Ai Yori Aioshi Review by GarryM
On his way home from college, Hanabishi Kaoru stops to help a girl he sees knocked down in the crush at a railway station. He learns that this is her first time in Tokyo on her own, and that she is looking for her fiance. When he realises that she is bound for the same part of town as himself, he offers to help her. As events unfold, he realises that the girl is Sakuraba Aoi, who he used to play with when he was a child, and that the fiance is himself!
Kaoru is astounded that the girl he met a few times as a child has come to think of him as a future husband. Having lived on his own since he ran away from home, he is overwhelmed by the emotions that her appearance brings about. When Aoi is reclaimed by her family, his depression is dispersed when she telephones to say that she too has run away, and wants to spend her life with him. A confrontation with her family is avoided when her mother agrees that they can live together, but under certain conditions. He is moved out of his lodgings, and into the guest quarters of the local Sakuraba Mansion. Unfortunately, Aoi is to stay inside the mansion, where she will be watched over by her mentor/bodyguard, Miss Miyabi.
As the series unfolds, their attempts to get to know each other better are constantly interupted. A succession of friends move into the guest quarters with Kaoru. All female, and all thinking that Kaoru is the best thing since sliced bread! What chance has Aoi got to win his love?
Characters:
Kaoru
Despite his abused background, Kaoru is gentle and kind hearted. He is often bemused by his companions behaviour as they all try to win his affections, and shares love and respect with all.
Aoi
Aoi is not what we would call a modern girl. Her idea of heaven is to do Kaorus’ laundry, cook his meals, and clean his house. However, as we get to know her, we realise that behind her shy exterior is an iron spirit, and she is determined to prove to everyone that she and Kaoru are destined to be together, and that she has what it takes to bring him into the Sakuraba Family.
Sound & Graphics:
Not my strong point here, but I felt that the music went well with the story. I watched this series dubbed into english, and sometimes the translation is a bit to literal. Aois’ lines in particular sometimes seem a bit peculiar.
The graphics are superb! Really fine lines that stand up well to being enlarged to full screen. The artist sometimes struggles with perspective, particularly when looking obliquely down, but this isn’t uncommon in anime films.
Rating:
What can I say! I enjoyed the series so much that I use a still from it as my avatar! Not to everybody’s taste I know, but I’ve yet to see any thing better. Just in case I ever do, I rate this as 9.5/10