SP Baby, Vol. 1

SP Baby #1

by Maki Enjōji

A romantic comedy about a privileged man and his kickass female bodyguard.

Tamaki Hasegawa misses an interview for a much-needed job in order to stop an assault on a man running for his life! The man—Kagetora Sugo, the prime minister’s nephew—then asks Tamaki to become his bodyguard.

Tamaki isn’t sure she’s cut out to be a bodyguard, but Kagetora has another reason for wanting to hire her. Unbeknownst to her, they’ve met before…

Genres: Manga, Romance, Josei, Graphic Novels, Contemporary, Shojo, Adult

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2015

About the author

Name (in native language): 円城寺マキ (えんじょうじ マキ)

Maki Enjōji is a Japanese manga artist. Among her works, Happy Marriage!? is one of the best known and it has been published in English under VIZ Media’s Shojo Beat, in French by Kazé, in German by Tokyopop and in Italian by Star Comics.

Reviews

[Victoria ✮⋆˙ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay, some weird moments but if you overlook that the plot is interesting, not really much to say about it tbh but the art was quite nice

[Bibliothecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for complete series



Since their parents passed away, Tamaki has been providing for her younger brother. Keeping a stable full-time job hasn't been easy until she saves a wealthy businessman who promptly wants to hire her as his bodyguard. To her surprise, she finds that she enjoys the work, if only it weren't for her new boss who seems to be interested in her beyond an employee.

Yes, Tamaki's new boss Sugou is quite assertive in his pursuit of her. However, I don't think he ever does anything inappropriate toward her (beyond what you occasionally see in RomComs of this nature) so I actually fully disagree with the many reviews saying this manga is full of sexism or sexual assault. In fact, I thought their dynamics were pretty interesting.

Being a series of only two volumes, there isn't all that much time for the plot or characters to develop. It's a tad too fast-paced and proves a problem in general as Enjouji tried to give both lead characters a rather fleshed-out backstory with tragic family incidences. I think SP Baby could have done well with another two or three volumes on top. One thing that wasn't nearly explored well enough is how Sugou and Tamaki have already met previously. Tamaki doesn't remember but Sugou hints earlier on that they have met before. While this is clarified before the story is over, I feel like it lacked depth and could have easily been expanded on.

I quite liked that this was a bit of a reversed roles plot - Tamaki does make a pretty good bodyguard and I loved how she took her job seriously and her professional attitude. Sugou, as mentioned previously, was indeed very assertive but Tamaki always put her foot down reminding him of their work relationship. In addition, she didn't fall for him as fast as most characters do in these kinds of stories - in fact, she was in love with someone else and, despite the shortness of the series, I thought her feelings transitioned pretty well.

There were a few things that were a bit odd such as Sugou having a condition where he can't feel pain. While this is a real thing, in Sugou's case, the condition doesn't apply when Tamaki is the one touching him. I highly doubt that's how this condition works in real life but I guess we'll just roll with it...

Finally, as always, I love Enjouji's humour - the finale was great and ended on a light-hearted and funny note. The series definitely would have been better had it been longer, but otherwise, it's a pretty fun read for in between.

[moi, k.y.a. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Manga-ka’nın iki serisini tüketmiş bir okuyucu olarak bunu biraz basit buldum. 😛

[LG (A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tamaki Hasegawa is a part-timer on her way to an interview for a full-time job when she comes across a man being chased by someone she thinks means him harm. It turns out to be a misunderstanding, but the man, Kagetora Sugo, offers to replace her ruined interview outfit and even hire her...as his bodyguard! It turns out that Kagetora is actually the nephew of the prime minister. He insists that he and Tamaki have previously met, but Tamaki can't recall him at all. One thing she does know: she needs to establish some boundaries between the two of them, fast. For some reason he keeps trying to kiss her. It bothers her, because the guy she's really interested in is Natsu, a kind employee at a flower shop.

