Hayate the Combat Butler
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese manga
series, written and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata
, about a boy who starts a new job as a butler and the events he experiences with his employer. Shogakukan
have released 29 volumes in Japan. The English edition of the series has been licensed by Viz Media
for distribution in North America. The style of the manga has a comedic gag with a slight harem
feel and constantly breaks the fourth wall
. The series includes numerous references to other anime, manga, video games, and popular culture. A 52-episode anime
adaptation of the manga by SynergySP
aired between April 2007 and March 2008 on TV Tokyo
. A second, 25-episode anime season by J.C.Staff
aired between April and September 2009. On July 4, 2008, Bandai Entertainment announced that they have licensed the first anime series. On June 11, 2009, Animax Asia started airing the first anime in South-East Asia with English dubs done by Red Angel Media. The second season English dub started airing on Animax Asia on July 21, 2010. An anime film adaption produced by Manglobe
was released in August 2011. A third TV anime series has been announced.
to make money, leaving behind a massive gambling debt on his shoulders of ¥156,804,000. While running away from the debt collectors he ends up meeting Nagi Sanzen'in, a young girl who is the sole heir of the wealthy Sanzen'in estate, and due to a misunderstanding Nagi ends up falling in love with Hayate. After he rescues Nagi from some kidnappers, she hires Hayate as her new butler.
Aside from performing his ordinary duties as a butler, Hayate must fight to protect Nagi from harm, a difficult task since her life is always in danger because she is the target of other individuals coveting her family's fortune, and sometimes deal with some extravagant requests from her, oblivious to Nagi's true feelings for him. In the later story, Hayate has to deal with the feelings of several other girls, including Hinagiku, the student council president of Hakuō Academy. He is revealed to have had a romantic relationship with a female character some ten years previous, who is revealed to be Athena, chairman of the board of Hakuō Academy.
was first serialized in the Japanese shōnen
manga magazine Shōnen Sunday
in May 2004. The manga is written and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata
. Viz Media
announced they acquired the rights to publish the manga in North America and released the first volume on November 14, 2006. The most recent English release is volume 16, on September 14, 2010. The English translations are done by Yuki Yoshioka and Cindy H. Yamauchi; English adaptation is done by Mark Giambruno
. The latest Japanese release is volume 29, on August 10, 2011.
aired on TV Tokyo
in Japan between April 1, 2007 and March 30, 2008, produced by animation studio SynergySP
and with music by Kōtarō Nakagawa
. The series is also slated to air on the CS
television network Animax
starting on October 25, 2007, where it will receive its satellite television
premiere, and will be shown uncensored.
As a result of originally being backed by TV Tokyo, the anime has had several elements censored or toned down. Examples include Hayate's mother's gambling addiction being referred to as "Investing (money, in the given case, Hayate's paycheck) in her dream" and Hayate merely being given to "nice men" for work rather than to the Yakuza
for his organs (although at one point, mention was made towards harvesting Hayate's organs for money). Characters in the show make reference to the fact that they apparently cannot show the offending material and that the show is "fighting the broadcast code". There is some censorship that is intended as a joke as in any given instance of Hayate bleeding being censored by a sign reading "can't show this". The anime, like the manga, has references to other anime as well as some original references such as bleeping out words. This method of censoring references has followed onto the English translation of the manga. The DVD contains two audio tracks; one track contains the original audio aired on TV Tokyo and the other track removes the bleeping. Bandai Entertainment has announced plans to retain this for the dub, using the Japanese audio tracks in such instances.
Throughout the anime, the audience can see some of the characters breaking the fourth wall
. Those that do not break the fourth wall are thinking that the characters are talking to blank space. The narrator is seen talking with Hayate at times, and this makes Hayate realize that there is an audience. Also, some characters may introduce themselves to no one but the audience. Most of the cast have references to their voice actor's
previous roles (Nagi for example has an eyecatch where she wears the outfit of Louise's uniform in Zero no Tsukaima
).
