Sama Zama

Ouran HS Host Club - 01 [FIRST]

May 9, 2006 on 10:09 pm | In Ouran HS Host Club |

From Today Onward, You’re a Host
今日から君はホスト

Shounen-ai, comedy, romance, gender confusion? Hell. Yes. So what is Saria’s favorite new series? That’s right, you guessed it.

Synopsis

“Haruhi is a poor girl in a rich kids’ school. She only got to go there because of a scholarship. She happens upon the Host Club when she is looking for a place to study quietly. After getting there, she breaks an $80,000 vase. After which, she is forced to work at the club to pay off the debt. The only problem is that the members don’t realize she’s a girl…” (ANN).

OP/ED Songs

I love both the OP/ED! The animation style in the opening is great and while the ending isn’t much to look at, both have really good songs that constitute downloading!

OP: Chieko Kawabe - “Sakura Kiss”
ED: LAST ALLIANCE - “Shissou”

First Impressions

I received the first episode very well. Despite its similar setting (and sexual orientation) to Strawberry Panic, OHHC makes good use of the potential “rich kid” jokes, so the private, privileged academy comes off as less annoying and more interesting. (”Instant-to?!”)

This series doesn’t take itself seriously, which is one of the things that makes it so enjoyable to watch. A lot of shounen-ai- or shoujo-ai-themed anime have overplayed themes, angst, and basically no sense of humor. Viewers are actually supposed to believe that dramatic scene between the long-haired yaoi beau and his wimpy loli boy (Loveless, anyone?). OHHC is a spin on all of this. It takes romantic, shounen-ai academy comedy and flips it on its head.

I must admit, however, that I went into OHHC unprepared for its style of humor. I did not understand its overly-exaggerated jokes right away, but once the concepts clicked, the show became instantly hilarious. The first part of the episode was a little slow and the jokes weren’t at all as side-splitting as they would become, but please stay tuned. The laughter is on its way.

This is a series for anyone who likes school love comedy, shounen-ai, and/or shoujo. I really recommend it. Don’t be turned off by any of its homosexual themes. Those violently opposed to boys’ love may find a few jokes a little disturbing, but as long as the viewer keeps in mind that none of it is serious, they should be alright. In fact, after episode one, the shounen-ai becomes completely ridiculous and harmless, especially as the plot progresses.

Episode Commentary

Just some quick little notes. Was anyone else totally disappointed with the realization that Haruhi is actually a girl? Imagine all the wonderful boys love-love possibilities between her and Tamaki, if only she had been a boy! Oh well, this must be fangirl chatter.

Oh, and I didn’t realize the symbolism of the light-bulbs until I saw the episode for the second time, screenshotting. My film analysis skills are through the roof. Knowing what they mean now, they are brilliant.

Tamaki’s little embarrassed red face at the end of the episode really won him over for me. That’s all it takes, folks. ;P

P.S.: Batshit crazy.

Character Review

The characters are much more vibrant than those of other comedy series (especially if you want to compare to the academia series Strawberry Panic), and OHHC gets away with traditional archetypes because the characters are meant to be archetypes—that’s the joke! The overly dramatic tangents each host club member plays against the rational prodding of Haruhi’s character are too funny to be annoying. The club and Haruhi are really good foils for each other, and the possibility of any romance sprouting within the club is tantalizingly intriguing. (Character foils? Isn’t that for, like, literature class? WTF, Saria).

Fujioka Haruhi: Main character, mistaken for a boy at the beginning of the first episode but turned out to be a cute girl with short hair. Still, since she breaks the vase, she must continue being a host and raise money to pay off her debt. Character type? The Voice of Reason, skepticism, and all that Tamaki-crushing goodness. A cute girl with a good head on her shoulders. Actually different from most of the female protagonist types, since she isn’t as conscious of her gender.

Suou Tamaki: Main character’s love interest. At least, he’s interested in her. The “king” of the host club, Tamaki is extremely arrogant, confident, charming, handsome, and reminds one of Yuki’s older brother from Fruits Basket. He’s ridiculous and frivolous, yet harmless, with a good heart. He is aso a very jealous and possessive boy who hates to see his romantic interest receiving attention from others.

Ootori Kyoya: Vice president of the host club (and also “Mommy” according to Tamaki), Kyoya is usually the mastermind behind the club. Or the “shadow king,” as Haruhi dubs him. He controls and generates all the funds and activities, and is the “cool and cunning” type.

Hitaiichin Hikaru & Kaoru: The first real case of twincest I’ve ever encountered (until now, I’ve only heard stories about shady manga), Kaoru and Hikaru are basically tightly-bound brothers (in so many ways). They are also the mischievous twins akin to the (also) red-headed Weasleys from Harry Potter.

Haninozuka Mitsukuni: HELL YES! THE RETURN OF MOMIJI!!! Momiji was my favorite character from Fruits Basket, being the bright, happy-go-lucky, dancy loli-shota. