Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (Kare Kano for short) is a sweet story based on the relationship of two high school freshmen. Miyazawa Yukino is an all "A" student who's life focus is on excelling and the praise of others. She puts on an act of perfection for those around her so that she might gain their respect, but in all actuality, she is a devious and schemingly devilish young lady. Ever since she was little, she had depended on the praise of others to promote her ego and now that she was in high school, this fact is more important than ever.
Miyazawa's life is one of grace, beauty, and academic perfection until the introdution of an arch enimy: enter the unsuspecting Arima Souichirou. Arima's family consists of his aunt and uncle who took him in when he was little. His real parents are the black sheep of the family and their reputation has foreshadowed his life since the moment he was born. In an attempt to rid himself of his parent's wrongdoings, he strives to be an excellent son and student for his aunt and uncle's sake.
Upon meeting Arima (and not knowing a thing of his past) Miyazawa begins a silent competition between the two of them...however, she is the only one who seemingly knows this. Her every waking hour is spent trying to be better than Arima, trying to bring him down, trying to prove to herself that she is better than him. This plan works for her for a while until, after a slight run-in, Arima confesses his love for her. Taken aback by this announcement (and a little happy), Miyazawa lets her guard down. Soon after this, Arima discovers Miyazawa for who she truly is.
The time following this revelation is spent in slight awkwardness until Arima decides he shall blackmail Miyazawa. She, thinking he is doing it out of pure evility, grows to dislike him even more. He, on the other hand, is only doing it in hopes to spend more time with the one he loves. After the truth of their situation comes out, Miyazawa realizes that she too cares for Arima and enjoys spending time with him. This is the point where the two become friends since neither is willing to tell the truth to the other.
As the story progresses, eventually the two get over themselves and just tell the other how they feel. From here on out, the two are a couple and go through many turbulations together.
New characters are introduced along the way, many ending up being friends of the two main characters. However, I find th most endearing people out of the whole group are the two's family. Miyazawa is blessed with two younger sisters, Tsukino and Kano, who constantly look to her as their idol (and if you watch closely enough, there is a reference made to the actual series in which the writers suggest that the sisters are the actual creators of the manga). Her mother and father, Miyako and Hiroyuki Miyazawa, are extremely young and bring an element of fun and humor to the whole set-up of the family.
Arima's family are almost the exact opposite of any and all members of the Miyazawa household. His aunt and uncle are older in age than most parents and are seemingly harder to please. They are supposed to be protrayed as heartless and unmoving at the beginning of the series, but as time progesses, we learn who truly rich at heart the two are as they fight for Arima's honor with the rest of the family.
This series is great for those who enjoy anime with a realistic plot-line and is teaming with fantastic humor. I have never once managed to get through one whole episode of this show without laughing my ass off. Steven and I both agree that the music is amazing (he keeps the ending theme on his MP3 player) and I love how they incorporate it into the story. In closing, this is a definate "must watch" for anyone who has a soft spot for sweet storylines and great humor.
Prices for this series are like any anime, it depends upon where you are looking. Suncoast sells the boxed set for around $30-35 for the box and the first DVD, after that, each is about $25-30. With this one, it is better to buy the actual show since the version hat's being distributed about the internet is poor quality and many of the scenes are too bright to make out....not only that, but this is one worth watching again. Enjoy -_^
Total number of episodes available: 26 |