Before and after the commercial break, there is a unique eyecatch
each time. The characters who appear state a phrase which is an on-going game of shiritori
. Starting with episode six, a small segment began playing after the ending credits called the "Butler Network" featuring Hayate, Nagi, and sometimes a guest. It is meant to cover the animation production, broadcast dates, advertise character song albums and DVDs, and follow Hayate's endeavors in fighting against evil as he becomes a great butler.
On June 11, 2009, Animax Asia
started broadcasting the anime on their South East and South Asia channels with English dubbing done by Red Angel Media. The anime airing on Animax-Asia uses the censored version of the anime and some of the characters in the English dub speak with accents. For example, both Maria and Saki speak with British
accents while Klaus speaks with a German accent. On September 28, 2009, QTV 11 started the Filipino dub of this anime; it was second in Southeast Asia. TVB Jade
also started the Cantonese dub of this anime.
An original video animation
(OVA) episode was released on March 6, 2009 in DVD and Blu-ray formats. A second anime season of Hayate the Combat Butler titled, "Hayate no Gotoku!!" (an additional exclamation mark) aired 25 episodes between April 4 and September 18, 2009, produced by animation studio J.C.Staff
. Unlike the first season, the second season retcons the events of the first season by claiming at the onset that a month has pass since Hayate became Nagi's butler. Furthermore, the second season is more faithful to the manga than the first season. On July 21, 2010, Animax Asia began airing the second season, including the OVA, with English dubbing done again by Red Angel Media along with Cantonese and Mandarin dub. A third TV anime season will be produced.
and directed by Hideto Komori was released in Japanese theaters on August 27, 2011.
based on the series, written by Toshihiko Tsukiji and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata
, was released on May 24, 2007, published by Shogakukan
under their GAGAGA Bunko label. The novel includes a doppelgänger
and barrier that Maria encounters, Isumi Saginomiya's magic that happens in front of Nagi's eyes, and the corruption of the building of the Film Analysing Club (You Tobe) that Izumi Segawa, Miki Hanabishi, and Risa Asakaze were members of.
A second light novel entitled was released on March 18, 2008. The title is the combination of Zero no Tsukaima
and the phrase which is similar to Lucky Stars first opening theme, . The cover of this novel features Nagi wearing Louise's costume. Insert images are drawn by Kenjiro Hata and Eiji Usatsuka
, the illustrator of Zero no Tsukaima light novels.
for the Nintendo DS
entitled was released in Japan on August 23, 2007. A limited edition of the game was released on the same day which included a Hakuō Academy student notebook and a drama CD.
A second game was released in two versions on March 14, 2008. They are both entitled , however, they differ between their story settings. One game is set at the Sanzen'in's mansion, and the other one is set at Nagi's school. Unlike the first game, the main character is Nagi. Players will train Nagi; she may also learn some attacks or tricks to make an appeal at contests. Players may easily trade data with other players using wireless connections (however, the game is not Wi-Fi
compatible). Similar to the first game, there are many Konami parodies included. While the first game is a one-way path with non-controllable actions made by players, in this game, players are able to control where characters go and talk to gather information in continuing the story. While the first game was rated A (all ages) by CERO
, this second game is rated B (ages 12 and up). For both the first and second game, there are a couple of hidden stories or voices that can be unlocked by passwords. After completing the second game, unlock voices in Omake
Mode with the code: "↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← →"
. The third video game installment was released in spring 2009 for the PSP
.
, was released May 30, 2007. The second ending theme, "Get my way!", is performed by Mami Kawada
and was released on August 8, 2007. The second opening theme, "Shichiten Hakki ☆ Shijōshugi!" by Kotoko, was released on October 17, 2007. The third ending theme, "Chasse", is performed by Kaori Utatsuki
and was released on November 21, 2007. The fourth ending theme, "Ko no me kaze" (木の芽風), is performed by Iku
and was released on March 19, 2008. The opening theme of season two was "Wonder Wind" performed by Elisa. The first ending theme was "Honjitsu, Mankai Watashi Iro!" by Shizuka Itou (with Eri Nakao and Sayuri Yahagi and Masumi Asano). The second opening theme was "Daily-daily Dream" by Kotoko. The second ending theme was "Karakoi: Dakara Shōjo wa Koi o Suru" by Rie Kugimiya and Ryoko Shiraishi.
