The second volume of Bisco Hatori’s Behind the Scenes came out over the summer, giving readers the opportunity to get to know more about the cast. The story is set on a college campus with four different film clubs. Ranmaru, the timid main character, joins the Visual Arts Club, which specializes in props, costumes, make-up, special effects, and all the other things that need to happen behind the scenes.
With volume two, the manga is still in the character introduction phase. We’re learning about all the other club members’ quirks & complexities, catching hints of back story, and discovering campus rivalries. Here in the initial stages, I’ll admit to a certain fondness for the club’s fearless (dauntless, ruthless) leader … Ryuki.
Needless to say, I have Behind the Scenes, Volume 3 on pre-order.
FORTHRIGHT 