ハヤテのごとく！/Hayate no Gotoku Manga
Hayate the Combat Butler Chapter 437 Review

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Hayate wakes up, remembering that his older brother (Ikusa) has the King’s Jewel that Hayate had been given by Santa as a child. Hayate reports this to Nagi and Maria, who wonder why someone who’s been missing for ten years hasn’t had the police doing something. Hayate recounts how Dr. Kurosu told him of a former patient matching Ikusa’s description who has amnesia, whom she was unable to help. Maria expresses concern since Ikusa is apparently still working, but after learning that Ikusa refused to cooperate, saying that one doesn’t need a past, Nagi and Maria aren’t amused.  Nagi asks where Ikusa is working, which Hayate reveals is at a beach restaurant.

Meanwhile, within Yukari-chan House, Ayumu tells Hina of a epiphany she’s had based on their time with Ruka. She says they aren’t assertive enough over Hayate. Hina doesn’t think she can be assertive, but Ayumu says that’s the problem. Ayumu says they have to act now since she figures Hayate will find a King’s Jewel and then leave Yukari-chan House. Ayumu says that even if Hina wins, it is time to do this. Hina fist-bumps with Ayumu and agrees, neither knowing that in the bathroom, Chiharu can easily hear their conversation thanks to the thin walls.

Outside, Father Radiostar notices Ah-tan looking at a key fob-like thing with a meter on it. He asks about it, so Ah-tan says it is a meter that when fully charged, allows her to regain her original form temporarily by breaking the curse of the King’s Jewel. She explains that this is where a great power was sealed, and where a tool containing similar power is needed to draw out said power. She mentions that this is Himegami’s land as it only took three months for her to recharge.

With that, Ah-tan tells Father Radiostar in no uncertain terms that she can’t let anyone have the Royal Garden. Then she smiles, pets Shiranui, telling the ghost priest that he wouldn’t understand what she’s talking about. However, Father Radiostar definitely noticed something different about Ah-tan for a moment there.

Nagi comes with Hayate to tell Hina and Ayumu that they are going on a beach trip to find Hayate’s brother, who’s circumstances she ends up exaggerating. Hayate admits that he’s not sure if this person is his brother, but believes him to be. Ayumu thinks this is her chance, especially since she lost three kilograms during the competition with Ruka and she figures that in a swimsuit, she has a chance. Hina recalls the trip to Greece where even being in a bikini with Hayate didn’t turn his head to her.

Chiharu hears the news and decides to have some fun with Hina and Ayumu. She grabs Hayate’s hand and tells him to help her go buy a swimsuit. Hina and Ayumu are caught flatfooted by this, then they remember Chiharu coming home from a shopping trip with Hayate and think she likes him too. Chiharu relishes Hina’s jealous angry face.

Elsewhere, a man in a “Lifesavers” mantel stands at the beach.

Thoughts/Review:

So, the plot continues while setting up the story for what would seem to be an obvious gag element with a beach trip. I figure this will be similar to the trip to Greece, where Hata-sensei pushed the plot forward to a degree, but also took a lot of time to do gag stories.

The way Ayumu set things up, I couldn’t help but get the impression that the manga is most certainly on the downslope and moving to an end game. If the romantic elements of Hina and Ayumu are resolved, they can still stay in the story, only as friends and supporters.

OK, for those who don’t know, Hayate the Combat Butler takes in bits from some of Hata-sensei’s earlier works. For example, Hina and Katsura were from an earlier manga (can’t remember at the moment if it was just a concept manga or what), then reworked to whatever degree to be in Hayate the Combat Butler.

In that light, Hayate’s brother Ikusa is actually a character from an earlier work from Hata-sensei, called Umi no Yuusha Lifesavers (Heroes of the Sea: Lifesavers).  Indeed, Ayumu’s and Hayate’s classmates and friends in volume 1 of Hayate the Combat Butler (Souya-kun) are also from Lifesavers.  Madmac has an excellent writeup about that manga on Animesuki.

Update: Not sure, but I think this is the Lifesavers manga.  (I’m trying to get verification.)

Anyway, it will be interesting to see more of Ikusa.

Ah-tan’s announcement that she’s back to full power and can resume her young adult appearance (at least temporarily) is interesting.  Her referencing Himegami is also interesting. It really does seem that Hata-sensei is pushing things forward at an unbelievable rate. Then again, with no anime projects in the basket, he can fully concentrate on the plot.

However, as I said earlier, I think we are in for some comedy hijinks on the beach. I think Hata-sensei will continue to work the plot, and the subplot of Hina’s and Ayumu’s feelings for Hayate, but there will be plenty of laugh moments.

Regardless, I’m looking forward to the next chapter.