There are twelve character song albums sung by the main characters from the anime adaptation. The first two were released on May 25, 2007 and feature songs sung by Ryōko Shiraishi
as Hayate Ayasaki and Rie Tanaka
as Maria. The last two, released on July 25, 2007, feature songs sung by Rie Kugimiya
as Nagi Sanzen'in and Shizuka Itō
as Hinagiku Katsura. Miyu Matsuki
as Isumi Saginomiya and Kana Ueda
as Sakuya Aizawa was released on September 21, 2007. Marina Inoue
and Saki Nakajima
as Wataru Tachibana and Saki Kijima, as well as Mikako Takahashi
as Ayumu Nishizawa was released on November 21, 2007. Hitomi Nabatame
as Yukiji Katsura and Sayuri Yahagi
, Eri Nakao
, Masumi Asano
as Izumi, Miki, and Risa was released on January 25, 2008. Two duet character albums starring Hermione Ayasaki and Nagi, and Maria and Hinagiku were released on March 21, 2008.
The original soundtrack was released on June 22, 2007 and a drama CD based on the anime adaptation was released on August 22, 2007. On September 21, 2007, volume one of a two-CD radio drama
called Radio the Combat Butler was released.
series (entitled, "Hayate no Gotoku! Collection Figures") created by Jun Planning was released. Maria was released in March. Hinagiku figurine with Masamune in her hand was released on June 19. Nagi figurine with video game controller was released in July. Also, Kotobukiya released a series of 1/6 scale swimsuit figurines. Hinagiku was released in January 2009; Nagi in April 2009, and Ayumu in May 2009. Shogakukan released an art book titled Hayate the Combat Butler Official Box on November 16, 2007.
Part six of the anime is given an overall B rating by Chris Beveridge, reviewer for Mania. Although, in his opinion, the storyline and nature of the anime has not changed much, he was suddenly captivated. Beveridege sums up these feelings for the final episodes:
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series, written and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata
Kenjiro Hata
is a Japanese manga author. He is notable for the creation of the series Hayate the Combat Butler. He likes to collect anime related items, such as figurines. He was once an assistant of Kōji Kumeta.- Works :* Hayate the Combat Butler...
, about a boy who starts a new job as a butler and the events he experiences with his employer. Shogakukan
Shogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, manga, non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.Shogakukan founded Shueisha which founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hitotsubashi Group, one of the largest publishing groups in Japan...
have released 29 volumes in Japan. The English edition of the series has been licensed by Viz Media
VIZ Media
VIZ Media, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, is an anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment company. It was founded in 1986 as VIZ LLC. In 2005, VIZ LLC and ShoPro Entertainment merged to form the current VIZ Media LLC, which is jointly owned by Japanese publishers Shogakukan and Shueisha, and...
for distribution in North America. The style of the manga has a comedic gag with a slight harem
Harem anime
Harem, , broadly speaking, is a loose subgenre of anime and manga characterized by a protagonist surrounded, usually amorously, by three or more members of the opposite sex. The most common and practically tantamount scenario is a male surrounded by a group of females; when this is reversed it is...
feel and constantly breaks the fourth wall
Fourth wall
The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
. The series includes numerous references to other anime, manga, video games, and popular culture. A 52-episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
adaptation of the manga by SynergySP
SynergySP
is a Japanese animation studio founded on May 1, 1998 which originally split off from Toei Animation. In 2005, the company became associated with Shogakukan Productions, a subsidiary of the Shogakukan publishing company.-Produced series:MÄR...
aired between April 2007 and March 2008 on TV Tokyo
TV Tokyo
is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
. A second, 25-episode anime season by J.C.Staff
J.C.STAFF
, is a Japanese animation studio founded in January 1986. Their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden, in 1987. They have produced several well-known anime series, such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, Excel Saga, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Shakugan no Shana, Toaru Majutsu no...
