Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 01
"Fate"
Ugh. Well, it's a romantic comedy, and it's harem-style. My expectations will be very low, accordingly.
Let's see... the art is good, looks great, you'll like it especially if you like really big eyes. I'm a little more partial towards medium to small eyes, so I'm a little turned off, but it's all very colorful and appealing.
Aoi has the unfortunate distinction of falling into my least favorite category of character: the subservient female. It's even worse in this show. She's been trained since she was a child to be Kaoru's wife. So we've basically gone as subservient as possible. I'm sure she'll show the requisite (small) amount of backbone throughout the show, but generally just cater to Kaoru and blush a lot.
I'd also like to point out that it's not that I immediately hate characters of this type. After all, I do have a thing for Belldandy.
If you've ever seen a show like this, you know how it starts. Two people, destined to be together, finally meeting after long enough that they basically forget each other. Then other women/men get in the way of destiny, but eventually love triumps.
Oh shoot, maybe I should have warned you about the spoilers.
Alright, I won't guarantee that everything will work out for the best (I've only watched one episode, after all), but come on.
In this twist on the normal story, Aoi and Kaoru met during their childhood... and... Oh wait, no, not much twist there.
The worst part about the genericness of this first episode is the fact that you have to be beaten over the head with the fact that the duo don't know each other, despite the fact that through flashback, you will be keenly aware that Aoi is looking for Kaoru. Most people probably know the premise of the show before watching it anyways, so do we really have to suffer through a whole episode of this? Apparently so.
Rating: C+
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 02
"Supper"
Last episode I complained about Aoi, but this episode it'll have to be Kaoru. He, unfortunately, falls into the category of whiny male lead. "Why did this happen to me?" Despite the fact what he's getting is probably better than he could ever dream of.
What is it about that first meal in shows like this, where the subservient female makes a feast for the guy, but never makes any food for herself. Weird...
Anyways, we get to see Aoi being suitably housewifey for Kaoru, doing all the chores and stuff (boy, they sure try hard to make Aoi appealing to their core demographic, eh?). It's an easy enough solution, though. Why bother making Aoi an interesting character that people will find appealing on her own, when you can just make her every fanboy's dream?
Sorry, so I ended up complaining about Aoi again, but she's such an important part of this show, that it can't bode well that she's such a two-dimensional character.
Though, I will say, if you like that sort of girl, you will probably absolutely love this show.
Rating: C-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 03
"Separation"
In the grand tradition in this sort of show, one of the early female characters must be introduced during the most awkward moment possible.
This is sort of a fast-forward episode in terms of the levels of relationship between Aoi and Kaoru that go by. Technically it doesn't take very long, but let's say it tosses what could have been a few episodes worth of show out of the way. I've been watching enough slow shows lately, so I'm not exactly complaining. My only real problem is that it's kind of hard to believe, but hey, I guess people get mail order brides every day, and it probably works similarly (if a little more creepily).
We learn a little bit more about Kaoru's backstory, and that's about the extent of character development. Right now, this series is the very definition of average.
Rating: C
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 04
"Living Together"
Another episode of Me and My Slave. That's the translation right?
Hey, look at that! It's episode four. If you've been reading for a while, then you might know that when I hit episode four of a series, I tend to like to comment about the music. In fact, usually it isn't planned, it's just that episode four is where the intro stuff goes away, and I desperately feel the need to find something to write about.
Where was I?
Ah, yes, the music.
Well, when it's there, it ranges from nice (the piano theme is pretty good), to that crap that usually comes with shows in this genre. Even my favorite, Ah! My Goddess, is guilty of this. If only they could stick to the pianos. More often than not, however, the music is noticable only because of its absence. Lots of long stretches without music, and even when there is some sort of accompaniment, it's somewhat restrained.
On the story side of things, the Sakurabas have apparently decided to go 180 and let Aoi be with Kaoru (hey, well, there goes the main barrier of the show, right?), which seems completely weird, but I'm sure they have some sort of sinister motive behind it all.
If you like Aoi, you'll probably love this show regardless of its crappiness (legions of Love Hina fans raise your hands), and if you don't like her (as I don't), you probably won't enjoy it.
