“Makoto Kuribayashi is your typical high schooler with a not-so-typical after-school gig as a housekeeper. His latest client? None other than his school's most popular teacher, the gorgeous Rumiko Hotta. But Hotta-sensei is hiding a dirty little secret: she's a total slob, the polar opposite of her flawless public image! Now, Makoto's got the unenviable task of cleaning up after her mess. Will his admiration for Hotta-sensei survive a dose of harsh reality in this irreverent comedy?” (Azuki)
You Can Read You're So Sloppy, Hotta-sensei on
Azuki: Your Digital Manga Cafe
Leaning into teenage desires with a sharp comedic wit, Mao Nakada offers her interpretation of the tried-and-tested formula of a young man finding himself inexplicably indebted to an older buxom beauty. Not necessarily adding new substance to the comedy/ecchi formula, ‘You're So Sloppy, Hotta-sensei” still manages to tease and please in a way that fans will adore.
The comedic styling of Nakada, in particular, pushes the series forward and keeps it consistently entertaining. Mokato and Rumiko work as a pairing with the young students' awkwardness towards his busty teacher often serving as the punchline. His timid nature and understanding of the situation's inappropriateness also lead to some of the best lines, as he tries to quell his thoughts through mantras like “breasts are just fat deposits.” Rumiko, for her part, does play more into the obtuse stereotype, yet, her determination to keep the two's arrangements a secret while balancing drastically different work and home personas humanizes the character.
Ecchi which deals with different age relationships, especially when students are involved, always enters a slightly moral gray area. This is still an issue with “You're So Sloppy, Hotta-sensei,” but each character has a wholesome edge that makes the inherent shortcomings less erroneous. This can largely be attributed to Mao Nakada bringing a female perspective to the genre that does not break the mold but understands how to land that balance where the work does not feel exploitative or ‘yucky.' Additionally, the comedy and character-building are more emphasized than the lewd elements.
Still, those who are drawn to titles of this ilk for their eroticism won't be disappointed with Mao Nakada's art. Her ability to endow Hottan-san with ample curves is more realistic than the overt disproportion forms you will find in many sexualized comedies, which compliments the tone of the story. The character expressions and mannerisms are well captured and bring a lot of personality to both Mokato and Rumiko (though Rumiko is definitely the visual draw all around). Most importantly, the art perfectly sets up the humorous moments, whether it be that accidental cleavage or the awkward realization thereof.
Mao Nakada's “You're So Sloppy, Hotta-sensei” ticks all the boxes for what one would want out of a comedy/ecchi title. Still, it does enough to slightly distinguish itself from the slew of other titles out there on Nakada's skill as a witty humourist and visual artist. The release fits well into the Azuki catalog, with the site/app often finding the right balance of familiarity with a genre but finding titles that differentiate themselves enough to keep consistent interest in any manga they add. The series is easy to pick up, enjoy, and come back to, also making the chaptered releases on the platform ideal for adding “You're So Sloppy, Hotta-sensei” into your rotation of ongoing reads.
