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This manga is better than you probably think it is.

I'll start with the only real negative: this isn't much more than a typical ecchi series, so you shouldn't attempt it if you're expecting any real romance or character development. There's a bit of fanservice, but not to the degree of, say, KissxSis or Yomeiro Choice. The fanservice actually leans toward cutesy, moe shots and specific fetishes than the traditional boobs-in-face style that I'm personally sick of.

The characters are probably the best part of this series. Their personalities are generic, but the dialogue is extremely entertaining, and it's fun to watch them interact with each other. ... I literally laughed at a few of the comedic scenes, which is surprising since many self-proclaimed"comedy/ecchi" manga aren't actually funny. The art is also extremely good, perhaps thanks to the fact that it's published monthly (Web Comic High). The characters are visually appealing and each panel is fairly detailed, but I'm even more impressed by how well the expressions and reactions complement the dialogue. You'll probably grow attached to the O_O emoticon after reading this one.

Altogether, this is an above-average ecchi/comedy that's actually pretty funny. Don't pretend to read it for the plot; read it for the cute characters and hilarious dialogue.

Houkago Play is the type of manga that people like me love. It promises a steady stream of in-jokes and otaku references, characters that break the fourth wall with their intentionally cliche traits, and a pleasant serving of moe and fanservice on the side. Like Lucky Star or Seitokai no Ichizon, it's the sort of thing that has a narrow appeal, but should easily be able to win the hearts of its fans.

Unfortunately, I believe Houkago Play misses the mark in terms of both story and entertainment, making it mediocre even to moe fans like myself.

The first problem is the story. As you can assume ... from the fact that it's a short 4koma series, it doesn't have much of a plot. However, the couple in question is far too unrealistic to tingle the hearts of any but the most delusional fans. I don't think the mangaka meant for their relationship to be taken seriously, but it's obvious that it's a totally implausible situation. It might generate that "warm and fuzzy" feeling in you if you're into purely fluffy romance, but don't expect your suspension of disbelief to last. It's also worth mentioning that the art is below par, which ruins the heroine's potential moe appeal.

However, having said that, the real problem with the series is the comedy. Quite simply, it isn't funny. Unlike most meta/reference comedies that focus on subtle references and quick punchlines, Houkago Play feels more like listening to a couple of gamers talk. Many of the comics don't have a punchline at all, which feels extremely awkward in the 4koma format. There are a handful of funny moments, and the dialogue is always entertaining, but "entertaining" doesn't cut it when the story is nonexistent and the character interaction is blatant and ineffective fantasy fulfillment.

The bottom line is that I do not dislike Houkago Play because of its genre or target audience - in fact, I'm a proud member of the target audience. I simply dislike it because it could have been so much more with less time spent on the "romance", or, better yet, jokes that are actually funny.