The appeal and reviews of "Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Spring~": A moving story and deep characters

Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Spring~: The brilliance of youth and the bond between girls

"Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Spring~" is a coming-of-age drama set in the prestigious private Lillian Girls' Academy, and is a TV anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from July 4 to September 26, 2004. The series is based on the novel "Maria-sama ga Miteru" by Konno Oyuki, published by Cobalt Bunko, and was directed by Yukihiro Matsushita and animated by Studio Deen. The 13-episode series depicts the growth and friendship of girls, as well as the beauty of school life.

story

This is a drama about the coming-of-age of girls, centering on the members of the student council "Yamayuri-kai" at Lillian Girls' Academy. The protagonist, Fukuzawa Yumi, lives her school life as a first-year high school student, but she also acts as the "younger sister" of Ogasawara Shoko, who is also a member of the Yamayuri-kai. The story begins with the graduation of the Roses and the arrival of new student Matsudaira Hitomi, where Yumi faces a shocking turn of events surrounding Shoko.

character

The charm of this work lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Yumi Fukuzawa

She is a second-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. Her father is the director of an architectural firm, and she has been attending Lillian since kindergarten. She is average looking and has average grades, so she doesn't stand out, but she is declared sisters by Ogasawara Sachiko, a Red Rose Bud. Her emotions are easily shown on her face, and she can sometimes become all-seeing. She has a younger brother who looks just like her.

Sachiko Ogasawara

A third-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. She is the granddaughter of the president of the Ogasawara Group, which operates a wide range of department stores and leisure facilities, and her mother's family was formerly of the nobility, making her a true young lady. Her inner self is as noble and fastidious as her outer beauty, but she also has a contrary side. Due to family circumstances, she dislikes men.

Shimazu Yuno

A second-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. She is the cousin of Hasekura Rei, the Yellow Rose Bud, and they live next door to each other. Because she was born sickly, she is often seen as the type of person who needs to be protected, but in reality she has a strong-willed and pushy personality.

Hasekura

A third-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. She has a boyish beauty and is also known as Mister Lillian. She and her younger sister, Shimazu Yuno, are real cousins ​​and live next door to each other. She runs a dojo at home and is the ace of the kendo club.

Yoko Mizuno

A former Lillian Girls' Academy student. She is always calm, polite, and a diligent honor student. She is particularly reliable among the Roses and is the one who brings them together. She also has a caring side, and watches over Shoko and Yumi with kindness. She is a former member of the Yamayuri Society.

Torii Eriko

A former student at Lillian Girls' Academy. She is a cool person who has no strengths or weaknesses and can do everything above average. She is not satisfied with ordinary things and shows a strong interest in unusual and unexpected things. Her trademark is a headband, and she is known for tying her tie the most beautifully in the entire school. She is a somewhat vague and elusive person. She is a former officer of the Yamayuri Society.

Sato Sei

A former student at Lillian Girls' Academy. Despite her beautiful appearance that is unusual for a Japanese person, she is "a middle-aged man who clings to you" (according to Yumi). She boasts of having tremendous support from the younger students, and they are always teasing Yumi, as if they like something about her. In fact, she is also a reliable presence. She is a former executive of the Yamayuri Society.

Shimako Todo

A second-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. Usually, second-year students become Rosebuds, but despite being a first-year student, she accepted White Rose's offer and became her younger sister. Although she has a quiet personality, she also has the strength to clearly express her opinions.

Noriko Nijo

She is a first-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. She has an unusual hobby of appreciating Buddhist statues, and when she went to Kyoto to view them, she was unable to return home due to snow and was unable to take the entrance exam for her first choice high school, so she decided to attend the Catholic Lillian Girls' Academy. She feels uncomfortable at school every day, but she forms a bond with Shimako, the White Rose, the daughter of a temple priest.

Matsudaira Hitomi

A freshman and classmate of Noriko. She is a member of the drama club and is distantly related to Sachiko, the Red Rose. She has always wished to become the Rose's little sister when she enters high school. She is good at showing off how cute she is, and is the type who cries easily. She calls herself by her first name, Hitomi.