This is a short series, only two volumes long, and this first volume did not leave me with a good impression. The artwork was okay, but forgettable. The premise was ridiculous - what kind of person would hire a random girl with enthusiasm but no particular skills beyond "can kick high" to be their bodyguard?

Kagetora wasn't appealing at all. Sure, he was rich and good-looking. Tamaki was literally a special person to him - one of those instances where Kagetora had a medical condition that affected his interactions with everyone but Tamaki (yes, I rolled my eyes). Unfortunately, he viewed this as an excuse to commit sexual assault, kissing Tamaki multiple times throughout the volume without her consent.

I had zero sympathy for him, and in fact cheered Tamaki on, when Tamaki began setting up firmer boundaries between the two of them, calling him "sir" any time she spoke to him in order to remind him that he was her employer. When he tried to tell her how sad the distance she was putting between them made him, she straight up told him what she was doing and why:

"This is a job, right? I'm your bodyguard. Sure...I'm still a useless rookie. But I've been working hard as best I can. If you are going to treat me like that, then why make me your bodyguard? I would've been better off being a maid! Kissing me without my consent and teasing me... If you're keeping me by your side simply to toy with me, please stop. Please treat me as your bodyguard..." (145-146)

Go, Tamaki! Unfortunately, Kagetora chose to interpret this as "show me that you're serious about how you feel about me" rather than "please show me respect and treat me like any other employee." And the present Tamaki gave Kagetora at the end of the volume had me wincing. I don't care that the guy brought her flowers and was acting a little vulnerable, she didn't owe him anything. Boundaries out the window. Darn it.

I wasn't a fan of Tamaki at first, but she grew on me as the story progressed. Unfortunately, the future I see for her includes Kagetora pushing his way further into her life, and her being too nice to freeze him out and subsequently giving up on her secret crush on Natsu. Who will probably be revealed to have a girlfriend and view Tamaki as more of an honorary little sister than anything. I wish I were more interested in the mystery of how Tamaki and Kagetora first met. I'm guessing it has something to do with Tamaki's parents' accident.

Well, one more volume to go, so I guess I'll find out soon if my predictions are correct.

Extras:

Each chapter ends with a single-panel bonus comic. My favorite is the one that revealed that Master Daitokuji, the elderly man assigned to train Tamaki to fight, is married to the elderly stuntwoman from the first chapter.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, so now that I’ve read this, I totally see what people were talking about when it comes to sexual harassment.

Tamaki works as a bodyguard for Kagetora, the prime minister’s nephew, who is constantly hitting on her and being handsy with her. Tamaki ends up being more on guard against him, it would seem, than against any who may actually wish to do Kagetora any harm.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m not a big manga reader, but I found this to be a super-quick read, and I’ll admit that I am curious as to why Kagetora is so insistent on keeping Tamaki close (besides being a letch), so considering the abrupt way this ended — and the fact that I already bought book 2 a while back — I’m going to read the next one, so fingers crossed that he won’t be a creeper in the next one...but that’s probably wishful thinking.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read! Not sure what else to say except I enjoyed reading it and liked the development of the romance. (Though I do feel bad because I'm definitely #TeamNatsu LOL)

Looking forward to reading the next volume!

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides the fact that the romance is between a boss and their employe, I thought it was very cute 🥰

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Those who have read Enjoji's other English licensed title, Happy Marriage?!, will find more of the same in SP Baby. Once again we have a plucky but fairly banal heroine, a love interest in a position of power but completely smitten with our heroine, and a social situation meant to keep them apart. The appeal is, of course, Enjoji's gentle but fun antics as the couple overcome obstacles to being together. In contrast to Happy Marriage!?, SP Baby is less grounded and a bit more farcical so it does have a separate appeal.

Story: Tamaki is always finding herself trying to save others from misfortune and it often backfiring on her. When she sees a young man being chased by an unsavory character, she immediately stands down the perpetrator - only to find the young man is Kagetora Sugo - the Prime Minister's Nephew - and he is being chased by his bodyguard. Sugo is quite taken with Tamaki and coerces/convinces her to also become his bodyguard. But he has also let slip that he knows her from the past - and she has no idea from where.