Rating: C+
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 05
"Old Friend"
Up until now, at least AYA had its relative lack of fanservice going for it, but this episode takes a dramatic turn for the worse, going all out with gratuitous, stupid fanservice. I love when a scene is framed so that the screen focuses only on the lower (breasts down) part of a speaking female character.
Ugh, what the heck are they thinking with that twangy crappy music for Tina's theme. I swear to god.
Random strangers deciding to live with the main male and female, a hallmark of any show of this type. Though it's not entirely formulaic! In this episode, we get two female introductions, instead of just one. (I guess the characters weren't interesting enough to warrant their own episodes.)
In case you couldn't tell, I'm not a very big Tina fan. She has a really boring character design, terrible theme music, bad greeting, hyena laugh and a permanent cat tooth thing.
And, seriously, who grabs a woman's breasts in greetings?
Rating: C-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 06
"Family Tradition"
This show is littered with voice actors that absolutely infuriate me in the early goings. I couldn't stand Aoi's voice at first, but I've become apathetic to it after a half dozen episodes. On the other hand, Taeko's voice is so helium-induced, it gives me a perverse joy to see her failing at being a housekeeper.
As a side comment, is Aoi's hair such a unique shade that she has to wear the same clothes every episode?
Fairly entertaining episode, nothing really special or extraordinary, but it's competent in its formulaic, fanservicey way. Not much development in Kaoru and Aoi's relationship, but you do get to see a little glimpse of them being happy together (which is nice). I'm guessing they've spent as much time as they're going to developing them until some sort of larger obstacle is put between them (say another few roommates or some sort of family scandal).
Rating: B-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 07
"Spiritual Illusion"
Ugh, Taeko's voice is so annoying... And it's yet another in the illustrious line of inept anime characters who say sorry all the time.
This episode deals with the photo club a lot, and it sort of reminded me just how much this show is like Ah! My Goddess. You've got the goofy, shy hero (Keiichi), the demure and eager-to-please girlfriend (Belldandy), and the university club they're a part of (the auto club), which features a crazy leader (leaders, in the other case) and the bumbling clumsy girl (Hasegawa).
Well, it's a hot springs episode. Amazingly, this wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. There is much less fanservice (especially after the last episode) than you might think, and the story really has little to do with the gang visiting a hot springs. There's no peeping subplot! Can you believe it?
There's another nice moment between Kaoru and Aoi (accompanied with some nice piano music), but it almost feels like we're forced to sit through the fluff of the rest of the show, just for a two minute payoff. The other parts are just so pointless, it's like they're just going through the paces to fill up time.
Rating: C+
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 08
"Cherished Treasure"
I'm hoping that the stupid ferret is actually intended as some sort of metaphor for the relationship between the various characters in the show. Yeah, right. No, it's just a stupid ferret.
Does the vessel of making Miyabi a more likable character have to be the ferret, of all things? This is probably one of the most serious episodes of the show so far, too! And it's about a ferret! Do you see the problem here?
Okay, if I bought into the ferret idea, thought it was a cool new character on the show, I would comment about how this was a heartwarming episode, where the cold Miyabi becomes more accessible after having her heart softened by Uzume, the newest member of the household. It teachers her that possessions aren't as important as feelings. Perhaps this will make her lighten up towards Kaoru. That's what I'd be telling you...
IF THIS EPISODE WASN'T ABOUT A STUPID FERRET.
Rating: D-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 09
"One Night"
There's a scene in this episode where Kaoru is watching something on TV that is probably a parody of many other romantic anime series, but it particularly brings to mind Ah! My Goddess (my memory is fading, and at this rate I'll forget about you!). Kind of amusing, but then it's not so funny when you consider what a carbon copy of every other show like this Ai Yori Aoshi is.
I didn't think I could be made to dislike Tina more than I did after the first few episodes with her, but this Tina-centric episode really managed to bring my dislike to new heights. All of her character traits are intensely annoying, coupled with her whiny/screamy voice. Miyabi manages to make herself into a more annoying character with two of her three lines in this episode, which is another feat.