aired between April and September 2009. On July 4, 2008, Bandai Entertainment announced that they have licensed the first anime series. On June 11, 2009, Animax Asia started airing the first anime in South-East Asia with English dubs done by Red Angel Media. The second season English dub started airing on Animax Asia on July 21, 2010. An anime film adaption produced by Manglobe
Manglobe
is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise. It was formed on February 7, 2002 by Sunrise producers Shinichirō Kobayashi and Takashi Kochiyama.-Works:*Trip Trek *Samurai Champloo...
was released in August 2011. A third TV anime series has been announced.
Plot
Hayate Ayasaki is an unlucky teenager who has worked since childhood to make ends meet due to his parents' irresponsible behavior. One day he finds out that his parents were planning to sell his organs to the YakuzaYakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
to make money, leaving behind a massive gambling debt on his shoulders of ¥156,804,000. While running away from the debt collectors he ends up meeting Nagi Sanzen'in, a young girl who is the sole heir of the wealthy Sanzen'in estate, and due to a misunderstanding Nagi ends up falling in love with Hayate. After he rescues Nagi from some kidnappers, she hires Hayate as her new butler.
Aside from performing his ordinary duties as a butler, Hayate must fight to protect Nagi from harm, a difficult task since her life is always in danger because she is the target of other individuals coveting her family's fortune, and sometimes deal with some extravagant requests from her, oblivious to Nagi's true feelings for him. In the later story, Hayate has to deal with the feelings of several other girls, including Hinagiku, the student council president of Hakuō Academy. He is revealed to have had a romantic relationship with a female character some ten years previous, who is revealed to be Athena, chairman of the board of Hakuō Academy.
Manga
The Hayate the Combat Butler mangaManga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
was first serialized in the Japanese shōnen
Shonen
The term refers to manga marketed to a male audience aged roughly 10 and up. The Kanji characters literally mean "few" and "year", respectively, where the characters generally mean "comic"...
manga magazine Shōnen Sunday
Shonen Sunday
, first published on March 17, 1959, is a weekly shōnen manga magazine published in Japan by Shogakukan. Contrary to its title, Weekly Shōnen Sunday issues are released on Wednesdays.- History :...
in May 2004. The manga is written and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata
Kenjiro Hata
is a Japanese manga author. He is notable for the creation of the series Hayate the Combat Butler. He likes to collect anime related items, such as figurines. He was once an assistant of Kōji Kumeta.- Works :* Hayate the Combat Butler...
. Viz Media
VIZ Media
VIZ Media, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, is an anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment company. It was founded in 1986 as VIZ LLC. In 2005, VIZ LLC and ShoPro Entertainment merged to form the current VIZ Media LLC, which is jointly owned by Japanese publishers Shogakukan and Shueisha, and...
announced they acquired the rights to publish the manga in North America and released the first volume on November 14, 2006. The most recent English release is volume 16, on September 14, 2010. The English translations are done by Yuki Yoshioka and Cindy H. Yamauchi; English adaptation is done by Mark Giambruno
Mark Giambruno
Mark Giambruno is a 3D artist, art director and writer. As an early employee of Mondo Media, he worked on many of their game projects and contract game cinematics. He also voiced the Lifty & Shifty characters for the popular internet show Happy Tree Friends, a role he now shares at times with Kenn...
. The latest Japanese release is volume 29, on August 10, 2011.
Anime
The Hayate the Combat Butler 52-episode animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
aired on TV Tokyo
TV Tokyo
is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
in Japan between April 1, 2007 and March 30, 2008, produced by animation studio SynergySP
SynergySP
is a Japanese animation studio founded on May 1, 1998 which originally split off from Toei Animation. In 2005, the company became associated with Shogakukan Productions, a subsidiary of the Shogakukan publishing company.-Produced series:MÄR...
and with music by Kōtarō Nakagawa
Kotaro Nakagawa
is a Japanese composer and arranger. He is a graduate of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music's school of music.He is the son of trumpet player Yoshihiro Nakagawa, the elder brother of trombone player Eijirō Nakagawa and the nephew of clarinet player Takeshi Nakagawa and trombone...
