Let’s end this week’s reviews with one of the few harem anime that I’ve watched in the span of this year itself. (Actually, I only started watching anime this year, but hey, who’s counting?) Who doesn’t love to have a private harem, hmm? Not me, definitely. If I had a house swarming with gorgeous men, I’d be in heaven too! So let’s read what’s the fuss is all about in this anime.

Information
Episodes: 24
Status : Finished Airing (Licensed)
Aired : Apr 11, 2002 to Sept 25, 2002
Producers : J.C. Staff
Rating : PG - 13 - Teen 13 or older

-Synopsis-

Kaoru Hanabishi, a college student who lives alone, met a beautiful but bewildered girl dressed in kimono at train station. He volunteered to guide her way to the address she was looking for, which looked like in his neighborhood but turned out to be an empty lot. Not knowing what to do next, Kaoru invited the devastated girl to his apartment and asked for additional clue — a photo with two children whom Kauru immediately identified as himself and Aoi Sakuraba, his childhood friend. It turned out that the girl in front of him is Aoi Sakuraba herself, his betrothed fiance who came all the way to Tokyo to marry him. Her revelation was not only surprising but also reminded the deepest part of Kaoru’s memory for why he left the Hanabishi family in the first place.

-End of Synopsis-

Well, everything has got to start from somewhere no? And like every dream, it starts off with someone that you’re destined to be with for the rest of your life, well, until other people starts coming in to disrupt your well planned dreams with theatrics, drama, heartbreak, and just plain fun.

-Review & Spoiler Ahead!-

Peek in on the Review and Spoiler! ▼

This anime, Ai Yori Aoshi, is probably one of the sweetest romance anime that I’ve ever watched. Though the story is not very unique (harem animes rarely appears unique after you’ve seen your share of them) and tend to appear like a soap opera at times, but in it’s own way, it becomes heartwarming and sweet. On the whole it’s good but I got to say, the episodes kinda focused a lot more on Kaoru’s relationship with the other females in this anime rather than his relationship with Aoi (personally, I feel kinda bad for her).

The scenes in the anime is breathtaking, not to mention the way the characters were drawn that nicely brought out the characters personality. Every character was played out nicely even to the point of their background history, how they happened to know Kaoru and why. Parts of the anime has it’s hilarities, silliness, seriousness, and miseries. The romance between Kaoru and Aoi was just enjoyable but when it comes down to his female friends that kept falling in love with him, it got really frustrating and somewhat boring after a while (not to mention that you’d feel like strangling Aoi’s guardian for not letting them show their love for each other in public.)

This anime is definitely a good choice for all the hopelessly romantic anime fans out there, it may not be one of the best anime, but it’s got great characters, and the sweet and innocent ingredient thrown in with it. Expect laughter, frustration, and tears when watching this anime.

-Review & Spoiler Ends Here!-

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