I sometimes go down to my local public library and pick up half a dozen "new" manga starting with the first volume. I like to expand my tastes by picking up some random books, and sometimes this nets me a new favorite (like Skip Beat).
One of the good ones from this group is called Otomen. It has a tendency to get zany and play up the girly manga tropes but I think it's still good. The basic premise is about a young 18 year old guy named Asuka who is your classic all around male on the outside. He reads books about the warrior way, studies kendo and judo, and is well respected around campus. But all is not well for our hero, because he secretly loves really girly things like knitting, cooking and frilly sparkly pink things. He hides out pretty well, until he falls for a cute girl in his class and then things start breaking out. Add another pretty guy who mysteriously knows his secret and a famous manga (self referencing it's own genre) that is eerily like his life and things start to get really fun.
Japan and the western nations share a very strong patriarchal past, although it seems to be stronger in Japan now. This seems to be the basis of conflict in this manga, men are expected to be manly and any intrests that aren't manly are looked down upon. While some people know Asuka's secret others put a great deal of presure on him, either on purpose (his evil mom), or by accident (other students). He can't be himself anywhere except at home and at lunch with his friends. It's pretty sad.
I don't think there are any problems for picking up this manga. I've only read the first four volumes but so far the relationship has progressed to holding hands only. There are the occasional fight scenes, and even a run away bull that Asuka has to fight, but the violence seems minimal. All in all I don't think there is any reason not to pick this up, it's smart and self-referential, it has interesting characters, and it has a premise that I haven't seen before. Or and there is soooo much cute. :)
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