Manka-ka Eiji Nonaka takes an interesting approach in the ninth volume of Cromartie High School by allowing his characters to somewhat break the proverbial fourth wall.

Masked Takenouchi, a recurring character who has had a significant role in Cromartie since hijacking an airplane and being mistaken for the real Takenouchi due to his mask, meets up with his former partner in crime. He lectures him on how his presence might be seen as repetitive and unoriginal, and thus unwelcome by the students... and perhaps even the readers of the manga? While Nonaka doesn't have his characters explicitly state their existence in pen-and-ink, the presence of unspoken popularity polls, a common feature in Japanese manga periodicals, is still quite evident.

Meanwhile, at rival Manuel High, thug/net-savvy Kiichi Fujimoto's character reaches a new level of fanaticism when he is threatened on his own private turf by a "newb" computer user. This user manages to impress his fellow classmates with minimal computer skills, similar to how you might have been impressed when first seeing someone use Microsoft Windows in person.

Shinjiro "Sasuke" Hayashida finds himself working with schoolmate Masked "Suzuki" Takenouchi. However, since they both wear "costumes" to school (Suzuki with his ski mask and Hayashida with his faux-mohawk) that are taken off at work, the two remain unaware of each other's true identities... but for how long?

Unfortunately, very little else happens in this volume. Although the series still has its humorous moments, it starts to feel forced. Many of the characters are struggling to keep their "schtick" even remotely amusing or interesting. Volume 9 might mark the lowest point in the manga since the prolonged Freddie/Pootan debacle in Volume 6.

Overall, while the fourth wall-breaking aspect is an interesting尝试, the lack of significant plot development and the forced humor make this volume a bit of a letdown.

A collection of manga stories features high school guys who attempt to act like genuine "badasses." However, they always wind up looking utterly absurd. It's truly hilarious stuff. One particular scene even includes a robot sitting in a jacuzzi. The manga vividly portrays these guys' misadventures as they try to project an image that is completely at odds with their true selves. The comical situations they find themselves in, along with the unexpected elements like the robot in the jacuzzi, add to the overall charm and entertainment value of the stories. Whether it's their failed attempts at being tough or their comical reactions to various circumstances, these manga stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and leave you laughing out loud.