. The series is also slated to air on the CS
Communications satellite
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications...
television network Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
starting on October 25, 2007, where it will receive its satellite television
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
premiere, and will be shown uncensored.
As a result of originally being backed by TV Tokyo, the anime has had several elements censored or toned down. Examples include Hayate's mother's gambling addiction being referred to as "Investing (money, in the given case, Hayate's paycheck) in her dream" and Hayate merely being given to "nice men" for work rather than to the Yakuza
Yakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
for his organs (although at one point, mention was made towards harvesting Hayate's organs for money). Characters in the show make reference to the fact that they apparently cannot show the offending material and that the show is "fighting the broadcast code". There is some censorship that is intended as a joke as in any given instance of Hayate bleeding being censored by a sign reading "can't show this". The anime, like the manga, has references to other anime as well as some original references such as bleeping out words. This method of censoring references has followed onto the English translation of the manga. The DVD contains two audio tracks; one track contains the original audio aired on TV Tokyo and the other track removes the bleeping. Bandai Entertainment has announced plans to retain this for the dub, using the Japanese audio tracks in such instances.
Throughout the anime, the audience can see some of the characters breaking the fourth wall
Fourth wall
The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
. Those that do not break the fourth wall are thinking that the characters are talking to blank space. The narrator is seen talking with Hayate at times, and this makes Hayate realize that there is an audience. Also, some characters may introduce themselves to no one but the audience. Most of the cast have references to their voice actor's
Seiyu
Voice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and...
previous roles (Nagi for example has an eyecatch where she wears the outfit of Louise's uniform in Zero no Tsukaima
Zero no Tsukaima
is a fantasy and comedy-oriented series of Japanese light novels written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. The story features several characters from the second year class of a magic academy in a fictional magical world with the main characters being the inept mage Louise and...
).
Before and after the commercial break, there is a unique eyecatch
Eyecatch
An or internal eyecatch is a scene or illustration used to begin and end a commercial break in a Japanese TV program, especially in anime and tokusatsu shows, similar to how "bumpers" into/out of commercial breaks are used in the United States...
each time. The characters who appear state a phrase which is an on-going game of shiritori
Shiritori
Shiritori is a Japanese word game in which the players are required to say a word which begins with the final kana of the previous word. No distinction is made between hiragana, katakana and kanji...
. Starting with episode six, a small segment began playing after the ending credits called the "Butler Network" featuring Hayate, Nagi, and sometimes a guest. It is meant to cover the animation production, broadcast dates, advertise character song albums and DVDs, and follow Hayate's endeavors in fighting against evil as he becomes a great butler.
On June 11, 2009, Animax Asia
Animax Asia
Animax Asia is the Japanese anime TV network Animaxs English language feeds in Southeast Asia and South Asia, as well as its feeds across other regions of mainland Asia, including Hong Kong and Taiwan...
started broadcasting the anime on their South East and South Asia channels with English dubbing done by Red Angel Media. The anime airing on Animax-Asia uses the censored version of the anime and some of the characters in the English dub speak with accents. For example, both Maria and Saki speak with British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
accents while Klaus speaks with a German accent. On September 28, 2009, QTV 11 started the Filipino dub of this anime; it was second in Southeast Asia. TVB Jade
TVB Jade
TVB Jade is a flagship TV channel in Hong Kong, established by Television Broadcasts Limited, and is one of the free-to-air Cantonese language television channels in Hong Kong, the other being its arch-rival ATV Home...
also started the Cantonese dub of this anime.
An original video animation
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
(OVA) episode was released on March 6, 2009 in DVD and Blu-ray formats. A second anime season of Hayate the Combat Butler titled, "Hayate no Gotoku!!" (an additional exclamation mark) aired 25 episodes between April 4 and September 18, 2009, produced by animation studio J.C.Staff
J.C.STAFF
, is a Japanese animation studio founded in January 1986. Their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden, in 1987. They have produced several well-known anime series, such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, Excel Saga, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Shakugan no Shana, Toaru Majutsu no...
