Volume four introduces Ton-chan, Kaito, and Agito/Akito, with Agito/Akito being the most important edition out of those three/four.

The first issue at hand--Ikki needs new Ats. There's an incident about some mushrooms and Ume's building capabilities. Nothing too interesting. As necessary to the plot, Ikki gets a new pair. There's a nice Ikki+Ringo moment in all of this that's really sweet. The mood is quickly killed by unnecessary fanservice.

Moving on to the next plot--Onigiri gets a girl! And she's hot too. Something must be up if anyone's interested in him. The reader is led along to believe Onigiri may have finally found the one. Of course, it's Onigiri, so there IS something wrong with her. Instead of wanting him for his mind, she wants him for his...body. The chick turns out to have a fat fetish, and moves on to the much bigger Buccha and leaves Onigiri in the dust. I actually liked this chapter. It shows that there is some depth to his character, and I feel bad for the poor guy. I'd say, it isn't until this chapter that Onigiri even stands out at all amongst the other supporting cast. It's his first time to be the center of attention. The look on his face when he tells Kazu and Ikki about what happened at the hotel is so sad. And it's all so much sadder when the truth is revealed.

Next, Ton-chan and stopping time. This is a good story, but it has a few things that bug me. Why is she allowed to dress that way as a teacher? I guess it's okay for comic relief but the popsicle bit was just disgusting. Any teacher that pulls that kind of crap likely shouldn't be hired for too long. Jeez, they're not even high school age. They're still in middle school. But it's Oh! Great, so I can't expect logic when he decides it's time for unnecessary fanservice.

Speaking of fanservice, aside from the crap with Ton-chan, I'd say this volume was somewhat light (for Oh! Great) on fanservice. Well, at least of the usual kind. Which brings me to the next part...

The introductions of Kaito and Agito/Akito Wanijima. Ikki and co all go to watch a match. For some reason, Ton-chan goes too. (I think the excuse was something about her having a car, but since when has not having a car ever stopped these kids from getting around town? She went to be fanservice and a plot device, that's all there is to it.) Everyone's checking out how cool Ikki is while Ikki is more concerned with where the bathroom is. Match starts--Agito fights by himself. Kaito organizes a raid in the background. Ton-chan goes into fanservice mode and happens to overhear Kaito. The battle, of course, gets out of hand. Our hero Ikki has to step in and save the day.

And he does it...naked...?

Yeah. If you don't get where this is about to go, you're likely not going to like where it's about to go. Unless you're a girl, and you've just realized Oh! Great will now be whipping up some fanservice for the female audience too! It's no wonder Agito/Akito are a favourite amongst fans.

Ikki mocks Agito, Agito mocks Ikki. Akito gets out. And then the fangirls realize, yes, this IS going to go there.

And then Kaito gets the raid under way. Everyone's running/skating/driving away. Agito wants to finish off his "prey". Ikki brings up the frog in the well story that we will hear a million times over every time we get an Agito/Akito centric subplot. And then there's some m/m midair kissing. Ikki's face pretty much sums up what all the male readers are thinking.

I guess that should be a warning. There's two male on male kiss scenes in this volume (they're pretty mild though)--a volume directed at older teen males. I'm sure Oh! Great was laughing it up when he did that. Especially at the fact that it would get him female readers. Thus, in all the fanservice madness, he's got a lock on both genders for his audience, and he can now get away with anything. I tell you, that man knows what he's doing.

The last part involves Agito/Akito staying with Ikki and getting away from his brother. It's all Akito (being completely adorable) for the rest of the volume. Ringo's not too pleased about any of this, but won't admit why. Of course, everyone already knows why. Akito explains about him and Agito. Not that an explanation is needed. It's obvious he has split personalities. Kaito comes to retrieve Agito/Akito, but Ikki steps in and it's decided Agito/Akito will be staying with Ikki and the sisters.

This is definitely an important volume. Agito/Akito will quickly outshine most of the other characters already introduced, and with him, Ikki's team can finally start battling. This volume also talks more about what "roads". There's hints about Ringo's importance too, through Agito, but it's not made clear yet what the actual significance of it is.

The series really starts to pick up from this volume on. These first four volumes feel like they've all been working towards this point--where Ikki can finally battle.

Next volume will be covering that first battle. The fanservice will also be picking back up, on both sides.

Review also posted here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32...

and here: http://basementtime.livejournal.com/8... ( )