Love Hina, Vol. 02

ラブ ひな [Love Hina] #2

by Ken Akamatsu

At the age of 5, Keitaro and his childhood sweetheart promised to meet again as students at Japan's most prestigious university. Now 20, he can't pass his entrance exams...or even remember the girl's name Stumbing into a fluke job at an all-girls dormitory may be his last chance. In the series that inspired the new hit anime, Love Hina proves that love conquers all. Even stupidity.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comics, Comedy, Comics Manga

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 16, 1999

About the author

Ken Akamatsu (赤松 健, Akamatsu Ken, July 5, 1968 -) is a Japanese mangaka from Tokyo.

In his teenage years, Akamatsu failed the entrance exam to Tokyo University, and applied for Film Study instead (it is speculated that this is where he got the idea for Love Hina). Eventually, he became famous as an illustrator featured in Comiket (short for Comic Market, a comic convention bi-annually held in Japan). He used the pen name Awa Mizuno (水野 亜和, MIZUNO Awa). Akamatsu, still in college, then proceeded to win the Weekly Shonen Magazine award twice. His "A Kid's Game for One Summer" was awarded the coveted 50th Shonen Magazine Newcomer's Award soon after he graduated.

After a big hit with A.I. Love You, he finally made a grand success with his new manga, Love Hina. The series appeared in Weekly Shonen Magazine and has been collected in eleven volumes (with fourteen volumes in total), which have sold over 6 million copies in Japan, and received the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen in 2001.
Akamatsu had added elements of his own life experiences to the story, and this was said to have induced a unique feeling to the manga especially for Western readers, whose lack of familiarity with Japanese culture for the most part added to the effect. The series, published in America in 2002, was especially well received in many overseas countries - Akamatsu was surprised that even foreign readers found Love Hina to be "cute" and to their liking.

He is now married to his wife 'Kanon' Akamatsu, who was previously a singer/idol. He is currently working on his latest manga series, Negima!: Magister Negi Magi, which is his longest running manga so far. Like Love Hina, has also been made into an anime series. A second independent retelling of Negima was made called Negima!?. Both series were produced by XEBEC (Negima!? was produced by SHAFT).

Reviews

[María · Rating 1 out of 5]

Edit:
Ya no seguiré, tenía todos los volúmenes (creo) pero he decidido que no quiero seguir leyendo ni darle oportunidad, el primero fue horrible y el segundo no tanto, pero ya no me importa saber que sigue con la historia, he abierto los ojos y creo que solo será fan service con cuerpos de mujeres, NO MÁS.

-----
Definitivamente al leer el segundo volumen le pondré una estrella al primero. Sigue teniendo elementos que son un poco molestos para mi como situaciones demasiado sugerentes pero no intencionales, es decir, "convenientes" y la actitud del protagonista sólo reafirma más mi idea de que es una fantasía que todo joven sueña que le pasara pero lo entiendo, es decir, quizás si tuviera menos edad pero el tipo ha intentado entrar a la Universidad varias veces ya está algo grande, pero tal vez se podría dejar un poco pasar porque prácticamente ha tenido nulo contacto con mujeres.

No me pareció desagradable, me entretuvo pero no es tampoco una gran historia, quisiera que desarrollaran un poco más la idea principal y que mantuvieran a raya tantas situaciones incomodamente exageradas y quizás un poco sexistas, supieron manejarlo mejor en este volumen aunque comlrendo que es algo viejo pero no por ello es justificable normalizar el sexualizar a una niña de secundaria. No me parece correcto que lo lean personas menores de edad ya que podrían ver como correcto o deseable situaciones y actitudes que no deberían ser. Además se sigue repitiendo el patrón de violencia al protagonista y si de verdad fuera un pervertido pues sería mejor correrlo que estarlo violentando y arriesgando a que ocurran situaciones incómodas otra vez, no se, me parece todo demasiado conveniente pero ok.

[HorrorBook HellHound · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second volume is cute and builds more on the story. I did get a little tired of the fact that our leading male character is SUCH an overwhelming failure in all things (lol) but I have a feeling he will undergo a LOT of character transformation throughout this series so I'll keep going. Very cute story so far!

