Manga Review: SP Baby, Volume 1, by Maki Enjoji

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2017

Volumes: 2.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A romantic comedy about a privileged man and his kickass female bodyguard.

Tamaki Hasegawa misses an interview for a much-needed job in order to stop an assault on a man running for his life! The man—Kagetora Sugo, the prime minister’s nephew—then asks Tamaki to become his bodyguard.

Tamaki isn’t sure she’s cut out to be a bodyguard, but Kagetora has another reason for wanting to hire her. Unbeknownst to her, they’ve met before…

Review:

I'm already a fan of Maki Enjoji, so I was excited to see another of her series was being picked up. I hope we get more of her stuff—and more josei from Shojo Beat in general.

We meet Tamaki just as a man runs by her, being chased by another guy, and she jumps in to help without thinking. Afterward, the guy she “saved” won't leave her alone, and insists on having her work for him. As his bodyguard.

Tamaki has no experience as a bodyguard, aside from her instincts to fight and particularly kick, and refuses at first. But Kagetora insists, and Tamaki needs a job.

I'm a little iffy on Tamaki, or at least the set up for her. I do find her fun and enjoy her fighting spirit, and how she happily tries to learn and help Kagetora. But she's also been saving herself for this guy she grew up with, who runs a flower shop next to her house. I'm iffy on that plotline, but otherwise I like Tamaki and how she's trying to support her brother. I like Kagetora, too, and am looking forward to their attraction growing, despite how innocent Tamaki is.

This was a fun start, and I like the surprising plot. I look forward to reading more.