Customer Reviews

Love Hina, Volume 1: Moving In (Episodes 1-4)

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Love Hina, surprisingly very well-known among all anime fans, has finally made its way here to America. A series spanning 14 manga volumes, 24 episodes, 2 specials, 1 oav (episode 25), and the soon to be released in Japan, Love Hina Again (3 episode OAV).

The series stars a helpless 20 year old ronin (a person who didn't pass the college exams) named Keitarou Urashima. Throughout high school, he never got really good grades and never had a girl friend, yet one of his earliest childhood memories was of a girl. The memory was very vague but he remembered that they made a promise to go to Tokyo University together because if two people in love get accepted, they will be definitely be happy forever. His whole reason for going to Tokyo University was for that promise and the only girl he really loved even thought he doesn't even remember who she was. Well in the present day, Keitarou decided he needed to get out of the house so he decides to go to his grandmother's Hinata Inn which to his surprise is now a female dormitory. This starts his lucky life with many beautiful women and possibly, one of them could be the girl he made the promise to.

The packaging of this DVD frankly turns me off. If I had never seen Love Hina or had never heard about it and just saw it on the rack, I probably would not buy it. The logo Bandai made up looks really ancient and something from the 70s or something. The pose and expression of Keitarou and Naru on the cover of the DVD does not suit them. While they do this for the comical scenes and where they are annoyed with each other, the way they are remembered by fans is the subtle naivety of their feelings for each other which was expressed in the Japanese DVD covers which I hoped that Bandai would use or something to that effect. For this reason, I made my own DVD cover as a replacement. The DVD Series Box that comes with this DVD looks okay. I wouldn't say it was as special as the Cowboy Bebop box. The Japanese DVD Box used manga art which I didn't think fit too well so by using the anime art for the english box was a good idea.

The music of this anime is amazing as well. The opening and ending are performed by Megumi Hayashibara who plays the role of Haruka Urashima (Keitarou's Aunt). They put in song what the series about: both the comedic and dramatic appeal. Some of the BGMs are amazing and even all the voice actors lend a hand to create some character vocals that do get shown in the anime.

Love Hina is an anime that isn't necessarily for everyone. It deals with minor perversion multiple times but never really shows any nudity. So if you're a person that knows they are offended by this, then this anime might not be for you. To me, what makes this anime special is the fact that it gives me a light-hearted feeling after I finish watching each episode. Each character has his/her own depth that you can relate to. It's humorous, sorrowful, dramatic, all at the same time. Ken Akamatsu (Creater of Love Hina manga) made perfect characters and an amazing story as well. This is a definite must-buy.

Love Hina is a romantic/comedic anime based on the shonen manga by Akamatsu Ken. Love Hina (or 'rabu-hina') is about a poor loser named Urashima Keitarou, whose trying to get into Tokyo U, the prestigious university where only 1/3 of the people who take the entrance exams gets in. Why does he want to get in when he's already failed twice? Well, when Keitarou was little, he made a promise to a little girl that they would meet and fall in love at Toudai. Unfortunately, she moved away and Keitarou doesn't even remember her name! So, out embarks Keitarou to fulfill his promise.

One day, his grandmother leaves her inn, Hinata-sou, in the hands of Keitarou as a caretaker. Keitarou is astonished when he finds out that it is an all-girl's dorm! He meets a cast of wacky and fun girls that inhabit the rooms of Hinata-sou. They include Narusegawa Naru, a bright girl also studying for Toudai; Konno 'Kitsune' Mistune, a girl who always cons everyone out of their money; a foreign girl with a jungle for a bedroom, Kaolla Suu; Maehara Shinobu, a shy junior high school student; and Aoyama Motoko, 'kendo girl' with deadly fighting skills.

So what happens when Keitarou happens to be attracted to Naru? As the adventures unfold at Hinata-sou, it gets better. The opening sequence and song is extremely good, and I'm not sure, but I heard that Love Hina uses digital animation. If they did, it is beautiful because there is fluid movement and surreal colors. The opening song, 'Sakura Saku' is very catchy and fun to listen to. I was automatically hooked to it. Please buy Love Hina. It has a bit of romance, a bit of comedy, a bit of drama, with a lot of parodies.

