Hayate no Gotoku!

Having recently transitioned from a casual interest in animes to a full-blown obsession, I can confidently state that this is the funniest creation ever to emerge from Japan. "Hayate the Combat Butler" revolves around the unfortunate teenager Hayate Ayasaki. After being sold to the Yakuza and inheriting a debt of 156,804,000 Yen, he decides to kidnap a girl named Nagi Sanzenin. However, due to his incompetence, Hayate botches the plan and inadvertently convinces Nagi that he is in love with her. After saving her from another kidnapping attempt, Hayate becomes Nagi’s butler, tasked with protecting her without realizing she's fallen for him.

In 2004, Kenjiro Hata introduced this uproarious manga, which later transformed into an anime. It features amusing characters, outrageous humor, numerous pop culture references, and parodies. The scenarios range from mundane activities like grocery shopping turning into sword-fights with bodyguards, to sneaking into a school only to encounter a deranged alcoholic history teacher. These situations escalate from crazy to ludicrously insane. Much of this chaos stems from Hayate being the unluckiest 16-year-old imaginable. Despite his skills in combat, martial arts, stealth, weapon use, forgery, assassination, cleaning, and door-to-door salesmanship, Hayate invariably ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. His weakness for girls combined with what seems like zero empathy makes his life a living nightmare. Whether it’s every girl in Tokyo being insane or Hayate’s obliviousness to their affections, these misunderstandings often result in both mental and physical pain for him.

The show follows a basic scenario-driven format, not particularly distinguishing itself from other animes/mangas. However, its strength lies in the scenarios themselves, each brimming with parodies, breaking the fourth wall, insane action, and countless misunderstandings. Misuse of words, accidental character deaths, and everyone taking everything too seriously lead to chaotic outcomes. These scenarios are hilarious, relying on outrageous humor, excessive sexual innuendo, and amusing character abuse scenes. Even ordinary situations become comedic gold, like attempting to get into one of Japan’s best schools (a clear parody of Love Hina) or escaping a gay admirer, turning into a fight for survival.

If there's one flaw with this series—though I don’t see it as such—it leans heavily towards the harem genre. For those unfamiliar, harem involves one guy involved with multiple girls. While this isn't inherently bad, it often leads to female characters being objectified, which might turn off some viewers. However, if you overlook this aspect and simply laugh at the on-screen antics, you'll thoroughly enjoy the show.

Contrary to making "Hayate the Combat Butler" seem like a mindless comedy, the series can be deeply touching. Before becoming a butler, Hayate was a poor kid supporting lazy parents who sold him to the mafia. The first episode evokes strong emotions as Hayate’s abandonment becomes evident. I admit, I shed a tear. This series is about survival. As Nagi's butler, Hayate must serve one of the most spoiled children ever. Despite Nagi's anger, Hayate remains devoted, feeling guilty even when taking a day off. It's a story of acceptance hindered by bad luck. With the series still ongoing, I hope the conclusion does justice, lest I lose faith entirely.

"Hayate the Combat Butler" is both hilariously funny and profoundly touching. Although its slight harem elements might deter some viewers, most will find immense enjoyment in this fantastic manga/anime series.

In an eternal romance, one of the most sobering realizations is that one of you will witness the other's death. I was 16 when I first encountered Hayate, noticing he was the same age as me. As time passed, I realized that Hayate would remain forever 16, while I aged. I would experience life, but poor Hayate would keep trying to pay off his debt and endure the silliest adventures imaginable. In a parody genre dominated by Gintama, Hayate continues to thrive thanks to its aging fanbase.

Unlike newer titles, this manga doesn't change to attract more fans. It avoids conformity and stays true to its original audience. Each arc brings back memories of childhood, whether spent playing B-Daman or watching Pokémon. Hayate reminds us of those precious moments with its unique slapstick humor.

If you seek a fast-paced comedy plot, this isn't for you. This is for those who want to reminisce. With constant reminders and breaking the fourth wall, you'll find something relatable. Let's start with the protagonist, Hayate. He's a happy-go-lucky kid who faced tough times but remained optimistic. He'd do anything to pay off his debt and live a normal life. He holds no grudge against those who brought him misfortune, believing that "good things come to those who work hard."

