Ranked #662

Lucky ☆ Star (Manga)

The anime follows the manga pretty closely, though those who complained about the infamous food episode (Episode one.) May be a bit happier. As it's a 4 panel manga, the chapters are pretty short, and it's pretty fun to, if nothing else, see the characters expressions.

Of course, if you are interested in this manga because a friend told you about it, they probably mentioned that it's a spice of life, so don't expect too much action.

And, if you liked Azumanga Daioh, and if you've seen some reasonably popular anime series (Haruhi, Fumoffu...) you might like this.

Most people know about Lucky ☆ Star through the anime, myself included. I will try and keep this review balanced, anyway.

Lucky ☆ Star is really somthing that divides opinion; some people love it, others hate it. If you have seen the anime before, you will probably know whether you like Lucky ☆ Star or not. The anime isn't wildly different from the manga... many of the jokes appear in both, and the basic plot of the manga matches the anime series. However, there are jokes in here that will be new if you have seen the anime, and fans will no doubt laugh time and time again.

Anyway, enough of the comparisons to the Anime... let's concentrate on the manga itself!

The manga is a four panel comic strip, or a Yonkoma. If you are unfimiliar with the format, the main differences to normal mangas are the panels are all the same size, and there is little overall 'story' to it... which is fine, after all Lucky ☆ Star is a slice of life comedy.

Most of the humour of the series is derived from the conflict between de facto 'leader' and Otaku Konata Izumi, and the hard working 'tsundere' Kagami Hiiragi. Other sources of humour include anime and manga stereotypes, otaku stereotypes and life in general. The lack of a 'real' plot may displease some, but if you are just looking for a giggle to yourself, Lucky ☆ Star is perfect.

The characters are somewhat cliche, although this is intended to be a parody of anime and manga characters in general, well known for their 'predictable' personalities. Even so, the characters are realistic- Konata has trouble getting up in the morning, Kagami complains about her weight and the like.

I have heard most of the jokes before, yet I was still able to enjoy Lucky ☆ Star, so I'm sure, provided you have the right sense of humour you will enjoy it too.

My main complaint about the manga, is the translation in some panels is very poor... a little too frequently I found myself having to read the same thing twice to make sense of it, and I don't have this problem with most manga. I also sometimes felt the jokes were better written in the anime version... although the anime has no spacial restrictions.

Overall, Lucky ☆ Star is, as I said, somthing that divides opinion. You may love it, you may hate it. But, the very possibility that you will love it, is enough reason for you to read the first volume at least. If you didn't care for the anime, there is nothing here to convert you.
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