Chobits Recommended

Publisher
Tokyopop
Writer
CLAMP
Artist
CLAMP
Country of origin
Japan
Year
2002

Chobits Volume 3

By Joseph (Joe) Wood
7th Oct 04

If you haven't read the previous volumes of Chobits (what are you waiting for?) please note this review will contain major spoilers for the past volumes. It may also have minor spoilers for this volume.

Hideki has managed to get Chi home after her strange behaviour the previous night; however she shows no sign of recovering. Thankfully Chi awakens without Hideki having to take her to a shop. He helps Chi find a less "shady" job at a bakery. Shimbo and Ms. Shimizu tell their tail. Minoru begins to question the reasons behind the mystery behind the reason for the persocoms going haywire. It also seems he isn't the only one; a couple dressed in black also seem to be hunting for Chi.

The first thing to mention is the introduction of new characters, as well as the couple mentioned above who are hunting for Chi. There's also a new character in the form of Chi's new boss at the bakery where she finds a job. Hiroyasu Ueda owns the bakery and Hideki used to work for him before his school schedule conflicted with working hours. Like the other secondary characters introduced in previous volumes Udea seems to show an amount of anguish when talking about specific subjects. As well as these new characters we still are given titbits of plot of the existing characters in this volume. Ms. Hibiya (Hideki's landlord) becomes more intriguing, past volumes have already indicated a link between herself and Chi before she met Hideki, and this is expanded on more. Although this volume is still as compelling as the past two, the twists and the turns diminish. The main purpose of this volume is to introduce the new characters and add yet more depth to existing ones.

The artwork is still on a parallel to the previous volumes of the series however there is more comedy in volume three. Meaning more use of the over the top facial expressions, which is really dependant on personal taste. The humour does differ to that of previous volumes keeping the laughs fresh. Also Plum the laptop persocoms plays a larger role in this volume which is a good thing.

Although volume three of Chobits the plot slows quite considerably something that can be annoying. It manages to charm its way through successfully. If your not already hooked on Chobits by this volume aside from needing some serious psychotherapy you may wish to cut your losses here.

-- Joseph (Joe) Wood 7th Oct 04