Behind the Scenes!! Review: A Painfully Normal Boy Finds His Place Among the Eccentrics of the Art Squad
by Bisco Hatori
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Quick Take
- From the creator of Ouran High School Host Club — a warmer, quieter series that applies Bisco Hatori's ensemble-character skill to a less showy subject
- The "behind the scenes" premise — people who make impossible things happen invisibly — gives the series its emotional core
- 7 volumes complete; warm and charming for readers who want ensemble comedy with genuine heart
Who Is This Manga For?
- Ouran fans who want more Bisco Hatori
- Readers who want ensemble comedy that centers "invisible" people
- Anyone interested in film and stage production culture from a manga perspective
- Fans of "finding your place" stories with genuine warmth
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: Ensemble comedy situations; film production themes; belonging and self-worth themes
T rating — appropriate for most readers; consistently warm.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★★ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Ranmaru Kurisu has a specific self-perception: he is the person who gets in the way, who causes problems, who everyone would be better without. At his new university, he falls accidentally into the Art Squad — a group of eccentrics who build the props, sets, and special effects that make student drama and film productions work.
The Art Squad's leader, Goda, sees something in Ranmaru's instinct for problem-solving and practical work. The series follows Ranmaru's growing involvement with the group and his gradual discovery that his specific skills — the ones he'd always discounted as not interesting enough — are exactly what the Art Squad needs.
Characters
Ranmaru Kurisu — A protagonist whose low self-estimation is wrong in specific ways; watching him discover the specificity of his wrongness is the series' emotional journey.
The Art Squad — An ensemble of eccentrics whose specific obsessions and abilities form the series' comedic texture.
Art Style
Hatori's art is as expressive and detailed as in Ouran — the character designs are distinctive within the ensemble and the production-work sequences are rendered with genuine visual creativity.
Cultural Context
Behind the Scenes!! ran in Bessatsu Hana to Yume, a shoujo manga magazine. The university art squad setting is a specific cultural institution — groups that dedicate themselves to supporting productions without performing in them — and the series uses this setting to explore what it means to contribute in ways that aren't visible.
What I Love About It
The inversion of the usual "protagonist finds their special talent" structure. Ranmaru's talent isn't something flashy or unexpected — it's the talent for practical work, for noticing what needs doing and doing it, for caring about the finished product more than about being seen caring. This is a talent that manga rarely celebrates, and Behind the Scenes!! builds a whole series around it.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers describe Behind the Scenes!! as an underappreciated Bisco Hatori work — specifically noted for the premise being more emotionally resonant than it sounds, for the ensemble being characteristically Hatori in its variety and specific personalities, and for the series being warmer and quieter than Ouran while maintaining the same character-work quality. Frequently recommended as a palate cleanser after more intense manga.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The first production where the Art Squad's invisible work is visible in the final product — where you can see exactly what they built — and the moment when the performers get credit for what the Art Squad made possible — is the series' most precise statement of its theme.
Similar Manga
- Ouran High School Host Club — Hatori's earlier, more elaborate ensemble work
- Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun — Creative-work comedy with similar ensemble energy
- Kageki Shojo!! — Performing arts with similar behind-the-scenes attention
- Wotakoi — Adult ensemble with similar warmth
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — Ranmaru's situation and the Art Squad's introduction establish everything.
Official English Translation Status
Viz Media published the complete English series. All 7 volumes available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unusual premise celebrates invisible work
- Ensemble is characteristically Hatori
- Complete at 7 volumes
- Warmer and quieter than expected
Cons
- Less flashy than Ouran may disappoint some
- Low external stakes
- Romance elements are minimal
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Viz Media; complete series |
| Digital | Available |
Where to Buy
Get Behind the Scenes!! Vol. 1 on Amazon →
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Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.