A Maiko is a culturally rich art and connoisseurship of Japan, and as the anime suggests, especially of Kyoto. Then honestly, why not focus on what it entails to actually be one?
Pfft.. That was the failure of this OVA. It only mentioned in a passing glance that Maikos are culturally rich assets, but never bothered showing a Maiko's life.
Story 4/10
This show is about 3 girls who want to become Maikos. And it's just about their friendship.
Art 7/10
Still crowds and subtle movements, but pretty and detailed backgrounds. The setting is good. There's a show at the end, but I'd have preferred more, esp. for an OVA that was to lead to that moment.
Sound 6/10
Should have had more traditional sounds. If it is awareness they want to create, there's hardly any through sounds. The seiyuus are good though. Each character's voice shows something about them.. heavy, light, off-beat. But definitely could have been better, even the dialogues.
Character 3/10
Utterly basic. I mean, how many times have we not seen petty fights. Grow out of it. Else, show a petty fight in a new way with fresh dialogues and more character revealing situations. Compare this with Harmonie, and that has such a stark development in the exact same time. This was verrrry slow. If this had a TV series, I'd be bored to death. They try imitating Hanasaku Iroha, and miserably fail. If Hanasaku's characters were to become Maikos, oh, what a wonder we'd have seen!!
Enjoyment 4/10
I'm not sure what I enjoyed here. Maybe the art? Or just waiting for something to happen? haha
Overall 5/10
It's good to watch if you're craving anime and have nothing around. Just a time-pass. It's not informative, the story is dead, the characters are wheee-happy with a OMG what's happening! in between. So... you get the point. Take it up if you're waiting for something and you got half an hour to spare.