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In a timeless romance one of the most somber things you’ll realize is that one of you will live to see the death of the other. I was 16 years old when I picked up Hayate and realized, hey, this character is the same age as me. As I grew older I came to my own realization that Hayate will continue to be 16 forever. I will be going through life while Hayate, poor Hayate, will still be attempting to pay off his debt and power through the silliest adventures you can think of. In a world where the parody genre is dominated by Gintama, ... Hayate keeps breathing through the will of its ever aging fanbase.

Unlike recent titles, this manga does not change to bring more fans. It does not take a stab into the food of conformism but ignores and stays pure to its fanbase. Every arc will be a rush of euphoria as you start remembering how you spend your childhood. Maybe you spent your childhood playing B-Daman or watching Pokemon. Hayate reminds you of those precious moments with its own brand of slapstick comedy.

If you want a comedy which has quick paced plot progression this is not for you. This piece is not for those who want to look at something nice, this is for those who want to remember. With constant reminders and fourth-wall busting you’ll find something you can relate to.

Lets start off with the main protagonist: Hayate. Hayate is a happy go-lucky kid who fell in some bad times. This does not deter our protagonist. He will do anything, and I mean anything, to pay off his debt and finally live a normal teenage life. He is not spiteful of the people who have brought him into these bad times either. “Good things come to people who work hard” someone told him.

Nagi is our second main protagonist: a tsundere (yes a tsundere) girl who is the sole heiress to a massive fortune. Hayate recognized her immediately as “having money.” It would be a mistake to say that she's not the median that keeps the waving plot going. After falling in love with a Hayate in his attempt to trick her, he then signs on as her butler.

Can I describe the other characters? Probably not. Not without any bias. Everyone has their own taste in the characters but I found the characters to be the best part of the entire series. You will learn to love, hate, and admire characters as you dive in and become consumed by them. You wish you could meet them in real life and maybe you even go as far as imagining them as your friend. This comes as no surprise as I often wished that I could share a beer Hayate. This does not mean I don't want to strangle him and to knock him out. Those condescending feelings are thoughts you get after experiencing someone for years.

Most people struggle to relate to most shounen characters. The amount of plot armor and asspulls found in shounens are some of its flaws found in the genre. Yes, this is a problem of this manga too as it grows apparent that the author needs popular character relevant. Out of all the crazy and maniacal things that happen, your forehead will scrunch as you realize "Hmm. This isn't right." The manga holds for dear life as you hope that a chapter has relevant plot material.

It becomes increasingly relevant halfway through the manga that the story's worst enemy is not one of the crazy antagonists but the author himself. Every attempt to bring suspense into the story comes to a screeching halt as the suspense is overwritten and the last arc was completely irrelevant to the story itself. You'll also find that the author will begin to force things down your throat and tell you "You better like it. I just cooked it up." The author forcing things became very apparent as Hayate started become aware of the romantic feelings around you. This often happens with the harem genre as the fanbase conducts waifu wars.

As I held for dear life every week I often wondered if this manga will ever end.

Now that I'm here at the end I can't find the courage to close my laptop and say goodbye.

I can't recommend this anime to a 16 year old. I just can't. You'll find that you'll even have to Google some of the references that come up. Even I had to Google a good amount. But to a fellow 26 year old I'll definitely bring up the title with a smile to my face. Remember, art wasn't meant to look nice. Its purpose to make you feel something. I have to say that it definitely made me feel something as I went through schooling, finding a job, and other adult things with Hayate awaiting me every week for another grand story.