Hayate The Combat Butler Chapter 470: Santa's Red Is A Blood-Colored Hell 2014 -- Synopsis and Review

This is actually an updated version of a Hayate cover from 10 years ago. Hata posted comparison shots on his twitter account.

Synopsis: It's Hayate The Combat Butler's 10th anniversary chapter! Huzzah!

I'm liking Nagi's updated outfit. It's a lot simpler but it actually makes her look more attractive IMO.

We start things off with some colored pages featuring a redrawn remake of the first chapter of the manga using Hata's current art style, but just as we're getting to the part where Hayate finally meets Nagi, Nagi cuts in by breaking the 4th wall and declaring that she'll have none of that.

She and Hayate have a little chit-chat and she believes that featuring her manga is a much better idea because she's evolved quite a lot ever since the mangaka arc.

Hayate promptly dismisses that idea though -- much to Nagi's protest.

Maria looks creepy with those eyes

Suddenly, Maria cuts in and shocks Hayate and Nagi by using her appearance in the art style from 10 years ago, making her look completely out of place, as noted by Nagi.

Hayate and Nagi talk a bit more about how a lot has happened in 10 years and Hayate asks her what made the biggest impact on her and apparently, it's the part where Hata almost got sued, but Hayate quickly comes to the rescue by stating that it's all been settled and stuff and not to talk about it anymore.

Nagi wants to talk about crossing dangerous bridges, but again, Hayate wants none of that. Nagi says that they should cross any dangerous bridges together in the future. Hayate stares at her with an awestruck expression... and then promptly denies that idea too -- again to Nagi's protest.

Poof! Hayate wakes up inside the Sanzen'in mansion and (presumably) Nagi greets him and asks him how he's feeling -- to which he replies that he feels well enough to cross a dangerous bridge with her.

Review: Well, not much to review here. I'd say this chapter was definitely worth the wait if you're a fan of this manga, but if you expected the plot to continue -- sorry, you're in for a disappointment.

I love that dorky expression on Nagi's face... well, I love any expression on Nagi's face.

So let's talk about the art a bit... well, I'm actually liking Nagi's updated outfit in the redrawn version of chapter 1 and I would say I do prefer the newer art style in general. Of course, my personal favorite would be the transition art style in-between these two and still employed in much of Ruka's arc. Basically, the art style used in Heaven Is A Place On Earth.

Also, it might have been quite a few years ago since some people read chapter 1, but to me, it seems like yesterday... probably because I picked up this manga just a little more than a year and a half ago.

Speculation Corner: Well, if there's one thing that struck me in this chapter, it would be the penultimate page wherein Hayate says "no" to Nagi's idea of crossing dangerous bridges together in the future -- in fact, it's got me pretty worried as a dedicated Nagi x Hayate shipper. The way the panels played out with those lovey-dovey bubbles around Hayate and Nagi and then Hayate rejecting Nagi's proposal is the first time that I would acknowledge that Hayate might have been subtly rejecting Nagi's feelings for him in this manga.

Of course, that could have just been me overthinking things since Hayate does suggest feeling well enough to cross another dangerous bridge TOGETHER with Nagi as soon as he wakes up. Also, I'd like to believe that he was saying no to crossing more dangerous bridges because he just doesn't want Nagi to be in danger in general. Furthermore, he wasn't shown thinking of any other romantic prospect during that scene, at least.

With that said, I'd actually like some input on this matter. What do you readers out there think of that scene?

Fanart Corner: Got quite a lot of fanart done for this chapter... that's partly because I started doing these last week.

Yes! Yes, you are!

I dunno... I just like the way these two interact. I wouldn't be against a Ruka x Nagi pairing, actually.

Also, I'll have you know that I do have the skills to turn this visual novel mock-up into an actual VN... unless you didn't see the tagline on my blog header up thar! 

No, Nagi. They suit you quite fine. Also, I love her outfit here. It's from season 1 and the NDS game.

Bad end. A yandere Nagi is fine as well.

Credits to Doughnut Gunso for this joke.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, Hina-chan!