. Unlike the first season, the second season retcons the events of the first season by claiming at the onset that a month has pass since Hayate became Nagi's butler. Furthermore, the second season is more faithful to the manga than the first season. On July 21, 2010, Animax Asia began airing the second season, including the OVA, with English dubbing done again by Red Angel Media along with Cantonese and Mandarin dub. A third TV anime season will be produced.
Film
An anime film adaptation produced by ManglobeManglobe
is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise. It was formed on February 7, 2002 by Sunrise producers Shinichirō Kobayashi and Takashi Kochiyama.-Works:*Trip Trek *Samurai Champloo...
and directed by Hideto Komori was released in Japanese theaters on August 27, 2011.
Light novels
A light novelLight novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
based on the series, written by Toshihiko Tsukiji and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata
Kenjiro Hata
is a Japanese manga author. He is notable for the creation of the series Hayate the Combat Butler. He likes to collect anime related items, such as figurines. He was once an assistant of Kōji Kumeta.- Works :* Hayate the Combat Butler...
, was released on May 24, 2007, published by Shogakukan
Shogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, manga, non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.Shogakukan founded Shueisha which founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hitotsubashi Group, one of the largest publishing groups in Japan...
under their GAGAGA Bunko label. The novel includes a doppelgänger
Doppelgänger
In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger is a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune...
and barrier that Maria encounters, Isumi Saginomiya's magic that happens in front of Nagi's eyes, and the corruption of the building of the Film Analysing Club (You Tobe) that Izumi Segawa, Miki Hanabishi, and Risa Asakaze were members of.
A second light novel entitled was released on March 18, 2008. The title is the combination of Zero no Tsukaima
Zero no Tsukaima
is a fantasy and comedy-oriented series of Japanese light novels written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. The story features several characters from the second year class of a magic academy in a fictional magical world with the main characters being the inept mage Louise and...
and the phrase which is similar to Lucky Stars first opening theme, . The cover of this novel features Nagi wearing Louise's costume. Insert images are drawn by Kenjiro Hata and Eiji Usatsuka
Eiji Usatsuka
is a Japanese light novel illustrator. He is notable for the illustration for the series Zero no Tsukaima. He illustrates insert images for many novels....
, the illustrator of Zero no Tsukaima light novels.
Video games
A video game by KonamiKonami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
entitled was released in Japan on August 23, 2007. A limited edition of the game was released on the same day which included a Hakuō Academy student notebook and a drama CD.
A second game was released in two versions on March 14, 2008. They are both entitled , however, they differ between their story settings. One game is set at the Sanzen'in's mansion, and the other one is set at Nagi's school. Unlike the first game, the main character is Nagi. Players will train Nagi; she may also learn some attacks or tricks to make an appeal at contests. Players may easily trade data with other players using wireless connections (however, the game is not Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
compatible). Similar to the first game, there are many Konami parodies included. While the first game is a one-way path with non-controllable actions made by players, in this game, players are able to control where characters go and talk to gather information in continuing the story. While the first game was rated A (all ages) by CERO
Computer Entertainment Rating Organization
The is a Japanese entertainment rating organization based in Tokyo. rating video game content in console games with levels of rating that informs the customer of the nature of the product and for what age group it is suitable...
, this second game is rated B (ages 12 and up). For both the first and second game, there are a couple of hidden stories or voices that can be unlocked by passwords. After completing the second game, unlock voices in Omake
Omake
means extra in Japanese. Its primary meaning is general and widespread. It is used as an anime and manga fandom term to mean "extra or bonus". In USA, the term is most often used in a narrow sense by anime fans to describe special features on DVD releases: deleted scenes, interviews with the...
Mode with the code: "↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← →"
Konami Code
The Konami Code, known in Japan as the , is a cheat code that appears in many Konami video games, although the code also appears in some non-Konami games...
