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This review is about a series that used to be my #1 favorite. But now it's not - why, you might ask? Well, it just doesn't live up quite so well when viewed years later and against what is currently available. It is still a great story but not as interesting a watch 5, 6, 7 times through and 10 years later. The series is very heavy on the melodrama, which might get to some. If you like soap opera type TV shows (without them actually being soap operas) than this series will be for you. Note that it ... doesn't have any special powers so you're talking real people, almost realistic situations. The cast of characters is great ranging from aloof cool guys (Yuu, Miwa, and Kei), to emotional mature girls (Arimi and Meiko), to immature child-like teenagers (Mike, Miki, Suzu). If you've only read the manga I would suggest giving the anime a try. Just to wet your appetite the beginning premise is - what if your parents decide to get divorced, swap partners, and move in with the newly created family (including children)? Not a good series if you don't like somewhat taboo relationships (step-siblings, teacher/student) but it handles them very well.

The concept seems pretty standard - poor girl gets in a group with rich people... until you actually watch this show. Makino might be poor but damn if that will get her down! There are a bunch of bullies at your elite school, you say? Makino's response to such things is similar to today's 'bring it on.' This series isn't pure comedy though, it's got plenty of romance and drama to keep it interesting. This series is best done in a few long sittings instead of short blocks of episodes or 1 DVD at a time. Seeing what happens ... next is very addicting.

At first I avoided this series due to what the main character looked like - a wimpy girl with a bunch of guys flocking over her. Boy, was I wrong. The main character is actually a breadth of fresh air among all of the 'let me flutter my eyes' types you might see in anime from around the same year or two. Also the premise itself is immediately engaging - half of the main characters turn into animals! A lot of fun for the series comes in trying to figure out if someone will change and what they will change into. ... The anime doesn't have the greatest ending but it's a lot of fun getting there.