The Way of the Househusband Clothing, Accessories & Figures

The basic premise of The Way of the Househusband follows Tatsu, a former legendary and ruthless Yakuza known as "The Immortal Dragon," who has abandoned his criminal life to become a devoted househusband. Instead of dangerous battles and extortion, his daily life now revolves around household chores: shopping, cooking, cleaning, and caring for his wife, Miku, a busy designer. Despite his new life, Tatsu maintains his imposing appearance and serious expression, which leads to continuous comical misunderstandings with neighbors, former colleagues, and his new "rivals" in the world of supermarket sales. The series comically explores the contrasts between Tatsu's violent past and his tender, everyday life.

Besides the central character Tatsu, The Way of the Househusband features a cast of memorable and amusing characters. Miku is Tatsu's wife, a successful and dedicated anime/manga designer, who is incredibly supportive of Tatsu and enjoys his cooking, despite her own less successful culinary skills. Masa is Tatsu's former "subordinate" from his Yakuza days, who often tries to get him back into the criminal world, but always ends up comically helping with household chores. Other recurring characters include Gin, the couple's cat, and various neighbors and former Yakuza members who regularly appear, leading to hilarious misunderstandings due to Tatsu's "intimidating" appearance and demeanor.

The Way of the Househusband stands out for its original and subversive concept, as it reverses traditional Yakuza tropes in an imaginative and hilarious way. Instead of violence and action, it offers humor and warmth through the daily adventures of a former criminal who finds happiness in household chores. The manga's unique art style, with its expressive character reactions and detailed depiction of household tasks, contributes to its comedic atmosphere. The series maintains a consistently funny and lighthearted tone, avoiding heavy dramas, which makes it easy and enjoyable to watch. The focus on the simple joys of life and Tatsu's love for his family, in contrast to his past, is a beloved element for many fans.

Yes, The Way of the Househusband has an anime adaptation, which was released by Netflix. However, the format of the anime adaptation is quite different from typical ones, as it is presented as a series of short, statically animated episodes that resemble a "motion comic". This choice was made to preserve the unique comedic timing and character expressions of the original manga, which relies heavily on static images and expressive panels. Although this approach is unusual and has divided some viewers, many others have appreciated how it maintains the atmosphere and humor of the manga, allowing fans to enjoy their favorite stories in a different, yet faithful way.