Once so normal. Now, Completely different.

This story is enchanting, at the same time you need to know what’s next all the time . Such great twists and turns . I loved how you still didn’t say about whether or not if she was pregnant until the end . Such good a great plot and good writing

F. Compo is, in my view, a hidden gem. This Slice of Life comedy is crafted by the veteran mangaka Tsukasa Hojo, who is better known for his detective/action series City Hunter. The story centers on Masahiko, a young college student who gets adopted by his "aunt's" family following the sudden death of his father in a traffic accident. However, his uncle and aunt have swapped their traditional gender roles and live as crossdressers. Masahiko also finds himself dressed in women's clothing whenever the plot requires it, leading to both comic situations and a subtle exploration of gender identity, which usually takes a backseat to the romantic and humorous aspects of the show but is still present.

For the most part, the comedy works effectively. Masahiko himself is the most unassuming character in the group, but his interactions with others make up for his relatively low-key personality, especially with his cousin Shion, a beautiful and sarcastic high school girl whom he falls in love with despite uncertainties about her true gender. Hojo's handling of the genderbending antics that fuel most of the jokes in the manga is light yet sincere, unlike many genderbending manga where crossdressing exists solely for laughs.

One aspect that readers might overlook is the art style, which is fairly standard for its time but convincingly realistic. The characters' faces and expressions convey a sense of humanity that often eludes the medium. The characters themselves are complex and deeply relatable, and it's likely that you as a reader will find yourself emotionally invested in what is not so much a story but a genuine "Slice of Life," capturing the family's life in its entirety over a few years. In fact, F. Compo is more about family than gender identity, and it conveys the beauty of family better than nearly anything I've read. Although it begins rather simply, I would recommend reading at least half of it to truly grasp what it's about. <p>

Family Compo is far from your average family story!  
I really enjoyed this manga. The start was a tad slow and somewhat stereotypical for me, as it follows the classic "abandoned kid gets saved by a forgotten family member" trope. However, once it reaches the later chapters, a ton (and I mean TONS) of wild events unfold that will leave you saying "WHAT?".  

The artwork has a style reminiscent of something you'd find in Shonen Jump rather than Shojo Beat, but it doesn't detract too much from the experience.  

Yes, the story involves cross-dressing women AND men, but it doesn't adhere to the typical "bishounen formula" for male characters (let's face it—how many male cross-dressers genuinely pass as women in real life? ...Not many). I appreciate this because it adds realism and makes the story feel like it could happen anywhere.  

Please give this one a shot. It might not seem like much at first glance, but it truly is an excellent story!

Family Compo is a truly unique manga, and it will take you quite some time to find something as strange yet interesting.<br />

Story - 8/10<br />
I'll attempt to keep it brief and spoiler-free. The story revolves around a guy who has always longed for a normal, loving family. However, his mother passed away, and later, the same fate befell his father. He thought that was just how things were, but then his mother's sister—or perhaps brother—appears, and our protagonist becomes part of their far-from-normal family. Why not normal? Well, would it be considered normal if you discovered that your aunt is actually a man, and their spouse is a woman? I don't think so, but that's not even the strangest part. Who knows whether their child is a girl or a boy? Yet, this special and strange family is what makes the manga genuinely funny and captivating. Romance is present too, but the author focuses more on the comedy aspect, which this manga has in abundance.<br />

Art - 7.5/10<br />
I really wish I could draw like that...<br />
I believe the art is excellent, and the most intriguing part is how the author portrays characters as the opposite sex. I'm referring to our main character when they are a girl—they look very feminine...<br />

Characters - 8/10<br />
I felt a sense of life within this manga. For me, the characters seemed like real people, and I enjoyed them all, except for Youko. I think she disrupted the lovely ambiance of the manga.<br />

Overall - 8/10<br />
I genuinely cherished this manga with all my heart, but by the end, I simply wished for something more. I believe this manga had the potential to be even better...<p>

Gender issues are invariably sensitive topics, typically handled with a delicate and serious approach. However, F. Compo bucks this trend—not due to crudeness in its method, but because its focus isn't on the journey of self-discovery. F. Compo is primarily a comedy, with dashes of drama sprinkled throughout. This combination isn't inherently problematic, yet here, many elements simply don't blend well together.

