Let’s play Spot the Cliché! Lin Seonu is a clumsy and ditzy high school girl with the ability to see and communicate with spirits. One day, when she’s under attack by an evil creature, a handsome yet stoic guy—whose outfit features many unnecessary buckles—appears and helps her to unleash her hidden powers. This fellow claims to be her guardian and fiancé and, of course, must now take up residence in her house.
Having a premise full of clichés doesn’t necessarily spell disaster, but after a confusing explanation of Lin’s newfound power (in a nutshell, she’s the only person who can control a powerful force known as the Jade of Bango) and mission, the plot of Jade of Bango gets derailed by the introduction of new characters. Instead of focusing on Lin’s new responsibilities or her reaction to same, most chapters feature squabbles between the existing guardian and the hotheaded rival who appears and believes himself a better fit for the position. Later, a pair of buxom catgirl villains waste even more space with their antics.
Jade of Bango has the potential to be fun if it would get back on track. There are a couple of little hints that something more sinister might be afoot and, although the art is nothing great, the depiction of Lin’s benevolent spirit friends is genuinely cute. Too bad the creators seem to lack the attention span to stay on course.
Jade of Bango is known in Korea as Mong Hwan Baek Seo and is up to fifteen volumes. TOKYOPOP publishes it in a 2-in-1 format.
Review copy provided by the publisher. Review originally published at Manga Recon.
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