The appeal and reviews of "Ai Yori Aoshi": A moving film depicting the brilliance of youth

"Ai Yori Aoshi": A story of pure love and growth

"Ai Yori Aoshi" is a TV anime series that aired in 2002 and is based on a manga serialized in Hakusensha's "Young Animal" magazine by Akira Fuzuki. This work is a story about the pure love between a university student, Kaoru Hanabishi, and his fiancée, Aoi Sakuraba, and depicts the value of growth and bonds through their relationship. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

Overview

"Ai Yori Aoshi" aired a total of 24 episodes on Fuji TV from April 10 to September 25, 2002. Animation was done by JCSTAFF, and production was handled by Ai Sei Keikaku and Fuji TV. Directed by Masami Shimoda, the series faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work while bringing out the unique charm of anime.

story

One day, university student Hanabishi Kaoru meets Sakuraba Aoi, a neat and pretty girl wearing a kimono. Aoi explains that she has come to meet her fiancé, whom she has loved for 18 years, and it becomes clear that the man she is meeting is Kaoru. The two are reunited and are meant to start a sweet life together, but various difficulties and trials await them. Kaoru and Aoi's relationship deepens through their interactions with the people around them and their individual growth.

cast

• Kaoru Hanabishi: Ichiro Hoshi
• Aoi Sakuraba: Ayako Kawasumi
• Kagura Saki: Akiko Hiramatsu
• Suzuki: Kazuya Nakai
• Sato: Makoto Higo

Main Staff

• Original story: Akira Fuzuki (serialized in Hakusensha's "Young Animal")
• Planning: Akihiro Kawamura (Pioneer LDC), Kou Kadonami (Hakusensha), Masaki Sawanobori (Movic), Yosuke Kobayashi (PEA), Michihisa Abe (JCSTAFF)
• Series Composition: Masaharu Amiya
• Chief writer: Kenichi Kanemaki
• Character design: Kazunori Iwakura
• Chief animation director: Yumi Nakayama
• Design works: Shinya Hasegawa, Yuko Kusumoto
• Art director: Junichi Azuma
• Color setting: Ishida Miyuki
• Director of photography: Yoshio Okochi
• Sound Director: Masafumi Mima, Tsutomu Kashiwakura
• Edited by: Shigeru Nishiyama (Tabac)
• Music: Toshiro Masuda
• Opening theme: "Eternal Flower"
• Lyricist: Takeshi Aida
• Composed and arranged by Toshiro Masuda
• Vocals: Yoko Ishida
• Original Soundtrack: Pioneer LDC
• Music Production: MusicBrains, Power Box
• Producers: Yuichi Sekido (Pioneer LDC), Shoichi Nakazawa (Hakusensha), Yuji Matsukura (JCSTAFF), Takeo Haruna (Fuji TV)
• Director: Masami Shimoda
• Produced by: JCSTAFF
• Produced by: Aizomei Keikaku, Fuji Television

Main Characters

• Hanabishi Kaoru: He was raised as the heir to the Hanabishi zaibatsu, but for some reason he ran away from home and is living alone in an apartment. He is a law student at university and a member of the photography club. He has a kind and generous personality, but deep inside he has deep wounds. He reunites with his fiancee, Aoi, and they were meant to start a sweet life together, but...
• Sakuraba Aoi: The heir to the Sakuraba Group. She was raised as Kaoru's fiancee for 18 years and has always loved him. She has decided to leave the Sakuraba family to become Kaoru's wife. She is an excellent cook. She is a perfect Japanese woman who also has knowledge of flower arranging and tea ceremony, but she is quite "Kaoru-sama senile"...
• Miyabi Kagurazaki: A person who has been taking care of Aoi since she was a child. She cares for Aoi the most. She has a serious and strict personality, but also has a gentle side. She will be the caretaker of the mansion and will be watching over the lives of the two of them.
• Tina Foster: An American who speaks in Hakata dialect. She invited Kaoru to join the photography club. She has a bright and daring personality, but she is actually very scared. She ends up living in Kaoru's boarding house.
• Taeko Minazuki: A junior of Kaoru in the Mei University Photography Club. She is extremely clumsy and causes trouble for those around her. She seems to be quite an occult fanatic. While attending university, she also works as a maid at Aoi no Yakata.
• Mayu Miyuki: Daughter of the president of Miyuki Spinning. Her mother is a world-famous designer. She skipped grades to study in England and became a university student at the age of 16. She is extremely shy, but opens up to Kaoru. Tina's rival (?)
• Chika Minazuki: Taeko's cousin. A bright and innocent junior high school student. She is attached to Kaoru and makes comments and actions that make Kaoru, Aoi and the others excited. She is so reliable that it's hard to believe she is Taeko's cousin.

subtitle

• Episode 1: Fate
• Episode 2: Dinner
• Episode 3: Separation

Theme songs and music

• OP: "Eternal Flower"
• Lyricist: Takeshi Aida
• Composed and arranged by Toshiro Masuda
• Vocals: Yoko Ishida
• Original Soundtrack: Pioneer LDC

Evaluation and appeal of the work

Although "Ai Yori Aoshi" is a work with the theme of pure love, it also carefully depicts the growth of the characters and the deepening of their relationships. In particular, the relationship between Hanabishi Kaoru and Sakuraba Aoi is not just a sweet romance, but is also moving in the way that it deepens through mutual understanding and support. The surrounding characters are also unique, enriching the story of Kaoru and Aoi.

The quality of the animation is also high, with beautiful character designs and background art, faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work. In particular, the depiction of Sakuraba Aoi in her kimono and the mansion where Kaoru and Aoi spend their time are full of visual appeal. The music also adds to the atmosphere of the work, and the opening theme, "Eternal Flower," is a beautiful song that symbolizes the theme of the story.

Recommended points

"Ai Yori Aoshi" is not only a story about pure love, but also a story where you can enjoy the growth of the characters and the deepening of their relationships. In particular, the following points are recommended.

• The beauty of pure love: The pure love between Kaoru and Aoi touches the hearts of viewers. The way they care for and support each other portrays the ideal form of romance.
• Character Growth: Not only Kaoru and Aoi, but the characters around them also grow while carrying their own worries and conflicts. The process is realistic and relatable.
• Beautiful visuals: The character designs and background art are beautiful and visually appealing. In particular, the depiction of Aoi in her kimono and the mansion where Kaoru and Aoi spend their time are stunning.
• Emotional Music: The opening theme "Eternal Flower" and other BGMs add to the atmosphere of the work. The music adds to the emotion of the story.

summary

"Ai Yori Aoshi" is a work beloved by many viewers as a story of pure love and growth. The value of love and bonds depicted through the relationship between Kaoru and Aoi, as well as the growth of the surrounding characters, deeply move viewers. Combined with beautiful visuals and moving music, this is a work that everyone should see at least once.