Hayate the Combat Butler: Episode 1
Japanese Title: ?ヤテ???
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Shounen
OP: “Hayate no Gotoku!” by KOTOKO
ED: “Proof” by MELL
Producers: Shogakukan Productions, Synergy SP, TV Tokyo
Official Site: http://hayatenogotoku.com/
Probability of watching this: Very High
Probability of blogging this: Very High
Rating: 8.8/10
Opening sequence:
Impressions:
Hayate the Combat Butler, being one of my most anticipated shows of this season, has once again fallen to the category of where the manga is better…As you can see, I am somewhat disappointed, but it doesn’t mean this is a bad episode. Being a morning show, I guess the themes introduced had to be toned down a little. I didn’t like how most of the episode was executed, in terms of music and emphasis on important points. It’s not really funny when something hilarious happens to the main character, but he fails to make a big deal out of it. There were no comedic facial distortions either, which was a letdown.
I had already gotten used to the seiyuus voicing the various characters by watching the preview a number of times, so I had no problem with them here. Hayate’s voice already seems natural (his seiyuu also voices Kaede from Negima), while Rie Kugimiya’s voice on any loli would be good (Shana from Shakugan no Shana, Louise from Zero no Tsukaima, and now Nagi from Hayate no Gotoku…hmm, all these titles have the ownership-denoting ‘no’ in them…) Maria’s voice is a little too womanly for my liking, though there are some points where she sounds more like a teenage girl. She’s probably the only character so far I had trouble adjusting to in terms of voicing.
The most disappointing part for me was the mistaken confession. The highlight of the show should have been those scenes, as it was in the manga which totally sold me (I have those pages here if anyone wants to compare). There needed to be more emphasis on the misinterpretation that Hayate actually likes Nagi and wants to go out with her. But then again, I could attribute any of my frustrations to me having read the manga already, but I still stand by the claim that the manga is better. Still, I highly recommend you try this new spring series. It will be highly entertaining, and hopefully the morning (all ages) time slot won’t cause too much censoring.
Short summary:
Hayate is a poor boy, mostly due to the fact that his parents are very bad gamblers and constantly blow all his family’s money. This is why Hayate has been working part time and saving up his payment. However, it is when his boss discovers that he is underage and sends all his money to his parents, when things go horribly wrong (or should I say, worse). Hayate rushes home to find his money, but discovers that his parents have already lost the money in gambling. Then he discovers the huge debt his parents are in, and because of that, he has been sold to the yakuza for the worth of his organs. And just then, the thugs begin banging on his door…
Having worked hard all his life to endure his parent’s idiocy, Hayate is actually really fast and strong, so he overcomes the yakuza thugs pretty easily. But now he needs to pay back his debt, as otherwise the yakuza will be after him for life. And he comes up with this: Kidnap a child and hold him for ransom. As he goes out looking, it just so happens that a cute little girl is trying to by a drink by herself; a perfect catch! But for a good kid like Hayate, he ends up giving this girl (Nagi) his jacket instead after saving her from a pair of horny paedophiles. He overcomes his conscience though and asks the girl to go with him (to kidnap).
Problem is, the girl thinks he means, ‘go out with him’, which she actually accepts. And so the matter becomes quite hilariously mixed up, where Hayate wishes to kidnap the girl and hold her for ransom, while Nagi herself thinks she has met her soul mate. Hayate rushes off to call to demand his ransom. It is then that he realises he has no idea who to call or what to say, and so his plan becomes a complete failure. As he is wallowing in his misgivings, he meets a teenage girl, who turns out is looking for Nagi. As it just so happens, they see Nagi get caught by the yakuza, triggering Hayate’s killing instinct as he rushes off to save her.
Closing sequence:
Of the OP and ED, I prefer the ED a lot more. I think it’s sung better, and the ending animation sequence is also very cute (seeing everyone asleep). Both the OP and ED show a lot of the new characters to come as well.
Preview:
Next episode – #2
Hayate becomes Nagi’s butler!
Popularity: 20% [?]
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The OP is love. KOTOKO FTW!
If they introduce Hinagiku earlier, then the anime’ll be better :p
>> It’s not really funny when something hilarious happens to the main character, but he fails to make a big deal out of it.
Strangely enough, that’s exactly what made FMP: Fumoffu funny for me.
Oh noes! The new season has already started and I’m not even ready yet!
Mirrinus, ah yes, that’s very true. However, the comedy there is presented in a much more effective manner, where at least the other characters will make a big deal out of it. also, as we all know sagara’s nature, everything is naturally funny. However, this is not the case with hayate
I share Danny-san’s sentiments about this show’s first episode. The manga seems funnier at the moment, but let’s hope that changes for the better in the (near) future.
And yes, FMP: Fumoffu probably did a better job at the comedy portrayed in the early story of Hayate, but indeed that’s for reasons already stated.
Gomen for double post, but I have to add the notable parts of this ep just to rectify any effects of my previous statements.
Wakamoto Norio as narrator = UBER WIN
Nagi = Age of consent loli + Zettai Ryouki + Kugimiya Rie = MORE UBER WIN
random censorhsip near the end = …what? He just passed out and sounded like he vomited. Kids are too sheltered these days.
I’ve been reading the manga, the US release, and even at that I may be a little behind but the Giant Robot at the beggining was a huge WTF moment for me.
As far as following the manga, /my/ personal favorite scene is when he’s on the bike to save Hayate and gets hit by the car. And yet, it somehow didn’t feel as awesome this time around. Maybe it was the lack of blood?
I don’t know what I’ll do with this series, but I’ll either end up watching it all, or downloading it all to show to my friends who refuse to read manga.
I liked it I just hope this show is not too childish.
gotta see it… Combat butler better than combat meidos?
I agree that the Nagi misinterpretation part was rather lacking. Although I haven’t read the manga myself that scene was a bit laid back. But either way, this show is so far pretty good and I’ll continue watching it.
I´m amazed how few realize that with the “censorship” they were making a joke about their own Timeslot. Hayate is a show that will break the 4th wall on a regulary.
Well, I loved it! Just the kind of heart-warming humor that makes you hatatakai when world is cold and unfriendly…
hey guys if you know the website in witch to download hayate the combat butler episodes in for free without or with making an account i dont really care add jacky_leung2@hotmail.com and send me the website and witch links to go to =).