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.