9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great series that gets better with each new release, March 7, 2003
This review is from: Love Hina, Vol. 9 (Paperback)
I'm not sure what drew me into Love Hina in the first place, but each successive graphic novel seems to get better.
My initial thoughts on Love Hina was that it was just another one guy/thousands of girls manga with too contrived a premise to really enjoy. And after the first few, it still felt that way. But soon enough, the writing and characters won me over and steered away from some of the cliches that normally bombard this type of manga.
Love Hina rises above most romantic comedy style manga by keeping a good balance of romance and comedy to keep it from being too saccharine or too goofy. Another aspect that's refreshing is that not every single girl that Keitaro, the main protagonist, comes across falls for him. All the girls in the comic have very distinct personalities that play off each other so well, and yes I'll admit it, all of them are pretty cute in their own ways.
Getting back to volume 9 though. Volume 8, to me, seemed like it would be a good ending to the series, where it seems all the loose ends get tied up. After all, the series is mostly about Keitaro trying to get into Tokyo University and he finally does at the end of volume 8. I didn't think there would be anything much further to take the Hinata clan, but there are some nice revelations and stories in volume 9 to suggest Love Hina has a long way to go before the premise gets exhausted.
It starts out with Keitaro having an unfortunate accident at Tokyo U (a pretty over-the-top accident, even for Love Hina) forcing him to take a leave of absence. Other stories include Motoko's sister visiting Hinata House, Shinobu having her first real date with Keitaro-sempai and Seta proposing to Haruka. Oh yeah, we finally get to see where Keitaro and Naru's relationship is going too.
What sets it apart from previous volumes is that it looks like several of the girls are starting to fall for Keitaro. Motoko, Shinobu and even Kitsune start to display more affection for him. Because this is happening in volume 9 and not right at the beginning of the series makes it much more believable and based in reality. Series like Tenchi Muyo and Ranma 1/2 get bogged down with so many love triangles that have no basis for existing that it just gets tiring.
The comedy, writing and drawing in the series is as good as ever. Although there are still several obvious grammatical errors that make it feel like it was rushed. (Shinobu says "I'm going right to be here to cheer you on!!" when it should be ...going to be right here...) The editing needs some work, but other than that, Love Hina volume 9 doesn't disappoint.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A nice transition into the endgame, March 7, 2003
This review is from: Love Hina, Vol. 9 (Paperback)
If you liked the earlier books in the series, then you'd like this one. Book 9 starts on the day of the entrance ceremony for new Toudai, or a.k.a., Tokyo U., students. Keitaro, as usual, managed to get himself in trouble immediately, and things don't go as he had planned or hoped. Despite everything, however, Keitaro finds himself involved in various situations, in the various stories within the book, that inevitably ends up with him on the receiving end of a Naru special. Good thing the guy is immortal!
The stories contained within Book 9 are fun. If you have the Christmas Special DVD, also, episode 25's [very basic] storyline is in here, and there's a story about Shinobu and her wishes. I would definitely read the one about Haruka and Seta, though, as its plot concludes in Book 13 and provides a good intro to Book 13.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3.0 out of 5 stars
Meh., January 9, 2010
This review is from: Love Hina, Vol. 9 (Paperback)
I am a big fan of the Love Hina series, but I have to say this last volume is a little disappointing. A lot of very funny stuff happens (it was particularly hilarious to see Motoko in a maid's outfit), but the plot doesn't seem to advance much through it all. Don't get me wrong, this is an entertaining read, but I feel like volume 8 would have been a good stopping place.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
