MamaYuyu Vol. 1: Spoiler-Free Review (Safe for Comic-Only Readers!)

*Updated February 22nd
◆I have added my thoughts on the bonus content before the summary.

It is a difficult world for those who only read the collected volumes to browse reviews without encountering spoilers.
This article is a review covering only the contents of MamaYuyu Vol. 1(I will mention that it gets even better, though).
Please read this article with peace of mind.

As a reader of the Jump magazine serialization, I know what happens further ahead, but reading through the chapters included in Vol. 1 again is a deeply rewarding experience.
I will post links to my real-time chapter reviews at the end, so I will discuss the overall impressions of Vol. 1 based on three charms: "The incredible first chapter," "Character appeal," and "Emotional depiction."
I will summarize my thoughts on the bonus pages at the end.

◆Charm 1: The incredible first chapter

*There are two panels where the dialogue has changed from the first chapter available on Jump+, so let's buy the comic and find them.

After watching the voice comic, I realized once again that the perfection of the first chapter is just too high.
① The overwhelming sense of a different world and power, literally, from the Hero Evan and Demon King End who suddenly appeared in the peaceful world of Hero Coreleo and Demon King Mamama, is enough toforeshadow a grand fantasy.② Within that worldview,
the detailed emotional depiction, which adds minimal text to unique panel layouts and expressions that grab your heart,has the dignity of something you can only read in this manga, even in the first chapter.Personally, I think it is No. 1 among the Jump serialization lineup in terms of the emotional depiction mentioned in ②.

The human-like weakness shown by Evan, who seemed to have lost his humanity in exchange for overwhelming power.
The brilliance of the expression that emphasizes Mamama's feelings—who cannot say the words "Don't ever say you shouldn't have been born" in a strong tone because of her overwhelming sadness—through small dialogue and panel layout.
These delicate psychological depictions are portrayed
amidst a

dynamic developmentinvolving a grotesque Demon King, the protagonist Coreleo who is killed by her, and Evan, who breathes the Hero's ambition—which Coreleo reminded him of—into his own life to resurrect him.What is this?

What was I being shown in the Jump I casually read at the store? (My thoughts at the time).
I am surely not the only one who felt goosebumps at the title call on the final page.

I had drifted away from Jump a bit and canceled my digital subscription, but I restarted it.I still think that was a brilliant decision.

The first chapter is so amazing that when looking at the entire volume, the strength of the grand fantasy in ① might not have been fully unleashed yet, but that conversely means that the emotional depiction in Charm 3, which I will discuss later, is fully present.
Rest assured. This is not a manga that will disappoint those who were drawn in by the first chapter, even in the second volume and beyond.
There is no doubt that you will be stunned by the further acceleration in the second volume.

◆Charm 2: Character appeal

This is a manga that is terrifyingly good at bringing out the charm of its characters.
The character appeal is already at an all-time high with Mamama and Evan appearing in the first chapter, but then there is the heroine, Elysia, who appears after Mamama is faded out, carrying a line of impact that is no joke: "Won't you become my reason for living?"
Appearing like a cheerful klutz, she hints at having a past heavier than imagined from the moment she appears, yet her posture of not hanging her head is the very definition of a shonen manga heroine.
And the bonus pages are too cute. I am so glad I bought the comic.
I am convinced from the first volume that it will continue to entertain us every time a new character appears.

Although I was convinced, I don't think anyone could have predicted that within the same volume, a character like"the abusive idol Demon King"would appear, who seems like they would be enough to fill you up just with their attributes.
Minerva, who appears in the final chapter of the first volume and shows the dignity of a master while also displaying the Kirakira-boshi crest art that fits the idol attribute, has the power to make you understand why this Jump comic includes eight chapters instead of the usual seven.

・Coreleo: Level 1

I haven't touched on Coreleo alone until now, but my favorite character in this manga is Coreleo.
When you think of a Hero, you think of RPGs. And in RPGs, the Hero usually starts at Level 1.
Similarly, Coreleo's story begins from a point of weakness unimaginable in recent manga, truly at Level 1.
Surprisingly, Coreleo does not use any attacks other than "punching," "kicking," and "throwing" in the first volume.
A protagonist who doesn't fire off special moves.

So what is his charm? It is his goodness, having no hesitation in exposing his own weakness and never breaking his stance of dialogue to understand the other party, and the strength of heart as a Hero who can stand up to any enemy to protect others even without physical strength.
Because he has such a solid core from when he is weak, I can look forward to seeing what kind of success he will show when he grows in terms of strength as well.
"I'm very weak because I've never fought"—his stance ofopening Elysia's heart and seeking dialogue with Escaba first even if he cannot trust him, is a virtue of Coreleo that has nothing to do with strength.

◆Charm 3: Emotional depiction

I have already talked about the emotional depiction in the first chapter, but even after that,the emotional depiction using expressions, motifs, and concise dialogue is provided with an exquisite balance of conveying the essential message to the reader while leaving some parts to the reader's imagination.
Personally, I love:
・The emotional depiction of Coreleo leaving the nest, using the "faucet and chick" motif that also became the subtitle of Chapter 3 (I seriously analyzed this in my chapter-by-chapter reviews).
・The panel in Chapter 5 where Elysia's determination to face the enemy is conveyed by superimposing the line "Thank you" over the enemy's eyeball, clearly showing that Elysia's gaze has shifted from Coreleo to the enemy.
・The line "It hurts" and the expression in Chapter 7, which carries not only the physical pain but also the emotional pain of having her trust betrayed.

