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Title: Omukae Desu #1

Author:  Meca Tanaka

Publisher:  CMX

ISBN:  9781401211165

May Contain Spoilers

Madoka can see ghosts.  He can also see a guy in a giant bunny suit, but he thinks that’s because of fatigue from studying for his college entrance exams.  Before he knows it, he’s been recruited as a part-time employee for GSG, an organization that helps wayward spirits find their way to the “other side”.  With all of the commotion suddenly distracting him, how will he study for his exams?  And more importantly, why won’t he get paid until after he dies?!

This was a pretty cute collection of stories.  The first three chapters contained the episodic tribulations of Madoka helping out wayward souls despite himself, and the last two had unrelated stories. Because I was enjoying it so much, at first I was a little upset that Omukae Desu only took up half of the book, but I enjoyed the other stories, too.

Late one night, sleep deprived Madoka is on his way home from a stop at the convenience store.  Fatigued from studying for his college entrance exams, he sees an old man and a giant bunny fighting.  Upon closer inspection, he realizes that the old man is his neighbor, who happens to be dead.  Instead of totally freaking out at the unusual sight before him,  he ends up being reluctantly drafted into part time employment for G.S.G.  Madoka’s a nice guy, and can’t really say no to anybody.

The bunny, Nabeshima, and his partner, cute Yuzuko, continually complicate Madoka’s already busy life.  Aguma, a slightly psycho girl who has the ability to project her spirit via astral projection, is brought in to coach Madoka and teach him to keep other spirits from taking over his body.  The cast of characters were likeable and interesting, though Nabeshima’s outfit of the month wasn’t as funny a couple of chapters into the story.

The chapters were all enjoyable, and despite being self-contained and not high on page counts, each was engrossing and featured interesting spirits in limbo.  I had originally avoided this series because of the episodic nature of the book.  I generally don’t find snippets of story very interesting, but Omukae Desu managed to hold my interest.

The art is simplistic and not especially detailed.  The backgrounds are also very plain, with rough sketches filling in the details.  Though not very elegant, I like Meca Tanaka’s art style.  Emotions are skillfully revealed through uncomplicated, easy lines.  There are times when the screen tones go a little overboard, though.

Grade: B

Rated for Teen