Mamotte Shugogetten! (original) (raw)

Mamotte Shugogetten isn't very good, not even in within the illustrious 'Magical Girlfriend' subgenre. What unique potential it has is majorly squandered by the story that focuses on weak and tropey high school antics while the major characters relationship progresses at a snail's pace. All of the side characters only exist to create obstacles and trials for the protagonist that always lead him reinstating his position as a 'nice guy', staying stylishly at arm's length from his oblivious-of-it-all supernatural girlfriend.

Only reason one would try getting into Mamotte is obviously the main heroine, Shaorin/Shaolin (henceforth Shao) herself. As a 4000-year old powerful spirit, she's by far... the most fleshed out character of the manga with lots of potential backstories and endless bag of magical entities to call for help. First few chapters play a lot into typical 'fish out of water' scenario as Shao tries her best to adapt into modern day japan and his new master, 14-year-old Tasuke that conveniently lives almost totally independent highschooler life. Sadly, the story bends everything to focus around protagonist's standard routine and Shao quickly discards her endearing outsider perspective on the setting.

Other notable recurring characters include Ruuan, another bound spirit who despite her apparent goal of pleasing his master, instead paradoxically spends her every waking hour in trying to ruin Shao's and their masters budding romance. Similarly local priest/playboy Miyauchi creepily obsesses over Shao in every turn, with his sexual harrassment only countered by Shao's complete disregard and obliviousness of his wooing.

As it is often in manga of this type, larger story plays in between few chapter long events (onsen and beach trips, festivals ect) and there are almost as many actually endearing romantic moments as there are convenient shots of someone bathing, so there definitely is payoff for the target audience. For everyone else, don't expect anything but the bare minimum.