The Royal Tutor volume 1
This is a manga I picked up at my local library. Check out your own. They likely have great stuff. This story is a comedy about a tiny man, Professor Heine, teaching four difficult princes. This first volume is mainly set up.
The professor arrives and meets the princes all at once, discovers that none of them want to be tutored by him, and then sets up interviews to get to know them better. That is the framework of this volume. It's a great framework because it plays to the strengths of this story.
The characters are vivid and detailed, practically life-like. Even before the interviews that focus on each prince, they are distinct individuals. Trust me, it's difficult to set up five characters at the same time, while also introducing the setting and conflict of the story. Naturally, this distinction increases over the course the story.
The traits initially introduced are developed further and further traits are added, complimenting and contrasting the original ones. As a result of Heine's interview with the prince, some conceptions are even turned around, revealing hidden depths. Of all the princes, it is hard to say which makes the most dramatic turn. My vote goes to Prince Bruno.
It is a satisfying story that resolves its initial conflict.
Though I wonder how much tutoring is going to happen in future volumes, the story addresses this as well. Heine states that his purpose as a tutor is not only to teach the princes academic subjects, but other subjects as well. It would appear he is intended to be something of a life coach, because the king considers all four of princes unfit to rule for reasons of their personalities.
The artwork certainly looks good. In fact, I'd call it beautiful. It has this regal feel to it, fitting with its setting and premise, but it is occasionally softer and sillier for more comedic moments.
And that is where my only complaint comes in.
The story has a "Heine is tiny" running gag that I generally find to be lame. Some of them can be funny, such as when guards mistake him as the royal tutor's son, or palace ladies gush on how cute he is and he reacts favorably to the attention while remaining stoic. However, others are not funny.
In fact, they exaggerate his tininess to the point where he seems to actually get even smaller than he already is, rather than just drawn smaller for comedic effect. The most egregious of these is when he rolls off his bed and gets stuck in the tiny space between his bed and the wall. He seriously can't move until a maid checks on him in the morning. That pushes the gag too far.
Trickster Eric Novels gives The Royal Tutor volume 1 a B+
Click here for my next book review: Rising of the Shield Hero - manga volume 2
Click here for my previous book review: Sleepy Princess in Demon Castle
Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).
His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.
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