Kimagure Orange Road: A reappraisal of a classic anime that combines the bittersweetness of youth with the charm of magic

The appeal and reviews of "Kimagure Orange Road": A classic anime that adorns the youth of the 80s

Introduction

Kimagure Orange Road, which aired from 1987 to 1988, is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Matsumoto Izumi. This work continues to be loved by many fans for its exquisite fusion of the bittersweetness of youth and the fantasy element of supernatural powers. In this article, we will take a closer look at the appeal and reputation of this classic anime, as well as delve into its background, behind-the-scenes stories of its production, and its current reputation.

story

The story of Kimagure Orange Road begins with the psychic-possessed Kasuga family moving. The protagonist, Kasuga Kyosuke, falls in love at first sight with a beautiful girl named Ayukawa Madoka whom he meets at his new school. However, Madoka is cool and keeps her distance from others, so Kyosuke's feelings don't quite reciprocate. Meanwhile, Hiyama Hikaru, a junior at Kyosuke's school, has a one-sided crush on him, and Kyosuke is torn between the two. This love triangle is at the heart of the story, which depicts the bittersweet and sadness of youth.

Kyosuke's family and friends are also unique, and humorous episodes using their psychic powers are scattered throughout the series. In particular, the exploits of Kyosuke's twin sisters Manami and Kurumi are not to be missed. Their slapstick comedy using their psychic powers provides laughs for the audience, but also plays an important role in making the viewers feel the bond between the family.

character

The charm of "Kimagure Orange Road" lies above all in its characters. The main character, Kyosuke Kasuga, is indecisive and a little unreliable, but he also has a kind heart. The voice of Toru Furuya, who plays him, carefully expresses Kyosuke's delicate emotions, eliciting deep empathy from the viewer.

The heroine, Madoka Ayukawa, is a cool and mysterious beautiful girl. Hiromi Tsuru's voice, who plays her, perfectly expresses Madoka's coldness and inner kindness, and has captivated many fans. In particular, in episodes where Madoka's past and relationship with her family are revealed, her humanity is depicted deeply, moving the hearts of viewers.

Hiyama Hikaru is a cheerful and proactive junior. Her voice, played by Hara Eriko, conveys Hikaru's pure feelings straightforwardly and makes a good impression on viewers. Hikaru's single-minded love for Kyosuke adds sadness and warmth to the story.

Kyosuke's family and friends are also portrayed as unique and charming characters, and their episodes are not to be missed. In particular, the dialogue between Kyosuke's twin sisters Manami and Kurumi is an important element that provides laughs to the viewer while also making them feel the bond between the family.

Production background and staff

"Kimagure Orange Road" was produced by Toho Co., Ltd. and Studio Pierrot. It is directed by Osamu Kobayashi, with series composition by Norifumi Terada, character design by Akemi Takada, and chief animation director by Masako Goto. The music is by Shiro Washizu, and the memorable background music and theme song add to the appeal of the work.

Since the original manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, this work required an exquisite fusion of youth drama and fantasy elements. Director Osamu Kobayashi placed emphasis on carefully depicting the characters' feelings and relationships in order to maximize the appeal of the original work. Character designer Akemi Takada also succeeded in adding the anime's own unique charm while respecting the image of the original work.

Music also plays an important role, and Shiro Washizu's background music not only enhances the atmosphere of the story, but also deeply expresses the emotions of the characters. In particular, the theme song "Otachibana-iro no Kaze" has a beautiful melody that symbolizes the theme of the work, and has been loved by many fans.

Broadcast information

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 6, 1987 to March 7, 1988
19:30-20:00

Compilations called "Special Editions" were aired from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on July 6, 1987, October 19, 1987, and March 14, 1988.

■Broadcasting station

Broadcast: Nippon Television

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 48

■Original Story

Original work: Izumi Matsumoto ^{, published by Shueisha and serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump}

■ Director

・Director: Osamu Kobayashi

■ Production

Produced by Toho Co., Ltd. and Studio Pierrot Planning and production by Nippon Television Network Corporation

■Works

©Izumi Matsumoto/Shueisha, NTV, Toho

Kimagure Orange Road was broadcast on Nippon Television from April 6, 1987 to March 7, 1988, every Monday from 7:30 to 8:00 PM. It consists of 48 episodes, and compilations called "special editions" were broadcast on July 6, 1987, October 19, 1987, and March 14, 1988.

This time slot was the perfect time for kids to watch after dinner, and drew in a large audience. The broadcast of the recap episodes was also well-received by viewers as an opportunity to review key points in the story.

Evaluation and impact

"Kimagure Orange Road" has been highly praised since it was first aired, and the popularity of its heroine, Madoka Ayukawa, in particular, was overwhelming. She was always ranked highly in anime magazine popularity polls, and was loved by many fans. The story as a whole and the appeal of the characters were also highly praised, and the series is positioned as a monumental achievement in youth anime.

This work touched many viewers with its exquisite fusion of the bittersweetness of youth and the fantasy element of supernatural powers. In particular, the characters' humanity was deeply portrayed, such as Kyosuke's indecisiveness, Madoka's coolness, and Hikaru's devotion, and viewers sympathized with them. In addition, the episodes featuring family and friends were humorous and heartwarming, providing viewers with laughter and emotion.

The influence of Kimagure Orange Road continued even after it ended its run. Many fans reevaluated the appeal of the series, leading to the release of DVDs and Blu-rays, reruns of the series, and even events and collaboration products. The original manga was also reevaluated, with many readers rediscovering its appeal.

Modern Recognition

Even today, Kimagure Orange Road is highly acclaimed. In particular, the appeal of its story and characters has been reevaluated as a monumental achievement in youth anime. In addition, the fantasy element of supernatural powers feels fresh to modern viewers, and many fans are rediscovering the appeal of the work.

Furthermore, the themes of the work, the bittersweetness of youth and the complexity of human relationships, resonate with modern viewers. In particular, the characters' humanity is portrayed in depth, such as Kyosuke's indecisiveness, Madoka's coolness, and Hikaru's devotion, eliciting deep empathy from viewers. Additionally, the episodes featuring family and friends are humorous and heartwarming, providing viewers with laughter and emotion.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Kimagure Orange Road" continues to be loved by many fans as a monumental youth anime. It is especially recommended for those who enjoy the bittersweetness of youth and the fantasy element of supernatural powers. Also, don't miss the episodes that depict the humanity of the characters and the family ties.

As for how to watch it, DVDs and Blu-rays are available, so you can purchase them and watch them. It may also be available on streaming services, so we recommend using those. In addition, reruns and events are held, so you can take advantage of those opportunities to watch it.

Conclusion

"Kimagure Orange Road" is a masterpiece anime that exquisitely combines the bittersweetness of youth with the fantasy element of supernatural powers. Don't miss the episodes that depict the humanity of the characters and the family ties, providing viewers with laughter and emotion. It remains highly acclaimed even today, and is loved by many fans. Be sure to rediscover the charm of this work.