LittleHobbit13

(image courtesy of Anime News Network)
Synopsis :
At Ouran Academy, a school where family prestige is first and wealth is second, poor (financially) Fujioka Haruhi earned entrance through rare scholarship. One day, while searching for a quiet place to study, Haruhi stumbles upon the Ouran Host Club, and promptly breaks a vase worth $80,000. To pay it back, Haruhi becomes their newest member. Everything seems to be going fine and there are no problems with the "natural rookie" Host. That is, until they find out that "he" is a really a "she"...


Personal Opinion :
I know, I know, I gave this show straight 5's. Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that just because I like the show so much. This series really deserves those ratings, and it has only been out since April 4th. Allow me to elaborate though.

Graphics - This is the kind of series that would really suffer if the animation wasn't outstanding, so thank goodness it is! If you went into this not knowing the premise, you really would think that Haruhi is a boy, and yet it's totally possible to imagine her looking like a girl under that boy-ish appearance. The animation, in general, is very well done for the series. I feel they do a really nice job of showing the elegance and humor at the same time through the graphics. The animation is very expressive.

Sound - Let's start right at the beginning. The opening is upbeat and SO addictive. If there's one part I watch over and over again, it's the opening. I enjoy singing along. The voice work is fabulous. I've followed the manga series since it was released her the US, and when I first heard the voices in the first episode, the very next thought running through my mind was "That is so what I imagined them sounding like!" Sakamoto Maaya-sama really does the Haruhi's voice justice. Like, vigilante justice. The sound effects and background music really bring something to the show.

Replay Value - Let's just say, I usually keep my anime on my external hard drive, but I made an exception for this series. Why? Because I enjoy watching it over and over again. The first time I wrote up this review (and then it got lost, stupid internet), I was watching the 3rd episode while I typed. I won't even go into how many times I've watched the first two episodes, partially because I've lost count. And yet, they don't get old or tired, and I'm always looking for an opportunity to watch them all again. Like I said, the opening is especially replay-able.

Other - I'm just going to go through some things that I think are particularly noteworthy in this series.
- The use of symbolism is really subtle, but really good and well-placed. In the first episode, the use of the light bulbs was genius. I didn't even get what they were for until the 3/4 bulbs were lit. The second episode uses a teacup ride (very cleverly actually) to show the problem and resolution of said problem of the female patrons. The 3rd episode uses a kite to show Haruhi's respect for Tamaki.
-I really enjoy the (what I'm going to call) "Pointers of Obvious Trouble". Everytime the vase was in a scene in the first episode, there was a beeping/blinking arrow pointing to it. No matter how little of the vase is on the screen, the arrow is there. They have arrows in the second episode, but the sake of not ruining something absolutely hilarious, I won't say what they point at.
-The characters are all very unique and well expressed. Even though there have only been 3 episodes released on fansub so far, you can really tell that each character has their own distinct personality. What I also appreciate is that they act like rich high school kids. There are no deep, dark pasts; no tramatic experiences. These are high school students and they act like it (even if they do also act as rich as they are. )
-I realized at one point watching it that the opening does a really good job of showing how "fancy and elegant" the Host Club setting is, but also showing that the show is really funny.

I would highly recommend this series to absolutely anyone. It's hilarious and completely enjoyable.

(In my original type-up of this review, I think I had a few more things, but I can't remember what they were off the top of my head, also, my shift is over and I have to pack up to go. )

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dude101

i completely agree with u, i started watching this series when u posted it in the manga/anime section. and after watching the first eps, i've been completely hooked on it. i've watched all 3 eps at least 2-3 time now.

HibikiLink

I would really like to see this. Sounds interesting. atleast you put a picture in

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mixed fighter girl

i love it so much >< i really love to whatch and read it!

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I will fight until i find what i'm looking for...you can not judge me on my apperence I am a Warrior. If you have a problem with me..... then my blades will meet your neck.

ketaro

I think that this series is somehow weird, but the story line is pretty kool. In the first episode the dudes thought that the chick was a boy.

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Thank you for the siggy baby ^^x..

LittleHobbit13

I think that's the cool part about this series though. I mean, Haruhi is really doing this simply to pay back a debt, and yet she's getting a real kick out of doing it. I mean, she evens starts using "ore" (which is a "guy only" word for those of you who don't know) just to make it more fun and realistic. I think that's great. I'm also enjoying the fact that it's poor Haruhi vs the other rich club members. I laugh everytime she thinks "Damn you rich bastards" when they do something totally "I'm rich and you're not" around her.

The show really has it's own style and unique feel.

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henzor

hehe completely agree with ur review ^^v cant wait for more releases *gets excited*

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Sakurai

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AnimeGeek

I've never seen High School Host Club but it was mentioned in NewTypeUsa and it seemed pretty interesting. Now that you guys comfirmed that it was good, I guess I will now have to check it out.

After that said I going to put my own recomendation. I highly recommend Tsubasa. It actually sticks true to the story pretty well. Even though they didn't add the part when they are drunk. >.< (my fav. part)

And I was wondering if anyone has seen any other episodes of Elemental Gelade. Do you recommend it? I saw the first episode and it was ASOME! But I kinda wanted a second opinion on it. Even though I'll probably be purchasing it.

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LittleHobbit13

Um, you're really not supposed to be talking about other anime series inside another anime review. If you're looking for recommendations, take it to the Anime/Manga section.

Anyways, I loved the most recent episode, and I know I'm going to love the next one. I went back and skimmed through the manga volumes, and I've noticed that some of the scenes are almost word for word. I was actually impressed by that. Usually the anime gets changed and tweaked when it becomes an anime.
Anyways, my latest review on the characters:
Haruhi - They're keeping her character development right on track, and I like that.
Tamaki - They've done a good job of sneaking in those "non-idiot" moments that make you like him even more. ^_^
Kaoru/Hikaru - God I love them. They get better with every episode.
Kyoya - He becomes a little scarier a little more every episode.
Honey - Him as a #1 martial arts expert is brilliant for the series.
Mori - I like this character, but I want a few more episodes with him before I make an opinion.

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s_eya

It's really hilarious... I love both the Anime and Manga. But the problem is that the manga has A LOT of words, takes me a while to read. I'm thinking the anime is funnier than the manga.