ラブひな ６

ラブ ひな [Love Hina] #6

by Ken Akamatsu

景太郎と成瀬川が初デート！？乙姫むつみも再登場し、いよいよ無敵のローニンズ結成！
やはり約束の女の子は乙姫むつみ・・・？

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

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2000

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

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aannnddd back to re-reading Love Hina. A great palate cleanser after the darker themes of Takahashi's Mermaid Saga. Quirky and good for a chuckle, but a BIG secret is revealed in this one and we're left with a major cliff hanger, so you'd better have volume 7 lined up before you start volume 6. ;)

[Chad Shamrowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series... It's sad and wonderful how much I actually can identify with Keitaro Urashima...

[Soobie has fog in her brain · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ci mancava solo il grande ritorno di Mutsumi, che forse è la ragazza che mi sta meno simpatica tra tutte. E sembra anche essere una genietta più brava di Naru. Che ovviamente s'ingelosisce!

[Robert Beveridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ken Akamatsu, Love Hina vol. 6 (Tokyopop, 1999)

Akamatsu's series continues on as strong as ever. The group encounter Matsumi again, who is also, it seems, studying to get into Tokyo U., but what an odd method of studying she has! And what's worse, Keitaro, who was finally getting somewhere in his relationship with Naru, finds the well-meaning, but clueless, Matsumi is driving Naru green with jealousy, even if Naru won't admit it. You wouldn't think a simple story about two people trying to fall in love with each other could be so engrossing (and funny), but it certainly is here. ****

[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!

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the last volume and how much it felt like mindless filler, I am a little happier with this installment and the fact it tried to re-focus itself on the actual plot of the series.

Spoiler time, so click on the tag to drop it down if you want my full thoughts!

Mutsumi returns in this volume, if it wasn't made obvious already from her presence on the front cover. The volume kicks off with a bit of an awkward, impromptu date of sorts between Keitaro and Naru (though not before Keitaro suffers some more for his efforts to ask her out in the first place and the rest of the girls at Hinata House assist in making life hell,) and a moment of panic when Tama-chan the turtle vanishes for a day (complete with a minor Dragon Ball reference) and winds up finding Mutsumi in the process. From this point, the rest of the girls split off to return back to Hinata House while Naru and Keitaro do supper out with Mutsumi, getting swept along by her manic energy and missing the chance to return home at a reasonable hour. From here we get to see Mutsumi's new place of residence, which is just down the hill from Hinata House, and she becomes study buddies with Naru and Keitaro.

As Mutsumi's presence at Hinata House starts becoming more of a regular thing and she spends more time with Keitaro and Naru, Naru makes the important discovery via looking at the stuffed squirrel doll she has and flipping through her photo album that not only had she herself been to Hinata House as a child, but Keitaro and Mutsumi actually made The Promise to each other to attend Tokyo University together as adults. Because Naru is a romantic and tends to suppress her own feelings like the damn tsundere she is, she starts focusing her efforts on trying to get the two to end up together...without first telling them anything, of course. This also is in spite of her growing romantic feelings for Keitaro and her realization of that, and she struggles with her feelings when Keitaro and Mutsumi share the sentiment that they both hope all three of them can attend Tokyo U together. The volume ends during Christmastime with Mutsumi kissing Keitaro, and Naru dropping the bomb on them both about how they made their childhood promise to one another.

For what it's worth, I do remember loving that reveal and twist when I read this as a teenager, and I still appreciate the fact that it subverted the obvious assumption that Keitaro and Naru had made The Promise to each other. There are additional moments that go to show Mutsumi has an earlier connection to Hinata House, and that's absolutely something I appreciate. Despite her initial introduction coming across as "this is the comic relief ditzy girl", Mutsumi's character is very positive and sweet, and it's clear that her insertion into the dynamic of the Hina Harem group is not only a good thing, but a very natural one, with the other girls very readily accepting her and adoring her, which I also appreciate. Sure, it's probably obvious from point one that Keitaro and Naru are the Endgame flagship and all, despite the harem theme coupled with Keitaro's incel tendencies and drooling over all the girls, but it's nice to see that Mutsumi's character isn't introduced just for the sake of the drama. She's not just a cookie cutter Love Interest Rival, she's not a wasted character. The dynamic of everything changes, and for the better, the more she becomes vital to the story and the other characters. And I love that.

