Manga I can hardly contain my excitement at ANOTHER Ecchi Harem Manga
DEAR GOD. ANOTHER Harem manga of the exact same bullshit you saw in Girls Bravo, Mayo Chiki (Minus most of the fanservice) and every other stereotypical harem series. Let me get this straight, you abandoned a plot that was at least semi-decent in concept for shoving as much ass, tits, and vagina into our (and the protagonist's) faces as possible? The ONLY good part about this is the fact that the art is good enough and the fanservice varies enough so that it's decent in that aspect. Overall the series is terrible, save for the fanservice (which still gets hella annoying seeing as thats the entire premise of the manga). There's several problems in particular I'd like to touch on (call me a nitpicker sure)
Problem A: Why is it, that EVERY time, and I shit you not, EVERY time Lala's inventions makes an appearance in the manga it always makes Rito end up in some "Ecchi" situation. I have literally never seen Lala's inventions be used in a way that doesn't involve fanservice.
Problem B: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MAKE THE PLOT ADVANCE!!!!!!!!!! Jeeee ZUS! I have RARELY seen a plot move so damn slowly, short of maybe Girls Bravo and some other Harem Manga. I know you like your fanservice Mr Author, but seriously, GET ON WITH THE PLOT. Remember that thing about Rito being the new Heir to the Universe? No?! *vents steam from ears*
Problem C: Why is it that Momo acts like a sex crazed Yan Dere creeper? I cannot be the only one who thinks the things she's doing to make Rito a "carnivore" is nothing short of absolutely horrendous and disturbing. Psychologically "training" him to be a sex-crazed maniac for the sole purpose that Momo can have sex. WHAT. THE. FUCK.
The last problem, Problem D: Random and hardcore Fanservice. there's multiple instances (to many for anyone to count) where Fanservice appears, absolutely destroying any sense (at least for me) of seriousness. Not to mention what kinds of fanservice we're talking about. We are talking about HENTAI levels of fanservice, with the absolute minimum of censorship. Just BARELY enough to cover up the vagina and penis and I mean JUST BARELY. Why the Manga-Ka even bothers at this point with censoring and avoiding sex is beyond me. I'm surprised he doesn't just release To Love Ru (Darkness) as a Hentai series.
UGH, WHY!!! Just WHY???
Manga Basically Urusei Yatsura, but with more fanservice and less plot.
To put it bluntly, To Love Ru is your cookie-cutter ecchi manga. When it began in 2006, there was nothing extraordinary about the plot. It features the usual beta-male protagonist whose sole purpose is to act as a self-insertion for us beta fans, a variety of beautiful women who are attracted to the beta for an inexplicable reason (well, not totally inexplicable), and a salvageable plot that was never salvaged. Needless to say, had the manga simply ended in 2009, all we would have would be another manga trying to ride the coattails of Kanokon, Love Hina, Ranma One Half, and every other harem manga afterwards.
However, To Love Ru didn't end. After a hiatus due to the artist's complicated marriage, the manga rebooted as To Love Ru Darkness. Among the changes made, the manga became even raunchier (presently, it could be considered borderline hentai), and some effort has been done with the plot. Yeah, the protagonist is still a pussy, but at least one of his love interests is actively trying to get him laid in what she calls "the carnivore plan". While I applaud the idea of the protagonist becoming Makoto Ito without being an asshole, the presentation of said plot seems to paint the love interest as a hypersexual bitch who doesn't care if the protagonist wants to settle down with one woman. No, she wants him to be surrounded with bitches and whores, whether he wants to or not. In a way, it's almost like rape. Except you tropers are fine with it because she's the one on top.
But of course, you awkward otaku, plot comes secondary in this manga. Ass and titties are inserted in the manga whenever possible, even if there is no need for it. That being said, if you want a summary of this review, it would be this: It's okay if you're too beta to look up actual porn. If you're hoping that the plot will improve, then I suggest you quit hoping. Unless they do a deconstruction *
Manga A Massive Guilty Pleasure (first manga series only)
Note: This was written before the ending of the first manga series; I'm just moving here because the review didn't get moved when the namespace was changed.
Rito has crush on Haruna, Can Not Spit It Out, Lala (alien) lands in boy's bathtub, boy acquired Unwanted Harem, Fan Service ensues.
Content: Fan Service, Fan Service, and more Fan Service.
The bad:
- They Wasted A Perfectly Good Plot. It could have been about Rito's response to suddenly becoming the heir to the entire universe, and the dealing with Lala's other suitors, but that gets shoved to the side early on to focus on the Unwanted Harem antics.
- There's so much Fan Service that it can choke the plot, although it depends on your tolerance for fanservice.
- There's very little depth or originality.
The good:
- To Love Ru obviously not supposed to be deep, and doesn't pretend to be. Despite the lack of innovation, it's still entertaining; the characters, are quirky enough, and interact well. The entire thing is so absurd at points that it's good for a laugh.
- Most of the absurdity seems to come from the aliens (Ren/Run does a Gender Bender when s/he sneezes), and their technology (Lala's inventions, all the stuff that Run orders, etc.) The ridiculousness of everything that happens makes up for the lack of originality in the plot. I can't think of any other series where a beach chapter includes a sentient watermelon with Naughty Tentacles.
- If you are so inclined, the Fan Service can indeed be a good thing.
- Yami and Mikan. Two of the more entertaining characters in the series.
- The art isn't particularly spectacular, but but it's certainly good, and Rito often has really funny facial expressions.
- The serious character moments, while sparse, are genuinely sweet and "awwww" worthy; despite the cookie-cutter plot, the characters still have enough depth to make you care.
Overall: This is the epitome of the Guilty Pleasure. It's obviously meant solely to be entertaining, not to provoke deep thoughts or carry some sort of message. As far as that goes, it's more or less successful. Even though it doesn't have a lot of substance, it's still good for a laugh and the occasional touching moment.
Manga More entertaining than it should be (manga)
Rito has crush on Haruna, Can Not Spit It Out, Lala (alien) lands in boy's bathtub, boy acquired Unwanted Harem, Fan Service ensues.
Content: Fan Service, Fan Service, and more Fan Service.
The bad:
The good:
Overall: This is the epitome of the Guilty Pleasure. It's obviously meant solely to be entertaining, not to provoke deep thoughts or carry some sort of message. As far as that goes, it's more or less successful. Even though it doesn't have a lot of substance, it's still good for a laugh and the occasional touching moment.