VOL. 1 – THE GIRL WHO FELL FROM THE SKY
Trouble 1 – The Girl Who Fell From the Sky
An amusing first chapter of the manga, with a promising start (although if you’re looking for a good story you’re in for a disappointment), and a heaps of fan service and humour. I developed an instant like to the main character’s, Rito, sister, Mikan, as her comments were quite funny.
A fairly long chapter by the standards in this series, but then again, it’s the debut chapter, and there’s plenty enough action and events to keep you interested. The appearance of Lala (the alien princess) has got to be one of the more original appearances I have read and I just find it hilarious as an alien appearing in the bathtub (while the main character, Rito, was currently having a bath).
Trouble 2 – Great Escape of Love
Possibly the best chapter in the whole series (primarily coz it’s the second chapter and so all the gags are still fresh). The way Rito keeps getting misunderstood by outsiders is really humorous, since they always see something at the worse possible moment. I loved the chase scene, I was laughing out loud so hard at that, one of the best in the series and then the ensuing warp scene, classic, it stopped me in my tracks when I first saw the frame.
The blackmail from Lala is quite amusing in this chapter too (as she refused to warp them out unless Rito agrees she can live at his house). This was what set my mind to read the whole series instead of giving up, coz I thought it was a great series to read in my spare time.
Trouble 3 – Messenger From the Galaxy
A cool chapter, although the trick of the character running away and the attacker gets hurt, then mistaking that it was a well thought out plan is used a lot, it works. There is actually a pretty sweet moment when Lala announces her new-found true love for Rito (he is the hero after all, all good things must happen to him!). There is a running gag happening with Zastin getting lost and a dog biting his leg, sad to see that he’s only really a threat and super powerful in this chapter, he’s just comedic relief from now on.
Trouble 4 – After School Memory
A funny scene first up, in which Rito wakes up to find Lala in the same bed, hehe, and he seems to be grabbing something squishy… thank goodness it’s only the robot Peke! That was a nice joke. The rest of the chapter is more heart touching as we see that Haruna (the one Rito really likes) does have feelings for him, and we start to see the love triangle starting to set up. Love the reactions of the characters, and the ending shows some promise of more fun in the ensuing chapter (Lala coming to school).
Trouble 5 – Approaching
We get our first glimpse of another recurring gag character, the perverted Principal of the school. Even though he appeared in one frame, it was very funny. Rest of the chapter is ok, and a lot of silly stuff happens, as they usually do in a manga, but it’s entertaining. Also another recurring gag character, Motemitsu (one of my more favourite ones) appear, where he always proposes something (like getting a girl to be his girlfriend) only for him to get rejected immediately. Ahh poor Rito, we get to see him being the victim of the start of many of Lala’s inventions… but then again, we’re all envious of him aren’t we?
Trouble 6 – Targeted Girl
Something interesting finally happens at the end of this chapter… Other than that, it’s the typical delivery of jokes and a mild dose of fan service. This chapter is a bit mysterious as we get to hear from the King of the galaxy (threatening Rito, that guy has it tough…), and also the suspicious character. It’s enough to get you wanting to read the next chapter (and that’s why this chapter seems kinda dull, as the preceding and following chapters overshadow this one).
Trouble 7 – Intruder From Space
We get to see the entrance of the first of Lala’s prospective fiancés in this chapter, Ghi Bree! He was the suspicious character from the previous chapter; I feel that it’s a bit bordering onto Hentai for this one with all the hidden innuendoes. Nevertheless, many funny moments, all stemming from Rito’s fright of the current situation (alone with a seemingly powerful alien holding his lover, Haruna, hostage, it’s enough to scare anyone’s pants off! Before they get used to it that is). Other than that… nothing else to comment on, except it ends with a bit of a cliffhanger.
Overall
A strong and promising start that blends the many elements together in just the right amounts to kept various readers interested. I got hooked right from the start and so I am always going to be a bit biased, but I’m glad I started reading this manga.
