YEN PRESS
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
MANGAKA: Taro Shinonome
ORIGINAL STORY: Nozomi Ginyoku
CHARACTER DESIGNS: Taro Shinonome and Mitsuki Yano
TRANSLATION: Caleb DeMarais
LETTERS: Barri Shrager
ISBN: 978-1-9753-9923-8; paperback (April 2020); Rated “M” for “Mature”
160pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN
S Rank Monster no “Behemoth” dakedo, Neko to Machigawarete Elf Musume no Pet Toshite Kurashitemasu is a light novel series written by Nozomi Ginyoku with character designs by Taro Shinonome and Mitsuki Yano. Taro Shinonome is producing a manga adaptation of the novel, which was first serialized in the manga magazine, Young Animal Arashi (until it was canceled) and later in the manga magazine, Young Animal. Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a series of graphic novels under the title I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet. It is also referred to as “I'm a Behemoth,” for short.
I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet, Vol. 1 (Chapters 0 to 6) introduces Tama, an S-ranked monster and a fearsome behemoth. He also a cub and behemoth cubs look like adorable kittens. Buxom elf girl, Aria, a D-ranked adventurer, finds his soft and cuddly self and names him “Tama.” The problem is that Tama was once a great knight, but he was killed by an assassin. Now, reincarnated, Tama is a behemoth, an S-ranked monster, but has been mistaken for a cat, and lives as an elf girl's pet.
[This volume includes bonus art and text and a bonus short story by Nozomi Ginyoku]
The I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet manga has a way too long title. I think “I'm a Behemoth and an Elf Girl's Pet” would be just fine, especially if that title hung over an illustration of a cute kitten and a big-breasted elf girl.
I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet Graphic Novel Volume 1 is all about the breast shots. Aria's breasts play a huge part in the graphical storytelling and in the art, and artist Taro Shinonome perches Tama atop Aria's melons and also, often squeezes him into Aria's generous cleavage. I am curious about how writer Nozomi Ginyoku, author of the original light novel series, depicts all this boob play.
Still, I think female readers will like this series in spite of the generous fan service. It is powerfully cute, and the story is a strong one about intimate friendship and love and devotion. I'm a Behemoth, which is set in a medievalist-type world, has a lot of potential. It is funny and irresistibly adorable, and it seems ready to explode with Dungeons and Dragons-like action-fantasy. Big breasts, pretty girls, a cross-dressing spin on Arnold Schwarzenegger, a cute and loyal kitty, and D&D: what's not to like?
7 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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