Quoted from back of DVD: "Do you remember your first love? Kaoru Hanabishi just wanted to help. Aoi Sakuraba just wanted to find her first love. They never realized they were looking for each other. Ever since their arranged marriage 18 years ago, Aoi had been in love with Kaoru, but she traveled to Tokyo to meet him when she learned the marriage had been called off. While Kaoru's impressed by Aoi's loyalty, innocence and beauty, to accept her affection, he would have to return to the Hanabishi Clan and the emotional and physical pain he suffered during his childhood...Their self control and their love will be out to the test when she moves in and he tries to stay a gentleman!"
This summary is for the first DVD only, this includes episodes 1-5. Its not a bad description, but in some sense...it gives no warning of what will go on later in the series (which is alright I suppose, if you like huge plot twists). Many people have compared this series with Love Hena and I'm sure that it may have it simularities here and there, but I have never seen anything quite like Ai Yori Aoshi. The animation is beautifully done, accenting emotions in just the right moments and bringing the humor more life in others. The music isn't lacking either; with a very chipper and upbeat theme song and almost as equally bouncey ending theme, you'll be downloading these tunes in a heartbeat.
As the series progresses from its very humble and almost sweet beginning, it morphs into something more along the lines of a romantic comedy. Kaoru and Lady Aoi face new challanges when Aoi's guardian/nanny type-person, Ms. Miyabi, shows up to break up their happy home-life. Unable to part with her precious Kaoru, Aoi pleads with Ms. Miyabi to find a solution for them. In an attempt to playcate Lady Aoi's wishes, Ms. Miyabi finds a suitable home for the two to live in...don't think for two seconds that this traditionalist Japanese woman is going to let them stay in the same room, however. Kaoru is now forced to stay in a seperate room off the backside of the house, away from Aoi and possible scandal. Another of Miyabi's terms is that Aoi pretends to be Kaoru's landlord, this is also to prevent any kind of misunderstanding from arising.
Towards the middle of the series, many more characters are introduced, such as Tina Foster and Taeko Minazuki, who also become residents of the Aoi-Kaoru household. A young girl from Kaoru's past shows up as well, Miss. Miyu Miyuki, who begins to threaten Kaoru and Aoi's growing relationship. In the last few episodes, Miyu's cousin Chika appears as well.
Full of surprises, tender and pure moments, and lots of laughs, I'd reccomend this series to anyone with the heart of a hopeless romantic. The story can be slow at times and Aoi's innocence (to me) is a bit questionable (I swear, this girl can't be as perfect as she seems...she must moonlight at Hooters or something), but other than that, I found this to be a quite enjoyable show.
The DVD version of this anime series is moderate to semi-costily priced at around $20-$30 apiece, depending upon where you buy. If I was someone who didn't have a lot of money to spend or if I was just really cheap (which I am), I'd either barrow from someone else or I'd find other means of obtaining it...if you catch my drift. -_^
Episodes total in season 1: 24 (25 if you include the bonus episode) |
