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Shut-In Elf #1
Otaku Elf Vol. 1
東京都中央区月島。江戸時代より４００年以上の歴史を刻む『高耳神社』。祀られたるそのご神体は、異世界から召喚され、すっかりひきこもったエルフのエルダでした。「自分の代わりにーー、江戸をーー、この国を見届けてくれ」と約束したのは、なんと徳川家康！？ 不老不死がゆえに、江戸から令和へと伝わる伝統はさることながら、オタク的知識もどんどん蓄え、文明生活を満喫中です。
180 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 23, 2022
A slice-of-life fantasy is built around a modern day shrine maiden named Koito and the divine entity she serves. That entity just happens to be an immortal elf from somewhere else who likes to sequester herself in the shrine as she eats junk food, plays video games, watches anime, collects figurines, and just generally revels in nerd life. Koito hopes to get the elf more involved in the shrine and community, but it's an uphill battle against the comfort of the kotatsu.
It's all very mild and low-key, sure, but the characters and their bickering are just endearing enough to bring me back for more.
It's all very mild and low-key, sure, but the characters and their bickering are just endearing enough to bring me back for more.
February 7, 2022
Elda is an elf who was summoned to earth to be Takamimi Shrine's patron goddess during the Tokugawa shogunate. Hundreds of years later, she's a bit of a recluse, too shy to speak to her parishioners directly. She's also lazy on top of that, more inclined to stay at home playing video games and making mecha models than to do her work for the shrine.
Parts of this manga are really cute. Koito, the new priestess of the shrine, is both Elda's best friend on earth, and a frustrated foil. At sixteen years old, she's much more serious about her responsibilities to the shrine than Elda is, and she has to go to school on top of that. Koito's sister Koyuzu, and her schoolmate Koma, round out the fairly small cast, and give us an opportunity to see how Elda is torn between her naturally shy nature, and wanting to experience more of the world beyond watching TV.
Otaku Elf has a mild edutainment vibe, not dissimilar to what I saw recently in Tamamo-chan's a Fox!. This time it's about Chuo City, or is it Tsukishima? I'm unclear about which is the larger-scale area just from reading the manga. The area that Koito and Elda live in is shown with detailed backgrounds: its waterways, high-rise apartments, the restaurant districts, et al. We get some lightly-presented information about the Tokugawa era's history, the cuisine of the area around the shrine, the use of lanterns and candles long ago, and a few other things like that. It isn't as detailed as in Tamamo-chan, and doesn't give the reader as much of a sense of place, in my opinion.
I don't entirely see the point of either having an elf in this story, or of making her an otaku, which kind of nullifies the title in English, at least. Elda could have been an actual goddess and been lazy, and it would have worked just as well. Also, I don't have a good sense of their neighborhood, or the prefecture, or whatever it is, as a community with human beings living and working in it. There are few or no background characters to fill things out, making the area seem oddly empty and abandoned.
This is fun enough to keep on with, but it doesn't quite have enough going for it to really make it stand out.
Parts of this manga are really cute. Koito, the new priestess of the shrine, is both Elda's best friend on earth, and a frustrated foil. At sixteen years old, she's much more serious about her responsibilities to the shrine than Elda is, and she has to go to school on top of that. Koito's sister Koyuzu, and her schoolmate Koma, round out the fairly small cast, and give us an opportunity to see how Elda is torn between her naturally shy nature, and wanting to experience more of the world beyond watching TV.
Otaku Elf has a mild edutainment vibe, not dissimilar to what I saw recently in Tamamo-chan's a Fox!. This time it's about Chuo City, or is it Tsukishima? I'm unclear about which is the larger-scale area just from reading the manga. The area that Koito and Elda live in is shown with detailed backgrounds: its waterways, high-rise apartments, the restaurant districts, et al. We get some lightly-presented information about the Tokugawa era's history, the cuisine of the area around the shrine, the use of lanterns and candles long ago, and a few other things like that. It isn't as detailed as in Tamamo-chan, and doesn't give the reader as much of a sense of place, in my opinion.
I don't entirely see the point of either having an elf in this story, or of making her an otaku, which kind of nullifies the title in English, at least. Elda could have been an actual goddess and been lazy, and it would have worked just as well. Also, I don't have a good sense of their neighborhood, or the prefecture, or whatever it is, as a community with human beings living and working in it. There are few or no background characters to fill things out, making the area seem oddly empty and abandoned.
