Hayate the combat butler

The original Japanese name is a pun: Hayate is the name of the protagonist, and the expression “hayate-no gotoku” ( 疾風 の 如 く ) can be translated as “fast, like a whirlwind”. Since this pun is not saved when translated into other languages, the work is also equipped with the English subtitle “Hayate the combat butler”, that is, “Hayate, the military butler”. When translating the name into other languages, for example, into Russian, the English version is often used.

Parody

The first season of the anime is a parody, in some ways the plot is similar to a mixture of Excel Saga and Zero no Tsukaima . In most episodes, there are a lot of references to famous animes, characters often mock about the absurdity of situations familiar to anime, speak directly to the viewer and broadcaster, discuss their own roles and read the Hayate no gotoku! Manga about themselves.

References

One of the main features of the plot are references to other anime and aspects of popular culture. Characters often compare what is happening with characters or events of other animes, busts depicting different heroes appear in the frame, other hints of popular characters or famous plot twists are also used. Typically, characters make references in plain text, saying aloud either the name of another work or the names of heroes. Such moments are crammed with censorship.

Ayasaki Hayate was a sixteen-year-old Japanese schoolboy. In addition to studying, he had to work hard, because his parents did not work, and in general led a wasteful lifestyle. Once, before Christmas, they left the city, selling Hayate Yakuza and leaving him a “gift” of debt in the amount of 156,804,000 yen. Upon returning home, the Yakuza came for him, and Hayate had to immediately flee the house. In desperation, he decided to kidnap some rich girl, then to demand a ransom for her. Moreover, a suitable girl, unfamiliar to him then, just appeared - Nagi from the incredibly wealthy Sanzengyin family. Hayate politely tried to explain to Nagi that he wanted to abduct her, but she misunderstood him, deciding that he confessed his love to her. With the advent of the real kidnappers and after meeting with Maria, the maid of Nagi, Hayate decided to save the girl. After salvation, he asked Nagi to find him a job. So he became her butler.

Sanjengin Manor

Hayate Ayasaki ( 綾 崎 ハ ヤ テ Ayasaki Hayate ) - the butler of the Sanzengyin family, forced to work from the age of nine to secure the debts of his parents. The experience gained was very useful for Hayate as a butler, making him an almost perfect employee. His parents were scammers and gamblers. Nothing is known about the whereabouts of the older brother, whom he had not seen for ten years. The dissolute life led his parents to accumulate huge debt and they sold their son, the Yakuza, as payment of their debt of 150 million yen. Mistress Nagi somewhat compensated for Hayate’s worthless life by placing him in the elite Hakuo Academy. Living in a mansion, Hayate still retains an ascetic lifestyle, and his room looks empty and poor. People around him often say that Hayate says “poor man” and “loser to the marrow”, many call him “butler in debt”. Harsh childhood made Hayate a man who did not understand the feelings of girls, and his mistakes in communicating with them. However, Hayate sincerely believes that he is loved by children, and he considers his children not only Nagi's friends, but also herself, trying each time to set a good example for her and set her on the right path, as a good butler should. Despite the fact that he does not have a romantic interest in his mistress, he often, quite by accident, says things that make her blush and think that Hayate loves her. However, the young butler falls in love with the more mature girl Maria, from the moment they first met. Hayate, however, does not show his feelings, and Maria does not yet reciprocate, not thinking about the opposite field at all. Hayate is an excellent butler, able to cope with any work. Able to come to the aid of Nagi (or someone else) at any time. At the moments when Nagi needs his help, he is able to handle any weapon and withstand the strongest loads. While working as a courier, I discovered the ability of extremely fast cycling.

The name "Hayate" is consonant with the hieroglyphs meaning "storm" ( Japanese 疾風 ).

Seiyu : Shiraishi Ryouko

Nagi Sanzengyin ( Jap. 三千 院 ナ ギ Sanzengen Nagi ) is a 13-year-old landowner in Tokyo, the heiress of the state of the Sanzengyin family. Hot-tempered, jealous, spoiled, but kind and sweet. Typical representative of the tsundere archetype. He is fond of manga, anime and video games. He draws his own manga, the plot of which, apart from Nagi herself, can only be understood by her friend Isumi. In love with Hayate, but not able to admit it to him. Due to the fact that Nagi spent most of her life on her estate, she does not like to go beyond it once again. She is not able to take care of herself and does not know many elementary things. Not able to go to the store or use public transport. He cooks terribly, but constantly makes attempts to feed someone with a dish of his own preparation. To death, she is afraid of the dark and sleeps with the light on.