In fact, I really dislike most of the characters in this show. They don't really serve any real purpose other than to fill in the requisite roles for a series of this genre. There's a half-hearted attempt to change the archetypes slightly, but the characters don't really have any depth to them (which I'm sure will be rectified in upcoming episodes...), so you really don't care about them. On top of that, they all have some very striking voice actors, and all their lines are pitched and delivered in such a way that makes me want to put my head through the screen.
But you'll probably like this episode if you like Tina.
Rating: D
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 10
"Place of Learning"
Haha, after making fun of Ah! My Goddess and all derivative anime series in the last episode, AYA goes ahead and makes fun of all the shows that involve brothers and sisters falling in love (you know what kind I mean).
Most anime plots are pretty bad (recycled, unimaginative, cliched, etc.), so most series rely on its characters to get by, or be appealing. Unfortunately, Ai Yori Aoshi has one of the worst cast of characters in a show I've seen in a long time. I can feel the effort of the show to make me feel for Aoi and her struggles with non-sheltered life, and Kaoru protectiveness of her. But unfortunately, it's an abysmal failure.
Nothing like seeing how pathetic Aoi is to further endear me to her character. She's so innocent and useless, how can you not love her? I mean, the fact that someone asks her a question and she becomes short of breath and nervous, and she wonders whether or not her coming to visit Kaoru on campus will be a bother to him?
Then she apologizes for visiting. Oh, and she doesn't just apologize, that's after she hides behind a statue. Hides from Kaoru (in her embarassment).
This sort of show... I really never want to watch another one where whichever submissive female character asks if she's a bother.
No, you're not! The main character is a loser. If it wasn't for your serendipitous entry into his life, he'd have nothing! So no, you're not a bother. In fact, you've made his life worth living. Not that he'll tell you that, because he's tongue-tied, shy, and has absolutely no idea what's actually going on.
Hey, Tina looks a lot like Hakufu from Ikkitousen!
What a (terrible) show.
Rating: D
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 11
"Debutante"
Oh. My. God.
I think J.C. Staff should be embarassed by the English in the first part of this episode. It's bad enough when the "English" girl tries to speak it ("Here is not motor circuit."), but when Tina, our American character, forgets English, I wanted to put my head through the screen. I think the really funny part about it is how much Mayu's voice actress changes pitch and tone when she speaks English instead of Japanese.
Ai Yori Aoshi is a harem show, so the more challengers for Kaoru's affections the better! This time it's Mayu, a (presumably) childhood friend of Kaoru's who was sent off to London so she could learn English. Now she's back and immediately is back in love with Kaoru. Being the nice guy that he is, Kaoru isn't really able to fight her off, and agrees to spend some time with her (which naturally makes Aoi worried).
This entire episode is used to explain Mayu's character, or rather, her main characteristic, which is her loneliness. Above being told that she's a solitary girl, this is reinforced by visuals, her attitudes, direct observations in dialogue, etc. I'm not really sure if an entire episode was necessary for this introduction, I think we all get the point.
Rating: C
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 12
"Kiss"
You probably don't need too many guesses to figure out the plot of this episode, but in case you don't want to think about it, I'll just spoil it for you: it's about business.
Okay, so it's about kissing. And oh is there a lot of kissing. It's exhaustive. Every possible couple and then some. Okay, so I didn't have you going that time either.
I actually liked this episode of Ai Yori Aoshi. I guess I'm a sucker for first kiss episodes, but I was happy to see Aoi finally show a little initiative, and see her get what she wanted. Also, considering the kind of emotional hoops these sorts of shows make you jump through, it's always nice to see our frequently maligned hero and heroine actually get to be together, uninterrupted by a) inconvenient appearances by long-lost parties, b) a parade, c) sudden illness, or d) god.
There's also some backstory on Mayu and Kaoru, which more or less reminds us that Kaoru really is a swell guy, and deserves the line of girls that inevitably want to win his heart. Aoi also gets a chance to remind us that she's really the girl who deserves to win him.
Still, it's a nice episode.