This is fun enough to keep on with, but it doesn't quite have enough going for it to really make it stand out.
March 23, 2021
She’s hosted at a shrine, but she’s not-so-divine. No, Elda the elf has her own shelf and she feels quite serene since it displays figurines. Ahem. The point being, she can’t really bless much and sits around gaming all day. This is also the story of Koito, who tends to the shrine, and how she deals with an underperforming deity who doesn’t want to go outside.
This is a silly book with a silly premise that does an aggressively okay job. It’s cute, a little aimless (much like Elda), but incredibly harmless entertainment that occasionally hits a high note or two.
Elda is a total shut-in, stemming from a particularly oversensitive moment of trauma, and a lot of her arc involves slowly overcoming that (often lured by food and/or goods). She makes a good foil for Koito, who takes her job very seriously even though the shrine she maintains has such an unusual resident.
I was a little surprised that the book veers off from the whole otaku thing for quite a while. It definitely spends a lot of time focused on the inner workings of the shrine and that’s probably to the story’s benefit as it explains why Koito puts up with Elda’s shenanigans at all.
While Elda doesn’t have the power to do much, she is rather beloved by the community and there’s certainly a pretty valid point raised that having an immortal being (who was chummy with all sorts of historical figures and goings-on) on hand as a constant offers some rather heartwarming stability in an endless sea of change.
It has scattered moments of humour, but they don’t quite come together for me as well as I’d like. Some of the funnier parts are quite good - I love the nature of the offerings the shrine attracts, the initial image of Elda out during the winter solstice ceremony, and the way she interrupts holy rituals with PSVR. Koito’s friend who is a romance manga male lead in a female’s body is also a lot of fun.
Some of the food stuff is okay, though drool only carries you so far, and while Koito’s sister is nice she doesn’t exactly add a lot to the story besides facilitating food porn (not that food porn is bad!). Those of us not steeped in shrine lore are very likely to miss some references too.
As an aside, bless this book for not drawing out a very obvious revelation that you will know the truth of the second you see it. I was fully expecting that to take forever to get resolved and it’s just done and dusted partway through. More books should be so forward thinking.
3 stars. A cute series that I will read a second volume of because it’s a little bit of fluff with a well-meaning heart. Our leads are quite different but play well off each other and the art is gorgeous. I could ask for more, but what we get isn’t bad.
This is a silly book with a silly premise that does an aggressively okay job. It’s cute, a little aimless (much like Elda), but incredibly harmless entertainment that occasionally hits a high note or two.
Elda is a total shut-in, stemming from a particularly oversensitive moment of trauma, and a lot of her arc involves slowly overcoming that (often lured by food and/or goods). She makes a good foil for Koito, who takes her job very seriously even though the shrine she maintains has such an unusual resident.
I was a little surprised that the book veers off from the whole otaku thing for quite a while. It definitely spends a lot of time focused on the inner workings of the shrine and that’s probably to the story’s benefit as it explains why Koito puts up with Elda’s shenanigans at all.
While Elda doesn’t have the power to do much, she is rather beloved by the community and there’s certainly a pretty valid point raised that having an immortal being (who was chummy with all sorts of historical figures and goings-on) on hand as a constant offers some rather heartwarming stability in an endless sea of change.
It has scattered moments of humour, but they don’t quite come together for me as well as I’d like. Some of the funnier parts are quite good - I love the nature of the offerings the shrine attracts, the initial image of Elda out during the winter solstice ceremony, and the way she interrupts holy rituals with PSVR. Koito’s friend who is a romance manga male lead in a female’s body is also a lot of fun.
Some of the food stuff is okay, though drool only carries you so far, and while Koito’s sister is nice she doesn’t exactly add a lot to the story besides facilitating food porn (not that food porn is bad!). Those of us not steeped in shrine lore are very likely to miss some references too.
As an aside, bless this book for not drawing out a very obvious revelation that you will know the truth of the second you see it. I was fully expecting that to take forever to get resolved and it’s just done and dusted partway through. More books should be so forward thinking.
3 stars. A cute series that I will read a second volume of because it’s a little bit of fluff with a well-meaning heart. Our leads are quite different but play well off each other and the art is gorgeous. I could ask for more, but what we get isn’t bad.