Nagi, our second protagonist, is a tsundere heiress to a vast fortune. Hayate recognized her wealth immediately. She's crucial in keeping the plot moving. After falling for Hayate during a trick, she hires him as her butler. Describing other characters without bias is challenging. Everyone has their favorites, but I found the characters to be the best part of the series. You'll love, hate, and admire them, wishing they were your friends. I often wished I could share a beer with Hayate, though sometimes I wanted to strangle him. These feelings develop after knowing someone for years.

Many struggle to relate to shounen characters due to plot armor and contrived solutions. This manga shares these flaws, making it apparent that the author keeps popular characters relevant. Despite the craziness, you'll question some plot developments. The story clings to relevance, hoping each chapter advances the plot.

Midway through, it becomes clear that the story's worst enemy is the author. Attempts at suspense are often derailed, and arcs become irrelevant. The author forces elements, saying, "You better like it; I just made it." This became evident as Hayate's romantic feelings emerged, typical in harem genres where fans debate over waifus.

Every week, I wondered if the manga would ever end. Now that it has, I can't bring myself to close my laptop and say goodbye. I wouldn't recommend this to a 16-year-old; many references require Googling. But to a fellow 26-year-old, I'd mention it with a smile. Art isn't meant to look nice; it's meant to evoke feelings. This manga definitely made me feel something as I went through school, found a job, and did adult things, with Hayate awaiting me weekly for another grand story.

Jesus Christ, I finally finished this 500+ manga and it only took me 7 months to do so. Anyway, I watched the Hayate anime a few years ago which is why I decided to check out the manga out of curiosity. I'm not a huge fan of the series like I am with other romance harems like Rosario Vampire and Heaven's Lost Property, but I enjoyed the series to a certain extent.

Story: 6
Hayate's story is a very mixed bag. It starts out well with the idea of Hayate being abandoned by his parents on Christmas Eve and taking on their debt, leading to him becoming a butler for the richest girl in the world. It's a cool and unique idea that works out well. After the first chapter though, it's just mixed for about 30-40 chapters. Some of the jokes don't land as well as they do later on and the writing isn't anything great. It gets better as it goes on but the manga does have a noticeable slow beginning.

Around chapter 100 or so, the chapters become much more consistent in terms of quality. The quality however is usually just good/fine. The story isn't the series' strongest point but it works. There are some noteworthy arcs that stand out as better ones such as the Golden Week, School Trip Level 5, and the final arc. But by far the greatest arc of them all is The End of The World which is honestly just amazing and shocked me by how well written and enjoyable it was to read. I loved every minute of it, but sadly its only at most 20 chapters out of 570.

One of the stories biggest flaws would have to be its pacing. Again, this is 570 chapters which is also 52 volumes. That is an insane amount of chapters for a romantic comedy. There is a noticeable amount of "filler" within the series and although some of it is enjoyable and could be meaningful, the way it is presented just feels like filler most of the time. I would say at least 100 or so chapters could be cut out and the manga would work just as well as it does. This really doesn't have to be 500+ chapters long, and I know I keep complaining about this but this really is a big problem for me.

This might go in the "Art" section but when referring to pacing, the art/manga itself is also to blame for this. For about half of the manga or about the first 300 chapters or so, the chapters themselves feel longer than they are/should be. There are usually too many panels or text on a page which makes the chapters drag on. This is fixed much later on but the pacing still isn't amazing or anything.

Considering the length of the series, progression is a very important factor and the manga doesn't seem to progress that well. There's character development, story changes, etc. but the filler chapters just really put everything to a sudden stop. I never felt as though I was getting anywhere with the main story at certain points. It isn't nearly as big of a problem as the others I mentioned but it's something noteworthy. Mainly a missed opportunity I noticed was Hayate's debt. I would've loved to see his debt go down every once in awhile but it doesn't get resolved until much MUCH later on. Imagine seeing it drop from $150 to something like $120 even. It's just something I really think could've worked well.

Art: 7
Hayate's art isn't anything mind blowing, I'll say that for sure. The series ran for 13+ years and the art actually got better as time went on. The art in the beginning wasn't anything too special but it wasn't bad. The style changes as the series goes on and the change is for the better. Besides the style, the character designs are good, the backgrounds are well drawn, no problems there. Considering it ran for over a decade, the amount of consistent quality it retained is quite impressive. Even mangas such as Dragon Ball which I adore the art of, fell in quality towards the end of its run even though it still looked amazing at its worst.

Characters: 7
The series' strongest point is easily its cast of lovable characters. Hayate may not be great but he's an enjoyable main protagonist. There isn't anything wrong or wind blowing in terms of the characters, they're all just entertaining and enjoyable. Also Hinagiku is best girl, followed by Athena.

