10 Best Ouran High School Host Club Volume Covers

From its release in 2002, Ouran High School Host Club has remained an undisputed icon for the shojo genre. With outrageous, satirical humor playing into romantic clichés and ‘rich’ characters in all sense of the word, the series is an all-around pleaser for watchers and readers alike.

Author and illustrator under the pen name Bisco Hatori is celebrated for her feminine, fashionable, and dreamy style. She incorporates a seemingly Rococo style mixed with inspiration from other cultures and times, adding to the extravagance of the host club. With these manga covers, Hatori draws readers into her sweet depiction of complicated, budding young love and the shenanigans of the elite.

10

Tall, Dark, and Handsome

Volume 8

Volume 8 features Takashi “Mori” Morinozuka posing cooly next to a happy Haruhi Fujioka, both sporting Japanese clothing. The manga series gives each male host a spotlight cover, often playing into the otherworldly themes the Host Club uses to entertain guests. The cool and stoic ‘Mori senpai’ is depicted shrouded in black, fitting his quiet allure.

Author and illustrator Bisco Hatori initially intended for Haruhi to end up with Mori, but changed her mind as the story progressed. Although Mori fans did not get to see him as the romantic lead, his unspoken understanding shared with the protagonist is a sweet bond to read about.

9

Living up to the ‘Fashion Icon’ Reputation

Volume 2

Living up to their fashionable reputation, the second volume of the series illustrates Tamaki Suoh and Kyoya Ootori standing together, dressed ‘down’ in undoubtedly expensive yet sophisticated suits and fur. Ouran High School Host Club is not only iconic for its satirical humor and celebrated love story. One other main reason is the fantastic fashion and styling that many characters are depicted in.

As readers follow the rich and well-connected group of young men, as well as Haruhi who falls into their world, there is no limit to the chic and creative looks they serve. The ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ of the group lead the example of mode trend-setting.

8

Stepping out of a Time-Period Piece

Volume 7

Volume 7 is another fantastical cover as three main characters are dressed in garbs from another time. Haruhi stands in center wearing a noble gown full of frills, embroidery, and jewels. Hikaru and Karou Hitachiin are behind on either side, matching in elegant, olden-day suits of matching opulence.

Playing into the royal atmosphere that much of the Host Club encourages, this cover gives the Hitachiin twins their limelight, matching their overexaggerated energy. Despite the two not being the main male leads, both Hikaru and Kaoru earn deserved fan attention as unforeseen feelings develop between members, conflict arises, and rewarding self-reflection follows.

7

The Affluence of the Ootori Family

Volume 6

Touching on the topic of wealth, volume 6 is one for simple splendor. Kyoya leans back, draped in a silky dragon-printed changshan with Haruhi matching in a flower-adorned qi pao. The rich colors, delicate accessories, and lavish furs perfectly reflect Ootori’s social standing, all while playing into the thematic host days the group holds at school.

Although Kyoya’s character is the more analytical and pragmatic of the bunch, readers see his moments of vulnerability and softness towards his friends throughout the story. Author Hatori intelligently shows the duality between the characters’ social standings, and questions what one sacrifices for monetary gain and achievement, as it contrasts what one with lesser fortune battles against to rise above struggles.

6

Boisterous, Bright & Fun

Volume 16

Fan-favorite cousin duo, Mori and Mitsukuni “Honey” Haninozuka, burst through on the cover of volume 16. The vibrant colors and softened linework artistically portray the colorful, gentle, and precious relationship between the two.

Similar to the girls the host club entertains, readers fall in love with Mori’s protective nature over Honey, the youthful and sugary-sweet eldest. Unconditional loyalty and acceptance are greatly represented through their interactions, despite their moments of opposition: something that is unfortunately rare for people of their social standing. As the series winds down, readers get a vivid and dynamic cover art of the strong yet sympathetic friends.

5

The Beloved Twin Duo

Volume 3

Just like its previous edition, volume 3 mimics a cover of Vogue. Hikaru and Kaoru stand posing for the reader, dressed in individually unique yet complimenting alternative outfits. Just as the series has a well-dressed reputation to uphold, so do the characters themselves, as the twins’ mother is a famous fashion designer of her own company. The 2000s influence is instantly pinpointed in their savvy fashion sense.

Being characters that take advantage of the implied ‘packaged deal’ of a twin relationship, the two simultaneously held an individuality complex. After they shut themselves off from others in middle school, the host club opened up a world of separate recognition, all peaking with Haruhi’s unfaltering appreciation for the two on their own.

4

The Prince’s Spotlight

Volume 17

Volume 17 is center-stage for the ‘lord’, ‘The Lonely King’, Tamaki Suoh. He smiles warmly, with his soft eyes and fluffy blonde hair framing his face. With the second to last manga, a colorful, flowery highlight for Tamaki was definitely needed.

Coming to the series’ climax, conflicts arise for Tamaki, his family, the host club, and their collective future. Although the blonde greatly plays into the melodramatic, princely archetype and gains laughter from his peers and readers alike, the audience gains his moments of darkness, depth, and conflict sprinkled throughout the narrative. All characters create bridges between each other, but fans love to see Tamaki reach out for his own heart as well as Haruhi’s.

3

Navigating Young Love

Volume 13

Volume 13 is the only cover in the 18-part manga series that depicts Haruhi alone. Contrasting her boyish appearance she adorns at school, Haruhi is seen with ruffles, ribbons, and bows from head to toe as she sits on the tiled floor. Bisco Hatori keeps the color palette monochromatic in green, artistically contrasting the bright purple borders.

It was a much-needed illustration to have the strong-willed, caring female protagonist get the limelight at least once. At this point, the story’s conflict ramps up with confusion, love triangles, and jealousy. As Haruhi is positioned in the center of the drama, it was a fitting character choice for this issue’s cover.

2

The Debut

Volume 1

With the volume that started it all, the manga’s first edition depicts Haruhi in a masculine suit, holding a large bouquet of the infamous roses, backed by a winking close up of Tamaki’s visage. From the get-go, the two leads are front and center, illustrated with the romantic and airy feel associated with this shojo icon.

Before the plot is muddled with characters’ personal disputes and convoluted obligations in high-society, fans enjoy the hilarious, extravagant exposition of this parody that cemented it as a keystone for the shojo genre. As Bisco Hatori’s style sets in with the series progression, it is nice to reflect on its origin with this simple yet unequaled introductory cover.

1

The Host Club’s Happy Ending

Volume 18

Concluding Ouran High School Host Club, volume 18 shows a happy Haruhi and Tamaki embracing, surrounded by simple illustrations of the host club friends. Keeping on theme, the illustration is joyous, colorful, and definitely feminine with flowers sprawled across the page.

Fans come to the finale, as Tamaki plans the perfect date with the help of the other host club boys. Although the series is relatively short, the author and illustrator masterfully captures several themes, such as social class, gender identity, friendship, and the dynamics of love and romance. From its inception, Ouran High School Host Club continues to stand as an entertaining and humorous yet complex and charismatic series that is perfect for endless rewatches and rereading.