. The third video game installment was released in spring 2009 for the PSP
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
.
Audio CDs
The opening theme to the anime adaptation, by Kotoko, was released on May 23, 2007. The first ending theme, "Proof" by MellMell
Mell is a female Japanese singer from Sapporo, Japan. She is a senior vocalist of I've Sound, and one of the main vocalists. She has released six singles and one solo album...
, was released May 30, 2007. The second ending theme, "Get my way!", is performed by Mami Kawada
Mami Kawada
is a J-pop singer who is currently signed to Geneon Entertainment Inc. She is also a member of the I've Sound who performs soundtracks for some eroge. Mami was usually paired up with co-I've member Kotoko when making soundtracks for anime...
and was released on August 8, 2007. The second opening theme, "Shichiten Hakki ☆ Shijōshugi!" by Kotoko, was released on October 17, 2007. The third ending theme, "Chasse", is performed by Kaori Utatsuki
Kaori Utatsuki
is a J-pop singer and a member of the I've Sound based on Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. She has performed several songs for eroge together with the other I've Sound members...
and was released on November 21, 2007. The fourth ending theme, "Ko no me kaze" (木の芽風), is performed by Iku
IKU (singer)
Iku is a Japanese pop singer who is currently signed to Geneon Entertainment Inc. She debuted in 2008 with on March 19. Iku is only part of Geneon but not I've Sound. It was initially thought she might be part of I've Sound because Kazuya Takase, a producer of I've Sound, worked on her songs...
and was released on March 19, 2008. The opening theme of season two was "Wonder Wind" performed by Elisa. The first ending theme was "Honjitsu, Mankai Watashi Iro!" by Shizuka Itou (with Eri Nakao and Sayuri Yahagi and Masumi Asano). The second opening theme was "Daily-daily Dream" by Kotoko. The second ending theme was "Karakoi: Dakara Shōjo wa Koi o Suru" by Rie Kugimiya and Ryoko Shiraishi.
There are twelve character song albums sung by the main characters from the anime adaptation. The first two were released on May 25, 2007 and feature songs sung by Ryōko Shiraishi
Ryoko Shiraishi
is a voice actress from Nara, Japan who works for Aoni Production. Due to her low and gentle voice, she is often cast as either the effeminate-and-kind young man or the sexually mature but sweet-and-sensitive supporting lady...
as Hayate Ayasaki and Rie Tanaka
Rie Tanaka
is a singer and voice actress . Notable among her numerous roles are Lacus Clyne in Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny, Chii and Freya in Chobits, Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke in Strike Witches and Suigintou in the anime adaptation of Rozen Maiden.-Personal life:As a child, Tanaka took singing classes...
as Maria. The last two, released on July 25, 2007, feature songs sung by Rie Kugimiya
Rie Kugimiya
is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with I'm Enterprise.Kugimiya's most famous roles include Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Happy in Fairy Tail, Kagura in Gintama, Nagi Sanzenin in Hayate no Gotoku!, Shana in Shakugan no Shana, Louise in Zero no Tsukaima, Taiga Aisaka in Toradora!, and...
as Nagi Sanzen'in and Shizuka Itō
Shizuka Ito
is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She is currently represented by Ken Production. When voicing adult games, she is also known as , , , , or .Itō and fellow voice actress Hitomi Nabatame formed a voice acting unit called "Hitomi Nabatame and Shizuka Itō"...
as Hinagiku Katsura. Miyu Matsuki
Miyu Matsuki
is a Japanese voice actress. Her hometown is Hiroshima Japan.-Anime cast in:*Ayakashi as Hime Yakushiji*ARIA The NATURAL as Ayano *Binchō-tan as Pukashuu*Claymore as Flora*D.C. ~Da Capo~ as Yoriko Sagisawa*D.C.S.S...
as Isumi Saginomiya and Kana Ueda
Kana Ueda
is a Japanese Seiyū employed by I'm Enterprise. She is best known as the voices of Yumi Fukuzawa in Maria-sama ga Miteru, Rin Tohsaka in Fate/Stay Night and Hayate Yagami in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's and Strikers...