Enjoyment: 6
I may have explained some of my enjoyment in the "Story" section but overall I did enjoy Hayate, although I wouldn't say I loved it. Again, this could've easily been 100 chapters less and probably only been maybe 350 at most.

Hayate's comedy is good, I will give it that. I got a decent amount of laughs, and even the filler chapters that I complained about and felt were unnecessary were still enjoyable to a certain extent. It may not be the funniest comedy out there but it does work well and most of the jokes were successes.

As mentioned, I would've enjoyed the manga more if the pacing/manga itself was more organized. The chapters don't fly by as other mangas like Chobits or Elfen Lied which makes them feel longer than they should be.

Overall: 6
If I sound like I dislike Hayate, well I actually don't. I actually enjoyed my time reading this manga. Hayate is a good manga overall, but had the potential to be a solid one at the very least. If the chapters flew by quicker and the material was cut down by half, this could've been a pretty solid manga. But enough with what ifs. Hayate the Combat Butler is a long, but enjoyable manga that I...kind of recommend. I honestly can't recommend this to everyone easily. The length is just way too long with the quality only being just good. If anything I can only recommend this to those who have a large amount of free time and to those who are fans of comedies. This isn't much of a harem or romance honestly. But yeah, Hayate is good, just good.

It's incredibly challenging to pin down Hayate no Gotoku into a single genre. At first glance, it's clearly a comedy, but what kind? Situational humor? Slapstick antics? Dramatic irony? Parody? The truth is, Hayate no Gotoku encompasses all these styles. Author Kenjiro Hata seems unwilling to stick to just one type of comedy. In the very first chapter alone, we see Hayate crashing headfirst into a subway entrance, battling Yakuza, referencing biblical tales and Gundam, with even Santa making an appearance. All this wrapped up in the 'poetic' title of the first chapter: "Santa's Red is a Blood-Colored Hell," which gives us a clear indication of the manga's tone.

Perhaps I'm being unfair. While Hayate no Gotoku is undoubtedly a highly effective comedy, it offers much more. Through its parody of action anime, we witness well-drawn fight scenes filled with both drama and irony, mocking yet reveling in clichés. There are also poignant moments that evoke sympathy for Hayate, who was sold to the Yakuza by his own parents. The plot, if we can call it that, includes elements of romance and harem as Hayate somehow attracts every cute girl within a 100km radius. Hata pushes the boundaries of action, drama, and romance before introducing a side character’s deadpan remark or Hayate’s tactless comment, bringing everything back to its parodic roots, fooling readers into thinking it takes itself seriously only to shout "gotcha!" and pull the rug out from under everyone's feet, including its own.

Hata creates a world where the impossible happens, yet each character feels real. Beyond his comedic genius, Hata’s ability to manage a vast cast (easily over 25 main characters) while giving each a unique look, set of mannerisms, and depth showcases his writing prowess. It's no surprise that fans engage in shipping wars over which of the 20+ lovely ladies Hayate will end up with. Each character gets their moment in the spotlight, and if they disappear for too long, expect them to return demanding more panel time. This leads to Hata’s most dynamic touch: his handling of the fourth wall. Does he break it? Perhaps not, but he bends, cracks, warps, twists, sits on, digs under, and paints it hot pink. It's a vibrant form of comedy that must be experienced firsthand to appreciate fully.

The art style in Hayate no Gotoku varies, often leaning towards simplicity. Characters are drawn straightforwardly, with typical anime exaggerations as needed. However, this doesn't stop Hata from delivering stunning spreads occasionally, whether it's a cityscape illuminated at night from a clock tower balcony or a heartfelt hug between old friends. Hata has talent but knows when to apply it and when to keep things understated. Unlike Berserk, not every panel needs meticulous detail to convey the story's essence. A fitting summary of Hayate’s art might be: it serves its purpose effectively.

I genuinely believe there's no other manga quite like Hayate. Comedy manga usually sticks to one or two types of humor, but Hayate blends everything together while maintaining a coherent world and overarching narrative. It’s a unique manga that makes me laugh out loud weekly, much to my roommate’s annoyance. It’s an engaging manga that makes you care about the characters and their world, enjoying both its comedic and dramatic aspects. Anyone who enjoys laughing (and who doesn’t?) should give this manga a try. It stands out as a bright star in the comedy genre, transcending yet excelling within it.

