Love Hina Recommended

Publisher
Tokyopop
Country of origin
Japan
Length
9
Year
2002

Love Hina Volume 3

By Joseph (Joe) Wood
9th May 05

Love Hina is a massive success in all its forms here in the UK, in the US of A and in Japan. Spawning a 24 episode anime series, two specials, a set of OVAs and the Tama-Chan stuffed toy. This review may contain spoilers for previous volumes.

Naru and Keitaro both Tokyo University hopefuls come home form there latest set of exams to get into the prestigious school extremely confident that there long hours of studying have paid off. The Girls of the Hinata apartments throw a party to celebrate (although they would of still very likely of thrown the party to commiserate the two hopefuls). Keitaro on an all time high tells Naru how here thinks SHE is his promise girl from fifteen years ago, and reason for wanting to get into Tokyo U. Naru reminding Keitaro that math is probably one of the subjects he needs to spend more time studying on, explains that she couldn’t be his promise girl as she would of only been two at that time. Leaving Keitaro in a state of complete despair, and about to take the final examination for Tokyo U, it’s no surprise that Keitaro fails…but surprisingly so does Naru. A night of drinking and saying things that they would certainly regret the next day both Naru and Keitaro decide to go on a trip around Japan. Coincidentally they happen to go on the same train to the same location and see the same sights, and also end up in the same hotel. On this mini-journey they run into a fellow flunkey of the Tokyo U entrance exams, Mutsumi Otohime who gives Keitaro a run for his money on clumsiest person alive. Whilst the remaining Hinata girls set of in search of their friends.

Like the first volume the storylines in the third closely reflect certain episodes of the anime, meaning those who have seen the anime already may find this volume slightly boring. Although there are a few differences such as the length to which Mutsumi appears is extended with many more jokes. Although the story and outcome is pretty much identical to the episodes which were based on this part.

Again the jokes are funny but not as funny on a second or more read through. The artwork is still top class for both the characters and the backgrounds. There also seems to be more fan service in this volume than the previous two which I’m sure a few people will enjoy quite a bit.

If you’ve enjoyed the manga so far then volume three certainly won’t disappoint at all, unless you’ve already seen the anime.

-- Joseph (Joe) Wood 9th May 05