The appeal and reviews of "Maria-sama ga Miteru": A thorough analysis of the touching school drama

The appeal and evaluation of the Maria-sama ga Miteru OVA series

"Maria-sama ga Miteru" is a popular anime series based on a novel by Konno Oyuki, depicting the coming-of-age drama of girls set in Lillian Girls' Academy. This OVA series was released in five episodes from November 29, 2006 to July 25, 2007. Here we will take a closer look at its appeal and reviews.

Story and setting

The OVA series of "Maria-sama ga Miteru" depicts the daily lives of the members of the student council "Yamayuri-kai" at Lillian Girls' Academy. In particular, various events in school life are depicted from the perspective of Fukuzawa Yumi, the younger sister (seur) of Ogasawara Sachiko, the Red Rose (Rosa chinensis) and the Red Rose Bud (Rosa chinensis en bouton). It realistically depicts the life of a second-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy, including summer vacation, the school festival, sports festival, and school trip.

Lillian Girls' Academy is a prestigious private girls' school, and the student council "Yamayuri-kai" is at the center of the school. The members of Yamayuri-kai, named after roses as "Rose-sama" and "Rose Bud," protect the traditions and culture of the school while pursuing their own growth. This setting is extremely effective in depicting the friendship and growth of the girls, and leaves a deep impression on the viewer.

character

The main characters in the OVA series are:

• Yumi Fukuzawa : A second-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. A bud of a red rose. She was average in both looks and grades and didn't stand out, but at the cultural festival in her first year, she became Shoko Ogasawara's younger sister (soeur). She has a younger brother who looks just like her.
• Ogasawara Shoko : A third-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. Red Rose Lady. She is the granddaughter of the chairman of the Ogasawara Group and her mother's family was formerly aristocratic, making her a true lady of nobility. She is just as noble and clean-freakish on the inside as she is beautiful on the outside. She can also be scary when she's angry. Due to family circumstances, she dislikes men.
• Shimazu Yuno : Second year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. A yellow rose bud. She is Hasekura Rei's cousin and lives next door to him. She is often seen as the type who needs to be protected due to her frail health, but she has a strong personality. After undergoing heart surgery, she has become even more active.
• Hasekura Rei : A third-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. Lady Yellow Rose. With her boyish beauty, she is also known as Mister Lillian. She is a cousin of her younger sister (seur) Shimazu Yuno, and their houses are next door to each other. Her house is a dojo, and she is the ace of the kendo club.
• Shimako Todo : Second year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. Lady White Rose. Normally, second year students become rose buds, but when she was in her first year, she accepted an offer and became a soeur (younger sister). Although she has a quiet personality, she also has the strength to clearly express her opinions.
• Nijo Noriko : First-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. White rose bud. She has a hobby of appreciating Buddhist statues, which caused her to miss out on her first-choice high school and enroll in Lillian Girls' Academy, the only school she was accepted to. She is calm and quick-witted.
• Matsudaira Hitomi : A first-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. She is a classmate of Noriko and belongs to the drama club. She admires the Yamayuri Society and is always following her distant relative, Shoko, around. Her trademark is her vertical curls.
• Kanako Hosokawa : A first-year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. She admires Yumi very much. She is tall and has long black hair.

Although each of these characters has their own unique personalities, they are depicted as deepening their bonds with each other. In particular, the relationship between Yumi and Shoko is the central theme of the OVA series, and leaves a deep impression on viewers.

Production staff and background

The production staff for the OVA series are as follows:

• Original work : Maria-sama ga Miteru (Maria-sama ga Miteru) "Shueisha Cobalt Bunko" (Author: Konno Oyuki, Illustrations: Hibiki Reiin)
• Script supervision : Konno Oyuki
• Character design : Reon Hibiki
• Director : Yukihiro Matsushita
• Character design and chief animation director : Akira Matsushima
• Series Composition : Reiko Yoshida
• Sound Director : Miwa Iwanami
• Sound effects : Minoru Yamada
• Music : Mikiya Katakura
• Music producer : Yoshiyuki Ito
• Music Production : Lantis
• Sound Production : Ducks Production
• Art director : Nobuhito Sakamoto
• Color designation : Shinji Matsumoto
• Director of photography : Masayuki Kawaguchi
• Edited by : Masahiro Matsumura
• Animation producer : Koji Iijima
• Animation Production : Studio Deen
• Planning cooperation : Shueisha Cobalt Editorial Department
• Produced by : Yamayurikai 2

This OVA series faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work while taking advantage of the expressive power that only anime can provide. In particular, the beauty of the character designs and background art leaves a strong impression on viewers. In addition, the beautiful melodies of the music by Mikiya Katakura add excitement to the story and enhance the emotions of the viewer.

Episodes and subtitles

The episodes and subtitles of the OVA series are as follows:

• Volume 1 : The Lambs' Vacations (2006/11/29)
• Volume 2 : Operation OK (tentative title) >.（2007/01/31）
• Volume 3 : A refreshing breeze (2007/03/28)
• Volume 4 : Ladies, GO Allez les filles! (2007/05/30)
• Volume 5 : Ciao Sorella! (2007/07/25)

Each episode depicts the daily lives of the students at Lillian Girls' Academy, as well as their growth and friendship. In particular, "Lambs' Holiday" in Volume 1 is an episode set during summer vacation in which the relationship between Yumi and Shoko deepens, leaving a strong impression on viewers. Also, "Ciao Sorella!" in Volume 5 is the climax of the series, and is a touching episode in which the bond between Yumi and Shoko deepens even further.

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for the OVA series are as follows:

• OP1 : Pastel pure
  • Composer: Mikiya Katakura
  • Arrangement: Mikiya Katakura
• ED1 : Chercher
  • Lyricist: Konno Oyuki
  • Composition: CG mix
  • Arrangement: CG mix
  • Sung by: KOTOKO
• ED2 : Beautiful melody
  • Lyricist: Konno Oyuki
  • Composer: Marty Friedman
  • Arrangement: Tomoyuki Nakazawa, Maiko Iuchi
  • Sung by: KOTOKO

These songs are an important element in creating the atmosphere of the OVA series, and they bring out the emotions in the viewers. In particular, KOTOKO's singing voice adds a deep emotion to the girls' coming-of-age drama.

Related Titles

The "Maria-sama ga Miteru" OVA series is linked to the following related works:

• Maria is watching
• Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Spring~
• Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th Season

These works delve deeper into the stories of the students at Lillian Girls' Academy, and watching them together with the OVA series will give you even more excitement.

Ratings and Recommendations

The "Maria-sama ga Miteru" OVA series has been highly praised as a coming-of-age drama about young girls. In particular, the storyline that depicts the characters' growth and friendship deeply moves viewers. The beautiful character designs, background art, and moving music also add to the appeal of the OVA series.

This OVA series is recommended for those who like works that depict the friendship and growth of girls. Also, for fans of the original novel, it is a work that can be enjoyed with the expressiveness that only anime can offer. Please experience the story of the students of Lillian Girls' Academy through the OVA series.

Conclusion

The "Maria-sama ga Miteru" OVA series is a moving work that depicts the youth drama of the students of Lillian Girls' Academy. The story of the characters' growth and friendship, the beautiful character designs and background art, and the moving music will deeply move the viewer. Please watch this OVA series and experience the story of the students of Lillian Girls' Academy.