Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: May 23, 2017
Price: $13.00
Creator: Higasa Akai
Format: 192 pgs., B&W, Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-3164-3979-4
Age Rating: 13+
ICv2 Rating: 5 Stars out of 5
Following on the heels of the anime series which began airing this past Spring, Yen Press delivers a print edition of this delightful manga series that started it all off.
The Royal Tutor takes place in a country not unlike an earlier era of Germany. A mere commoner has been summoned by the King to be the tutor for his four youngest sons. In particular he wants the tutor, Heine Wittgenstein, to educate his sons equally and without bias so that he can choose a suitable heir should the eldest son meet an untimely fate. Heine knows that he has his work cut-out for him but he has no idea just how challenging it will be when he is first met with utter contempt from one of the princes.
The presentation of this story is what I enjoyed the most. Not only are the characters very engaging and downright funny in many places but the narrative moves at such a strong, smooth pace that this becomes a page turner almost instantly.
The comedy in this book is well paced and delivered in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is mere sight gags (the tutor is pint sized which leads to many jokes about his childish appearance) but sometimes the jokes are delivered in much more clever ways such as the occasional inclusion of a page that could've come right out of a four panel style manga.
If you have enjoyed the anime series, you won't be disappointed with this edition. If you're brand new to the series entirely, you can't go wrong with starting this series as both as both media formats bring something to the table that the other doesn't and that's one of the best compliments that I can give to this series. This is a series that teens and adults alike who desire something fresh and laugh out loud funny in all the right ways will find something fun to latch onto within these pages.
-- L.B. Bryant
