Saber Marionette I got my grubby little paws on vol 1 of the manga...

Cool to know that it's on the market. Another thing to buy for me. Heh.

 

Just got Volume 1 yesterday in the mail. Finally broke down and ordered the thing. Read it right before bedding down for the night.

And, hoo-boy is it Ecchi.

Evidence enough to that fact: A running gag is that Otaru is going to run out of blood because of all the nosebleeding.

That won't stop me from scooping up the next 4 Tokyopop volumes, though.

 

'fraid this is the only version. There was a single parody version, but beyond that, nothing.

I think what we're really craving at the end of the Anime is a translation of the original novels, but that ain't likely gonna happen.

I picked up volume 2 and will continue with the remaining 3, but it is quite Ecchi. Not to mention the translaters don't seem to keep the characterization too well. About every line Bloodberry says is some horrible sex pun...

The preview blurb seems to point that the series is going off in the Radio Drama's version with a little affection developing between Otaru and the Saber Dolls. While it follows the anime fairly close in condensed format, I'm seeing it throw out enough factors to shift how the story may turn out.

Really nothing to be too excited about in the manga thus far (unless you're perverted...there's quite some fanservice in there), but it may just pull itself into good graces again in the volumes to come...

 

Got my hands on volume 3 two days ago - it's been out since late last month.

And well...it's discouraging. Volume three is mainly what you get when you take the "love comedy" episode of J Again, draw out the story elements of it, and strip all six marionettes down nude. :sad:

*sigh* Somewhat expected with the curve the other two volumes had, but I had faint hope it would redeem itself. Akahori even labels himself as an uncouth guy feeling like a dirty old man looking at Kotoyoshi's drawings of...er...big melons under a brief bio page at the end of the volume.

That aside, there were some interesting event setups, and since volume 3 is the midpoint, and SM usually drops comedy for plot in the later half, the manga may yet redeem itself.

Strangely enough, it appears Tiger and Otaru make up the closest couple by the end of the volume...a niche usually filled by Lime; Hanagata actually *wins* a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors against Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry ("it must be true love!"); and Luchs beats Cherry in a cooking competition(!).

Still, the manga falls far short of what the anime offers. If you're looking for a deep story, great character development, and lots of emotion, you're better off with the anime. If you're looking for a few cheap laughs, nudity, or can overlook those two for a few little nifty story tangents, then perhaps the manga is worth a look.

Until then, I await Volume 4. Baka Out.

 

Volume 4 certainly picked up a bit from the 3rd, and yes, the biggest part of it is the developed relationship between Otaru and Tiger, and how it makes an impact on things as her memory of Faust is regained.

While still mediochrity compared to the anime, volume 4 is certainly one of the better of the bunch, feeling more in tune with the series as a whole. With the final volume out, I shall have to scoop it up to finish off this last sidestory, which does manage to present some interesting variations from the familiar story I am used to.