Rating: A-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 13
"Star Festival"
Ah! My Goddess is obviously not the be-all-end-all of this sort of show, but I couldn't help but think that this episode was an amalgamation of many of the episodes of Ah! My Goddess, mixed into one. You've got Kaoru working all the jobs to buy that special gift for Aoi, and then a line that's almost straight out of Ah! My Goddess about being together this year, and every year after that, etc.
The "twist" of this episode, is pretty obvious almost from the get-go. It's not that bad, though, and doesn't take away a lot fromt he episode.
It's very convenient, for the purposes of creating emotional moments, that Aoi's confidence in herself is almost nonexistant. The second Kaoru shows disinterest towards her, her entire emotional fabric seems to come apart, leading inevitably to a scene where Kaoru makes everything better, while Aoi cries and is relieved. I guess it's hard for me to accept this girl who is so fragile that she goes to pieces at the slightest sign of problems. You'd think she would have figured out that Kaoru actually really does like her. Makes you wonder what might happen if something bad came to pass, and how she'd be able to deal with that.
Of course, this show is the guy's point of view, so of course the female is going to be constantly reinforcing Kaoru's control, and his command of the situation. This has pretty much been my biggest complaint with the show, and doesn't seem to be getting any better.
Complaints aside, this is your average episode for a show of this type, nothing really special, but nothing really wrong with it.
Rating: B
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 14
"Servant"
I like to joke about how I love watching anime at conventions. There's nothing like packing a bunch of anime fans into a dark room and showing them anime. The best part would have to be the random laughing at things that aren't funny at all. You never know what minor thing will set someone off. Once one person starts, it's pretty infectious. The most ridiculous case I've personally experienced would have to be in the last episode of Comic Party, when one of the characters did "look I'm being devious" fangs, the whole room cracked up.
Then there was the time at AX a few years ago, watching a screening of Escaflowne: The Movie, when the entire room oooh'd and aaah'd at the black Escaflowne's billowing cape.
Rambling segue aside, I thought that there were actually some genuinely funny moments in this episode.
However, I'm still generally irked by Aoi and Kaoru's relationship. First of all, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. They've been at the same point for what seems like forever. Sure they hit a little bump in the road every once in a while, but that's about it. On top of that, I'm just completely turned off by Aoi's worship of Kaoru. I know that she probably appeals to many, many guys, but I just don't like her subservient housewifeiness. When she's not wrong, she apologizes, when Kaoru does something wrong, it's almost as though she thinks it's her fault.
I guess the problem isn't that there is no conflict, it's that there is no conflict between the two of them. Hopefully, something happens to spice it up a little.
Rating: B-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 15
"Feelings of the Heart"
I feel like I haven't given Ai Yori Aoshi's art enough credit yet. From scene to scene, it is an extremely good looking anime. The characters and backgrounds all look great. The attention to color is particularly good.
There's a lot more of Aoi talking about the fervent nature of her love for Kaoru. You know, if this wasn't an anime, I think her feelings would actually be considered pretty creepy.
This is a semi-recap episode. I think it's like a midway jumping on point for people who hadn't been watching the show to begin with. It basically sets up (recaps) Aoi and Kaoru's relationship, and how they first met, in case you forgot what's going on with all the recent mushiness.
I guess I'm a sucker for watching the two of them get to enjoy their relationship (something you almost never get in shows like this), so I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. It also featured none of the annoying supporting cast, which made me even happier.
Rating: A-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 16
"Shores"
I like the fact that despite how many other girls are throwing themselves at him, Kaoru never falls into the trap of showing anything that could really be seen as romantic interest back at them. He only goes into that mode with Aoi (usually when they're alone), which is nice.
In this episode, Aoi puts on a swimsuit for the first time (one piece, no surprise) as Kaoru and gang head out to the beach. Of course, Aoi manages to make wearing a sexy swimsuit for Kaoru turn into something she has to apologize about.