There's no deep or coherent narrative; instead, it revolves around the everyday lives and daily escapades of various characters, ranging from trivial acts like helping a friend to more profound struggles like grappling with one’s identity. It's simple and pleasant, and could have been quite effective if the humor consistently hit the mark. Regrettably, almost every issue, misunderstanding, or joke pivots around gender themes—whether it's the main character unwillingly cross-dressing and consequently stirring up trouble, or people inexplicably turning gay. The lack of comedic variety leads to stagnation, as the same shallow jokes become tiresome over the course of a long-running manga.

The dramatic elements fare slightly better, as some storylines adeptly portray specific situations, evoking empathy in readers. Nevertheless, they aren't sufficient to salvage the entire work since comedy dominates, occasionally overshadowing the drama. Moreover, there's unnecessary or poorly executed drama at times. For instance, romance is underdeveloped, serving merely as a vehicle to introduce (or rehash) problems, culminating in dramatic resolutions before being promptly forgotten. Consequently, the pacing suffers, even for what appears to be a leisurely slice-of-life manga.

The characters also bear the brunt of the comedy, particularly the protagonist, whose defining trait is naivety, making him an easy target for endless predicaments. Character development is minimal, as this isn't a manga centered on serious issues; everything that transpires is largely for comedic effect and often lacks depth or explanation for the audience. That said, some growth does occur when genuine problems arise, showcasing both the main and secondary casts thinking more seriously. All characters are likable, though some can grow wearying with their repetitive jokes. Each has a story to tell, which is always a positive aspect as readers gain insight into various characters' lives or pasts. However, most characters lack significant impact.

F. Compo features realistic art with a wealth of facial expressions. Cross-dressing scenes are handled competently, though occasionally characters resemble Superman—simply removing glasses renders them unrecognizable, which strains credibility when others fail to notice. Backgrounds are unremarkable, and while most characters appear unique, some look rather generic. Overall, the art is straightforward but adequate, effectively conveying the intended messages.

Personally, I expected this to be more serious, and while discovering it wasn't didn't deter me initially, I was deeply disappointed by the over-reliance on superficial gender jokes, the absence of deeper contemplation, the misapplication of such thoughts, and the random events suggesting the creator had run out of ideas. This could have been far more heartwarming, but it continually circled back to the same tropes.

So I just wrapped up 'Family Compo' by Hojo Tsukasa, a 14-volume manga from 1997. Right now, I'm feeling a mix of sadness and happiness. It's really sad that it's over and there won't be any more. Especially since the ending felt rushed. I was aware going in that this series was considered 'unfinished,' and yeah, it shows—plot points were hurried in the last few chapters, leaving a lot unresolved. It's disappointing to see such an amazing series come to such a sudden conclusion.

I was surprised to find there is an official END, but it also leaves me disheartened because so much is left hanging, with many questions unanswered. The ending is ambiguous, and it seems like it was either forced due to poor sales by the publisher or perhaps due to Hojo losing interest in continuing. I sincerely hope it wasn't the latter because we were so close to the end; honestly, it would have taken just one more volume max to wrap things up nicely, leaving little unresolved. Instead, it feels like the end was called abruptly, giving Hojo only two chapters to conclude everything.

Nevertheless, I'm happy because I absolutely LOVED this series. I laughed (a lot) and cried more than I'd care to admit. I truly cared about every character in this series, all of whom were brought to life so vividly. Without a doubt, it doesn't delve too deeply into its LGBT themes as some might wish, but this series isn't really about the struggles of someone who is LGBT. Instead, it's more about the journey of someone, in this case Masahiko, discovering that there's more to people than just a defined gender (it's what's on the inside that counts, etc.) and what that realization means for himself, especially regarding how he feels about those around him. At least, that's my rough interpretation :P

Read it. The story is heartfelt, and Hojo's art is stunning.

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Great story how they finally got it together

awesome as always ❤❤