Jul 19, 2021
Edomae Elf, or as published in English, Otaku Elf, is a very lighthearted comedy series about a young shrine miko, Koito Koganei, who helps the resident shrine goddess, an elf named Takamimi Himenomikoto, whose true name is Eldarie Irma Fanomenel, with running the shrine, collecting offerings from visitors, and helping Elda with offerings and the likes. There's only one slight problem: Elda is a complete shut-in.
Story: 7/10
This is a slice of life comedy series, the story isn't going to be amazing, as each 3 chapter set, referred to as an Episode, at least in the English publication, has its own contained story. However, the stories
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are entertaining within their own rights, and it doesn't feel like the manga has many slow sections. Plus, it throws in some trivia about Edo-era Japan, which is very cool from a history aspect.
Art: 8/10
Again, Edomae Elf is a comedy series, so the art isn't the most important part of the whole thing. However, Akihiko Higuchi, who does both the story and the art, certainly makes the comedic expressions hit 10x harder with the overexaggerated facial expressions that take up a panel or two. The standard art is very good as well, with just enough detail to be taken seriously, but not nearly to the extent of a battle shounen, which I appreciate for a comedy series.
Characters: 8/10
Elda is an absolutely amazing comedy lead, and is likely relatable to the main people who will read this manga: a shut-in with social anxiety that wants nothing more to hang around and play video games, read manga, and watch anime. It is certainly entertaining to see her very lazy self paired up with more serious Koito, who is often doing her best to make sure that Elda isn't getting her way at every turn, but often has to make compromises with the aforementioned elf. These two compliment each other very well, but it was certainly Elda that made me laugh out loud more than a few times.
Enjoyment: 9/10
Sometimes, I need a break from a lot of the serious battle shounen stuff that I particularly enjoy, such as Kimetsu No Yaiba and JoJo, and this comedy manga is a perfect break from that. A goofy premise that is taken and run with perfectly with some nice visual humor to boot. While not all of the jokes make me laugh out loud, there are basically none that make me let out a sigh of frustration like some other comedy manga make me do. It's a good, light-hearted read that knows not to take itself too seriously.
Overall: 8/10
To be fair, I have not nearly read as much slice-of-life comedy manga as a rom-com series or a battle shounen series. However, Edomae Elf falls right in line of knowing its core audience, otakus like Elda, and poking a little bit of fun at them and their preferences, although it's cranked up to 11 for comedy purposes. Some people might say that it's too one dimensional, being a strictly comedy series, but as long as it keeps going at the pace its going right now, I think Edomae Elf will be one of my favorite manga series for the sheer reason of just being so goddamn fun to read. Please give this manga a shot, I promise some of the knockoff brands in it are reason enough to read it. (I'm looking at you, Nintenoo Switoh)
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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