February 15, 2022
It’s kind of a cute story it’s definitely kind of a spin on the elf Story where the elf is now a shut in and is obsessed with anime and manga I would definitely say this is a cute story not exactly my cup of tea but I will probably read the rest of these it’s definitely worth a look if you’re looking for something a little bit different but not too out there.
June 16, 2021
Humor and Otaku inside jokes galore. A series that needs the love
October 17, 2021
I thought this would be cute and fun, but the characters are pretty annoying…
April 2, 2021
She dresses in several layers before making the evening rounds of the local establishments. She air brushes each individual part of her mobile suit model kits. She is obsessed with recreating foods from the Edo period. She loves VR games. And when things aren't going her way, she nervously clutches a giant stuffed tadpole, frowns a crinkly frown, and bawls such that her hair sticks out in several different directions. In short, Eldali Ilma Fanomenel is a rather troublesome god of the local, Takamimi Shrine.
Troublesome, at least, for Koito Koganei, the fifteenth shrine maiden assigned to the Tokyo-area shrine. OTAKU ELF #1 introduces readers to the lazy-bones elf who privileges fancy electronics and grilled food over the more traditional proclivities of the long-lived, such as peace, poetry, and quiet contemplation. Sure, Koito is there to reprimand the curiously dim elf, but at the end of the day, Elda is 621 years old. If the elf wants to laze around assembling a model kit all afternoon, who is going to stop her?
OTAKU ELF #1 is funny and cheeky but never rises to the level of feeling like it's humor is a dynamic or dramatic outpouring of its characters' oddities. Elda is a dork, but that's all that's remotely interesting about her. The manga's art takes hilarious liberties with the elf's scrunched up faces and temper tantrums; however, aside from this good-natured bickering with Koito, the otaku elf is just an otaku who happens to be an elf. All told, OTAKU ELF #1 is extraordinarily easygoing. Only occasionally does the manga hint at a more genuine and heartfelt dynamic between the elf and her official duties (e.g., the previous miko was Koito's mother, Sayako, now passed).
The cast is small only because the book's scope is small. Koito is an average combination of eager teen and an emotional shrine princess, while her little sister, Koyuzu, is so cute and fluffy she wears only one expression throughout the whole book. Such are the travails of the first volume of a manga in search of its footing. As for the book's scoping, readers encounter a shrine elf with social anxiety, so they shouldn't be surprised to discover one-third of the manga is dedicated to Koito convincing Elda to leave the shrine in search of some quality monjayaki (a flour-based, pan-fried batter dish).
OTAKU ELF #1 is a fun but awkward title without much focus. One can only presume future chapters will more clearly resolve Elda's personal hobbies, Koito's social life, and how the home and personal lives of these and other characters factor into the history of the Takamimi Shrine.
Troublesome, at least, for Koito Koganei, the fifteenth shrine maiden assigned to the Tokyo-area shrine. OTAKU ELF #1 introduces readers to the lazy-bones elf who privileges fancy electronics and grilled food over the more traditional proclivities of the long-lived, such as peace, poetry, and quiet contemplation. Sure, Koito is there to reprimand the curiously dim elf, but at the end of the day, Elda is 621 years old. If the elf wants to laze around assembling a model kit all afternoon, who is going to stop her?
OTAKU ELF #1 is funny and cheeky but never rises to the level of feeling like it's humor is a dynamic or dramatic outpouring of its characters' oddities. Elda is a dork, but that's all that's remotely interesting about her. The manga's art takes hilarious liberties with the elf's scrunched up faces and temper tantrums; however, aside from this good-natured bickering with Koito, the otaku elf is just an otaku who happens to be an elf. All told, OTAKU ELF #1 is extraordinarily easygoing. Only occasionally does the manga hint at a more genuine and heartfelt dynamic between the elf and her official duties (e.g., the previous miko was Koito's mother, Sayako, now passed).
The cast is small only because the book's scope is small. Koito is an average combination of eager teen and an emotional shrine princess, while her little sister, Koyuzu, is so cute and fluffy she wears only one expression throughout the whole book. Such are the travails of the first volume of a manga in search of its footing. As for the book's scoping, readers encounter a shrine elf with social anxiety, so they shouldn't be surprised to discover one-third of the manga is dedicated to Koito convincing Elda to leave the shrine in search of some quality monjayaki (a flour-based, pan-fried batter dish).
