Mamotte Shugogetten, Volume 1

I have been following this series in the past under another title named, "Guardian Angel Getten" but the books stopped at Volume 4 (and that was released back in 2004)! I loved the series and I even saw a DVD box set in animated format overseas but failed acquire it as it costs a lot. Picking up Volume 3 of this new release continued where the old title ended, and I'm waiting for more. Hopefully, I'll finally read the end of it all. This is a happy read. While it may remind you of other titles out there, it is my advise to take things indifferently from the rest. :)

Minene Sakurano must have grown up on Ah My Goddess, because this book seems heavily inspired by (but not copired from) Belldandy and crew. No motorcycles, just a 14 year old boy who's odd father collects wierd items during his constant travels, sending them home to his son. Two of these items are special goddess containing mystical objects that bring forth a "helper" for those of pure heart. The first, Shao, is very Belldandy like, and seeks to help our main character, Tasuke, from misfortune, using all sorts of cute little constellation inspired helpers. The second item, with Ruaan, has a Urd like (minus potions, she simply animates inatimate objects) personality, who tries to make Tasuke happy, often with terrible results. You have the "cute love" and the "I feel guilty for having feelings because she's a goddess" complexes here. Oh, there is also Shao bungling just fine through the modern world, without too many real problems. There is also the priest Izumo who has the hots for Shao, who causes lots more problems. My only fault--why a 14 old boy? It makes the crush cute but a little hard to hold.

I once read the first chapter when I was about 14 in a magazine that is like shonen jump, but different. I can't remember the name of it, but that is irrelevant. Its a cute story, and the artwork is pretty well done as well. I think that the story is a lot different than Ah! My Goddess, but they have some similarities.