[Enrique · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the swap meet one day I was passing by regular stalls looking for cheap stuff when I stumbled upon a pretty girl. Mind you sometimes pretty girls have an effect on me and this pretty girl (I think she was in her twenties) suggested I buy one of her manga volumes. I think she used to read them and now she was getting rid of them, they were a dollar each and I was convinced to buy it. Though I'd thought I'd been swindled I'd found out that the manga I had bought was actually from a good series called Love Hina.

The story centers on Keitaro Urashima a young two year ronin (*someone trying to get into college who hasn't passed the exams*) who is trying to get into Tokyo University to fufill a promise he made with his childhood sweetheart for them to both go there together. Apparently if two people who are in love go there together they're likely to get married and be soul mates (yeah I still don't get it). Keitaro then is sent to live at his grandmothers Inn to study for the college entrance exams when he learns that the Inn has been turned into a girls dorm and he then is given ownership making him the landlord of a bunch of unique girls.

Volume 2 is very funny and you see the girls in each of the humorous situations. But throughout each little story you see how close Keitaro is to Naru Narusegawa, his tutor who is also trying to get into Tokyo University. It is implied that Naru is actually the same girl Keitaro promised to enter Tokyo U with and she almost admits to this to Keitaro. Keitaro himself pieces everything together and sort of admits his feelings for Naru at the end of the volume when they are taking their exams.

So... this was different for me. I mean I liked having lots of laughs especially with all of the holidays and special events the characters go through and I love the chemistry between Keitaro and Naru. It's not one of my favoerite series and I'm in no rush to get the next volume (with college approaching!) but If I ever get to read more I will. If you like comedy or manga style comedy I think you'll enjoy this. If you like typical shonen action then maybe you might not like it. But I did.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for the complete series



Keitaro just doesn't seem to be successful at anything - he failed his university entrance exam twice, was thrown out by his parents and just generally seems plagued by bad luck. Wanting to give the entrance exam another go, he decides to find accommodation in his grandmother's hotel. Upon arrival, though, it turns out that the hotel has now become a girl's dormitory where he is anything but welcome. But luck might be coming Keitaro's way after all when he learns that his grandmother has transferred the dormitory's ownership to him!

Love Hina seems to be a case of people either loving it and considering it a classic, while others think of it as a sexist work full of fanservice. I find myself in neither of these groups, though I have read other works by the author that really deserve being called out for sexism. In any case, let me start by saying that I love Akamatsu's art - especially in Love Hina. His earlier works weren't as nice to look at while I find that post-Love Hina works lost character and just look very generic.

So apart from loving the art, this was also one of the first manga I read and bought and therefore also has some nostalgia effect on me. As I was still new to reading manga and didn't know much about the different genres, because I had seen a lot of pictures of it and just generally liked the look of it, I decided to give this one a try. I didn't realise until much later that I wasn't even the target audience for this series, and even back then, it was never a huge favourite of mine, though I certainly did always enjoy reading.

I first and foremostly enjoy Love Hina as a comedy, it is one of the most hilarious manga I have read and often has me laughing out loud. A large chunk of the comedy can certainly be called 'dirty jokes', yet it's a far call from what people give it - I don't think that these jokes are sexist, indecent or demeaning towards women in any way. The girls in this manga all have very different personalities, but with the except of shy Shinobu, they're all pretty tough and know how to deal with the male characters of this series (although Keitaro is more often blamed when actually innocent than not).

The characters are another strong point in this series. I find Keitaro a very likeable main character - he draws bad luck like no other but is very kind and caring. He learns and recognises his weaknesses and definitely grows as the story progresses. Still, bad luck seems to stick with him all the way to the last chapter. In any case, I love the original cast of the girl's dormitory, they are such a varied but well-balanced group. They are great friends, a bit crazy together and there's at least one for every kind of reader to enjoy. My personal favourites are Naru, Mutsumi, Shinobu and Motoko - which actually surprises me as Shinobu and Motoko were among my least favourite when I read this series initially.

Another thing I love about this series and that speaks against the harem sexist accusations is the fact that not all the girls are in love him Keitaro. I am very sure that several of them are just interested in a platonic kind of relationship, e.g. I don't believe that Su sees in him anything but a big brother. Only some of them are genuinely interested in him and I think all of them have feelings that are well-developed and according to their personalities. I also think the female bodies are nicely drawn and natural-looking - there are no extremely overshaped breasts or curves as one can find in most other 'fan service' series.

