Love Hina

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Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 37 votes)
5 stars
15(41%)
4 stars
14(38%)
3 stars
8(22%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)

Popular Reviews

  1. Okojus53W
    Okojus53W rated it
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    Great manga, even better than the anime. The story is fantastic, and the ending is so touching it might bring tears to your eyes. There aren't enough adjectives to describe this masterpiece. Love Hina's manga is the best among many I've read in its genre!

  1. CurtisPage
    CurtisPage rated it
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    This manga was truly enjoyable. Despite hearing that the anime was mediocre, this turned out to be a great read. Each character was distinct and unique, making it easy to care about them. I loved the interactions between the characters, and every chapter kept me engaged. Another aspect I enjoyed about the story is that, even though it's a romance and comedy manga, the characters' motivations and dreams evolve over time, keeping the plot fresh.

    The main character actually chooses a girl, which makes the manga satisfying if you're looking for a conclusion. It also ends on a positive note, with the ending being really cute and wholesome. I definitely recommend it.

  1. Muhammedshafa
    Muhammedshafa rated it
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    This manga is one of my all-time favorites. Love Hina is an excellent read, and after watching the anime and feeling unsatisfied, I decided to give the manga a try. Rarely have I enjoyed a manga as much as I did with Love Hina. It was concise but packed with story and character development. This series will always hold a special place in my heart.

    Story: 9
    The story in Love Hina is hilariously chaotic yet sweetly romantic. It has its ups and downs, but overall, it's a well-developed narrative. Though it starts off a bit oddly, it soon becomes memorable with its blend of funny scenes and romantic moments. Some parts are so outrageously funny that I found myself laughing until I cried. At times, it can get a little too crazy and repetitive (especially Naru's punches and the ecchi scenes), but the romance between the main couple develops nicely despite their initial reluctance to admit their feelings.

    Art: 10
    The art is simply amazing. The illustrations in Love Hina are some of the cleanest, cutest, and most detailed I've seen in a romantic comedy manga. The shading is particularly beautiful, and each character design perfectly fits their personality. The backgrounds are also nicely done. I truly admire Akamatsu's artistic talent.

    Character: 9
    If this manga doesn't have great character development, then slap me. Unlike many other romantic comedy harem manga, each character here is fully developed. Sure, some girls fall into typical harem personality types, especially Naru (that tsundere), but I was able to overlook it. Each character has a unique and charming personality, making it easy for me to become attached to them, including Keitaro.

    Enjoyment: 10
    I thoroughly enjoyed this series. There's not much more to say except that I really loved it.

    Overall: 10
    As I mentioned, this manga excels on multiple levels. It's a shame it isn't as popular now as it once was, but no matter what, I'll always cherish this series. Initially, I overlooked it because it was an ecchi harem manga, but after enjoying the anime (though not nearly as much as the manga), I decided to read it. I'm glad I did.

  1. Hawk9970
    Hawk9970 rated it
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    This was the first manga I actually finished.

    It's a very enjoyable manga with a happy ending.

    I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good anime that stands out from the crowd.

  1. Gagan_H
    Gagan_H rated it
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    I just finished reading this today and here's my short review of the manga.

    Story: The story is great, featuring some light ecchi elements that don't detract from the narrative. In fact, they help the story progress smoothly. The romance is compelling but occasionally frustrating as characters struggle to be honest with each other despite their obvious feelings. However, this adds to a satisfying conclusion. (7.5 or 8/10)

    Art: The artwork is fantastic, especially considering it was created around 1999. It's visually appealing and enhances the storytelling. (7/10)

    Characters: Each character has unique traits that make them memorable and often humorous. While character development may not be the strongest, it’s adequate for this genre. As someone who reads a lot of similar manga like Ichigo 100% and I"s, I find the characters enjoyable. (8/10)

    Enjoyment: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this manga, so it deserves a high score of 9/10.

    Overall: I highly recommend reading this manga, especially if you're a fan of romantic comedies. You won't regret it. (8/10)

  1. Hoku1
    Hoku1 rated it
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    Ok, I'm going to be honest here; this is the very first manga I've read, so I might be biased in some areas. The story follows a typical main character trying to achieve something and ultimately succeeding—in this case, gaining entrance to a university. The story stands out because it feels like half of it is filler (but a very good filler; character development is usually the only progression). If you enjoy the genre of ecchi comedy with a hint of romance every now and then, you will love it. Honestly, I think the art is top-tier; Mr. Ken knows how to draw. Unlike most mangas where you have to get adjusted to the art after a few chapters, Love Hina gets instant recognition. What I love most about the manga is the characters. They all feel like truly individual people, and you can see their types when you go outside to a local area. They are so varied and all very entertaining. This is where my bias comes in; there's no point in arguing, but I think this is the most enjoyable manga ever. This is what I look for in every manga (and am always disappointed). 10/10 solid on enjoyment. Overall = 10/10

  1. itarotchi
    itarotchi rated it
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    This series deserves a perfect 10 overall, but the final "big" adventure (not the grand finale) left a sour taste in my mouth. I won't go into too much detail, but it involved visiting the home of one of the main characters and felt rushed—perhaps due to the mangaka's work on the then-new Negi series. It made me resent even the sweetest character, something I thought impossible. There are times when adaptations can work, and there are times when you really need the full story. One example is the later seasons of M*A*S*H*. These were already weaker stories compared to the earlier seasons, and syndicated cuts further diluted them. Another example is Denethor from The Lord of the Rings. If LOTR proved to be filmable, Steward Denethor may have been the exception. How could a film not solely focused on him successfully portray him as a dark counterpoint to Aragorn and Faramir, embodying the flaws of the Great Race of Numenor while still being magnificent in those flaws? Love Hina is a prime example of this disparity between manga and anime, perhaps more so than any other mainstream series. Do you want to know why the male lead stuck around, and why the female characters allowed him to? Do you want a Naru and Motoko who don't come off as stereotypical 90's/2000's US sitcom wives, or conversely, a Keitaro who isn't an idiotic man-child? Do you want genuine sexual tension between Keitaro and his youngest harem members without crossing inappropriate lines? In the manga, Keitaro takes beat-downs, many of them unfair, but he doesn't seem like a worthless wimp. His evolving suitors aren't always smash-smash pervert-pervert baka-baka witches either. Even at their most tense moments, the characters all have genuine affection for each other. Only Kitsune suffers, never getting her own arc and sometimes seeming like the exception to the 'more depth' argument. These ladies will annoy you, and this guy will make you cringe, but they have normal days and support each other, not just when it counts, but pretty much anytime they can. Even the sweetest character has her flaws, some stemming from her open affection for the male lead. Until technology allows fan-authors to use the anime models for a full-on manga adaptation, the flanderization and exaggeration of the anime (which inspires most of the Naru-hate we know) makes it look like a pretty picture and not much more. Even those who dislike the ending and certain coupling outcomes will understand why the mangaka went that way. But regarding the final big adventure, it was almost as bad as the anime on nearly all fronts, sometimes incomprehensible, and made all but two harem members look like horrible jerks, even with the premise's built-in Karma Houdini for their actions. Personally, I wrote a fixfic, though I hope it wasn't vicious. The grand finale regains its footing and then some. But I can't shake the incongruent bad taste of that last big adventure, which drops my rating from a 10 to a 9—or maybe 9 and 1/2 if I had that option. You will love Love Hina, a series so strong that its main characters were likely homaged, parodied, or deconstructed for the mains in Elfen Lied.
  1. KaryKD
    KaryKD rated it
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    I adore this manga. It was my first read and remains at the top of my list. The artwork translated beautifully into the anime, and the writing is exceptional. I found myself eager to learn more about each character, even the minor ones.

    Despite the inherent violence in their relationship, it's clear early on how much Keitaro and Naru care for each other. Oh, come on... you couldn't miss it just by looking at the covers! I could tell you the ending, and it would still be worth reading. Don't worry, I won't spoil it... just saying.

    I love Akamatsu-san's attention to detail. He takes the time to delve deeper into the supporting characters. Everyone gets a chance to tell their story and give you a glimpse into who they really are.

    Loser or not, you have to love Keitaro. Lady luck seems to have been against him from day one... he just can't catch a break! Despite all that, he's a decent guy with strong morals and the biggest heart. Of all his shortcomings, he still comes through when it really counts, and that's what matters.

    What impresses me most is how well Akamatsu-san conveys the emotions of the characters. Though first impressions provide a lot of information about each of them, they all grow and change throughout the series, and in the end... well, you'll just have to read it to find out.

    I know plenty of people who would laugh at a nearly-30-year-old straight male reading something like this, but I don't care. It's a great story, hilarious, and it really resonated with me. I even shed a few tears when... LOL... don't worry. I won't spoil it. Just read it, okay?

