Reviews

TL;DR: "Virgin Night" stands alone as an explicit film that focused not on titillation but on the awkwardness and tension surrounding two teenagers as they have sex for the first time. Watches more like a drama film than a sex tape. If you want something to fap to, look elsewhere - if you're up for some drama and character interaction with some sex in it, this is right for you.

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Foreword: "Virgin Night" is adapted from the manga by ecchi/hentai mangaka Tanaka Yutaka, most popularly known for "Ai-Ren" or "My Lovely Ghost Kana". Most of his works include vanilla sex to depict the characters' loving and passionate relationship. The manga "Virgin Night" features the stories of nine women and their first times; the animated adaptation features the first story, that of Azumi.

Story: Very simple, just as the synopsis put it. There was no seduction or over-the-top plot going on - this is a simple look into the two characters' relationship and their struggling to instill some intimacy with each other. It works well as a backdrop for the characters and their interactions, which takes center stage.

Characters: It is very easy to relate and sympathize with both Azumi and Yuzuru. For a one-off hentai OVA, the characters had a surprising depth and "real" feel to them - that they were more than bodies rubbing against each other in titillating ways. Their interactions paint a very realistic and compelling vision of two inexperienced teenagers going at it for the first time, which is further enhanced by good voice acting lines and points of awkward silence that were on point in emphasizing their situation.

Art: Very mundane and ordinary, exactly what this OVA needed. The animation quality is passable considering it was produced in 2001. Not much to say here.

Sound: There's a distinct lack of background music appropriate for the context of the OVA. Voice acting was great as the actors nailed the characters' awkwardness and interactions.

Enjoyment: This is not a hentai OVA. You can try to fap to this, but honestly this is one of the worst OVAs to titillate yourself with. As a drama, however, this is superb. This will bring a whole lot of nostalgia for people remembering their first times while watching this OVA.

Summary: This is the epitome of "plot with porn" - watch for the characters, not the sex, and you will have a great time. Highly recommended, even if just to take a unique, refreshing look at the explicit animation genre. If you enjoyed this, I urge you to look at the manga and other works by Tanaka.