| Cue the sweatpants, gallon of ice cream, and chocolates... |
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| written by Ursus |
February 24, 2006 - 9:21 AM PST |
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2 out of 4 members found this review helpful
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At 6'4", 232lbs., and a practioner of Krav Maga and Jujitsu, I really shouldn't have giggled like a pre-teen girl reading "Tiger Beat" while watching this series... yet, I did, and here we are...
Where to begin? I always find the beginning a good place to start. I have always loved animation, I "cut my teeth" on old "Star Blazers" and the rest, as they say, is history. Yet, to most everyone, my "habit," nay, my "lust" is firmly in the closet... but I digress.
My last girlfiend (not a typo) -the cheating harpy- put a halt (Have you ever seen "Debby Does [insert city or nation here]"?, you get the idea) on our 8 month relationship -dirty tramp-, which put me in a bit of a funk -slut. Happily, I came across a review for "Boys Over Flowers," and upon that recommendation I obtained the first DVD. Romance. Drama. Hilarity. Very "Pretty in Pink," as another reviewer deftly and correctly illustrated, "Boys Over Flowers," filled in the gaps, and like methidone, helped to ween me from the horrible pangs of love withdrawal -and murderous rage. Depsite the art style, to which one quickly became habituated, the narrative was well told, and expertly woven together to produce a most satisfactory yarn.
At 51 episodes, "Boys Over Flowers," has the staying power and romantic punch of a seasoned prize fighter. I heartily recommend this series to the love-lost, forlorned, or even those drunk with love or lust... you lucky bastards. And, to anyone attending the University of Montana, particularlly anyone in the foreign language department... don't be fooled by the shy, red-head who bats her eyes. |
| John Hughes does Shoujo (with Class Warfare) |
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| written by whump |
August 16, 2004 - 12:03 AM PDT |
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4 out of 5 members found this review helpful
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My girlfriend and I (both hopeless Shoujo fans) watched Volume one.
It struck her as a Shoujo retelling of John Hughes' Pretty in Pink.
But Tsukushi's impassioned denunciations of the F4 (the group of bishonen who dominate the school) and their various hangers-on reminded me of Woody Allen and David Spade in Antz and A Bug's Life the consciousness raising workers in each of those films.
But it is a soap opera, and Class War issues run second to Tsukushi's mooning over the ambivalent member of the F4, Rui. Still I hope to see the subversive threads continue in future volumes. |
| 51 episodes...only a few on DVD |
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| written by ivygirl |
June 30, 2004 - 10:08 PM PDT |
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3 out of 5 members found this review helpful
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I love this anime; I just want to give fair warning to others. This is definitely an anime where you will want to watch one disc right after another, but there are less than 20 episodes on DVD at the moment out of 51! So if you are not patient, like me, don't set yourself up for failure by falling in love with this series and then not be able to see it all anytime soon.
Also, some may wonder why the whole intro had all of the characters dancing around, yet there is no dancing in the anime, except for at clubs/parties, but no full out dance numbers like in the opening. Well, I can tell you why-- it's because of the movie! The movie (30 minutes with the same characters, but alternate universe - NY City) revolves around our beloved cast in a weird Fame meets Flashdance scenario. But other than that, you will never see Tsukasa bust a move in the anime. Just a little FYI. And by the way, did I say how great this series is? Also, check out Marmalade Boy too. It's not on the same emotional level as Hana Yori Dango, but it's still cute and romantic. |
| The holy grail of shoujo teenaged anime -- |
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| written by MrBunBun |
September 18, 2003 - 3:09 AM PDT |
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17 out of 17 members found this review helpful
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(note: I have not yet viewed the U.S. DVDs, I have however seen the entire series up to the second to last volume.)
I am ADDICTED to this series. I you love shoujo anime, especially the melodrama, then this is IT.
It is sometimes so over-the-top you may want to laugh (actually, we did, but it was good-natured) but that only adds to the enjoyment, and sometimes I seriously don't know if the producers meant parts as satire. If you are familiar with (shoujo) anime you will most likely become a huge fan.
This is in the drama/relationship vein with lots of silliness -- in every episode there is a new surprise and significant story/character advancement. Very engrossing.
My other favorite series is Ryoko Ikeda's classic "Brother, Dear Brother" (Oneesama E) and this follows in similar topic and topics but not nearly as melodramatic.
The plot progresses substantially from episode to episode and the cliffhangers are truly cliffhangers, they really make you wonder, 'what next'. The main character Tsukushi is extremely likeable in that she is so set upon by everyone in this series and refuses to take it (in as much as a heroine in a shoujo anime series set in highschool and surrounded by prettboys can be gutsy and defiant). From episode 1 to episode 10 the relationship and even character development is huge and very noticeable. That is one of the reasons this is so watcheable, it really is an ongoing story.
This is very much a character driven anime series with unusually pastel colors which definitely adds to the feel and stamps the series with even more character. Hana Yori Dango, or "Boys Before Flowers" really stands head and shoulders above a flock of other anime titles about highschool & adolsecence and relationships.
There are definitely some aspects of the plot that tick me off, namely how obeisant or 'feminine' all female heroines in anime series ultimately have to be but hey, I like shoujo anime so I'm still hooked.
This series is based on the very popular manga and mostly follows the same story. There are some differences -- Shizuka is not so spotless a character in the manga and there is a love interest for Tsukushi that never makes it into the anime!!! Otherwise, this anime really stands alone in entertainment value. There is also an animated short movie and at least one live-action Hana Yori Dango show as well. |
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