・Coreleo's determination

Coreleo's determination to set out on his journey was carefully depicted over three chapters.
I was completely hooked on MamaYuyu during these three chapters, but this development, which focuses on Coreleo's inner self without using flashy special moves in a Jump serialization that is survey-supremacist, is also quite risky.
However,I believe this solid prologue was worth taking that risk.Coreleo, who grew up in a peaceful world and has a kind heart.

From his trembling and fearful appearance, it is clear that this protagonist is naturally not good at fighting or conflict.
However, precisely because he experienced the fear of being unable to move and almost running away once because he had no way to fight, Coreleo learned that he must have strength to "protect."
His courageous heart, which seeks strength to protect what is important while disliking conflict and hoping to resolve things through dialogue as much as possible, is worthy of a Hero.

The emotional depiction of Coreleo—from not realizing it when he was acknowledged by Evan in Chapter 1, to having his realization as a Hero gained from being thanked by the demon boy in Chapter 2 broken by Mamama's injury, to answering "I am a Hero" with determination to Pannero's question in Chapter 3—is something I think can only be read in this manga.

◆Bonus section

Additions and corrections to what I tweeted on X. So the writing style suddenly changes from here.

Such a fulfilling bonus page. Is Hayashi-sensei actually getting paid for this part? I hope so! I'd even pay for it!

If I write in detail about the contents of the bonus section, it might hinder sales, so I will talk about my impressions without saying as much as possible about what it is.
It might be easier to understand if you have the comic in one hand.

・Bonus page ① (After Chapter 1)

I laughed at Coreleo being made to blush as a last resort. Come to think of it, Coreleo is expressive but unsociable. I'm looking forward to the scene where he smiles for the first time.
He's so serious that maybe he won't smile until there's peace...

・Bonus page ② (After Chapter 2)

Mamama's history with Fur, her efforts for Coreleo, and her clumsiness in every aspect are just too endearing.
It's precious that the phrase "Coreleo's Hero-ness" comes from Mamama's introduction. It's a manga with hot parent-child bonds.
Also, the art! Don't try to make me feel lust for a baby-faced Demon King mother! Give me more!

・Bonus page ③ (After Chapter 3)

Pannero, you really have a lot going on, don't you.
It made me think once again that they absolutely must do a long flashback arc starring Mama and Halo-Halo.

・Bonus Page 4 (After Chapter 4)

I don't think you can appreciate this part unless you have the physical book. I'm glad I bought the physical copy too.
The double-page spread conveys how Elishia was struggling and fleeing in despair.
Hayashi-sensei's directorial skill shines through even in the bonus pages.

・Bonus Page 5 (After Chapter 5)

I just laughed, and it's cute. You'd think people would keep that kind of interaction to themselves, but the fact that they check it so carefully is just...
The firepower of the straight-faced expressions in Chapter 6 has increased.

・Bonus Page 6 (After Chapter 7)

The nutritional value of this page is too high, even though they're just moving their eyes. Thank you, thank you.
It's heartwarming to think they're doing this kind of thing all the time when it's not being depicted in the main story.

・Bonus Page 7 (After Chapter 8)

The character introductions split into top and bottom sections have become less of a bonus page and more of a work of art.
The end focusing solely on staring at the ominous design, Evan looking far away without giving it a second thought, the contrast between white and black, and the content of the introduction text. It's too perfect.

・Bonus Page 8 (After 7)

I'm going to go lecture Corleo for a bit.

・Bonus Page 9 (After 8)

This was in Jump GIGA, wasn't it?
When there are things you have to learn in a new world, why did you decide to read a collection of witty jokes first? Or the way he seriously says "I see..." to content that would mostly just amuse an elementary schooler—there are so many funny points here.

・Dust Jacket (Fold-in Author Comment)

I felt moved by the purity of Hayashi-sensei, whose expressive power in manga is outstanding, talking about his passion for "drawing."
It's a wonderful author comment that conveys the feeling of loving to draw so much that you can't help it.

◆ Summary

While I wanted to touch on future developments, I managed to write this while only covering the contents of Volume 1.
In addition to the fun of the main story, MamaYuyu Volume 1 also has substantial bonus pages; it's the best comic and well worth the wait! Let's enjoy it together!

◆ For those who haven't read enough

These are impressions from a comprehensive perspective of the entire first volume, so if you want to dig deeper, please check the following as well.
I've written various things. Please feel free to take a look if you'd like.

・Past Chapter Impressions

These are impressions written while reading in real-time in the magazine.
There is also a section just for impressions of the Volume 1 cover art.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8
◆Special Edition: Discussing the Volume 1 Cover Art

・If you don't mind some spoilers...

Since I cannot touch upon future developments, this article has become a frustrating one for me as a magazine reader who thinks, "There's so much more I want to talk about!"
For those who don't mind some spoilers and want to read a review that includes future developments, please check out this article.

Your expectations will be raised, and I guarantee you'll be unable to wait for Volume 2 and will end up buying the existing Jump volumes digitally.