Before meeting with Hayate, Nagi practically did not go to school, was not entertained by anything other than computer games, and behaved closed. She didn’t go out, fearing the kidnappers and other dangers. Gradually became a hikikomori . After meeting with Hayate, she changed a lot. After Hayate moved to Hakuo School, she began to attend classes with him. Being protected by Hayate, she ceased to be afraid of many dangers associated with her high position and huge fortune. Despite laziness and unwillingness to study, he has good grades and knows 8 languages.

The name “Nagi” is consonant with a hieroglyph meaning “calm” or “calm” ( Japanese 凪 ).

Seiyu : Rie Kugimiya

Maria ( マ リ ア Maria ) is a 17-year-old maid in Sanzengyin's house, Nagi's friend. A very intelligent and insightful person, she knows about the real reason why Hayate met with Nagi, but is silent about it. She looks and behaves older than her years, which is why she periodically reminds the rest of her real age.

Seiyu : Rie Tanaka

Seishiro Klaus ( 倉 臼 征 史 郎 Kurausu Seishiro:) is the 58-year-old chief butler of the Sanzenin family. Initially, he was against Hayate becoming a butler, but was soon forced to agree. As a butler of the old school, he constantly teaches the young Hayate. Refers to the work of a butler with fanaticism. Often threatens to fire Hayate, which Nagi always prevents. Hayate envies, but does not show.

Seiyu : Kenta Miyake

Tama ( タ マ ама Tama ) is a tame white tiger living in the house of Nagi as a pet. He knows how to talk, but only Hayate knows about it. Nagi was found as a baby in Africa 8 years ago, where she went shortly after her mother’s death, but since “there are no tigers in Africa”, he was recognized as a kitten.

Seiyu : Jurota Kosugi

Akane Himegami ( 姫 神 茜 Himegami Akane ) - Former military butler of the Sanzengyin family. He was fired before the events of the series. A very strange young man, about the same age as Maria and Hayate. In his own words, he is famous for the “eye for eye” method, which served as the reason for the hostile relations between him and his mistress. He likes bananas and high places. Sincerely believes in the existence of UFOs and other supernatural things, although in the conversation this topic is almost never related. Secretive. Present in both openings of the first season. His combat skills are quite well developed, Himegami surpasses here not only Hayate, but also possibly all the other military butlers of the series. Knows a huge number of special techniques butlers. In the same series, Himegami appears only in episode 38 protecting Nagi and Hayate from attack, where he already wears a mask and asks to call him “Princess God”, which is a literal translation of his name (“Himegami” consists of the characters “hime” - the princess and Kami is God). His very face is shown only from the entry into the 40 series. In the future, this character does not appear.

Seiyu : Mitsuo Iwata

Friends of Nagi

Sakuya Aizawa ( 愛 沢 咲 夜 Aizawa Sakuya ) is Nagi's cousin from Kansai . Like Nagi, she is very rich, spoiled, selfish and does not know how to lose. Nagi has known the longest. The eldest child in a family with three younger sisters and one younger brother. Likes to appear on the Nagi estate without warning. He is fond of the “ stand-up ” genre. He considers it his duty, as a comedy character, to entertain the audience with his jokes, to which Hayate also associates. He always carries a folding fan, but uses it mainly instead of a baton.

Seiyu : Kana Ueda

Isumi Saginomia ( 鷺 ノ 宮 伊 澄 Saginomia Isumi ) is Nagi's best friend, whom she met a long time ago at a gala reception. The only one who appreciated the manga written by Nagi, which marked the beginning of friendship. Like Nagi, Isumi is from a very wealthy family. Unlike Nagi, Isumi is very modest, polite and calm. He always talks in a calm and calm voice. Very kind, cooks well. She is terribly oriented and is able to get lost even in her own house, because of which she is almost always accompanied by security guards or friends. Like Nagi, she is poorly versed in basic things. Can not use either a mobile phone or vending machines. He has the ability to expel spirits and often practices exorcism. He prefers traditional Japanese kimono in clothes.

Seiyu : Miyu Matsuki

Vataru Tachibana ( 橘 ワ タ ル Tachibana Vataru ) is the bridegroom of Nagi. He was engaged to her in deep childhood by the decision of her parents in order to solve the financial problems of the family. He lives and works in a video rental shop in Tokyo, which is the last video rental of the Tachibana family and has been on the verge of bankruptcy for some time. His dream is to revive the family business and earn a fortune more than Nagi’s. He is indifferent to the engagement with Nagi, believing that he will choose a bride for himself in the future anyway. In love with Isumi. Hayate at first has a negative attitude, but then tries to take an example from him.