OTAKU ELF #1 is a fun but awkward title without much focus. One can only presume future chapters will more clearly resolve Elda's personal hobbies, Koito's social life, and how the home and personal lives of these and other characters factor into the history of the Takamimi Shrine.
September 3, 2022
This review will be for the whole series; read at your own risk!
Read 4 volumes
I kept seeing this manga and I finally bit the bullet and bought it! It was really good!! The humor was great and there’s definitely some backstory to uncover. I really look forward to more!
Edit 1/1/22: I picked up volume 3 a day or two early at my B&N! It was so good! I like learning about the other elves and their dynamics are so cute!
9/3/22: I love seeing all the other elves and learning about the Edo period too. And of course the otaku stuff mixed in. This is def a manga than pretty much anyone could enjoy!
Read 4 volumes
I kept seeing this manga and I finally bit the bullet and bought it! It was really good!! The humor was great and there’s definitely some backstory to uncover. I really look forward to more!
Edit 1/1/22: I picked up volume 3 a day or two early at my B&N! It was so good! I like learning about the other elves and their dynamics are so cute!
9/3/22: I love seeing all the other elves and learning about the Edo period too. And of course the otaku stuff mixed in. This is def a manga than pretty much anyone could enjoy!
March 30, 2021
'Otaku Elf' is a really interesting manga; billed as 'fantasy creature has wacky hijinks in modern Japan,' it's also very thoughtful about religion as a connection to the past and finding a way to embrace a present you might not feel comfortable in. The 'otaku' in the title references not only her love of culture, but also that she's been hiding herself away in the shrine for decades after a distressing encounter; the modern inhabitants of Tokyo around her have worshiped her (with offerings of technology and sweets and energy drinks) for decades, and remember her fondly even if they haven't seen her. There's a lot of jokes about, eg, an elf obsessed with blind boxes, but also a depth to the experience of growing up and discovering that your moment is connected to a history and culture. Anyway, this is a great surprise that had more than I expected to it, and I'd love it if more people checked it out.
August 31, 2023
Better than I thought it was going to be. While it’s mostly a comedy SOL manga there is a bit that makes it more than that. It’s a good slice of life and that’s pretty much it. While it does have some substance it isn’t anything too crazy or life changing.
The characters are alright, they’re not too one note but pretty basic comedy characters. Elda could easily be unlikable but she does have moments where she shines and has a more serious moment or isn’t just a comic relief character. And she plays off Koito well. Koito is an serviceable lead character, I liked her alright enough. She's not super bland or uninteresting and even though it's a comedy she does have her own character outside of the comedy parts. Though the volumes more about Elda with Koito being the straight man to her shenanigans more than herself of course.
The slice of life is fun and enjoyable, especially with such a unique concept and amazing art. I did enjoy the duo’s shenanigans. And plus already in the first volume do you get a bit of character development and background. Pretty neat to see.
There’s some honestly really beuatiful moments in this volume idk.
The volume also talks about Edo period culture and history which honestly was pretty interesting, kinda makes me want to look into more of its history on my own. Applaud the manga for making me want to learn.
Also the art… amazing! So lively and expressive! And the backgrounds…
While I don’t know if I’ll read the next volume, I enjoyed my read of this book enough. If you love slice of life this is a good Recc
The characters are alright, they’re not too one note but pretty basic comedy characters. Elda could easily be unlikable but she does have moments where she shines and has a more serious moment or isn’t just a comic relief character. And she plays off Koito well. Koito is an serviceable lead character, I liked her alright enough. She's not super bland or uninteresting and even though it's a comedy she does have her own character outside of the comedy parts. Though the volumes more about Elda with Koito being the straight man to her shenanigans more than herself of course.
The slice of life is fun and enjoyable, especially with such a unique concept and amazing art. I did enjoy the duo’s shenanigans. And plus already in the first volume do you get a bit of character development and background. Pretty neat to see.
There’s some honestly really beuatiful moments in this volume idk.
The volume also talks about Edo period culture and history which honestly was pretty interesting, kinda makes me want to look into more of its history on my own. Applaud the manga for making me want to learn.
Also the art… amazing! So lively and expressive! And the backgrounds…
While I don’t know if I’ll read the next volume, I enjoyed my read of this book enough. If you love slice of life this is a good Recc
December 26, 2023
Otaku Elf is laid an premise, instead of people from this world going to fantasy, what would people from fantasy comes to us?
Our protagonist is an female elf who came to Japan, centuries ago, and she is venerated as local diety in modern day Japan.
