Ouran High School Host Club: A thorough look at the charming characters and story

Ouran High School Host Club - The fascinating world of school comedy

"Ouran High School Host Club" is a TV anime series that aired in 2006 and is based on the popular shojo manga of the same name by Bisco Hatori. The original work was serialized in the monthly magazine "LaLa" (Hakusensha) and became a huge hit, selling over 3 million copies in total. This anime was produced by the famous animation production company Bones, and brought together a star-studded staff including director Takuya Igarashi of the "Ojamajo Doremi" series, series composer Youji Enokido of "Revolutionary Girl Utena," and character designer Kumiko Takahashi of "Witch Hunter Robin."

story

The story is set at the prestigious Ouran Private Academy, a high school attended by the sons and daughters of the super-rich. Here, the wealthy students have too much free time, and there is a "host club" where six beautiful boys who also have too much free time entertain these bored young ladies, providing them with a luxurious and elegant time. The story begins when scholarship student Haruhi Fujioka gets lost in the third music room, which is the clubroom of the host club.

Haruhi had no interest in the Host Club at all, but due to certain circumstances she suddenly finds herself joining. Although she has no interest in fashion, she is discovered by the handsome club members, and hiding her girlish identity, she transforms into a gorgeous figure and serves customers beautifully. In addition to comedy elements such as being pushed around by the unreasonable club members and the rich "customers," the story also features a heartwarming and refreshing story woven with friendship between the club members and the actions of the down-to-earth Haruhi, which changes the celebrity club members.

character

The main character, Fujioka Haruhi, is a scholarship student with a straightforward personality who is completely indifferent to superficial things such as appearance and gender. She keeps the fact that she is a girl a secret from the customers. The host club president, Suou Tamaki, has a princely character but is also a bit narcissistic and foolish, and is the most popular person nominated. The vice-president, Otori Kyoya, is a strategist who looks good in glasses and devises various schemes behind his devilish smile. Hitachiin Hikaru and Hitachiin Kaoru are mischievous and playful twins, and their favorite toy these days is Haruhi. Haninozuka Mitsukuni (nicknamed Honey Senpai) loves cute and sweet things, and is always with his rabbit stuffed animal, Kuusa-chan. Harinozuka Takashi (nicknamed Mori Senpai) is a taciturn and rugged person who is also a member of the Kendo club and follows Honey around in her shadow.

Broadcast information

"Ouran High School Host Club" aired on Nippon Television from April 4 to September 26, 2006. It consisted of 26 episodes, broadcast in a 30-minute time slot every Tuesday from 24:50 to 25:20. It was produced by Bones, with Nippon Television, VAP, Bones, and Hakusensha participating in the production committee.

cast

The voice actors for the main characters are a star-studded cast, including Maaya Sakamoto as Haruhi Fujioka, Mamoru Miyano as Tamaki Suou, Masaya Matsukaze as Kyoya Ohtori, Kenichi Suzumura as Hikaru Hitachiin, Keisuke Fujita as Kaoru Hitachiin, Ayaka Saito as Mitsukuni Haninozuka, and Daisuke Kirii as Takashi Harinozuka. Many other talented voice actors are also taking part, including Takehito Koyasu as Ryoji Fujioka, Mika Doi as Kotoko Fujioka, and Kazuhiko Inoue as Yuzuru Suou.

staff

The original story was written by Hatori Bisco, directed by Igarashi Takuya, series composition and scriptwriting by Enokido Youji, character design by Takahashi Kumiko, main design by Fukuchi Jin, prop design by Miyatoyo, art director Nakamura Norifumi, color design by Nakayama Shihoko, director of photography by Bingo Shuichi, editor by Nishiyama Shigeru, sound director Wakabayashi Kazuhiro, music by Hirano Yoshihisa, producers Nakatani Toshio, Tamura Manabu, Minami Masahiko, Yamashita Masahiro, animation production by Bones, and production by Ouran High School Host Club Production Committee (Nippon TV, VAP, Bones, Hakusensha).

episode

Each episode mainly depicts the daily life and events of the Host Club members and is given a subtitle such as the following:

• Episode 1: From today, you are a host (2006/04/04)
• Episode 2: The job of a high school student host (2006/04/11)
• Episode 3: Be careful with physical examinations (2006/04/18)
• Episode 4: The Female Manager Attacks (2006/04/25)
• Episode 5: Twins Fight (2006/05/02)
• Episode 6: The elementary school host is a mischievous type (2006/05/09)
• Episode 7: Jungle Pool SOS (2006/05/16)
• Episode 8: The Sun, the Sea and the Host Club (2006/05/23)
• Episode 9: The Challenge of Lobelia Girls' Academy (2006/05/30)
• Episode 10: The Fujioka Family's Daily Life (2006/06/06)
• Episode 11: My Big Brother is a Prince (2006/06/13)
• Episode 12: Honey Senpai's Unsweet Three Days (2006/06/20)
• Episode 13: Haruhi in Wonderland (2006/06/27)
• Episode 14: Covering the Rumored Host Club (2006/07/04)
• Episode 15: Karuizawa Refreshing Battle (2006/07/11)
• Episode 16: Haruhi and Hikari's First Date (2006/07/18)
• Episode 17: Kyoya's Unwilling Holiday (2006/07/25)
• Episode 18: Chika's Declaration to Defeat Honey (2006/08/01)
• Episode 19: Lobelia Girls' Academy's Revenge (2006/08/08)
• Episode 20: The Door the Twins Opened (2006/08/15)
• Episode 21: Until the day I become a pumpkin (2006/08/22)
• Episode 22: Applying to Become Mori-senpai's Apprentice (2006/08/29)
• Episode 23: Tamaki's Unconscious Melancholy (2006/09/05)
• Episode 24: And Then Kyoya Met (2006/09/12)
• Episode 25: Host Club Disbandment Announcement (2006/09/19)
• Episode 26: This is Ouran Festival (2006/09/26)

Theme songs and music

The opening theme "Sakura Kiss" was written by Natsumi Watanabe, composed by Rie, arranged by Yutaka Araya, and sung by Chieko Kawabe. The ending themes are "Sprint" (lyrics and composition by Ryusuke Anzai, arrangement by LAST ALLIANCE, sung by LAST ALLIANCE) and "See you tomorrow!" (lyrics by Ryohei Matsufuji, composition and arrangement by Yutaka Araya, sung by Ouran High School Host Club). "Sprint" (LAST ALLIANCE) is also used as an insert song.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Ouran High School Host Club" has attracted many viewers with its unique setting and charming characters. In addition to comedy elements, it also depicts a story of friendship and growth, which has made it popular with a wide range of viewers. In particular, the depiction of the celebrity world seen from the commoner's perspective of the main character, Haruhi, gave viewers a fresh sense of surprise and empathy. In addition, each character's personality stands out, and the growth and change they show in each episode has captured the hearts of viewers.

The animation was done by Bones, and the quality of the work was high, with beautiful character designs and background art. The voice actors' performances were also excellent, with Maaya Sakamoto's performance as Haruhi receiving rave reviews. The music was also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and the opening and closing songs are still loved by many fans today.

This work can be enjoyed not only as a school comedy but also as a youth drama. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in themes of friendship, growth, and self-discovery. It is also perfect for those who like beautiful boys and admire the world of luxury celebrities. In addition, the original manga is also very popular, so you can enjoy the work more deeply by reading the original after watching the anime.

"Ouran High School Host Club" is a wonderful work filled with laughter, emotion, and charming characters. Please watch it and experience its charm.