That being said, Hayate the Combat Butler accomplishes what it sets out to do: Make you laugh. Sure, there's a little bit of a plot thrown in every now and then, and maybe a character or two makes a realization after 10 or so chapters, but the main focus is on the gags, and each characters' role in them. Character deliveries range from deadpan-humor to Manzai stand-up, and each one's little quirks only make them that much more of a riot.
The art is simple, and if I had to count each time the artist used a black-background double-take face I'd have to get a new notebook to tally it up. However, each character has their own defining looks, and the simple art style lends itself well to the lighthearted nature of the series.
If you need a break from heavy plot and just want to chuckle (or roll on the floor), you could do a whole lot worse than Hayate the Combat Butler.