Nonetheless, there are a few things that I also don't enjoy about Love Hina. At around the tenth volume, the story starts to drag. Ten volumes seems a good amount to wrap up this kind of story, instead, we get some additional characters that are utterly annoying and just unnecessary. Sara has to be among the most annoying little girl characters I've ever come across! But at least she still adds to the story while the whole Kanako arc felt like a major filler to just drag everything out. The fact that it was never mentioned that Keitaro has an adopted sister made it feel all the more as though it was an afterthought to keep the show running. I find Kanako a very unpleasant character and wish her part would have been left out. Since her appearance, the series felt more and more estranged from its original genre as there was a lot of over-the-top action going on.

But hey, annoying characters and arcs aside, Love Hina has one of the best endings, or rather epilogues, out there. It brings the whole series to a nice round conclusion and gives you a nice idea of what's become of everyone - it was really the best way this series could have ended!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another manga marathon re-read. This second volume is less perverted, packed with more character development, and stuffed to the brim with tonnes of fun comedic action.

[Ada]

***Thoughts after reading***
Better than volume 1!

***Read for the Manga Olympics Reading Challenge***
Runs from Friday July 23 to Sunday August 8

The person responsible for this challenge is Christy Lou on YouTube . They announced this challenge in their Manga Olympics Reading Challenge! | Announcement video. They have made a lovely bingo board which you can find on their Twitter

CHALLENGES
Complete 5 Challenges for a Bronze Medal
Complete 8 Challenges for a Silver Medal
Complete all 17 Challenges for a Gold Medal

I’ll try to read a different manga for every prompt but I don’t know how successful I’ll be. I’ve read this manga for the prompt:
4. Sailing: A manga that gives you summer vibes

1. Triathlon: Read a whole Series
Love in Limbo by Haji, vol.1 and Love in Limbo by Haji, vol.2
2. Swimming: Read a Sports manga
High School Debut (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1 by Kawahara, Kazune
3. Track & Field: Read a Short series (4 vols or less!)
Escape Journey, Vol. 1 by Ogeretsu, Tanaka, Escape Journey, Vol. 2 by Ogeretsu, Tanaka, and Escape Journey, Vol. 3 by Ogeretsu, Tanaka
5. Gymnastics: Read a manga with a female main character
BL Metamorphosis, Vol. 1 by Tsurutani, Kaori
6. Taekwondo: Read an Action Manga
Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 7 by Arakawa, Hiromu
7. Tokyo 2020: Read a manga set in Tokyo
Manga to come
8. Skateboarding: Read a new release
BL Metamorphosis, Vol. 3 by Tsurutani, Kaori. Published in December 2020 and I’m counting a half year as a ‘new release’.
9. Fencing: Read a fantasy manga
Revolutionary Girl Utena Complete Deluxe Box Set, second volume by Saitō Chiho
10. Table Tennis: Read a manga recommended by a Manga content creator
Spy x Family, Vol. 1. I needed an easy recommendation and it just so happened the moment I was looking for one the YouTuber Swiss Bohemian recommended this series in their I like 'em, those japanese comics! (manga collection video tour 4K) video. So I’ll just re-read this volume for this challenge.
11. Shooting: Read something outside your comfort zone
Chobits 20th Anniversary Edition, vol. 1 by CLAMP
12. Rugby: Read a Shonen/Seinen
Love Hina, Vol. 02 by Akamatsu, Ken
13. Cycling: Read a Shojo/Josei
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 1 by Shiina, Karuho
14. Volleyball: Read a manga you've been excited for
Don't Call Me Dirty by Kanbe, Gorou
15. Archery: Read an underrated Manga
BL Metamorphosis, Vol. 2 by Tsurutani, Kaori
16. Weightlifting: Read the manga that's been on your TBR the longest
Princess Ai: Ultimate Edition by Kujiradō, Misaho
17. Softball: A manga that features an ensemble cast
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol 2 by Fujita

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tick better than the first volume. So, uh, still not particularly good, but at least there are some signs that this series could improve.

