. Even the manner in which the characters were dressed just didn't feel right. I know that a lot of people have not picked up on this particular element because the appropriation of AAVE has become such a norm, but that particular scene didn't work for me personally. I know that there are many people who enjoyed it, but I didn't find it funny at all. There was also some casual homophobia toward the end of the last chapter and now I'm debating whether I want to continue the series. I was already on the fence about it and this volume did not help.