as Sakuya Aizawa was released on September 21, 2007. Marina Inoue
Marina Inoue
is a voice actress and singer. She is signed onto Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Aniplex division. As for voice acting career, she's employed by Sigma Seven...
and Saki Nakajima
Saki Nakajima
is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society.-Television Animation:* Bleach as Chizuru Honshou.* Blue Dragon as Bouquet* Duel Masters as Mimi Tasogare* Gravion Zwei as Dika...
as Wataru Tachibana and Saki Kijima, as well as Mikako Takahashi
Mikako Takahashi
is a seiyū and J-pop singer born May 29, 1980 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Under the alias Mikako Hyatt, she forms one half of the Excel Saga seiyū duo The Excel Girls . She is employed by I'm Enterprise...
as Ayumu Nishizawa was released on November 21, 2007. Hitomi Nabatame
Hitomi Nabatame
is a Japanese voice actress. She is affiliated with Ken Production. When voicing adult games, she is known as , , , or . She also sings opening themes for Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu under the name Miran Himemiya and Chocolate Rockers.-Anime:...
as Yukiji Katsura and Sayuri Yahagi
Sayuri Yahagi
is a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo, Japan. She has also been the narrator of Animax since October 2007.-Anime:*Asu no Yoichi! - Sakon Saginomiya*Asura Cryin - Ania Fortuna*Bakugan Battle Brawlers - Ai...
, Eri Nakao
Eri Nakao
is a Japanese voice actress.-Anime:*Tona-Gura! - Hazuki's mother*Zegapain XOR - Dita*Getsumen To Heiki Mina*Hayate the Combat Butler - Miki Hanabishi*Kämpfer - Sayaka Nakao ; Spectator D...
, Masumi Asano
Masumi Asano
is a Japanese voice actress from Noshiro, Akita who works for Aoni Production. She is also known by her nickname, Masumin.- Notable voice roles :Anime* Saga in A Little Snow Fairy Sugar...
as Izumi, Miki, and Risa was released on January 25, 2008. Two duet character albums starring Hermione Ayasaki and Nagi, and Maria and Hinagiku were released on March 21, 2008.
The original soundtrack was released on June 22, 2007 and a drama CD based on the anime adaptation was released on August 22, 2007. On September 21, 2007, volume one of a two-CD radio drama
Radio drama
Radio drama is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance, broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story...
called Radio the Combat Butler was released.
Live-action TV series
The Taiwanese network GTV announced it will make a live-action television adaptation of Hayate the Combat Butler.Additional merchandise
Additional notable merchandises include many school related goods which were released near the start of the anime series in March and April 2007. Many other goods such as clocks, mugs, and posters were released a few months after. In 2008, a 1/8 scale (approx. 21 cm or 8.25") figurineFigurine
A figurine is a statuette that represents a human, deity or animal. Figurines may be realistic or iconic, depending on the skill and intention of the creator. The earliest were made of stone or clay...
series (entitled, "Hayate no Gotoku! Collection Figures") created by Jun Planning was released. Maria was released in March. Hinagiku figurine with Masamune in her hand was released on June 19. Nagi figurine with video game controller was released in July. Also, Kotobukiya released a series of 1/6 scale swimsuit figurines. Hinagiku was released in January 2009; Nagi in April 2009, and Ayumu in May 2009. Shogakukan released an art book titled Hayate the Combat Butler Official Box on November 16, 2007.
Sales
Over ten million copies of the manga and other Hayate-related books have been sold in Japan as of January 2009.Critical reception
Volume 14 of the manga is given a C+ by Carlo Santos, reviewer for Mania, citing Hata's overextension of a complex work with multiple simultaneous plotlines and constant scene changes. He does note that Sakuya's birthday party as an example of the work's strong point.Part six of the anime is given an overall B rating by Chris Beveridge, reviewer for Mania. Although, in his opinion, the storyline and nature of the anime has not changed much, he was suddenly captivated. Beveridege sums up these feelings for the final episodes: