"A Lonely Life in XX" is a four-panel manga currently being serialized in "Dengeki Comics NEXT." It's written by Katsuwo, known for "Mitsuboshi Colors." It's also set to be adapted into an anime with the same title in 2019, and is currently garnering a lot of attention. The protagonist, Ichiri Bocchi (Hitori Bocchi), is extremely shy and only made one friend in elementary school: Kai Yahara (Yawaraka Kai). Kai and I are separated after graduating from elementary school. So, he and Kai make a promise: "If I don't make friends with everyone in my class by the time we graduate from middle school, we'll break up." Will Bocchi be able to make friends in middle school? This time, we'd like to introduce the charm of Honjo Aru, the vice-president of Ichiri Bocchi's class, the protagonist of "A Lonely Life in XX."
① The Vice-President of Bocchi's Class!
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Honjo Aru is the vice-president of Ichiri Bocchi's class, the protagonist of "A Lonely Life." He is Bocchi's second friend since entering junior high school. He has long hair, tied in a ponytail with a scrunchie. Although he is a member of the tennis club, he doesn't seem to particularly like tennis. He sometimes skips. However, Al seems to have his own theme song, and can sometimes be seen singing "Don't give up, Al, shine, Al, Al on top of an aluminum can." The title is apparently "Don't give up, Al, shine, Al." He calls himself "the world's vice-chairman."
② A kind and reliable girl
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Ichiri Bocchi was worried about having upset Nao Sunao. Bocchi only had one friend in elementary school and seems unaccustomed to interpersonal conflicts. Bocchi sat down on the stairs, half-crying as he looked up things like "how to apologize" on his phone. At this point, Honjo Al spoke to him, asking, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" He then handed the crying Bocchi a handkerchief and said, "Okay! I'll help you out. It's my job as vice-chairman to solve the class problems." Al is a reliable character, and he also seems to have the kindness to help people in need.
③ He also has a clumsy side
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Honjo Aru is the vice-president of his class and gives off a strong impression. However, he also has a somewhat absent-minded side. One day, he even wears his blazer with the hanger still hanging on it. When this was pointed out to her, she would say, "Oh, I'm in a hurry this morning, but no, that's not true! I'm never late." She also once came to school carrying her school bag instead of the designated school bag.
④ She's actually a disappointing child!
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Honjo Aru likes to appear responsible, but he also has a side to him that Nao Sunao calls him a disappointment. He once came to school with a hanger hanging from his blazer, and when Nao pointed it out, he brushed it off by saying, "It's just fashion!" Furthermore, when Nao said, "For example, on days when I'm in a hurry in the morning, I sometimes forget to put on pants," he looked startled and checked. It seems that he had worn his mother's pants that day. However, at the time, he managed to cover it up by saying that he and his mother were wearing matching pants.
⑤ Tsundere Girls
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
When Ichiri Bocchi was trying to become friends with Honjo Aru, Nako Sunao kept giving him various quips to stop him from being fooled by strange people. That day, Al was showing his "disappointing" side by leaving his blazer hanging on the hanger and wearing his mother's pants. When Nako pointed this out to him, Al ran off somewhere, dejected. Worried that Al might be angry, Bocchi chases after him with Nako. When they catch up, Al appears to be sulking, saying, "You were just talking about me earlier, weren't you...disappointing." Bocchi then responds, "H-Honjo-san isn't a disappointment!" and continues, "Thanks to you, I was able to make up with Nako-chan. Plus, you're kind and cute..." Al seems to react to the word "cute." When Nako adds, "Well, I think you have a pretty cute face," Al replies, "Even if you say that now, it doesn't make me happy... I-I-I'm not particularly happy!" in a classic tsundere character style.
⑥ High Pride
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Despite all the obstacles, Honjo Al has become friends with Ichiri Bocchi and Sunao Nako. Soon after Al became friends with Bocchi and Nako... Al says, "That's perfect, I have something to tell you Sunao-san," and headbutts Nako, saying, "Don't call me 'you'!" Al has many "disappointing" aspects, but because he tries so hard to hide them, he seems to be sensitive to condescending words and actions.
⑦ Highly popular and often relied upon
Source: A lonely life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Nako Sunao has already seen through Honjo Aru's "disappointing personality," but it seems his other classmates haven't quite figured it out yet. One day, Ichiri Bocchi wanted to walk home with Aru, and was thinking about inviting him to join her. Bocchi finally musters up the courage to ask them out, but one after another, classmates approach Al. Despite his repeated attempts, Bocchi has been unable to speak to anyone until the afternoon rolls around. It seems he's very popular with his classmates.
⑧ His specialty is headbutting?
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
After being recognized as a "disappointing kid" by Sunao Nako, Honjo Al seems to have become very close with Ichiri Bocchi and Nako. His specialty seems to be headbutting. Nako constantly calls Al "disappointing," and there are many scenes where he headbutts her when she calls him disappointing. Furthermore, when he wants to make a comment to Nako, he headbutts her. The first time he headbutted her was when Bocchi and Nako had just become friends. It all started when Nako called Al "you" ("you") and he headbutted her, saying, "Don't call me 'you'!" Incidentally, Nako still seems to often refer to Al as "you" after that.
9. His sensibilities are a little off, but they're cute!
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
After Sotoka Rakita becomes Ichiri Bocchi's apprentice, Bocchi wants to become friends with Sotoka, but Sotoka, who mistakes him for a ninja, insists on becoming his apprentice, not his friend. So, Botchi decides to teach Sotoka some ninja-like techniques, declare him master of the art, and then become friends with him. To that end, Botchi teaches Sotoka one ninja-like technique he's read in a book, and declares, "I've mastered the art." However, Sotoka replies, "That's all my master has taught me so far. Please teach me more." Honjo Aru confidently tells Botchi, "Well, I guess I'll take over, Botchi. The vice-chairman is here to help when things get tough." Just when everyone was wondering what kind of technique he'd use, Aru extends both arms forward and begins a mysterious "ninja beam" action. Seeing this, Sotoka responds, "I don't think that's right," to which Aru replies, "Forget that, Sotoka. Forget it, beam," and begins his mysterious behavior again. Aru's slightly quirky sensibilities are also part of his charm.
⑩ Surprisingly calm?
Source: A Solitary Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Honjo Aru is always told by Nako Sunao that he's a "disappointment." One day, on his way to school, Aru accidentally brings his school bag instead of the designated one. However, he doesn't seem upset and seems to be thinking of a good excuse. The excuse that came to mind was that his cousin had soiled his bag, but using a regular bag would be against discipline. His classmates saw him as a serious and reliable person, so this excuse seemed to help him get through it. Furthermore, the day he arrived at school with his school bag, Al declared to Nako, "I'll show you how perfect I am." During English class, the teacher asked, "Someone please read page 24." Al raised his hand and began fluently reading the English passage. He was praised for his pronunciation, but the teacher pointed out his mistake, saying, "But I want you to read the next page." However, without changing his expression, he simply said "Damn it!" to himself. Even when problems arise, he seems to be able to remain calm and not lose his composure.
Summary of Honjo Al's Charms!
Source: A Lonely Life ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Did you enjoy this article? This time, we introduced the charm of Honjo Aru, the vice-president of Ichiri Bocchi's class and the protagonist of "A Lonely Life" (Hitoribottinomaru). Although he's well-liked and often relied upon, his true personality is apparently quite unfortunate. However, it may be precisely because Al has such regrettable aspects that he is able to provide strength to loners and is so approachable. Please pay attention to this Al as well. Thank you for reading to the end.
