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Love Hina

» written by hinatasou [Discuss]

Synopsis
‘Do you know? When two people in love can both get into Tokyo University, they’ll live happily forever. So when we grow up, let’s go to Todai together…Bye-bye Kei-kun. We must meet again in Todai. Promise me ok~’

‘My name is Urashima Keitaro. I’m 20 years old. The only girl I liked I can’t even remember her name. Because of that promise I failed the entrance exams twice already…’

The Breakdown
Love Hina is amusing similar to the enjoyment of watching those Saturday morning cartoons when you were little. You will not go without laughing with this one.

» The Pros

Based on the 14 volume manga by Ken Akamatsu, who won the Kodansha Manga of the Year award, Love Hina has been widely popular in Japan for at least two years with the recent airing of Love Hina Again OVA earlier this year. Finally the official release has come to U.S. shores. Like Tenchi Miyo, Hand Maid May, and Ah! My Goddess series, the main character is surrounded by female residents who all have a crush in some way or the other on him. Setting in modern day japan, each character is distinct and has their own personality. What distinguishes the anime from the manga are the number of extra conflicts and characters introduced such as Kaolla's sister and brother, Kentaro versus Keitaro over the heart of Naru, Naru's sister Mei and her wishes for Naru to return home, the promise Keitaro made to Moe-chan to fix her one day and even be her boyfriend, and well as each character's internal struggles represented symbolically by the 'Old Men' who walk around hinatasou.

» The Cons

Keitaro goes flying through the air in almost every episode and still remains unharmed (immortal isn't he.) Also the many scenes where Keitaro is caught exposing the female body although it goes well to humor the series and reemphasize his perverted behavior in the point of view of the other characters. Both get repetitive. Some people hate the Moe episode because it diverts too much from the storyline.

» Animation

10	Love Hina was animated be Production I. G. (Jin-Roh). Every scene is truly vibrant, bursting with smooth textures. Superb quality due to the freshness of the series.

» Sound

The opening, Sakura Saku, is playful, childish, and similar to a party atmosphere. The ending, Kimi Sae Iba, is the opposite, sad and serious. Its lyrics 'I'm a dreamer' correlate perfectly with the theme of the series. Yakusoku is one of the most heart-warming songs in anime. The songs themselves are sung primarily by the voice actress of Naru but also Mitsune, Shinobu, Suu, and on occasion Motoko, Keitaro, Otohime, and everyone together. Suu-chan's seems to have all the crazy songs although it matches her personality. Kitsune is outstanding on par or even better than Naru.

» Story

Continuing from the Synopsis above, eventually after an awkward beginning, Keitaro takes the place of Grandma Hina as keeper of an all girls' dormitory, called hinatasou. He decides to give Tokyo U another shot this time with Naru as his tutor. 'Promises' is a reoccurring theme throughout the series. Little by little Keitaro's perception of his promised girl is revealed like a mystery novel ultimately coming down to him choosing between Naru and Mitsumi. There are a number of fun episodes spread throughout that develop character such as the battle with the giant mecha Tama-chan, the RPG dream, and Kitsune playing the role of a detective.

» Recommend

10	Strong series in all areas. The artwork, the musical scores, the characters, the story. You become so self-absorbed into it.

» Other Information

Language: English dub or Japanese with English subtitles

Extras: Bandai trailers (Escaflowne, Saber Marionette J, Pilot Candidate, and Haunted Junction), character photo gallery, and Keitaro's sketchbook, ending credits

Package: Bandai's modified logo of Love Hina top right; Keitaro, bottom right, with hands slightly raised in panic or fear; Naru, behind left, crossed armed expressing anger; Background entrance to hinatasou