Love Hina – Volume 4

Story

Finally, some delving into Naru’s history. Now that the gang are back from there trip to verious places around Japan, it seems Keitaro wants to get a job, which leads  to a whole bunch of unimaginable coincidences. And one of the best characters of this manga is here now, Seta. I loved him in the anime, and he’s just as awesome in the manga.

Translation

Great as usual, and the amount of times the text veers out of the speech bubbles has lowered which is great. The amoutn of times Keitaro is confused, or falls, and starts spurting out random letters has added a bit… I don’t know if that’s good or not really… it can be funny, but a tad hard to read sometimes. Still great though.

Verdict

Now that Seta and Mutsumi have been introduced properly, I think it’s meeting the climax of the bit I’ve been waiting for the last 2 volumes. I really can’t wait for this, especially considering what Naru (nearly) said to Keitaro near the end of this volume.

Love Hina – Volume 3

Story

Continuing from volume 2 and increasing the pace of Keitaro’s and Naru’s relationship the story seems to be charging forward as fast as possible, with most of this volume focusing on the fact that for certain reasons, they’re alone together. Of course, complicated when the new character, Mutsumi Otohime, seems to mix things up between them.

Translation

As usual, the translation is fine, text is nice, pace is good, language fits and everything. The only problem I can think of is that the text can some times be shooting off to the side. Like, the word may be too far left and not be entirely in the speech bubble, weirdly.

Verdict

It’s not too fats anymore, so I have absolutely no major gripes now, I love the characters the jokes and the story. I’m quite happy with the introduction of Tama-chan too. Myuh!

Love Hina – Volume 2

Story

Continuing on from volume 1, telling the story of 19 year old, 2nd time Ronin, Keitaro Urashima, volume 2 seems to delve deeper in to the main story of the series, finally. With a lot more Keitaro and Naru alone scenes than there were in the first volume. The story is progressing at a great speed, and the only flaw I can find is that the manga is a tad too fast. You could be reading a comedic moment one second, and what seems like a few second later, you’re on a deep important scene, so it’s not as gradual as it could be in that respect. Still, that adds to the charm a little.

Translation

Probably the best translation of a manga I’ve seen so far. They make fewer spelling mistakes than some of my other favourites, like Azumanga from ADV and Chobits, who are also from Tokyopop, like Love Hina. And the language used seems to fit the characters pretty well.

Verdict

With the story picking up nicely, and the characters being developed more, it’s pretty easy to get into this manga, with my only complaint being that it’s a TAD too fast. Otherwise, I really love this manga, and can’t wait to read some more volumes of it.

Love Hina – Volume 1

Basic Story

Keitaro Urashima is a 2nd year Ronin (A student who didn’t pass college entrance exams, and therefore has to go to a preparation/Cram school), and is still doing pretty badly with all his work. His parents end up kicking him out, and he goes to his grandmother’s hotel. When he gets there, he finds out that the hotel has actually been turned into a girls dorm, and he ends up having to live there, due to have nowhere else to go. It seems his grades are staying about the same, and that 2% chance of gettinginto Tokyo U and meeting his childhood sweetheart are impossible.

Art

I really like Ken Akamatsu’s art style. In my opinion, iot really brings the emotions of the characters out, without having to exaggerate too much, and when they do exaggerate, it is always brilliantly placed, and really funny.

Re-readability

Due to the comedy of this manga, I’d say it’s one that can be read pretty easily over and over. I could at least. I find it really funny, and not stupidly repetitive when I read it, one example I laugh at every time being Koalla Su landing a drop kick on Keitaro’s face just before she lands with his head between her thighs.

Verdict

 A lot of people I know REALLY seem to hate Love Hina, but me being the romantic/comedy type person I am, I absolutely love it. I’d say if you’re into other anime, harem or fast-paced comedy manga, Love Hina is absolutely brilliant. Otherwise, you’ll hate it. It’s like Marmite, except I don’t like marmite, and I like this.