All this being said, I think this might be where my reviews stop for the time being. I've only purchased the first 6 volumes of the series so far, and I'm hesitant to keep going as I have. I know there are omnibus editions out, but I don't know if they have updated translations and I know they're likely to be more expensive to grab than if I keep getting the old Tokyopop volumes from Thriftbooks and other secondhand sellers in the future. I need to decide how I'm going to proceed with collecting the series first, and hopefully not long after that, more reviews will follow.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is romantic and funny and probably considered dated. The modern manga that I have seen are more edgy and nothing like Love Hina.

As with my review of volume 4, everything applies for volume 6. Generally speaking, I liked this volume a little better, but with the same complaints. The type is too small, but my wife bought magnifying reading glasses for me, so that problem is solved. There are too many naked backsides, but they are cartoonish and played for laughs... more in line with bathroom humor.

The book is rated for age 18+. That seems appropriate, but nothing happens in this manga that wouldn't happen in a PG-13 rated movie. I'm thinking of "The Proposal" starring Sandra Bullock. The movie was filled with sexual situations played for laughs including a partially nude scene with Sandra Bullock coming out the shower with a dog tugging on her towel. In this manga, there are panty-flashes and a girl's naked backside is shown while bathing or while she is wearing an apron and nothing else. Stuff like that... mostly played for laughs.

That's it. I'm continuing on with the series.

[Arnis · Rating 3 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...

[Ruisumaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

La introducción de Kanako, si bien al inicio me pareció demasiado extraña, al final de este tomo ya me parece una adición brillante y necesaria.

Aunque disfruto mucho del status quo de Love Hina, aprecio enormemente que Ken Akamatsu se haya atrevido a cuestionarlo, atacarlo y finalmente romperlo ahora, y no hasta el último capítulo de su obra.

Grandísimo manga <333

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jealousy and some drama hits this series...at least in my eyes! Some of the moments that take place within these pages seriously had me shocked! I really do feel that some parts of the series feel dated, but you can definitely see Ken Akamatsu's vision! A good story continues and if you're now reading the 6th volume, I believe you will continue onward for many more!

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars. Getting a little better again. I'm just here for the over arcing love story to be honest...

[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 3 out of 5]

This was another fun volume to read.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrible cover great story.

[David Doel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a little closer to what I like, but it still has too much alcohol and silliness and not enough romance. My instincts tell me that this story would have been better in half the 14 volumes.

[Les passions de Meline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un sixième tome qui avance beaucoup plus que les précédents car on découvre pas mal de choses suivant les péripéties. D'une autre part, la relation entre Naru et Keitaro s'améliorent de jour en jour ce qui promet beaucoup d'intrigues, de mésaventure et j'en passe.

L'évolution est assez frappante surtout qu'un personnage revient pour déstabiliser encore un peu plus l'équilibre précaire des jeunes gens. Ken Akamatsu a su mettre en avant des problèmes et des solutions selon d'avancé de l'histoire.

La fin promet encore d'avantages d'histoires et les personnages seront prêts à nous en mettre plein la vue.

Source : A thousand lives with books blog's

[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.

[CF · Rating 3 out of 5]

These will never get a better rating than three for me because it is absolutely and positively ridiculous to have all the females be in love with the pathetic main character. What also bothers me is that there are no strong females in this BECAUSE they are all in love with Keitaro. Su is by far the most tolerable.

[Amy Packwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average instalment, not the best one. Plenty of love triangle slapstick shenanigans with Keitaro, Naru and Mutsumi before Naru makes a shocking discovery - that Mutsumi is the girl that Keitaro made the promise to all those years ago! Will Keitaro be able to choose between the two women in his life?

[Annchan Maulana · Rating 3 out of 5]

i watch the anime version :
it is about a boy name Urashima Keitaro who became girls's dorm caretaker, since he fails his ent-exams into Tokyo University for the 2nd time and officially an unemployed plus his parents kicked him out of the house ^_^"
And the story begin ..

[Setsanata · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was very good, and it's glad to have Mutsumi back in the story again.

[Shane23 dotson]

very funny

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read prior to joining Goodreads.

[Benjamin Plume · Rating 4 out of 5]

amusing.

[Izzie Flynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun series!

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

ça sent le dénouement !!!

[Derek Moreland · Rating 4 out of 5]

They really cranked up the soap opera in this one, and a lot of the better ancillary characters got sidelined, but what the hell. I'm in.

[Amy]

Love Hina, Vol. 6 by Ken Akamatsu (2002)

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

むつみさん大嫌い。