Although Keitaro's grandmother ropes him into managing the all-girls apartment complex Hinata House, he can't complain: Keitaro needs the job while he tries desperately (and unsuccessfully) to pass the entrance exams for Tokyo University, spurred by a promise he made years ago to a little girl whose name he can't remember. Both are supposed to meet again at the university and live happily ever after, and one of the five Hinata House girls may be his childhood love. And there you have the entire plot of the classic 2000 harem anime Love Hina, based on the popular manga series. What makes this fairly unique are a laidback approach and more-sympathetic-than-average boy: Keitaro is goofy and fallible, but also sweet, sincere, and less lecherous than the usual harem anime male. Of course, the girls don't range much beyond their stereotypes, but all are likable and sport good character designs. Emotion and romantic drama occasionally punctuate the flow of light humor and awkward innuendo; however, the teasing art on the DVD covers over-represents the explicitness of fan service in the series. Compiling all 24 original episodes in a dual-language four-disc boxed set, rated TV-14, DVD extras include a bonus episode. Recommended. Aud: P. (L. Martincik)
Love Hina: The Complete Series
(2000) 4 discs. 625 min. DVD: $49.98. Funimation (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-4210-1248-0. Volume 24, Issue 3
Love Hina: The Complete Series
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