The first volume is a very one-note affair, based around the recurring "joke" that an innocent, nice guy—suddenly living in a woman's boarding house—keeps ending up in situations where he's deemed perverted, right? Think the classic anime trope of a guy tripping and landing face-first in a woman's cleavage. It's not a funny joke, even with limited use, and v.1 did NOT limit it. That was the focus of basically every page.

While the "innocent male accidents himself into compromising positions" thing is still present in v.2, particularly during the first, what? quarter? third? of the volume, it stops relying on that gag, instead finding confidence in other elements of the characters and their place in the narrative to drive the story.

Now, I don't want to give the story too much credit here; it's one thing to have the confidence to let characters/narrative drive a story, it's another for the story to actually be worthy of being told. There's two main angles to the story (both present within v.1): 1. A mediocre student's drive to get into Todai (a top college) 2. A promise made to a girl as a kid—a girl whose name he doesn't know. Even though he doesn't know the girl anymore, he's still driven by that promise. (OK, the promise is that they'd get into Todai, so it's actually really just one story—but it does play out like two different storylines.)

The prompt of a childhood promise to meet again is cute enough, although it was very obvious by the midpoint of the first volume who the girl is. And, like, it's really hard to care much about some mediocre student getting accepted into some prestigious school. Like, the promise is cute and it's nice that he still has that drive to live up to the promise. But at the same time, a part of reaching adulthood is realizing that maybe a childhood promise made on a whim is not the foundation on which to build your education and, by extension, your possible career paths?

Whatever. Luckily (or, perhaps not) it seems like at least one—if not both—of the plot threads we've been following seem poised to resolve, so maybe the plot will pivot in an interesting direction in v.3.

[AP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a series I would have bought and read myself, but it was among a used manga pile I bought or inherited many many years ago. I had a basic understanding of the story and thought it worth of a read/chance despite this is not usually a manga/genre for me. It clearly has some issues when it comes to ages, if the girls had all been 15+ at least for me, then it would have lessened that issue. I don't mind the usual Japanese gimmick with girls and nosebleeds and so on, but this just gets a bit too much/awkward/"stupid"/cringe for my taste in this book and the age factor does worsen that feeling. Especially when you realize the majority of the girls are 15 and less. The main girl the story is about, is only 2 years younger so no fretting there for me. It's more because the girls at 12-13 are involved in awakward situations with a 19 year old constantly and adding to that the translation in my language are at times debateable. (That said most of the translations in my language when it comes to manga is debateable in genral!)
But again I'm not really a happy/comedy/romance reader at all in general. I only wanted to give it a try since I have 12 of the Manga lying around unread for years and I had heard the story should be somewhat funny and wholesome years ago....
That said now as an adult it does irk me to see these awakward/funny moments with characters as young as 12. I originally and for years up until now, always believed the girls were closer in age to each other and the MC. Back then the reason I never gave the manga/anime a shot was merely because I generally don't read comedy/romance.
Aside the age thing it does have some funny moments and from the 2 volumes I read it did have a wholesome feeling every now and then. But yeah not my genre.

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank goodness for this second volume. Whereas the first was heavy on fanservice and very light on any real substance or character development, this volume cuts down on the ecchi a smidge and after a time, focuses more on Keitaro and Naru as they prepare for their mock entrance exams and actual entrance exams.

Which isn't to say there isn't any fanservice or ecchi at all, for those who prefer or enjoy it to be present in the story. I prefer the increasing focus on the major plot points though, which makes this volume to be a breath of fresh air after the first. As usual, it has its flaws, and part of those are due to being a Tokyopop imprint, but this volume makes up for what the first one lacks.

[Mladoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un deuxième tome un peu mouvementé pour Keitaro. le concours de Todai approche à grand pas et entre l'examen blanc et le mystère de son amour de jeunesse (Naru ? pas Naru ?) il est un peu déboussolé. D'autant qu'il est toujours aussi maladroit et pervers sans le faire exprès. Il se prend encore pas mal de coups dans ce tome et est même à deux doigts de quitter la pension.
J'aime vraiment les personnages de ce manga romantique qui sont très attachants même si les scènes sont un brin répétitives et que le fin de l'intrigue est déjà assez prévisible.