The situation that sets up the plot is quite common - Tamaki has trouble finding a job but desperately needs one to support the younger brother she has raised since her parents' death, she is in love with her gentle neighbor, she has a secret connection to the new love interest, all the other women in the series are jealous of her being so close to Sugo and bully her about it, Sugo has a fiance, and there is an excuse for them to be together often (working together). I have to admit, I've seen it all and would have liked a more interesting angle. And from the set up, it's obvious where this story will go, what drama will erupt and from what sources, and how it will end.

The chapters also tread boring ground: Tamaki learns new skills for her employer that often end up backfiring. Meanwhile, Sugo spends most of the time trying to kiss Tamaki and then suddenly breaking off about it and examining why her kisses are so special. At some point, I feel that Sugo's sexual harassment and pushiness is more acceptable in Japanese culture than it does in Western. Here, it feels excessive, selfish, and somewhat creepy. He's also kind of dumb, with is a second turn off (it takes a really good story teller like Youko Kamio to make a blatantly stupid love interest like Doumyouji in Boys Over Flowers actually acceptable and likable). All these first chapters were about Tamaki succeeding and failing in learning to be a bodyguard.

Since Enjoji hasn't strayed far from the formula that made Happy Marriage!? successful, I would recommend this to her fans with confidence that they will enjoy it. For me, I look for either more intricacy (Yayoi Ogama) or humor (Yuki Yoshihara) (Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 2 out of 5]

2020 Read #24

2.5 stars

SP Baby and I might have gotten along better with a few tweaks, so here is my summation:

1. I didn’t read the blurb before getting this manga, instead just picking it up because I was reading Enjoji’s previous work, Happy Marriage?! I was hoping “SP” meant “Special Police,” and maybe, just maybe, this would be a buddy cop romance. Alas, it is not that: instead, we follow a chipper girl who ends up becoming a bodyguard for a guy who has political family members. It is not much more deep than that.

2. I actually really like the other bodyguard, Iori (even though he’s a jerk to the heroine, Tamaki), so I might have liked a coworker romance where they have to get over their differences while balancing out their love lives and their duty to protect their employer. Alas, again, we are not given a nuanced story like that. Instead, we have the rich boy and poor girl romance. Agh.

3. I’m finding with Enjoji’s works that you can basically look at the characters as being the same actors playing different roles in her various series. Chiwa and Hokuto don’t look that much different from Tamaki and Kagetora (never mind Enjoji’s new series, An Incurable Case of Love). The art seems to have the Same Face syndrome that some manga-ka apply to their works...

These quibbles aren’t to say the series is *bad*, but it doesn’t try to do original things. (I didn’t even touch on the consent issues present in this first volume...) And that’s why I couldn’t give it a full three stars. I’ll be reading volume 2, the concluding installment, soon.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I would like this more. I was torn between a three and a four star but decided to round up because I liked it more towards the end.

The main reason I did not like this is the because of the main male character, Kagetora Sugo is extremely pushy and annoying. I do however enjoy the main character, Tamaki Hasegawa. She is pretty strong willed and I like her story so far. I just with Tora would calm the fuck down with the sexual harassment. I mean damn.

I might come back a change this to three stars. 🤔

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little ridiculous, but I liked it.

At the end there's a note saying that we never find out what happens to the present Tama wanted to give to Natsu because the author went on maternity leave. So, I wonder if the second volume is a conclusion or if this series is just unfinished.

[Simona · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was fun (if you ignore some of the slightly creepier aspects lol)

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

/Working on Review/

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid series so far and I am liking the direction of the female bodyguard scenario. Its fun, sweet, and headed in a great direction.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick distraction from a stressful day.

[Klemiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted something to cheer myself up, Maki as always delivers

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Those who have read Enjoji's other English licensed title, Happy Marriage?!, will find more of the same in SP Baby. Once again we have a plucky but fairly banal heroine, a love interest in a position of power but completely smitten with our heroine, and a social situation meant to keep them apart. The appeal is, of course, Enjoji's gentle but fun antics as the couple overcome obstacles to being together. In contrast to Happy Marriage!?, SP Baby is less grounded and a bit more farcical so it does have a separate appeal.

Story: Tamaki is always finding herself trying to save others from misfortune and it often backfiring on her. When she sees a young man being chased by an unsavory character, she immediately stands down the perpetrator - only to find the young man is Kagetora Sugo - the Prime Minister's Nephew - and he is being chased by his bodyguard. Sugo is quite taken with Tamaki and coerces/convinces her to also become his bodyguard. But he has also let slip that he knows her from the past - and she has no idea from where.

The situation that sets up the plot is quite common - Tamaki has trouble finding a job but desperately needs one to support the younger brother she has raised since her parents' death, she is in love with her gentle neighbor, she has a secret connection to the new love interest, all the other women in the series are jealous of her being so close to Sugo and bully her about it, Sugo has a fiance, and there is an excuse for them to be together often (working together). I have to admit, I've seen it all and would have liked a more interesting angle. And from the set up, it's obvious where this story will go, what drama will erupt and from what sources, and how it will end.

The chapters also tread boring ground: Tamaki learns new skills for her employer that often end up backfiring. Meanwhile, Sugo spends most of the time trying to kiss Tamaki and then suddenly breaking off about it and examining why her kisses are so special. At some point, I feel that Sugo's sexual harassment and pushiness is more acceptable in Japanese culture than it does in Western. Here, it feels excessive, selfish, and somewhat creepy. He's also kind of dumb, with is a second turn off (it takes a really good story teller like Youko Kamio to make a blatantly stupid love interest like Doumyouji in Boys Over Flowers actually acceptable and likable). All these first chapters were about Tamaki succeeding and failing in learning to be a bodyguard.

Since Enjoji hasn't strayed far from the formula that made Happy Marriage!? successful, I would recommend this to her fans with confidence that they will enjoy it. For me, I look for either more intricacy (Yayoi Ogama) or humor (Yuki Yoshihara) (Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Keana Labra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The manga is about Tamaki Hasegawa, later known as Tama, who is searching for full-time employment for self-fulfillment and to care for a younger brother now that their parents have passed.

The relationship and background of Tama and her family is brushed over; facts are explicitly stated in the dialogue between characters. While its mentioning may be abrupt, the reader is spared a cliche flashback.

We meet Tama's crush, Natsu, who is a cookie-cutter decent-looking fellow that readers can already tell will not remain the main love interest for much longer.

Tama meets Kagetora Sugo in a situation where she thinks he's being attacked, but it turns out to be his bodyguard and driver. Sugo pursues her for her blind selflessness and stages an "accident," and Tama flings herself into the street to protect an elderly woman. Since it was staged, no one was hurt. Tama was hired!

After Tama accepts his offer, he steals a kiss before she rushes off in tears at the thought of not sharing her first kiss with Natsu instead.

In the next chapter, the driver is introduced as Iori Mikeyama, who is referred to as "mike," following the trend of cat-related nicknames.

Tama is sent home for the day, but forgets Natsu's flowers at Sugo's house. She rushes to the garbage, but an explosion is set off and she pushes Sugo to safety. After a heartfelt conversation, the two share another kiss (against Tama's will.)

The chapters continue, and at this point, it feels very slice-of-life and not so much romance (we will not consider the non-consensual kisses as 'romance'.) The next chapter the readers discover that Tama does not yet have her license, so she and Sugo embark on a road trip to the beach after she earns her learner's permit.