Hayate the Combat Butler caters to a specific audience and nails it perfectly. This series is ideal for fans of quick-fire jokes and abundant Japanese cultural references. If you're seeking deep, intricate plots or profoundly developed characters, this might not be your cup of tea.

Having said that, Hayate the Combat Butler achieves its primary goal: making you laugh. While there are occasional plot elements sprinkled throughout, and maybe a character's realization every ten chapters or so, the emphasis remains on humor and each character's contribution to it. The humor ranges from deadpan delivery to traditional Manzai routines, with each character's unique quirks adding to the hilarity.

The artwork is straightforward, and if I had to keep track of every time the artist used a black-background double-take face, I'd need a new notebook just for that. Nevertheless, each character has distinctive features, and the simplistic art style complements the lighthearted tone of the series well.

If you're looking for a break from heavy, complex plots and simply want to have a good laugh—or even roll on the floor laughing—you could do much worse than diving into Hayate the Combat Butler.

A highly commendable manga, also known as the ultimate butler comedy. Although the artwork from chapters 1 to 50 might not be up to par (consider watching the anime for these parts), it significantly improves and becomes spectacular. The storyline comprises around 40% filler content, but once it delves into an arc or plot, it becomes incredibly captivating. This is a must-watch for enthusiasts of quality romance, not the clichéd kind.

For a lengthy 570 chapters of this series, my enjoyment has been unwavering throughout. Every morning, the most thrilling part of my day is reading my daily two volumes of Hayate the Combat Butler. This rule of reading two volumes per day was set by my past self to prevent present me from binge-reading until 5 am and ruining the rest of my life.

What made me look forward to it so much? Firstly, the adorable romance comedy elements. Almost every character is meticulously crafted. My heart races when Hina blushes at Hayate's dense kindness or when Ruka openly displays her love. The exception, of course, are characters solely contributing to the overarching plot (like Hisui), who have shallow motives and personalities, or the gag characters (like Kotetsu). Even characters like Chiharu, who don't play crucial roles, I adore because she exudes kindness and laughter. What more could a romance-starved teenage boy ask for? (Right, fan-service too) [Characters 10] [Art 10]

To be honest, I don't really follow the "main" story of this manga. During my reading, I even tried researching what the hell was going on with "King Jewels" and other stuff. I remained confused but understood it better. Despite the whole story revolving around supernatural powers and their associations, my enjoyment came from following along without fully understanding everything but still appreciating the stunning art and touching stories. I do admit some chapters are filler, but when this series gets intense, it truly does. I equally enjoy the drama and comedy aspects. Consequently, I was very disappointed by the end of the series because it felt like a journey. Reading it felt like living another vibrant and colorful life beyond mine. It was tough to accept that this manga had to conclude for the readers' sake. [Story 8] [Enjoyment 8]

Lastly, I want to share that this series had some genuinely motivational moments. One chapter stands out clearly in my memory due to Izumi. She explained how a weed isn't interesting to anyone but grows and struggles against nutrient-deficient soil and scorching sun, only to die. Yet, its nutrients contribute to other plants' growth. Thus, even if she lacks others' abilities, her efforts won't be in vain. Perhaps I just don't ponder life much, but I loved that scene. Now you see why the characters can be so intriguing; they all have meaningful stories, even if small ones.

I'd recommend this series only to those with time and, better yet, time-management skills. It's indeed a journey, so savor every moment of it.

This is my first review; I hope you're proud of me!

Oh, so much can be said about this series. When I first started reading it, I couldn't stop until I reached around chapter 300. Then, something clicked. The manga was no longer just a collection of jokes strung together by some random plot (randomness is 75% of Hayate's daily life). A central storyline began to emerge, along with a somewhat deep romance. Before that point, it had been pure comedy with occasional romantic moments.

With the introduction of a certain lady, the genre seemed to change almost instantly, transforming into a genuine romance. I found myself becoming increasingly attached to the story and was captivated as soon as the classic love triangle formed. However, everything fell apart. Soon enough, the romance fizzled out and simply disappeared.

As a storyteller myself, I don't agree with introducing a romance halfway through the plot and then not resolving it by the end, continuing as if it never happened. This significantly influenced my opinion, though it might not affect others the same way. Sure, the zinger style returned, but it never quite went back to what it originally was—and I think that was for the best.

All in all, this series stole my heart, broke it, and put it back in place, making it look better than before. Although I still haven't forgiven it for that...