Sora no Otoshimono is a perversion comedy series that provides more for the reader than just tactless fanservice. The series unfolds as a series of comedic episodes interspersed with large chunks of dramatic plot movement at a moderate frequency. These comedic episodes derive their humor from Tomoki inspiring man to reach out towards ever greater heights of perversion. The dramatic arcs experience a full 180 degree shift in tone, becoming heartwarming, heartbreaking, or heartrending stories that move even the most stoic of readers.

The storyline of Sora no Otoshimono starts off fairly generic: Sakurai Tomoki is an ordinary over-enthusiastic pervert with recurring dreams living an ordinary, perverted life in the town of Sorami. Suddenly an angel falls from the skies into his lap; she claims to be Ikaros, an "entertainment purpose" angeloid and declares Tomoki to be her master. Hilarity ensues. The story is developed fairly slowly, with most chapters, save dramatic ones, pushing the plot a little at a time. Most of the plot is focused on the budding relationships between characters, so savor the action and conspiracy theory you get while you can.

The artwork in Sora no Otoshimono is easily the strongest point of this manga. Minazuki Suu has a unique style that makes her pictures look soft and ephemeral like mist under the morning sun. The curves on her female characters are luscious and the scenery in the backgrounds are gorgeous. Most of the humor in the manga comes from the art and not the dialogue; the facial expressions during key punch line moments have been the most unique and creative that I have seen. Rather than a single 'wtf' face as I will call it during gag moments, she manages to draw a variety of emotions on her characters during punchlines which increases the repertoire of gags she can use. There's Tomoki's 'wtf is he/she/that doing here, oh god I'm screwed' sweaty face, there's Tomoki's 'wtf, the answer is so simple, it's like I've reached enlightenment, but I'm still screwed' sort of serious face, and then there is Ikaros' 'smile'. The characters are drawn with two different styles, normal vs. chibi, in order to help further define the tone of the story at that moment. You know that sh*t is about to hit the fan whenever Tomoki is drawn in his normal form.

The characters are the driving force behind this manga; it is their interactions that make this manga so funny, and it is their ordeals and pain that make this manga so moving. Admittedly there are weaker characters; I personally don't like Sohara because she doesn't do much besides be the "childhood friend." However as a whole the characters are quite solid. One of the strongest characters in the series is Tomoki himself; despite being the male lead of a harem he is quite the loveable guy. He is the most bodacious, daring, persistent, shameless, creative, talented, and brilliant pervert I have ever had the honor of given my full respect to. Just bow down and worship him when you learn of the "Tomoki Peeping System." True he is only a juvenile pervert, meaning he can't handle the "real thing," but he is still manly enough to garner a higher popularity than some of the female leads in his harem.

I look forward to Sora no Otoshimono every month for the plot, even though it is primarily an ecchi manga. I know it is weird to call this manga "tender-hearted," but that's how many of the (non-ecchi) parts feel to me. The only time I had ever cried while reading manga was at the end of Elfen Lied when the main protagonist finally learns the real name of "that" girl. That was before my eyes watered on three separate occasions while reading the first 50 chapters of Sora no Otoshimono. Minazuki Suu has had experience writing powerful drama before, and this experience shows in her ability to move the reader without needing pages of non-comedic content as setup. But having that frightening ability does not mean she paid with her ability to write comedy. The comedy is supposed to be the strong part of this series. I have been praising the small bits of drama over and over again in this review, but that doesn't change the fact that this manga started out as, survived as, and gained popularity as a ecchi comedy manga. So this means that this entire time, I have been underrating the comedy aspect of this manga. If I can enjoy the secondary drama in this manga to this degree, imagine how enjoyable this manga would be for someone who appreciates the comedy aspect.

*EDIT*
Although I have been referring to Minazuki Suu as 'her,' it turns out she is actually a guy. Go figure. His drawings are so feminine that if I was friends with him personally, I would make fun of his masculinity on the basis of his artwork. But with all due respect; great mangaka.

Questions, comments, criticisms and compliments are welcomed whether you found this review helpful or not.