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Reviewed by Stephen Joyce Hayate the Combat Butler, another serving from Viz's Shonen Sunday line, is a very interesting and surprisingly good series. It's the story of Hayate Ayasaki, a hard-working young man who's forced into being a butler after his parents are unable to resolve some of their gambling debts. This may seem like a horrible turn of events, but in the end, it works out better for Hayate. He's now in a place where the people actually care about him, and though he may have a hectic work schedule, he does appear genuinely happy. It's not always a great idea to start a manga thirteen volumes in, but it's always good to start somewhere, right? Luckily, this series seems to be easily-accessible, and the characters are recognizable archetypes: Hayate, the series' leading character, is kind-hearted and willing to go the extra mile for his friends-- Nagi, the spoiled rich girl, is slowing becoming a better person due to the presence of Hayate, and Maria, the tough girl, of whom everyone is scared, since she might kill them at any time. These are just the main characters that live in the mansion that's the center of most of the action in the series. The idea of the main character being a butler in a Shonen manga seems somewhat strange, but once you dive into the series, it's really an afterthought which only really pops up every so often. Most of the time the stories never really focus on Hayate being a butler, but instead use his job as a way to explain why he's in this mansion setting. Speaking of the story, this manga is mostly a collection of different episodes in the life of Hayate and his friends. The easiest thing I can compare it to is a sitcom, where the story progresses, but doesn't necessarily build on the previous episode. There are certain themes and small plot threads that are spread throughout each story, such as Hayate's interest in Hina, a supporting character. For the most part, though, each story can somewhat stand on its own and be fairly enjoyable. This could be a turn-off for manga fans used to series that rigorously continue the story from chapter to chapter. Another fun aspect of this series is that it's able to poke fun at the fact that it _is_ a manga. Breaking down the fourth wall can be a lot of fun when it's done right, and it's definitely done right in this series. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does happen, it's usually in a humorous fashion, and it did get a few chuckles from me, particularly when the characters try to go right to the limit for the book's T+ rating. Regardless of this aspect, the series does have a very humorous vibe throughout the volume that'll probably get a smile out of most readers. From an art standpoint, this series doesn't really stand out all that much. Kenjiro Hata has a somewhat generic style that can easily be confused with other artists of his caliber... but this not necessarily a bad thing. The art is beautiful and of great quality, but it just doesn't really stand out as something that will grab your attention. The setting may seem a little odd for a Shonen manga, but Hayate the Combat Butler v13 is a solid read that left me smiling and ready for more wacky adventures from Hayate and his friends. The stories were entertaining, and didn't rely on old manga clichés to get their laughs. Review copy provided by the publisher. Interested in writing for MangaLife? We're always looking for talented reviewers and columnists, so drop us a line! Charles Webb Editor-in-Chief, MangaLife.com |
1 September 2010
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