Who doesn’t want to get involved with a good, funny and dramatic series that features a frank discussion of female sexuality? Mari Okada’s O Maidens in Your Savage Season is a stressful yet hilarious story that revolves around five high school students. When the manga was first published in 2016, however, it could not top the charts. The main reason was probably O Maidens’ pureness and simplicity when compared to major works that also made their debuts the exact same year such as Haikyuu!!, Platinum End and Goodnight Punpun.
The series is partly awkward -- however, its heartwarming melodrama makes it altogether lovable and enjoyable. While the five main characters try to get to know themselves, their turbulent emotions, their bodies and sexualities, O Maidens invites readers and viewers on a rollercoaster full of ups, downs, spins and turns. Here's how newcomers can get started.
The Plot of O Maidens in Your Savage Season
O Maidens in Your Savage Season is a coming-of-age story about a group of girls who try to deal with their newly discovered sexual anxieties. Kazusa Onodera and her four friends -- Hongo, Momoko, Sonezaki and Sugawara -- are all members of the Literature Club. One day, while they are reading 20th-century Japanese literature, they are shocked by the explicit sexual scenes and depictions.
Soon, the three-letter word takes over their daily lives and the club becomes an excuse for the girls to meet and read sex scenes aloud. Meanwhile, after walking in on her childhood friend Izumi Normioto during a private moment, Kazusa tries to keep her sanity and come to terms with her feelings toward him.
Where to Read the O Maidens in Your Savage Season Manga
The O Maidens in Your Savage Season manga is written by Mari Okada and drawn by Nao Emoto. It was published in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine from 2016-2019 and amassed a total of 34 chapters and eight volumes. All eight volumes of O Maidens are available for purchase through Kodansha Comics or on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Those who prefer the digital version of O Maidens can try the Nook or Kindle versions, which are widely available on various platforms. You can also read the first chapter on the Azuki app for free.
Where to Watch the O Maidens in Your Savage Season Anime
Directed by Masahiro Ando and Takuro Tsukada, the anime adaptation of O Maidens in Your Savage Season came out in July 2019, airing until September for 12 episodes. The series was animated by Lay-duce, which is also known for the currently airing anime Heroines Run the Show. Sentai Filmworks produced an English dub version of the series in December 2019.
For those who would like to own the physical releases of O Maidens, the Blu-ray collection can be bought at any store such as Amazon, Walmart, Target or Right Stuf Anime. It can also be viewed through the streaming services HIDIVE and VRV.