Kashimashi... Worth it?

[Mank]

I'm watching through the anime and enjoying it a decent bit, but I'm wondering, is there mcuh point to picking up the manga as well? Does it go any further or have any variance in plot, different stories, or the like? (Note that I haven't FINISHED the anime yet, I'm about halfway through, so I'm just asking in general, and don't need "specifics," so to speak)
Any help is greatly appreciated.

[HitokiriShadow]

The manga and anime go in very different directions. I think they were the same for roughly the first half of the anime and the first two volumes of the manga before they diverged.

I didn't like the anime much and I found the manga to be only slightly better, mainly because I had some major issues with the last few episodes of the anime. I wouldn't particularly recommend either, but if you like what you've seen of the anime then the manga is probably worth picking up.

[Hayate Kurogane]

The prevailing opinion I've come across, for as much as anecdotal evidence is worth in light of me having not seen the anime, the manga is preferable. So, it seems safe to say that if you like the anime, you'll like the manga, unless you happen to disagree with some of the story differences.

Now, speaking for the manga in and of itself, I really enjoyed it from start to finish. Yeah, the premise is strange and gimmicky, and the situations are kind of stock at this point in time, but it was put together well. I liked the humor, I liked the drama, I liked the artwork.

And, in the interest of saving some money, the first half of the manga is currently available in omnibus form, though the five individual volumes are all still around as well (and with no word yet on a second omnibus to complete the series again, the individual volumes are the safer way to go).

[Mank]

Originally Posted by HitokiriShadow

The manga and anime go in very different directions. I think they were the same for roughly the first half of the anime and the first two volumes of the manga before they diverged.

I didn't like the anime much and I found the manga to be only slightly better, mainly because I had some major issues with the last few episodes of the anime. I wouldn't particularly recommend either, but if you like what you've seen of the anime then the manga is probably worth picking up.

Thank you very much. And yeah, even if the ending is wonky and the like, I can probably deal with it. Heck, I liked Futaba-kun Change, and that has an absolutely atrocious ending...

[Serial Experiments Nobue]

Originally Posted by Hayate Kurogane

And, in the interest of saving some money, the first half of the manga is currently available in omnibus form, though the five individual volumes are all still around as well (and with no word yet on a second omnibus to complete the series again, the individual volumes are the safer way to go).

For what it's worth, Seven Seas currently has December down for the release of the second omnibus. (Amazon also has it listed with a December date.)

I've been meaning to get this manga as well, since I thoroughly enjoyed the anime.

[rooboy]

To elaborate on Hayate Kurogane's recommendation (since I own and have watched both the anime and the manga) - the manga basically includes a story arc (possibly two, depending on how you look at it) that are not in the anime. Instead the anime spends an episode or two on an anime original ending.

I think most people prefer the manga, so if you like it the manga would be a good investment. As a bonus, it's short so it's not like there's a whole lot of it to hunt down. Like Hitokiri I didn't particularly love the series (other than Jan-puu-chan's "Onee-nii-sama"), but I didn't hate it either. If you liked the one, you'll probably enjoy the extra parts the manga offers just as much.

[Hayate Kurogane]

Originally Posted by Serial Experiments Nobue

For what it's worth, Seven Seas currently has December down for the release of the second omnibus. (Amazon also has it listed with a December date.)

I've been meaning to get this manga as well, since I thoroughly enjoyed the anime.

Oh! That's good to know. I was just noticing the lack of a listing on TRSI, likely due to no official solicitation to most retailers just yet (but probably coming soon since December is getting closer). It's where I'd be ordering it from, so it's the place I've been watching.

One can't be sure these days, even if it is a re-release, if multi-volume releases will finish in a timely fashion. A recently-received reply e-mail from Dark Horse about Ghost Talker's Daydream has increased my disappointment and pessimism a notch (specifically: the rest is officially on indefinite delay due to the series being a marginal performer, which makes me a sad panda).

[HitokiriShadow]

Originally Posted by Hayate Kurogane

One can't be sure these days, even if it is a re-release, if multi-volume releases will finish in a timely fashion. A recently-received reply e-mail from Dark Horse about Ghost Talker's Daydream has increased my disappointment and pessimism a notch (specifically: the rest is officially on indefinite delay due to the series being a marginal performer, which makes me a sad panda).

Ugh, I just ordered the first 3 volumes in the last Dark Horse sale. Just what I need, another incomplete series.

[Hayate Kurogane]

Originally Posted by HitokiriShadow

Ugh, I just ordered the first 3 volumes in the last Dark Horse sale. Just what I need, another incomplete series.

The indication was very clearly that they do intend to resume the series as soon as various conditions allow, but that's also the sort of answer you'd expect regardless of the situation since anything else would certainly produce a much worse customer response. I'd have been much more worried if they didn't say anything at all.

[pianocello]

Anything with yuri is always worth it.

Seriously though, I consider the anime to be one of my top 5 anime of 2006. The manga is also good but in a different way. I love the facial expressions. I love the humor. The manga also has a very conclusive ending and the yuri relationships are resolved in a satisfying manner.
Only thing that occasionally irritates me is Hazumu's indecisiveness and Tomari's tsundere behaviour.

Let me know if you have further questions. I recommend this.