Seiyu : Marina Inoue

Hayate no gotoku!

Opening Topics

• " Hayate no Gotoku! "(ハ ヤ テ の ご と く！): series 1-26

Performed by KOTOKO

• “ Shichiten Hakki * Shijō Shugi ” (七 転 八 起 ☆ 至上 主義): 27-52 series

Performed by KOTOKO

Closing topics

• Proof : Series 1-13

Performed by MELL

• " Get my way! ": Series 14-26

Performed by Mami Kavada

• Chasse Series 27-39

Performed by Kaoru Utatsuki

• Ki no Me Kaze (木 の 芽 風): 40-52 series

Performed by IKU

Hayate no gotoku !! OVA

Closing topic

• " Steppin` "

Performed by Ito Shizuka

Hayate no gotoku !! TV-2

Opening Topics

• Wonder Wind : Series 1-17

Performed by ELISA

• Daily-daily Dream : 18-25 Series

Performed by KOTOKO

Closing topics

• " Honjitsu, Mankai Watashi Iro! "(本 日 、 満 開 ワ タ シ 色！): series 1-17

Performed by Shizuka Ito, Eri Nakao, Sayuri Yahagi, Masumi Asano

• " Karakoi ~ Dakara Shoujo wa Koi wo Suru ~ " (カ ラ コ イ ～ だ か ら 少女 は 恋 を す る ～): 18-25 series

Performed by Kugimiya Rie, Shiraishi Ryouko

Gekijouban Hayate no Gotoku! Heaven is a Place on Earth

Opening Topics

• " Bokura, Kake Yuku Sora e " (僕 ら 、 駆 け 行 く 空 へ)

Performed by Yamazaki Haruka

Closing topics

• " Invisible Message "

Performed by ELISA

• " Heaven is a Place on Earth "

Performed by FripSide, Nanjo Yoshino

Hayate no Gotoku! Can't Take My Eyes Off You TV-3

Opening Topics

• “ Can`t Take My Eyes Off You ”: Series 1-12

Performed by Eyelis

Closing topics

• “ Koi no Wana ” (恋 の 罠): series 1,2, 4-11

Performed by Yamazaki Haruka

• Yoki Shoujo no Tame no Pavane (善 き 少女 の た め の パ ヴ ァ ー ヌ): Episode 3

Performed by Yamazaki Haruka

• Here I Am, Here We Are : Episode 12

Performed by Shiraishi Ryouko, Kugimiya Rie, Yamazaki Haruka

Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties TV-4

Opening Topics

• " Haru Ulala Love yo Koi !!! "(春 ULALA ♥ LOVE よ 来 い !!!): series 1-12

Performed by Ito Shizuka

Closing topics

• " Heroine wa Koko ni Iru! "(ヒ ロ イ ン は こ こ に い る!): Episode 1

Performed by Shiraishi Ryouko

• Asterisk (ア ス タ リ ス ク): Episode 2

Performed by Kugimiya Rie

• " Isogaba Smile! "(急 が ば ス マ イ ル!): Episode 3

Performed by Ueda Kahn

• Manmaru Kakurenbo (ま ん ま る か く れ ん ぼ): Episode 4

Performed by Matsuki Miyu

• Daikirai wa Koi no Hajimari (ダ イ キ ラ イ は 恋 の は じ ま り): Episode 5

Performed by Ito Shizuka

• Nano Kiss (ナ ・ ノ ・ キ ・ ス): Episode 6

Performed by Yahagi Sayuri

• Tsuki no Inori (月 の 祈 り): Episode 7

Performed by Yamazaki Haruka

• Walkin` : Series 8

Performed by Takahashi Mikako

• Poker Face for All Series 9

Performed by Fujimura Ayumi

• Yakusoku (約束): Episode 10

Performed by Tanaka Rie

• Suiyoubi no Sunday (水 曜 日 の サ ン デ ー): Episode 11

Performed by Hikasa Yoko

• Invitation ~ Kimi to Iru Basho de ~ (Invitation 〜 君 と い る 場所 で 〜): Episode 12

Performed by Shiraishi Ryouko, Kugimiya Rie, Tanaka Rie

Performed by Shiraishi Ryouko, Kugimiya Rie, Yamazaki Haruka

• Official anime website

• Hayate the Combat Butler Manga in the Anime News Network Encyclopedia

• Hayate the Combat Butler anime in Anime News Network Encyclopedia
• Anime "Hayate the Combat Butler" in the AniDB Database

Reviews

• Review of the Anime News Network website
• Review on The Fandom Post website
• Review on THEM Anime website