What a time for surprises for all of the friends! Kaoru and Aoi go on a date together and spend there time reminiscing and enjoying each other's company. The two end up spending the evening at a hotel . . . Later, the residents of the Sakuraba mansion decide to go to a spa resort and Kaoru winds up seeing more than he was meant to! Digital cameras can be so much fun - the gang decide to take some pictures of themselves, dressing up in costumes and outfits that turn out to be very fun. Tina then takes a trip back home to America, leaving the rest of the household worried and missing her . . . will she ever come back?
Product details
Aspect Ratio
:
1.33:1
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer
:
No
MPAA rating
:
Unrated (Not Rated)
Product Dimensions
:
7.5 x 5.5 x 0.75 inches; 3.2 ounces
Media Format
:
Animated, Color, Subtitled, Full Screen, NTSC, Multiple Formats, Dolby
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I am too familiar with and well aware of the areas in which Ai Yori Aoshi may be criticized. And on an intellectual level I would agree. There is absolutely no purpose to Tina's overtly perverse and rude behavior, which was for all intent a grossly distorted crack at American conduct. Taeko may have been more amiable had the character not been a stereotypical clumsy but well-meaning goof of a beauty who is the most endowed among the cast. And Aoi is so subservient, deferring her own wishes, ambitions and aspirations to a weakling that had abandoned her in the first place that it defies reality and suspends disbelief. And its most significant failing may be said to be its dishonesty. To begin with exposition of a profound romantic premise that after four episodes takes not just a detour, but a full 180-degree turn to become something less and driven by slapstick and fanservice is just deceitful and misleading. As a romantic drama, the title is guilty of all its shortcomings.
But what if the original intent had not been to create a romantic drama, but to sell a product that is highly popular among male demographics? And what if success in this business venture was to be found in illustrated literature that falls under a genre in which a harem was not only common, but fundamental? Moreover, what if author and artist Fumizuki Kou was a skilled and gifted writer able to conceive strong situations that test his characters and thus move his readers? And, that despite his need to eat and pay rent or the mortgage, his respect for his own artistry forbids him from producing entirely unsubstantial material, that he devises a plan to bring about warmth, richness, and dimension to the product. And that he does so by setting its foundation on the love of two childhood friends bethrothed to one another but separated by bitter familial politics. But he would decisively and canonically establish an exciting destiny for these two no matter who was thrown in the mix. And to highten and strengthen the dramatic impact, he would develop the two in the most engrossing fashion by sparsely placing throughout the series the tender, touching, inspiring, and captivating moments of intimacy shared between them. And as the two of them engage one another, we are exposed to their thoughts and emotions, raw in the pursuit of the other's well being but founded on a compelling desire to be the source of nourishment to the other. Finally, their interaction would be pure, honest, mutually exclusive, and courageously untainted by any form of wanton and gratuitous sexual provacation (Tina's antics notwithstanding) as is common in today's smut being passed off as romance. What if the powerful romantic elements of Ai Yori Aoshi was merely a component used to enrich the product belonging to a genre from which there certainly was no shortage?
This is how I view Ai Yori Aoshi. It is an enjoyable harem anime based on a fine manga. As a harem anime, it would then be expected for one male to end up in situations where he is living with many women. Yet, the title sets itself apart in execution, as it profoundly explores and develops that romantic component that was sorely neglected in Love Hina and diverted away from in Tenchi. It is also ludicrous to judge the character of Aoi Sakuraba in light of western upbringing and not consider the cultural context from which she was conceived. Whatever it is that one may say about her only demonstrates one's position about the culture, and not fallacies about her conception. The Aoi and Kaoru moments were few indeed, but they were moving and utterly delightful, and their rareness made them all the more special when they did occur. I have nothing but the deepest affection and fondness for Ai Yori Aoshi. I've not seen anything as breadthly emotional in a romance, not the books I've read by jaded authors nor any film or video to which their efforts I ascribe superficial. This title is one that I continue to watch over and over again. If the elitist viewer can get over him or herself, there is much to enjoy in this fine production.
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2012
Ai Yori Aoshi is the story of 2 childhood friends whose arranged marriage is nullified after Kaoru leaves his family. Years later his former betrothed, Aoi,finds him and still intends to marry him. He is skeptical at first, but soon comes around after seeing that she is sweet and pure of heart. She's pretty much the perfect young lady. Her family is against her stubborn intention to stay with Kaoru. In order to avoid scandal, they set them up in a huge summer home and call Kaoru a tenant and Aoi the landlord. Along with Aoi's cartaker, and several other college friends, the young couple begins their journey together. Everyday they get to know each other better and love each other more. As this happens, they have a harder time keeping their relationship a secret.
This is a great anime series. Enishi is the 2nd season of Ai Yori Aoshi. It isn't much different from season 1. It's more of the same stuff, but that's okay. It stays interesting and lots of fun. It is hard to compare this series to another. It's closest to Clannad I think. Just not nearly as emotional, and there is a bit more fan service. Enishi is shorter than the 1st season, it's only 12 episodes. It also doesn't really resolve anything. The series ends with everything much the as it was in the beginning of the show with everyone living together happily. It's okay though, that's really how you want it to end. Rather than hearts being broken and people drifting apart like in real life, everybody lives happily ever after under the same roof. Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi is a great series any way that you look at it. It's one you'll always look back upon with fond memories.
This is a VERY sweet and affecting series, but at the "end?" of Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi we have essentially the same situation we started with, save that one of the girls discovers/suspects the secret engagement.
Some people prefer an open, even a VERY open ending. The ending here was either a hasty wrap up after the plug was pulled, a purposefully intense tease to make sure we break down the door when part 3 is released, or the creators' admission that they don't have the talent for a follow through.
My whole reason for delving into a 'harem' series was that this seemed like one that wouldn't leave things hanging. It is NOT.
Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi: Destiny contains the last four episodes in the Enishi anime series that was a sequel to the longer series, Ai Yori Aoshi. Destiny ends much as the original series ended. We see a little resolution of a couple of dilemmas - namely, Aoi and Kaoru's relationship, and Tina's crush on Kaoru. But it is all feel-good - with no conflict, drama, or tension.
There is not much fan service in this final episode. There is a single panty shot of Chika-chan in a cheerleading outfit. Mostly, the disc is slow-paced and relaxing.
I do hope the series continues with another installment. Extras include the singer of the opening and ending songs performing live at an Amime Expo in the U.S.
![Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi, Volume 2: Bond (Episodes 5-8) [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TGP34PRTL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