Minako Tsukiyama

A third-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. She is the head of the newspaper club and the publisher of the Lillian Newspaper. She has the vitality to do anything to get an interesting article.

Mami Yamaguchi

A second-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. A promising writer for the newspaper club, her older sister is Tsukiyama Minako. She is more reliable than her older sister, who is the club president.

Professor Yamamura

She is a teacher at Lillian Girls' Academy and is in charge of the Kendo Club, which Rei belongs to.

Tsutako Takeshima

She is a second-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy and Yumi's classmate. She is the ace of the photography club who loves taking pictures, and her trademark is her rimless glasses. She is a good confidant for Yumi.

Kashiwagi Yu

He is a former student of Hanadera Academy and served as student council president. Hanadera Academy is an all-boys school located on the same hill as Lillian Girls' Academy, and is a Buddhist preparatory school with aptitude from kindergarten to university. The Hanadera Student Council and the Yamayuri Association have an exchange, and it is customary for them to help each other with events during the school festival.

Yuki Fukuzawa

He is a second-year student at Hanadera Academy and Yumi's younger brother. The student council president, Kashiwagi, calls him "Yukichi" and is strangely fond of him.

staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of this work. Below are the main staff members:

original work

Konno Oyuki (Cobalt Bunko's "Maria-sama ga Miteru")

director

Snow White Pine

Character Design

Hibiki Reon

Script Supervision

Konno Oyuki

Character Design

Akira Matsushima

Series Composition

Reiko Yoshida

Art Director

Nobuhito Sakamoto (Big Studio)

art

Big Studio

Color design

Shinji Matsumoto

Director of Photography

Masayuki Kawaguchi

edit

Masahiro Matsumura

Sound Director

Miwa Iwanami

music

Mikiya Katakura

Animation Production

Studio Deen

Production

TV Tokyo, Yomiko Advertising, D-Rights

Theme songs and music

The opening theme for this work is "Pastel Pure" by ALI PROJECT. The lyrics are by Konno Oyuki, and the music and arrangement are by Katakura Mikiya. The ending theme is "Sonata Blue", composed by Katakura Mikiya, and arranged by Hirano Yoshihisa. These songs are important elements that further enhance the atmosphere of the story.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: The Long Night (2004/07/04)
• Episode 2: Yellow Rose Straight Ahead (2004/07/11)
• Episode 3: Busy Days (2004/07/18)
• Episode 4: WILL (2004/07/25)
• Episode 5: Before I knew it, the year was over (2004/08/01)
• Episode 6: Hold One Hand (2004/08/08)
• Episode 7: Cherry Blossom (2004/08/15)
• Episode 8: Cherry Blossoms Among the Ginkgo Trees (2004/08/22)
• Episode 9: Drops of the Rosary (2004/08/29)
• Episode 10: Yellow Rose Warning (2004/09/05)
• Episode 11: Rainy Blue (2004/09/12)
• Episode 12: Blue Umbrella (2004/09/19)
• Episode 13: Under a Parasol (2004/09/26)

Related Titles

"Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Spring~" is related to the following works as part of a series:

• Maria is watching
• Maria-sama ga Miteru 3rd Season
• Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th Season

Ratings and Recommendations

"Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Spring~" is a beautiful work that depicts the youth and friendship of young girls. The characters' growth, conflicts, and the depth of their bonds are carefully depicted, leaving viewers in awe. In particular, the relationship between Yumi and Shoko, and the new developments that come with Hitomi's appearance, add depth to the story. In addition, the theme song "Pastel Pure" by ALI PROJECT is an important element that further enhances the atmosphere of the work.

This work is especially recommended for those who like girls' manga and teen dramas. You will definitely be drawn in by the beautiful scenery of Lillian Girls' Academy and the charm of the unique characters. Also, those who have read the original novel will be able to enjoy the new interpretation and direction of the anime version.

Furthermore, this work is part of a series, so you can understand the story more deeply by watching the other seasons as well. In particular, the third and fourth seasons depict further growth and new developments in the characters, making them something that fans cannot miss.

"Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Spring~" is a moving work that depicts the brilliance of youth and the bonds between girls, and is sure to be loved by many viewers. Please enjoy this beautiful story.