The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé Volume 4 Review

Ever since his home address was leaked online, ‘Dashing Zaddy’ Makoto Takanashi has been living with ‘Ice Prince’ Hiwatari. But as both are finding it difficult to find a way to express their growing feelings of attraction, it’s not until they are visiting Tokyo Tower together (the place has special significance for Takanashi who associates it with his problems of erectile dysfunction) that Takanashi gets carried away and kisses Hiwatari. Everything’s working again! So, surely it should be plain sailing for the two from here on? The course of true love, though etc. etc. The first hurdle is that they are work colleagues: boss and subordinate. Even though it might seem something of a turn-on to snatch forbidden intimate moments together when (hopefully) no one’s around (as in countless other office romance stories) this seems only to sew confusion in the minds of both men.

As the atmosphere in Hiwatari’s apartment becomes more strained with neither man able to make the first move on the other, both turn to colleagues for advice; Takanashi to his sympathetic older boss Kozo Oda (56) and Hiwatari to the youngest member of his team, the naïve but radiantly enthusiastic Nakaidou (22). (Hiwatari is already downcast because all his other team members are keeping their distance, alienated by his cold manner, but Nakaidou is eager to help.) Oda has brought more products to help Takanashi with his problem but is surprised and happy for the younger man when Takanashi tells him over lunch that he’s recovered. So how…? Takanashi blushingly confesses that he’s fallen in love.

And then the news breaks that Takanashi has been promoted to department manager in corporate planning and Team 2 rush to congratulate him. Hiwatari feels left behind and, realizing that it’s going to be even harder than ever to catch up to his idol, decides to change his image. A new hairstyle and a three-piece suit (just like Takanashi’s) dazzles everyone and suddenly all Hiwatari’s colleagues surround him. And as for Takanashi? He’s so impressed that he has to retreat to the corporate restroom…

The latest volume of Fumito’s attractively drawn The Dashing Zaddy and His Icy Protégé is just as fun to read as the earlier episodes with its naughty sense of humour which ensures you feel sympathy for the two lovelorn protagonists while at the same time wanting to knock their heads together. The clever and witty translation by Jacqueline Fung for Kodansha ensures that the innuendos keep coming (sorry!) whilst we never lose sympathy for Takanashi and Hiwatari. One of the funniest moments occurs in Hiwatari’s flat early one morning when he hears the chirping of birds and finds a sparrow has flown in. But then he discovers Takanashi (who likes to sleep naked) with several other sparrows that have flocked in to surround him, bringing the image of a god of birds to Hiwatari’s confused brain. Nicole Roderick’s wonderful variety of lettering helps to bring out the comedy of the increasingly complicated scenarios. As before, there’s a helpful story synopsis and character guide at the front of the volume. There are also two short bonus stories at the end about the Icy Protégé, as well as a one-page illustrated afterword by the mangaka and a two-page preview/trailer for Volume 5 (due out in April). It looks as if Volume 6 will be the final volume from comments made by the mangaka about the chapters still to be released by Honey Milk in Japan.

Fans of romance between men in suits will not be disappointed with the latest volume of Fumito’s teasing Boys’ Love saga! Hiwatari’s dazzling ‘new look’ (unmistakably a homage to his crush Takanashi) turns all the heads in the office but also fulfils his deepest desire: to turn Takanashi on. And as for Takanashi: is his erectile problem finally cured at last? Is the sight of the transformed Hiwatari enough to make him make a move on his younger colleague at last?

Our review copy from Kodansha was supplied by Diamond Book Distributors UK.