    "NARU PUNCH!"

  1. Spencer_Boudrey66
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    Well, it took some time, but here I am, finally writing a review for the very first manga I ever read. I just never thought to give it a review before. But now, I'm going to do it. If you've seen any of my other reviews, you know that I rarely give anything a perfect 10. When I rate manga and anime, if I think it deserves a 10, I have to consider whether there is anything I would add or change to make the story better. This manga could have been improved. It does fall a bit short compared to Akamatsu's other manga that I enjoyed, Negima! Magister Negi Magi, but it is still great. I would recommend this manga to anyone who enjoys comedy, romance, and harem genres.

    I do dislike how repetitive the plot can be. The main character is often labeled as a "pervert," but he's really just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite this, I have re-read this manga five times. I love it so much and wish there was more of it.

  1. Pizzailla
    Pizzailla rated it
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    Very good manga, one of my all-time favorites. I just finished it for the fourth time. Looking back to the first time I read it, I realized how much of an impact it made on me. I remembered this was the first series that I completed. Even though I have read it four times, I still get just as sad every time I finish it. It is just so good. I always root for Keitaro and Naru. This and Suzuka are my all-time favorites. You know it is a great series when you feel sad for finishing it.

  1. Aliiireza
    Aliiireza rated it
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    Even though I wasn't a fan of the anime, I absolutely loved the manga. The manga seems to leap off the pages, whereas the anime, to me, just sat there pretending to be Love Hina. The artwork shows a genuine passion for the work, as it is detailed and vivid. The story was intriguing and kept progressing, which kept me engaged in reading. It had a bit of a perverted edge, but not so much that it detracted from the story; most of the time, it was used for humorous effect. This was the first manga I picked up on a whim, and I haven't been able to put it down since. It is definitely worth reading.

  1. DaoisteqzVGe
    DaoisteqzVGe rated it
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    Love Hina and I go way back. This was the first series that I downloaded pirated fansubs for back in 2001. I stumbled onto it as a baby anime fan trying to find "generic anime" art to decorate my desktop wallpaper. By itself out of context, Love Hina fit that description pretty well. Regardless, I noticed the little kana Love Hina logos on these images and wondered what show this was. In 2001, Slice-of-Life anime was practically unheard of in the US. Everything on Toonami was fantasy/sci-fi, and everything from other anime sources was similarly fantastical. I wanted something grounded and realistic, something that took place in modern-day Japan. Love Hina ended up being exactly that for me. It was almost providential that I got the subs when I did because later that year, the manga started coming out in the US. Now, about the manga. That's a whole new can of worms. Suffice it to say, it quickly became my favorite manga of all time. Granted, I had only read a small handful at that point, but still. The anime was good, but the manga was 1000x better. Love Hina is a pretty standard harem comedy where the twist is that the ladies by and large hate the guy (at least for a while, they come around). Usually, in a harem, you have a dude surrounded by ladies who fawn over him while he flusters or remains mostly aloof. Keitaro, our protagonist, on the other hand, is a lech and a creep, and is constantly punished for his bad behavior. Due to manga plot circumstances, he finds himself managing an all-girls dorm (converted from a very fancy hot spring inn). He's got the usual childhood friend motivation, supposedly if two people who love each other get into Tokyo University together, they will be together forever. He remembers making this promise with a girl when he was a child and has clung to this until adulthood, even though he can't remember her name or really her face. Unfortunately, Keitaro is kind of a dumbass and has failed multiple times already to get into Tokyo U. So here he is, managing a girls' dorm and trying to study, while maybe the girl he made the promise to years ago is closer than he thinks. Where the manga excels, in my opinion, is its mix of comedy and heart. Naru is a really good character. She should just be a stereotypical tsundere, but she has a lot more depth than that and really carries the series. Keitaro goes through an interesting evolution too, though he is a somewhat weak protagonist given that so much of the comedy relies on his doofy perviness. The other characters are good too. They each start out as pretty stock but grow quite a bit as the series goes on. But aside from all that touchy-feely crap, the comedy is often really where it's at. Akumatsu Ken is just such a funny writer/artist. His timing is so often on point, dropping hilarious panels right in unexpected moments. And while the story does start to feel a bit strained by the end, he manages to inject enough new characters, situations, and evolutions from time to time that it manages to stay fresh.

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