I'm still very torn about Ai Yori Aoshi in general. On the one hand, I think it has moments where it's very, very good. Generally, those are parts with Kaoru and Aoi. The parts where it breaks down is whenever it involves the supporting cast (Tina is the worst offender). However, sometimes I can't get over Aoi's character, and her absolute subservience to Kaoru. If it weren't for those few gripes, I think this would be a spectacular show, as you can tell the creators "get" how to do the romance part. Not to mention the fact that the music is great, and the art is amazing for a tv show.
This was a fun episode, though, and gets added to my list of favorite romantic anime beach episodes (right, no genre stereotypes there!).
Rating: A
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 17
"Waves"
The best part about this episode is that Taeko gets her try at being the girl who looks incredibly hot, and how did no one really notice it until she took her glasses off and let her hair down?
Of course, this is anime, so most guys probably thought she looked pretty hot even with the glasses on and hair not down.
After a run of good episodes, I guess I was bound for a letdown. This episode runs the gamut of a whole bunch of bad genre cliches, like the girl with good intentions (Chika) trying to get a couple together, and causing more trouble than they started with. It even goes all the way to a firework-interrupted confessional.
I never noticed this before, but Tina and Mayu have clashing hair colors (yellow and purple, respectively) which reflects the fact they're always on each others' cases. That's Anime Viewing Comprehension 101.
When this show is good, it's when we get to see Aoi and Kaoru together. When it's not, it's when it's got everyone else involved. Unfortunately, Aoi and Kaoru have barely a word together in this episode, so what we end up is a cliche-heavy, average story.
Rating: B
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 18
"Bedsharing"
I like the fact that in this genre of anime, it's so expected that every female who comes into contact with the main character will fall in love with him, that the development of these feelings can just be glossed over, and called up when necessary.
Case in point, we all know Tina is in love with Kaoru, because after all, that's what girls in these shows do. So when she starts admitting her serious feelings for Kaoru, it's no surprise, despite the fact there's been little to no reinforcement, other than a little bit of jealousy here and there.
My favorite part of this episode is the complete seriousness with which Aoi freaks out about the laundry getting wet when the rain comes down.
The episode's pretty absurd. Tina and Kaoru go to the zoo, they go on this ride where Tina ends up being dressed in a wedding gown and Kaoru gets chased by a giant ostrich. Kaoru sees Tina, feelings boil to surface, rain falls down on pair, finds refuge in love hotel. Frank admission of various feelings, blush blush.
Of course, nothing happens, because if there's one thing that the main male characters in shows like this are, it's faithful.
This episode does make you like Tina as a character a lot better though. She's not just being a disruptive, crazy drunk, and her "real" personality is a lot more appealing (plus they draw her with some cute crazy expressions this episode).
Hey, if they could make me like Tina, they must be doing something right.
Rating: A-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 19
"Lap Pillow"
Ugh, with all the girls vying for Kaoru's affection, is Chika really necessary?
At episode nineteen, it feels a little weird to be a) introducing new characters, and b) having a filler episode. By my calculations, with the few episodes left in this show, it can mean only one of two things: 1. this show is all filler episodes, or 2. the big Aoi-Kaoru relationship blocker is going to show up soon.
So, this is the Chika episode, where she comes to the realization that the AYA gang is really part of her extended family, through a set of somewhat contrived events tailor-made to deliver this earth-shattering realization. It's not as bad as I just overdramatized it, but there's nothing too special about it.
Any episode of this show that features stuff at sunset (and that's quite a few of them) is a good showcase of the gorgeous animation and color use in Ai Yori Aoshi. If everything wasn't so darn pretty, I'd probably enjoy this show a lot less.
Rating: B
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 20
"Cure"
At this point in the show's lifetime, I don't think there's much more I can say about the production side of things. The animation and art is gorgeous, far ahead most other shows of the time. The music fits well and there are many memorable tracks.
There's still a few episodes left, so there's still a chance there will be some sort of story arc. While I am enjoying the show, I wish there was a little more character development, rather than the string of one-shot episodes that the show favors. There's nothing wrong with it, but you just don't feel Aoi and Kaoru going anywhere. There's no conflict or tension. We know Aoi and Kaoru love each other unconditionally, and there's not much drama from that.
