365 Days of Manga, Day 229: Mamoru the Shadow Protector

MAMORU THE SHADOW PROTECTOR • Taro Achi (original story), Sai Madara (art) • DrMaster • 13+
Manga adaptation of the untranslated light novel series by Taro Achi. “400 long years of protecting the neighbors” is the motto of Mamoru, a young ninja whose family has forever protected the family of Yuna Konnyaku, his ditzy next-door neighbor. When not in his secret ninja identity, Mamoru is a dorky teenager who wears thick glasses and has to endure teasing from Yuna’s friends. Sadly for Mamoru, Yuna is an airhead who needs a lot of protecting, and when she accidentally witnesses a drug deal Mamoru must defend her against gangsters, evil zookeepers, swordswomen-for-hire and so on. The plot is as predictable and generic as the art, but the likeably dumb heroes and heroines give this comedy manga a certain sweetness. It’d be funnier if every woman didn’t gradually fall in love with Mamoru. (Review by Jason Thompson; originally printed in Otaku USA magazine.)
** (two stars)
Today’s winner is John P. of Michigan! Congratulations, John!