Ladies versus Butlers! (れでぃ×ばと!, Redi×Bato!) is a Japanese light novel series written by Tsukasa Kōzuki, with accompanying illustrations by Munyū. The series includes 13 novels released between September 2006 and March 2012, published by ASCII Media Works under their Dengeki Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation by the illustrator group Nekoyashiki-Nekomaru was serialized in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Moeoh magazine between the June 2008 and December 2008 issues. A drama CD based on the novels was released in September 2009. A 12-episode anime adaptation produced by Xebec and directed by Atsushi Ōtsuki aired in Japan from January to March 2010. The anime has been licensed by Media Blasters for release in North America.
Ladies versus Butlers! | |
れでぃ×ばと! (Redi×Bato!) | |
---|---|
Genre | Harem, romantic comedy[1] |
Light novel | |
Written by | Tsukasa Kōzuki |
Illustrated by | Munyū |
Published by | ASCII Media Works |
Imprint | Dengeki Bunko |
Demographic | Male |
Original run | September 10, 2006 – March 10, 2012 |
Volumes | 13 |
Manga | |
Written by | Tsukasa Kōzuki |
Illustrated by | Nekoyashiki-Nekomaru |
Published by | ASCII Media Works |
Magazine | Dengeki Moeoh |
Demographic | Seinen |
Original run | June 2008 – December 2008 |
Volumes | 1 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Atsushi Ōtsuki |
Written by | Gō Tamai |
Music by | Kei Haneoka |
Studio | Xebec |
Licensed by | |
Original network | AT-X |
English network | |
Original run | January 5, 2010 – March 23, 2010 |
Episodes | 12 + 6 specials |
Akiharu Hino lost his parents at a young age and his uncle's family adopted him. He decides to enter a boarding school, Hakureiryō Academy, because he no longer wants to burden his relatives. He decides to take the admission exam and succeeds in entering the House Management Department, where the school trains servants for high society. He wants to become a butler, but his delinquent appearance frightens the female students, who make up the majority students. Being unable to get along with his classmates, Akiharu meets his childhood friend Tomomi Saikyō, a girl with a two-faced character who traumatized him many times when they were kids. Another girl named Selnia Iori Flameheart chases after him because of his looks and calls him suspicious. Still, Akiharu starts finding his feet at the school and his relationships with the girls improves.
Ladies versus Butlers! began as a series of light novels written by Tsukasa Kōzuki, with accompanying illustrations by Munyū. ASCII Media Works published 13 novels under their Dengeki Bunko imprint between September 10, 2006 and March 10, 2012.[3][4]
A manga adaptation by the illustrator group Nekoyashiki-Nekomaru was serialized in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Moeoh seinen manga magazine between the June 2008 and December 2008 issues. A single tankōbon volume was released on December 18, 2009 under ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Comics imprint.[5]
An hour-long drama CD based on the novels was released by ASCII Media Works on September 8, 2009. The drama CD was bundled with a booklet featuring material written by Tsukasa Kōzuki and illustrated by Munyū, a leaflet describing the characters, a small collection of rough sketches, and a set of postcards.[6] The CD features three episodes, the second of which is an original story for the drama CD. The voice cast of the drama CD is the same as with the anime adaptation.
An Internet radio show to promote the anime series and other Ladies versus Butlers! media called Mai's and Mariya's Radio versus Butlers! (麻衣と茉莉也のらじ×ばと!, Mai to Mariya no Raji×Bato!) aired 31 episodes between September 28, 2009 and May 31, 2010 hosted on the anime's official website.[7] The show was streamed online every other Monday, and was hosted by Mai Goto and Mariya Ise who voice Pina Sufolmuclan Estoh and Kaede Tenjōji in the anime, respectively. The show's theme song is "Arashi o Yobu Party Nau" (嵐を呼ぶパーティなう) sung by Goto and Ise.
A 12-episode anime television series produced by Xebec and directed by Atsushi Ōtsuki aired in Japan between January 5 and March 23, 2010 on AT-X. The first episode was given a special early broadcast on December 29, 2009 on AT-X.[8][9] Six short bonus specials are included with the Blu-ray Discs. The anime was licensed by Media Blasters in North America,[10] who released it on Blu-ray and DVD on November 3, 2015.[11][12] The series premiered on Toku in the United States in January 2016.