In this episode, we get teased about Kaoru's past a bit, but it's nothing we didn't know already. Though it's probably the most interesting part of the episode, it is also more or less inconsequential, as Aoi glosses past it with a declaration of love.
With more character development, plot or dramatic tension, this could be an even better show. As it is, it's light show with gorgeous production.
Rating: B
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 21
"Influenza"
Ah ha! Finally as I have hoped for, conflict strikes Ai Yori Aoshi! What could it be? Family disapproval? Infidelity? Aoi needs to go back to outer space?
Actually, Aoi just gets sick, which works as a good segue into that classic story where the one who does all the chores gets incapacitated, and everyone else has to try to pick up the slack, realizing that the job's a lot harder than they thought. There's not much deviation from that formula with this episode.
Strange thing in this episode, I felt like the character designs were off at times. It might just be my imagination, but most of the characters faces looked off at one point or another. Everything else was pretty much as you'd expect from this show, though.
I was actually partially kidding about the conflict introduced. At the end of the episode, we're teased seeing Miyabi talking on the phone and looking troubled, which can only mean the imminent arrival of some real challenges for Kaoru and Aoi (at least I hope).
Rating: B-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 22
"Going Home"
This felt like the shortest episode of Ai Yori Aoshi yet. This is a strong episode from beginning to end. It starts with Kaoru taking Aoi to see his mother's grave (the place he mentioned in the previous episode), which gives the two of them a stretch of time alone together, and it's a very good scene.
While they're away, the bad news appears to finally hit, which leads to Aoi and Miyabi leaving to visit Aoi's parents, while Kaoru worries that Aoi might be taken away from him. They also introduce the cool little wooden peg figures that appear in the credits.
Eventually, it dawns on Kaoru that his suspicions were right, and something bad really is happening, leading to the one kind of weird moment in the episode, where Miyabi pledges to defend Kaoru at all costs (which felt like Miyabi slipping into a different genre altogether).
Oh, the art seems back on track in this episode, too.
Rating: A
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 23
"Determination"
The one thing about Ai Yori Aoshi that I'm extremely grateful for is the fact that the competition between the girls in the supporting cast and Aoi is not a main storyline, but rather a periodic vessel for comic relief.
While there's the part of me that likes the fact that Aoi is so unyieldingly devoted to Kaoru. Luckily, it's anime, so the intensity of her feelings isn't nearly as spooky as it might be otherwise.
It took twenty-two episodes for the objection by Aoi's family to her plan to marry Kaoru to finally happen. It seems like two episodes (three, generously) isn't enough to really do it justice, but at this point, it seems like they picked the right amount. Of course, that means we'll probably get an anime ending, but in this show's case, I think it's okay, as the manga was still going at the end of the season.
I've always said my favorite parts of this show are when Aoi and Kaoru get to be alone together, and that's definitely true in this episode.
One more to go!
Rating: A-
Ai Yori Aoshi Episode 24
"Aoi"
It's almost hard to get used to for a show like Ai Yori Aoshi to have the ultimate conclusion not be the confession of feelings from the main characters. Aoi and Kaoru got that out of the way in the first few episodes of the show, and while Ai Yori Aoshi featured a lot of cliches or similar elements to other shows in the genre, it definitely had a better twist:
Aoi and Kaoru are mature adults who are in love with each other.
They're not afraid of their feelings either, which is nice.
I thought this was a nice ending to the season (if something of a non-ending), and I was pleased with the way Kaoru approached defending his relationship with Aoi to Aoi's father. He didn't try to convince him that he was worthy, or that "love will conquer all." Instead, he appealed to him as Aoi's father, and how hurt Aoi would be if she was forced to leave the Sakuraba family (as she was determined to do, if they would not accept Kaoru).
Aoi's father doesn't suddenly approve of Kaoru, nor does he seem to particularly like him. However, he does a very fatherly thing: give in so that Aoi can be happy.
That scene showed the difference between Ai Yori Aoshi and other shows in the genre, tackling situations differently and in a more realistic way than what you find elsewhere.
I'm eagerly looking forward to the second season.
Rating: A+