“The dapper staff of The Watering Hole are always eager to serve their clientele with grace and charm. But little do the patrons know that these handsome gents are actually penguins in disguise! The sharply dressed flightless birds love all that the human world offers, but as the saying goes: “You can take the penguin out of the Antarctic, but you can't take the Antarctic out of the penguin!”” (Yen Press)
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Adorable anthropomorphism, “Penguin Gentlemen” offers some rather dapper characters whose animal personas tend to betray their attempt at being human. Combining education and comedy, the release explains differing traits of various species as played out by the staff at a swanky bar. Their differences, which tend to lead to conflict, examines the difference between each variant, from walking in a line to mating rituals.
What makes this such a quirky and fun release is the accessibility of the content to a broader audience. Despite being rated teen, the episodic and informative structure makes for a fun educational tool that manga fans can share with their kids, nieces or nephews. Essentially, “Penguin Gentlemen” lands that perfect balance of informative and entertaining that will hold a broad appeal; it is a book you can share and read through with the little ones.
The art of Kishi Ueno hits that same balance, with expressive and comedic scenarios inter-spliced with technical drawings explaining the physiological differences between breeds. Additionally, the humor is conveyed through expressive characters that are easy to interpret, adding to the idea of appeal to a broader readership. The first 31 pages are printed in color, which helps define the visuals of the penguin in later chapters when they discuss such subjects as specific markings.
Released in hardcover by Yen Press and the entirety of the series in one volume, the book is an ideal addition to any manga collection. Removable dust jacket and partially printed in color, the physical edition looks great on the shelf
Who knew education could be so Kawaii? Well, penguin gentlemen certainly proves just that with a great title that can be enjoyed by fans of multi generations. The only caveat the reader should be aware of is that the book is more educational than story, which may dissuade some. Overall, the release looks stunning and the content will both inform and entertain.