Love Hina is probably one of the most talked series since Ken Akamatsu's manga started running. The story revolves around Keitaro Urashima, who, as a small child, made a promise to a girl to go together with her to Toudai (Tokyo University). Unfortunately, not only does he not remember what the girl looks like, but he is on the verge of failing the entrance exam for the university for the third straight year. His situation is further complicated when he ends up being the manager of his grandmother's Hinata Inn (which happens to be where he made the promise to the mysterious girl). Did I mention the Hinata Inn has since become an all-girls dormitory?

While many argue that the basis of the story is overdone (one central male figure surrounded by many female figures), Love Hina manages to have a charm of its own. The characters are quite varied and complex, and quite a bit of character development is done throughout (but probably much more so in the manga series). The series is also quite fun to watch - there are quite a few high-energy sequences, from chasing Keitaro around the Inn to battling hundreds of mechanized turtles. (Don't ask.)

The voice acting (Japanese) is top-notch as well - Yuji Ueda and Yui Horie play the lead characters (Keitaro and Naru) masterfully - from high-energy arguments to emotionally charged moments, it works perfectly. The other characters are also quite well suited - there's even Megumi Hayashibara playing one of the minor roles! (I'll let you try and find out which one she is.)

Although not one of my absolute favorites (that priviledge is reserved for the Japanese version of Cardcaptor Sakura), this series is definitely worth a look.

"Love Hina" is a brilliant anime series. At first glance, it seems formulaic. Narusagawa and Keitaro join the long line of shy college students who can't/won't express their feelings for each other. "Maison Ikkoku" and "Oh! My Goddess" come to mind. After a few episodes, the difference becomes clear, and "Love Hina" begins to shine.

This anime is FUNNY. It is funny on a level that other series do not approach. "Love Hina" takes place in a women's dorm, Hinata Lodge. The lodge is populated by a small group of beautiful girls, who are all misfits in their own way. Motoko is a mystical Kendo warrior. Suu is pretty much Radical Edward transplanted. Narusagawa is trying hard for Tokyo University, and studies so hard she needs bottle thick glasses. The male manager of the Hinata Lodge is Keitaro, a 3 time Ronin also trying for Tokyo University. Hijinks ensue. Underpants are accidentally displayed. First kisses ALMOST happen. Keitaro is slapped, kicked and sent into orbit. Classic Japanese anime slapstick.

The animation is A+++. (A great episode involving Motoko takes place in the flickering, black and white style of old Samurai films.) The characters all have distinct personalities and great character design. I love the opening theme music. I highly, highly highly recommend "Love Hina."

After hearing about Love Hina for several years, I decided to buy the first DVD. And I was amazed. I thought it would be boring, but I was wrong. It was really wonderful, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm getting all the other volumes, plus the Christmas Movie for Christmas. I reccomend Love Hina to anyone who likes a good laugh. This DVD cotains the 1st 4 episodes of Love Hina, and might I say, the english voice actors do a very nice job, and the music is very pretty. I am so addicted to the song I must hear it all the time! I think Su, Shinobu, and Naru are very cute, and are drawn nicely. Both their English and Japanese voices are done very good.

Episode 1-20-year-old Keitaro Urashima is trying to get into Tokyo University for the 3rd time, since he made a promise to a girl 15 years ago. Only, he can't remember who the girl is. His grandmother Hina Urashima is leaving the Hinata Apartments, and has chosen Keitaro to be the new manager. When he arrives, he hops into the hotsprings bath. He is surprised when he finds out that he went into the women's bath, and that it was an all-girl dormitory. The girls cannot accept them as the new manager.
Episode 2-7th grader Shinobu Maehara's always getting picked on at school, and her parents are going to get divorced, which will mean Shinobu will have to move away. But she doesn't want to. Earlier in episode 1, Keitaro was drawing her, when he dropped his sketchbook, and Shinobu tries to return it to him. She becomes acquainted with everyone, and they invite her to a good-bye party. Unfortunatley, she ends up doing all the work. When her parents come looking for her, they find out she wants to stay at the Hinata Apartments, so she does.
Episode 3-Motoko Aoyama returns from her long retreat, and mistakes Keitaro as a stalker. She challenges him to a dual, but she comes down with a cold.
Episode 4-Keitaro and Naru go to take their exams into Tokyo U, but after Keitaro takes it, he has to grade it himself. He knows he won't make it. When he found out he got the first 3 questions wrong,he stopped. But later, he finds out that he did fail. Who knows? Maybe he will make it in later in the series?

