Anime & Manga Guide

Ai Yori Aoshi

Story
A young heiress (Aoi) from an important family wants to fulfil the arranged marriage between herself and her childhood friend (Kaoru), even though she hasn't seen him in years and the arrangement was cancelled by their families. After an unsuccessful attempt by Aoi to run away from home, a temporary compromise is reached in which Kaoru is allowed to live in one of the family's houses with Aoi as landlady under the watchful eye of chaperone Miyabi. Due to various circumstances, other tenants are taken on and a gang of friends forms in the household. 24 episodes.

Data

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Book - Ai Yori Aoshi  (Manga)
DVD - Ai Yori Aoshi  (TV 2002) 24 episodes
DVD - Ai Yori Aoshi Miyuki  (OVA 2002) 1 episodes
DVD - Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi  (TV 2003) 12 episodes

More Info

Review (TV Version)
This series is a serious drama for the first few episodes, but then suddenly changes to a "one guy in a group of girls" anime - a concept already well covered by popular shows like Love Hina and Tenchi.  Nevertheless, Ai Yori Aoshi becomes an entertaining comedy with with its fun and attractive characters. Note that all comments on this page refer to the TV version; the manga version is similar but contains more adult content.

Update (2003)

A second series, entitled Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi, has begun ('Enishi' = "destiny" or "fate"). In the second season, Chika-chan joins the household. Mayu continues to pursue Kaoru openly which seems to irritate Tina even more than usual. Meanwhile, Kaoru and Aoi seek to make their relationship closer without spilling their secret. (Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi was 12 episodes long). There was also a special Christmas-themed episode 'Ai Yori Aoshi Miyuki' released between the first and second series which was not particularily related to the main series.

Characters (spoilers)

Kaoru - Once heir to a powerful family, Kaoru ran away from his abusive grandfather. Now Kaoru is determined to make his own life for himself.

Aoi - Heiress to a wealthy family, Aoi has loved Kaoru ever since they were children. Aoi is very traditional and refined, and tends to put the feelings of others before her own.

Tina - A blonde American, Tina is brash and forward. She treats Kaoru as her plaything, but her feelings for Kaoru may be more serious than she admits.

Taeko - A classmate of Kaoru's, Taeko works as a housekeeper at Aoi's boarding house. Taeko is clumsy and naive, but the other girls envy her full figure.

Chiyako - Taeko's younger cousin. Smart and capable but still a kid at heart, Chiyako starts out trying to play matchmaker between Taeko and Kaoru but ends up getting closer to Kaoru herself.

Mayu - A spoiled rich kid, Mayu adores Kaoru because of his kindness in comparison to the cold attitude of her wealthy relatives.

Miyabi - Aoi's guardian, Miyabi manages the boarding house and acts as a chaperone between Aoi and Kaoru. Miyabi is very strict and formal, but cares for Aoi deeply.