No. | Title | Original airdate | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | "Boy Versus Lady" Transliteration: "Bōi X Redi" (Japanese: ぼーい×れでぃ) | January 5, 2010 | |
A suspicious-looking boy, Akiharu Hino, has transferred to Hakureiryō Academy, a boarding school once known for only high-class young ladies. However upon his arrival, he encounters Selnia Iori Flameheart, who accuses him of being a delinquent, and causes an uproar throughout the campus until Akiharu meets his wicked childhood friend Tomomi Saikyo, who clears the misunderstanding by telling everyone an embarrassing future goal of Akiharu's. | |||
2 | "Lady Versus Lady!" Transliteration: "Redi X Redi!" (Japanese: れでぃ×れでぃ!) | January 12, 2010 | |
Akiharu has a hard time on his first day training to become a butler, getting to know the other servant and upper classmates, and their eccentric personalities. | |||
3 | "Guard Versus Lady?" Transliteration: "Gādo X Redi?" (Japanese: がーど×れでぃ?) | January 19, 2010 | |
For today's practical exam to prove one's faithfulness, Tomomi has Akiharu accept her partnership and gives him an unusual task - to follow Mimina Ōsawa, a little artist who has been hospitalized most of her life, around. | |||
4 | "Lady Versus Virgin?" Transliteration: "Redi X Bājin?" (Japanese: れでぃ×ばーじん?) | January 26, 2010 | |
Akiharu accidentally sees Ayse Khadim's naked skin! Due to her family's customs, Akiharu is forced to become engaged to her. That is, unless either Selnia or Tomomi can do something about it. | |||
5 | "Lady Versus Lady!!" Transliteration: "Redi X Redi!!" (Japanese: れでぃ×れでぃ!!) | February 2, 2010 | |
Upon seeing the score result for an exam, Selnia and Tomomi remark on their days since their first year meeting at Hakureiryō Academy, where they eventually become rivals to see who's the most diligent and growing lady. Meanwhile, the academy's water system goes out-of-order, and the school has to use an indoor natural hot spring for the time being, where the servants and uppers are getting into perversions. | |||
6 | "Secret Versus Boy?" Transliteration: "Shīkuretto X Bōi?" (Japanese: しーくれっと×ぼーい?) | February 9, 2010 | |
Akiharu's roommate Kaoru Daichi, who in reality is a cross-dressing girl because of her father's strict desires, has an uncomfortable time cooperating with Akiharu. However, Kaoru has a chance to be a girl for one day at an upcoming ball for cross-dressing students. | |||
7 | "Lady Versus Magical" Transliteration: "Redi X Majikaru" (Japanese: れでぃ×まじかる) | February 16, 2010 | |
Pina Sformklan Estoh, an anime otaku princess, makes her move, much to Principal Kaede Tenjōji's enthusiasm. Suggesting that Akiharu and Tomomi assist her in helping to create a fabulous doujinshi of hers, she recommends them to find suitable candidates for a cosplay photo gallery. | |||
8 | "Summer Versus Scandal" Transliteration: "Samā X Sukyandaru" (Japanese: さまー×すきゃんだる) | February 23, 2010 | |
Selnia finally gets her chance to have Akiharu accept her partnership for the next practical exam; only this time, she drags him to a vacation household of hers where the maids there stir up Selnia's relationship with Akiharu, apparently leading to a "summer of love". | |||
9 | "Date? Versus Chaste!" Transliteration: "Dēto? X Cheisu!" (Japanese: でーと?×ちぇいす!) | March 2, 2010 | |
After witnessing Selnia kissing Akiharu, Tomomi's feelings for Akiharu reach breaking point. Tomomi invites Akiharu to take her on a date, while Selnia spies on their little affection around town. By the end of the day, Tomomi and Akiharu talk about their childhood conflicts and Akiharu confirms that he wanted to be her "bride". | |||
10 | "Love Letter Versus Rhapsody" Transliteration: "Rabu Retā X Rapusodi" (Japanese: らぶれたー×らぷそでぃ) | March 9, 2010 | |
Kaoru discovers a love letter for her and is now in a predicament, whether to confess her true feelings or expose her true gender. So Akiharu and the boys try to give her their own excellent advice. | |||
11 | "Lady Versus Lady!!!" Transliteration: "Redi X Redi!!!" (Japanese: れでぃ×れでぃ!!!) | March 16, 2010 | |
Having another usual day of butler duties, Pina then gives Akiharu passport tickets to a special waterpark "Try Aqualand" as a gift. Tomomi and Selnia confront each other about their affection for Akiharu. Principal Kaede announces the annual sports day, so the girls use it as an opportunity to decide who goes with Akiharu since he only has two tickets. | |||
12 | "Lady Versus Battle!" Transliteration: "Redi X Batoru!" (Japanese: れでぃ×ばとる!) | March 23, 2010 | |
Racing through the sport match, the game begins to reach its climax between Selnia and Tomomi. |
While ostensibly a romantic harem comedy, Ladies versus Butlers! is more of a straight-up comedy for most of its run, with some slightly more dramatic elements creeping in later.