Like many anime TV sereies, Love Hina has it's roots in comics. The TV sreies consisted of 27 episodes, including a Christmas Special.
It's a romantic, comedy with a straight forward storyline. A 20 year old, Tokyo U student wanna-be (Keitrao) ends up as the manager of an all girls dorm in a small town, Hinata. The reaction of the girls isn't exactly good, and the tension between the residents and Keitaro makes for funny situations. Add in the fact that Keitaro has been without a "girl" friend since he was 5, and you find a bumbling naive boy being overrun by the girls. (In some ways, it's remeniscent of the Tenchi Muyo! storylines.)
The main female character is Naru, also trying to get into Tokyo U, and it seems her main task is to beat Keitaro to a pulp by the end of the series and be his main love interest. The other main characters are: Kitsune, a girl focused on parties and money; Motoko, a sword master; Su, a techologically inclined exchange student; and Shinobu, shy but a good cook (also the most popular character in Japan).
The animation is excellent, clear even when viewed frame by frame. The problem arises in the English dub. First, the sound is noticeably softer than the Japanese track. Second, the characters voices aren't what you'd expect. No matter how hard I try, there's no way Kitsune would have a southern accent. Third, on some DVD players, the subtitles come up and disappear late.
My opinion, if you are looking for a laugh, this sereies will likely be a good buy. If you liked Tenchi, you'll like this series.

Love Hina is probably one of the most talked series since Ken Akamatsu's manga started running. The story revolves around Keitaro Urashima, who, as a small child, made a promise to a girl to go together with her to Toudai (Tokyo University). Unfortunately, not only does he not remember what the girl looks like, but he is on the verge of failing the entrance exam for the university for the third straight year. His situation is further complicated when he ends up being the manager of his grandmother's Hinata Inn (which happens to be where he made the promise to the mysterious girl). Did I mention the Hinata Inn has since become an all-girls dormitory?

While many argue that the basis of the story is overdone (one central male figure surrounded by many female figures), Love Hina manages to have a charm of its own. The characters are quite varied and complex, and quite a bit of character development is done throughout (but probably much more so in the manga series). The series is also quite fun to watch - there are quite a few high-energy sequences, from chasing Keitaro around the Inn to battling hundreds of mechanized turtles. (Don't ask.)

The voice acting (Japanese) is top-notch as well - Yuji Ueda and Yui Horie play the lead characters (Keitaro and Naru) masterfully - from high-energy arguments to emotionally charged moments, it works perfectly. The other characters are also quite well suited - there's even Megumi Hayashibara playing one of the minor roles! (I'll let you try and find out which one she is.)

Although not one of my absolute favorites (that priviledge is reserved for the Japanese version of Cardcaptor Sakura), this series is definitely worth a look.

"Love Hina" is a brilliant anime series. At first glance, it seems formulaic. Narusagawa and Keitaro join the long line of shy college students who can't/won't express their feelings for each other. "Maison Ikkoku" and "Oh! My Goddess" come to mind. After a few episodes, the difference becomes clear, and "Love Hina" begins to shine.

This anime is FUNNY. It is funny on a level that other series do not approach. "Love Hina" takes place in a women's dorm, Hinata Lodge. The lodge is populated by a small group of beautiful girls, who are all misfits in their own way. Motoko is a mystical Kendo warrior. Suu is pretty much Radical Edward transplanted. Narusagawa is trying hard for Tokyo University, and studies so hard she needs bottle thick glasses. The male manager of the Hinata Lodge is Keitaro, a 3 time Ronin also trying for Tokyo University. Hijinks ensue. Underpants are accidentally displayed. First kisses ALMOST happen. Keitaro is slapped, kicked and sent into orbit. Classic Japanese anime slapstick.

The animation is A+++. (A great episode involving Motoko takes place in the flickering, black and white style of old Samurai films.) The characters all have distinct personalities and great character design. I love the opening theme music. I highly, highly highly recommend "Love Hina."