[Saya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Por algún extraño motivo, este tomo me ha gustado más que el primero, y eso que tiene cosas turbias como, bueno, Shinobu-chan... Quiero decir... Tiene 12 años y bueno, no puc. Pero por lo demás me pica la curiosidad por la historia. El nivel de japonés se me hacía un pelín cuesta arriba en el primer tomo, pero ahora se me ha hecho más fácil, supongo que porque se repiten muchas palabras y expresiones, sobre todo las relacionadas con los estudios, los exámenes, etc. De momento pienso seguir leyéndolo, aunque no sé si podré con los 12 tomos que quedan...

[Arnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Četru gadu vecumā Keitaro Urashima un kāda atmiņu dzīlēs pēc vārda aizmirsta meitene reiz smilšu kastē viens otram devuši solījumu, ka abi reiz iekļūs Todai universitātē vien aiz tā iemesle, ka jau tādā vecumā padzirdējuši, ka diviem mīlētājiem kopā esot Todai mīlestība garantēta uz mūžu.

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's growing on me, but still it seems a bit superficial...

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's growing on me. Nothing really happened, but will be reading further.

[Chad Shamrowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this Manga is a CAN'T put down.. I hate that I can relate to Keitaro sooo much.. I mean.. like when I was 19.. now I'm much better!

[Doremili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pensar que esto fue de hace 10 años...

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages 16+

[Kurtis Burkhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty great Romance manga, really good story and love the art style 😁👌❤️

[Shannon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the art style of this manga. The characters are all really cute and the storyline isn't overly lovey although romance is a large plot piece within the story.

[Amanda Blochowicz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Almost has bad as volume 1. Will not be continuing with the series.

[Shelby (bookshelfworthy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cover sucks the story is actually good.

[MxMorganic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liking how Naru & Keitaro’s relationship develops in this one. And all the holiday-themed chapters are nice, too.

[Sam Riner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better that the first one but still way too much fan service.

[Robert Beveridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ken Akamatsu, Love Hina vol. 2 (Tokyopop, 1999)

More adventures in the Hinata girls' dorm, featuring Kitaro, the hapless headmaster trying to get into Tokyo U. So's Naru, the oldest of the bunch, and despite Naru's hatred of Kitaro, the two of them agree to study together, more out of necessity than anything. Kitaro's klutziness combined with the antics of some of the inhabitants who are less fond of Kitaro keep getting him into sticky situations from which he can't extract himself. Good times! ****

[Danicka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked few of the chapters, Keitarou is starting to get on my nerves. I just hope he will evolve somehow and won't be that dumb forever. :D I liked the Valentine chapter very much I just wish my bf could make that kind of cake. :D :D :D Anyway, as I don't remember what happened next, I am interested in if they make it into the university. I don't think Naru is Keitarou childhood friend and I hope I am not mistaken because if yes, well, I don't like these kind of coincidences happening in the stories.

[CF · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same. Keitaro being an idiot and the girls tolerating him. Shinobu's character annoys me slightly because she's too meek. It's ridiculous, she gets offended at the tiniest things and goes off to cry. I mean I get that's the character development but its a bit frustrating.

Keitaro is possibly one of the least likeable main characters I have ever encountered. They show nothing but his bad sides. Hopefully his good ones will come out soon.

[Redfox5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just read a couple of these volumes one after the other and they have kinda all rolled into one. Keitaro gets into more perverted mishaps in this one but the girls are starting to worm to him. Well apart from Naru who spends most of the book pissed off at him for one reason or another. Not as good as the first one but moves the story along nicely.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

mostly all the time i always find the 2nd boook boring and not entresting.It gives away the important details.Atleast wait until the 2nd to end book.This book proved me wrong well this book atually got beter and better.It was mostly about holidays and tests.Not boring intresting and lol moments.But this book you will love espacialy the manga lovers also people who liked the volume 1.

[Onírica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Si queréis leer una obra realmente magistral de Ken Akamatsu, leed la serie "Negima!: Magister Negi Magi" Una historia bien pensada que te atrapa, con personajes que evolucionan psicológicamente, un dibujo preciosista cargado de detalles y profundidad de planos en cada página, momentos trepidantes y realmente emocionantes, y una aventura interesante que leer. Probadla, de verdad.