Stories are very episodic, involving her social anxiety and her long suffering attendant whose family served her for centuries. This is balanced by explaining local traditions and historical facts in Tokyo you rarely see in most manga.
At same time, I would see what I considered a product placement on the story that threw me off.
Our protagonist is an female elf who came to Japan, centuries ago, and she is venerated as local diety in modern day Japan.
Stories are very episodic, involving her social anxiety and her long suffering attendant whose family served her for centuries. This is balanced by explaining local traditions and historical facts in Tokyo you rarely see in most manga.
At same time, I would see what I considered a product placement on the story that threw me off.
April 18, 2022
A super fun, light hearted quick read! I enjoyed learning about the background for the characters while also following them in both every day and special events of their lives. I look forward to volume 2 and seeing how they continue to flesh out the series; definitely a fun slice of life addition to the "God(dess) and Miko" genre of manga. Otaku Elf hits the same spot as Himouto! Umaru-Chan, just with an adult as the otaku.
July 29, 2023
I love the concept and the story of this manga! It's a nice, light, slice-of-life manga with some serious moments scattered here and there. I love that the elf Elda is a huge nerd who loves video games and anime instead of the typical elf who is elegant and proper. The ending made me super curious and excited about the characters in the next volume; I'm definitely going to check out the next one.
May 15, 2023
This is a story about a centuries-old elf who hates to be outside of her shrine and loves video games, manga and TV shows. I will say that it was interesting enough, but this volume did not have me running out to get the second volume. The art is nice and the facial expressions really bring out the characters but this is not a MUST READ, but a joyful little romp if you have the time.
June 23, 2023
My manga bookseller at Barnes and Noble recommended this one since he knows I’m always on the hunt for manga for my classroom. Last year, the manga obsession wasn’t in high gear, but I also like to have a supply on the shelves.
This manga is adorable. There’s a shrine to a goddess of… video games and manga and technology. Nothing what you would expect, but everything you need. The town leaves offerings of gaming snacks and when they are in need of something special - a VR headset. A modern times shrine and a modern times shut in goddess/elf. Loved it!
This manga is adorable. There’s a shrine to a goddess of… video games and manga and technology. Nothing what you would expect, but everything you need. The town leaves offerings of gaming snacks and when they are in need of something special - a VR headset. A modern times shrine and a modern times shut in goddess/elf. Loved it!
April 13, 2021
I got this manga based off the concept alone and I love it. It is awesome to see fictional beings so impacted by technology and entertainment like we are. Myself and a few friends can relate to a number of her wants and struggles. This is a deity I would be more than happy to offer donations to.
July 11, 2022
So far in this first volume, I found it to vary between love it or hate it. At times, I think its funny and cute. Other times I feel like it tries too hard, and the characters annoying as hell. I'll give it another volume to see if it can find its groove.
June 17, 2021
Cute book, fun concept. Nothing ground breaking though, but that's not a bad thing!
November 14, 2021
I read it while killing time in a bookstore. It was fine and it helped me pass an hour, but that's about it
December 26, 2021
This is stupid and cute I love
August 7, 2021
Really cute and funny story about Eldali, a centuries-old elf of Takamimi Shrine, and her shrine maiden Koganei Koito. Elda is a shy, geeky introvert who prefers to stay inside and drink 'Red Bell' (Red Bull) while playing video games or building figurines. Her interactions with Koito and other humans are hilarious and sweet while also being thoughtful explorations of how culture and technology have changed so much over time. My favorite chapter was the one about Elda's blind box gambling - I definitely know the pain of opening up one just to get a repeat and/or less desirable figure!
5/5 and I am excited to read the next. ＼(≧▽≦)／
5/5 and I am excited to read the next. ＼(≧▽≦)／
April 15, 2023
4/5 answers the question "Should you read this?" with a "Yes, if you like this sort of thing"
Wholesome silly story about a shrine guardian who happens to be a thousands of year old Elf homebody Otaku, and her newly appointed shrine maiden. Super cute scenarios ensue. Can't wait to pick up the next volume!
Wholesome silly story about a shrine guardian who happens to be a thousands of year old Elf homebody Otaku, and her newly appointed shrine maiden. Super cute scenarios ensue. Can't wait to pick up the next volume!
January 29, 2024
Koito struggles being the Miko to Elda. Koito and Elda enjoy monja together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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