Hayate, child of gambling addicted parents sold by them to pay off their debts, lives out his days as the personal butler to the heiress of the powerful Sanzenin fortune.  Fetching and carrying for Nagi, the 13 year old in question, is far from the only job he performs, though.  For this is Hayate, the Combat Butler we are talking about, and when he isn’t enduring a withering range of abuse from Nagi, he is fighting off talking tigers, nursing robots, obnoxious fiancés and a host of other terrors.  He must endure, however, for he will have his organs sold to the yakuza if he doesn’t measure up.  Will he ever manage?

Volume Three of HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER, published by Viz from a manga printed in WEEKLY SHONEN SUNDAY, is rich with more of the same antics that filled the pages of the first two volumes, but in this one, the artist/author Kenjiro Hata, seems to have really hit his stride.  Continuing to smile and nod while he ducks and covers is becoming second nature in the story by now, and in his first duel against the rude and anti-social Wataru Tachibana- betrothed to Nagi in an arrangement made by their respective parents- Hayate actually must hold back in order not to completely destroy the guy.  Thus begins in a very roundabout way a new association for our hero.  However, it is far from a fast friendship that develops, as Wataru has developed a crush on Isumi, Nagi’s gentle and totally misdirected friend who really couldn’t find, let alone fight her way out of a paper bag.  This sets up some interesting moments later as the nature of Isumu’s feelings towards boys in general leads to some comic misunderstandings with Nagi.  We are also introduced to Wataru’s maid, Saki Kijima, who assists him in the video shop where he works.  (Long story short, Wataru’s family lost most of its fortune in the recession, with only their chain of video stores surviving.  Despite this, they still keep servants and a fairly extravagant lifestyle, and hope to marry into the Sanzenin family to restore their wealth.)  Saki is adorable, and makes a good ally for Hayate.  Maria, who returns in this volume, sees her more as a rival, however.  Clearly some ‘maid to order’ action may be around the corner in future volumes.

Other stories revolve around a trip to find Tokyo’s underground- leading to some wild adventures along the way, a visit to the amusement park in Nagi’s own backyard, featuring rides with height requirements she cannot make and mascots who have homicidal tendencies towards Hayate.  Surviving his battles in the park, Hayate then has a misadventure in the bath, leading to more discoveries like the fact the Sanzenin mansion is powered by none other than Akira!

Returning characters include Tama the talking tiger, Sakuya Aizawa, a ‘friend’ of Ojo’s, obsessed with manzai comedy, detesting of anyone who loves fermented soybeans (natto), and speaking with a heavy accent, and the nursing robot Number 8, which has its personality downloaded by its nutty creator into a giant mecha that tries to kill Nagi.

This volume maintains the episodic flavor of earlier editions, in keeping with its roots a Sunday supplement.  As a result, readers can either digest the whole volume in one sitting, or read it in installments without becoming lost in picky plot details.  However, the pacing is so fast, and the action is so laugh-out-loud funny, it would be hard to put it down once you get started on it.  The characters often step out of the pages to reflect on the nature of the manga they are in, adding to the jokes.  Finally, the constant references to famous anime or manga series throughout just add to the fun for the readers.  This is a situation comedy, and neither the creator nor his characters will let you forget it. 

IN SUMMARY:
HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER Volume 3 is a zinger of a zany comedy that will make you laugh out loud with its crazy situations and over the top humor.  There’s a lot to like in this story, and a lot of stories in this volume to love.