I do appreciate Tama setting boundaries in the last chapter, establishing her stance against his unwarranted kisses, and her complaint is not met with too much of a fuss. And, it appears Sugo will respect her wishes from this point forward. He does reveal that he and Tama met before; but, he does not want to delve into details about their past because he fears she hated him before. Rather suddenly, Sugo's fiancee is introduced, and we are only shown a silhouette of her. We're not given any background, much less her name.

There are a few endearing moments, but not enough for me to purchase the second and last volume. The narrative and characters could have benefitted from more development and the "big reveals" could have benefitted from more foreshadowing. I will find a way to complete the series without purchasing the physical volume, so I can at least see how all of these "big reveals" are wrapped up in just a mere 5 more chapters.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's post is on SP Baby by Maki Enjoji. It is the first in her SP Baby doulogy. It is 183 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has our two main characters on it. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga and humorous love stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of Tamaki. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Tamaki Hasegawa misses an interview for a much-needed job in order to stop an assault on a man running for his life!
The man- Kagetaro Sugo, the prime minster's nephew- then asks Tamaki to become his bodyguard.
Tamaki isn't sure she's cut out to be a bodyguard, but Kagetora has another reason for wanting to hire her.
Unbeknownst to her, they've met before...

Review- A very cute start to a short series. Tamaki is a down on her luck woman with a younger brother to take care of. But she also cannot stop herself from helping others whenever she sees it. So we have our plot. Tamaki is very cute and I like her a lot, she is good at being a bodyguard but Tora does not help her with that. He still has not told her where or how they met before and I am very curious about it. Tora also has something odd about him, he cannot feel most things like pain or warmth but of course when Tamaki touches him he feels everything. There are more things in way of their love story likes Tora having a fiancee but this manga so true love will win out!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[Nikki Swieca Szoja · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say I’m really disappointed in this manga. I picked this series up because it was Maki Enjoji and my favourite manga is her Happy Marriage series. The only thing I can say is, what the heck happened? The relationship of the two main characters in this series was just.... sad and boring. I know it’s hard to build up a relationship in two volumes, but this was just a train wreck from start to finish.

[Beatrice Lapa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am interested in the bodyguard story BUT I FEEL SO HARASSED by the male protagonist. This is sexual harassment. I'd have punched his face no matter how attractive he looks. To be honest, I like the Natsu-guy neighbor better. Why is it so rare for nice guys to be protagonists in a josei/shoujo manga?

[KristynRene SwissCheese JellyBean · Rating 1 out of 5]

.5/5 Stars

This is no Maid-Sama that’s for damn sure. I’m disappointed. The art isn’t even that great and the way the story progresses, stuff is just rushed. Everything feels filled with holes in logic and I’m bugged by the sexual harassment.

Barnes and Noble, why you enticin’ me with your Buy 2 Get 1 Free sales on manga?! HUH?! Rude.

I’ll be returning this and the second one.

[Doğa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bende çizimler neden bu kadar tanıdık geldi diyorum.Mangakasına hiç dikkat etmemiştim.Meğer Hapi Mari'nin mangakasının başka bir serisiymiş.Hapi Mari'yi severek okumuştum zaten bu da en az onun kadar eğlenceliydi.Biraz daha uzun olsa daha iyi olurmuş.

[Snail · Rating 3 out of 5]

better than I expected, from just looking at it. Female body guard is a nice new plot device, as well as a slightly more adult character out of high school. The majority of the plot looks to be fairly predictable, but an enjoyable, quick read so far nonetheless.

[Crimson Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the first book in a new series and I loved it i throught it was sweet and funny and I loved the characters, I enjoyed how the female main character was kick ass when need to be and she stood her ground. I would highly suggest this to read

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started out as a typical poor girl rich guy, only she tries to save rich guy from his attacker.

Tora was a little too handsy for my taste, but it was cute watching her younger brother and her interact.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for more. This is fabulous and it's full of twists and turns that had me ready to turn the next page to see what happens.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but the Hero is annoying lels

[Phoebe A · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5