After Keitaro and Naru went on their "trip of discovery" and everyone was forced to go after them, everyone finally returns home…only to get their lives disrupted by one thing after another. If it isn't a flying turtle it's a new girl in the Hinata house or Keitaro trying to decide what to do with his life. Will Keitaro and Naru ever get together or is something introduced this volume that separates them both for good?

Love Hina Vol. 4 almost seems like two different books merged into one, as there is a drastic shift in quality at around the halfway point of this installment. So what's the reason for the shift? I'll give you one word – Sarah. As if the series didn't already have enough girls in it, we've now got another rambunctious runt who acts like Su's twin. For almost the entire volume Sarah has only one goal – to make Keitaro's life a living hell by constantly tricking him and making him get into accidents. There is a little potential for the character, but mostly I just want her gone.

Love Hina 4

Before Sarah comes along, however, the fourth volume of Love Hina is actually quite good. In the first part, for example, we have Keitaro and Naru wondering what they are going to do now that they flunked their exams, while a mysterious smoking man makes his first appearance. The story of Keitaro and Naru's relationship continues when Keitaro learns from Kitsune the truth about the man Naru made a promise to regarding Tokyo U. If you find yourself identifying with poor Keitaro, you'll be really moved by the scene he has with Naru in the rain. It's the most honest scene and reaction yet in the series, and one that strikes the hardest because of that exact reason.

Besides the two main portions of this volume, there is also a side-adventure starring Tama-chan and one following Motoko. The story about Tama-chan involves the same goofy antics Love Hina has used for the bulk of the series, though mixing in a tour of the Hinata House for good measure. Thankfully, the Motoko story is excellent, and especially appreciated since the character has been fairly one-dimensional so far. It's nice to see Motoko acting girly for a change, which comes about when she loses a bet with Keitaro. It's touching to hear Motoko talk about her insecurities, which is surprising when you look at the drawings and think, "Really? How could she feel that way about herself?" I guess it goes to show you that everyone thinks negatively about themselves at one time or another. Also, there's a downtrodden look that Motoko gives Keitaro near the end of her tale that will absolutely melt your heart, and most of the credit all comes from the artistry of the scene.

Love Hina's fourth volume is a really polarizing book. On one hand the book has some great moments, but too much of it is ruined by new secondary characters that just aren't that interesting. Hopefully the next volume will return the focus to the series regulars.

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