▪	RELEASED BY:		INFINITY STUDIOS
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		KUNIHIKO TANAKA
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / BW
		▪	PAGES:		176
		▪	RATING:		OT
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		07/25/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		09/19/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		SCOTT CAMPBELL

Ichigeki Sacchu Hoihoi-san (Interceptor Doll Hoihoi-San) was originally a video game series in Japan, but is well suited for manga and anime. As an anime, it has already been made into a short ten minute OVA that is available for download with English subtitles, and hopefully will prove worthy of some longer feature in the near future. The manga version has now been made available in North America through Infinity Studios, a publisher well known for keeping with the original intent of the titles they translate. Surely this positive trait will please many anime and manga fans looking for an unedited treat such as is Hoihoi-san.

As the story goes, Hoihoi-san is the result of the public’s need for a new killer appliance. With the invention of the automatic vacuum robot and the time-set video recording devices, what is the next breakthrough in home electronics? Why that would be cute female mini-robots that kill bugs of course! A corporation in this alternate universe has created such a pest control agent and it's the hottest selling item ever. The book takes the reader on a journey with one enthusiast of these robots called HoiHoi-sans. Owning a bug killing miniature robotic girl can have both joys and let downs, but you can always be sure that your wallet will be empty.

Hoihoi-San is looked at as not just an appliance that kills bugs; it’s also an extension of the owner. This kind of product/owner connection is not a new idea though - just look at the mobile phone. A mobile phone is supposed to allow the user to call people - that’s the basic function. But now your phone can also take pictures, take video clips, type text, browse the internet, play music, etc. Not to mention the amount of ascetic add-ons that are now available for phones also.  Hoihoi-san is much like this real world example - it’s an technophile’s dream really. Wouldn’t it be fun to own a small robot set up with machine guns, lasers, tracking devices, etc. to hunt down insect pests in your home? Besides that, these robot girls can also be upgraded with different clothes and weapons. Other companies start to come out with similar products, like “Combat-san”, which funny enough don’t get along with each other and end up getting in some fire fights between bug exterminations. But the jokes about upgrades and new equipment for the Hoihoi-sans are the best. It’s so inherently part of what being an Otaku is all about - long time/fairly engrossed fans of manga and anime will find this manga absolutely hilarious. Anyhow, we all like to collect and customize things to a certain extent, and with Hoihoi-san it all relates back to whatever suits the wants and needs of the owner - and not to mention what he/she can afford! Hoihoi-san is described as a somewhat costly interest - that might remind you of our little hobby: Manga/Anime. So there’s plenty to relate to in relation to being a fan - it’s a fun idea with a formula similar to many already proven series.

The concept of Hoihoi-san is already pretty catchy, but the art is just awesome. It has a great mix of being cutesy, and then all of a sudden turning very volatile and sci-fi. It’s really no wonder though, as it centers around a cute little girl robot in a dress and bows who ever now and then is forced to whip out her anti-tank rifle and fill some cockroaches full of holes. It sort of just goes with the territory. The attention to detail with the Hoihoi-san’s and the weapons they use is great. It’s funny how much thought goes into making these make-believe products a “reality” within the manga too. They all have different packaging, come with different parts, etc. There’s even a Christmas Special Hoihoi-san that wears a Santa suit and stuffs her “prey” into her Santa Sack for safe keeping. All in all, it is a really entertaining manga that just has to be read to be fully understood. Once you’re immersed in the world of Hoihoi-san, you’ll understand the allure completely, and wish these little robots were something you could actually pick up at an electronics store, no question.

IN SUMMARY:
Hoihoi-san is awesome! It’s so easy to become quickly immersed in this fantasy hobby, as it’s such a fun idea. It’s full of awesome mecha designs and lots of tongue in cheek humor. Highly recommended for the legion of Otaku out there in waiting.