Love Hina is just an adorable anime. If you want an anime series with romance combined with a little comedy then this is it. Keitaro Urashima is a boy who has been trying to get into Tokyo University fro three years. Why? Well, because of a promise he made to a little girl that he liked when he was five (I think it was five) years old. Keitaro is....well a loser. He's never had a girlfriend, and doesn't have a lot of friends, and doesn't have the scores to make it in Tokyo University however he's very nice and has a kind heart.

When Keitaro's parents kicks him out of the house because he wouldn't give up on his dreams to go to Tokyo University he goes to his grandmother's house (or rather hotel). Keitaro's reaches the house but no one is there so he invites himself in. Later that night he decides to go swimming/bathing in the outside hot springs. That's when all his troubles begins. It turns out that the house was actually an all girl's hotel/house and Keitaro's grandma made him the new manager. Let's say that the girl's weren't that happy with the new revelation. That's how the story begins...

Episodes 1: This episode is the set up of the story. The promise, Keitaro's parents throws him out of their house, Keitaro goes to grandmother's house, goes bathing, gets punched, kicked, yelled at, and lastly he's made the new manager.

Episode 2: This is about Shinobu who is a cute short haired girl who will later join the other "happy" residents of Hinata Apartments.

Episode 3: The hot headed Motoko "Kendo Girl" comes back to the apartment after her little trip. Who does she find? Keitaro, the new boy manager. After Motoko runs around trying to beat him up she realizes that she's blushing around him. What is this about? Does she like him?

Episode 4: Episode 4 goes over the promise that Keitaro made with the girl when he was younger. He then begins to notice things about one of his roomates, Naru. Is she the girl he made the promise to when he was a child?

Love Hina is one of the best romance anime out there. It's cute, funny, and there is action (mostly Keitaro getting beat up). The characters are just too funny when they're together. They're just wacky and you can't get enough of them. Also the graphics are beautiful. Since the manga was first published in 1999 then the anime should have been made around the same time period so the anime is pretty high quality. Also the theme and ending songs are great. "Sakura Saku" by Megumi Hayashibara is the theme song. If Megumi Hayashibara is the singer then you know that the song is a hit. Also as extras the DVD contains Sketches of the characters as well as a photo gallery.

Here's my review:

Video
Excellent, excellent quality. I have seen both the VCD and DVD versions fo this anime, and I must say even though the quality for the VCD is great, the quality on the DVD is much better. (Of course. ;) I have nothing against VCD's, I love them too.) Both are fine, but if you want to experience the maximum quality, get this DVD version. It's worth it. Also, since Love Hina was digitally drawn, it really shows off its vibrant colours on the DVD. I give it 5/5 for video quality.

Audio
The audio is great. The dub is not as bad as people say, though there are lots of room for improvements. The good thing is that they also included the Japanese soundtrack with or without subtitles on this DVD, so won't have to worry about bad dubbing. I give it 5/5 for audio quality.

Packaging
Even though its English logo is too 70's, the logo remained unchanged on the actual opening of the video. I am actually starting to like the English logo too. Also, the collector's box and DVD box are also very carefully designed. The colours are vibrant and the characters don't look "cut-n-pasted". I also recommend getting the DVD with the collector's box if you have the chance since it's well worth the money. I give it 5/5 for packaging.

Menu
The menu is easy to navigate, and each of the four episodes are divided up into four parts for easy tracking or searching. I also give it 5/5 for menu design.

Subtitles
Bandai's subtitles aren't bad, they could be a little bit hard to read at first, but they are not hard to read once you get used to it. (I got used to it in FIVE minutes.) Also, all the endings on people's names like sempai and san were replaced with Mr. and Ms.. It's not that bad. I give it 4/5 for subtitles.

Extra's
There are too much extra on this DVD, though there are trailers, Keitaro's sketchbook, and character information in the "Extra" section. It's not that bad. I give it 4/5 for extra's.

Content
The story is based on a guy who is trying to get accepted into Tokyo University. He travels to his grandmother's Inn, and finds himself in an all-girl dormity. I will stop here now as it will spoil the story for you. ;) It's really funny, and it's wildly popular. Get it now! I give it 6/5 (yes one extra point) for its content.

Overall
Overall, I give this product 5/5. Buy it now, it's well worht the money. :)

This is my review and I hope you enjoy it! :)