And Misaki's actions don't seem like they would have stopped the situation in question - it seems pointless, and the fact that it worked seems more dumb luck than intent. The decision seems up to the owner of the building, but the entrepreneur pitches the concept to the owner of the maid café, as if it's her decision. It reminds me quite a lot of a Ranma 1/2-style tournament, and there are some good moments, but the very premise makes no sense at all. Next, someone wants to buy out the Maid Café - and turn it into a Butler-themed fancy restaurant! The entrepreneur in question holds auditions for footmen, and Misaki goes - disguised as a guy - to save the maid café. It's a nice story for the stuff with Misaku and her friends, if a tad cliché, but there's an ugly moment with Usui's jealousy showing. In the first story, one of Misaki's friends wants her to come meet the band she loves, but they turn out to be more interested in Misaki than her friend. The volume closes with a couple of so-so bonus stories.
I also like a new male character that's been introduced, particularly because of the later interactions between him and Usui. There are some troublesome gender depictions - odd for a story that involves characters that are frustrated by the restrictions placed upon their respective genders! Also, while they is some good teamwork involved, and Misaki does get to do some "saving" now and then, all too often Usui shows Misaki up - even when he's not at the top of his game! As usual, he has some problematic moments, particularly when he acts jealously (as if he has a right to!), but I did come away from the volume liking him a little better. Even when I can tell, the character's motivations and logic tend to have me scratching my head. Storytellling-wise, it's often hard to tell what's going on - both in the sense of who's talking and, more, sussing out just what the situation is. The strongest aspect of the book is the art design - I enjoy it, even if sometimes I can't tell who's who. Grade: 5I'll go through the book plot by plot, with mild spoilers, so first, let me give non-spoilery overall impressions. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Reviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'.
Sequential Tart: A Comics Industry Web Zine - The Report Card
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