Computer programmer Kobayashi saves the life of a dragon, Tooru, who transforms into human form and comes to live with her in our human world. Hijinks ensue, usually revolving around a dragon's extreme capabilities and lack of human common sense. Mind you, Kobayashi gets loud, grumpy and anti-social when drunk (which here is fairly often).

This manga has a superb anime adaptation by Kyoto Animation, which currently has two seasons and a movie. (I'll review the movie tomorrow.) Unsurprisingly, this manga volume is also fun. I don't feel the need to buy more volumes, since the two versions are so similar, but they're both well worth recommending.

The art's the main point of difference. All characters come across clearly and distinctively, but manga-Tooru is less rounded and more angular. The TV series inflates some cup sizes. Mind you, the manga's art whenever dragons let rip with their full strength is pretty damn cool.

The manga's storytelling is bittier. It's slice-of-life, basically, but with such a wild premise that it always feels surprising and eventful. The anime filled out some scenes and joined a few dots. These tend to be improvements. Kobayashi's drunken laughter while first hanging out with dragon-Tooru, for instance, is a great little anime-only moment. Also, manga-Tooru reacts in a human way I don't believe when drunken Kobayashi undresses her. (Anime-Tooru doesn't care.)

I have a feeling that this manga might have invented the anime trope of dragons transforming into human girls. Or else perhaps it popularised it. I'm not sure that's a plus, but this manga's so entertaining that I can't blame it for all those other bandwagon-jumpers.

It's funny, e.g. Tooru's unconventional laundry technique. It's a bigger deal than it looks, given the significant effect it had (and is still having) on the industry. Give it a whirl.