Obviously, the OVA only really makes sense if you've seen the show proper. You needn't have seen the whole show, though, and even if you hadn't seen the show I could still imagine piecing together the characters and such from context. However, without the show as context, it would be a shallow, if sweet, OVA.
For this OVA and the show in general, the art isn't outstanding or anything. If I had to describe it, it was as if someone took generic fantasy design and mixed them with anime, then added like 10% original artistic flair. Just enough to be easily distinguished from its visual ilk, but not enough to stand out in general. Likewise, the sound design was fine, but nothing really stands out about it at all. Just very competent.
The OVA gets by on the strength of its characters. They are all generally good natured people with amiable relationships that just feel good and real. The characters all have faults, but the OVA and show never linger on them. This OVA does a good job of pointing that out--the prince character, for instance, has his weaknesses and faults shown lightheartedly in a flashback and at the end of the episode.
Generally speaking, if you liked the show, you will like this. It feels a little rushed compared to the series proper, maybe because it is trying to highlight *everything* that makes the show enjoyable in a single OVA where the show proper kinda takes its time establishing its lovable cast and lively premise. I liked the series more, naturally, but this was a lovely throwback to one of my favorite shows. *The* fantasy romance anime, undisputed.
