Anime Information
Anime Production : m.o.e
Director: Yasunori Ide
Episodes: 12 episodes + 3 OVAs (Total 15 episodes)
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Ecchi, Harem, Maids, Romance, Slice of Life
Duration: 14 min. per episode
Original Run: 8 April 2001 – 29 June 2001
Synopsis :
After losing his mother, 12-year-old Taro journeys to Tokyo to live with his grandfather. But he gets the biggest surprise when he discovers that his grandfather’s home is a huge mansion with hundreds of beautiful maids ready to serve him. Making matters worse (at least for Taro, but not for our viewing) is that not only does he inherit the Hanaukyo mansion, he gets the services of all of the maids 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A sudden change in his life, can he manage it?
Storyline: [7/10]
Basically, this anime talks about Tarou Hanaukyo’s life after he lost his mother in which he was told by his mother will to live with his grandfather. Without ever knowing who his grandfather, Tarou set his journey to stay in his grandfather house as a final tribute to his mother. But Tarou was shocked after learning that his grandfather was a wealthy man and his house is not even a house. It is a mansion in the middle of forest somewhere in Tokyo. Tarou also learn that his grandfather was already long gone and left him a video stating that he is now the head of the Hanaukyo family and inherited not only his entire fortune but also his home with many personal maids that would serve him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Honestly, if you’re not really a true anime lover then you will quickly feel the boredom in this anime. This anime storyline is flat course. Furthermore, this anime is also a slow pace anime. You can barely feel the climax and anti-climax in this anime. No significant confict that arise. If there is any conflict then it will be finished in that episode. For me, it eliminates all the meaning and importance of the conflict in this anime. In terms of drama, just a few episode that I find have an interesting drama but alas, the drama itself was also wrapped with a less attractive way. Finally, this anime does not have something that really stick in the minds of the watch. And that’s what makes this anime could quickly turn into boring anime.
One of the advantages that this anime has is a comedic side with the right portion through entire episode. The comedy itself was a fresh comedy. This kind of comedies can make you smile and laugh while you watch this anime. The concept of anti-master/enslaved-maid that this anime bring is also one of the advantages this anime has in his time.
Art: [6/10]
The whole character of both men and women, both the main character and supporting character have a cute and sweet character. They also have a cute and funny facial expressions.
The weak point of this anime is almost all the character in this anime does not leave strong impression for me. No special uniqueness is given to all of the character except for the clothes and the color of their clothes.
For an anime who release in 2001, this is a common so-so art anime in his time.
Sound: [6/10]
I can only say that both OP and ED fill with OST befitted in their time. You can enjoy it but don't compare it with anime OST nowadays.
Character: [7/10]
This anime, generally, gives each character a standard personality for main character. Tarou with happy-go-lucky, kind, hardworking and cannot-see-people-suffering personality, Mariel with mature and motherly sense personality, Ikuyo with witty personality and a natural prankster and Konoe with strict attitude and silent type. A bit let-down for Tarou to have this women-touch allergy. For an anime with ecchi/harem theme, this is really no good.
But for this 2001 anime to have a bi-personality character, Chyntia dan Grace was a great plus this anime have in his time. Chyntia is a pure and innocent kid. A kid with cheerful, easy-going and playful personality. Basically, Chyntia is a common kid in her age. Grace is genius kid. A kid with serious, hard-going and a bit tsundere personality. Basically, Grace is a polar opposite of Chyntia.
Enjoyment: [6/10]
Well for some anime watcher, you’re going to run into trouble in finding some little pleasure in watching this anime. Flat course storyline with a slow tempo progress anime. But despite it all, in a few episode of this anime episode gives some common knowledge and words of wisdom. Each story in this anime episode contain life lessons meaning in the end.
For me, this anime shows us a 12-year-old boy’s journey into manhood. How does a boy become a man? How can a boy who for all his life just became the master for himself, must now become the head of the huge, wealthy and respectful family? What kind of leader he become? And what kind of master he become for all his maids? This anime is filled with many life lessons.
Overall: [6/10]
Fan service is so-so. The comedies is in the right portions, but the drama is almost have no bite at all. This anime tempo was also slow and each episode has a different set of story so in the end, this anime doesn’t have a clear purpose and something is missing on the ending. This anime has a tendency to quickly turn into a boring anime.
Interesting point is to see changes in the main character, Tarou Hanaukyo in personality and life. During the whole episode, we can see Tarou began gradually learn and understand some of the realities around him. Tarou learn to respons to situations with a cool head attitude. Sometime Tarou also said some words of wisdom and wise remarks that take him closer to maturity and the more worthy to be the head of the Hanaukyo family. Another interesting point is that this anime bring a concept of anti-master/enslaved-maid which is quite a populer issue in that time.
Personal message and opinion:
I like anime with a life lesson in it and even more with maids themed anime combine with ecchi/harem theme. For me, I quite enjoy old anime and the fresh comedy inside this anime. Although, to be honest, I watch this anime quite rarely. But nonetheless, I am grateful to have this anime and this anime became one of my most valuable anime that I ever got. In the end, for me it’s a good anime to watch.
And..
Do you know about the rumors that this anime once was originally planned for more than 12 episodes? Do you also know about the rumors that this anime once was having financial trouble? Did you know that in fact this anime once was a highly awaited anime? Did you also know that in fact this anime get a remake? You know for an anime to get a remake then it proves that that anime was a successful anime. For an example, just take a look for Dragon Ball and Hunter x Hunter who get a remake. Well, I leave back to you guys to decide if this anime worthy to watch or not!
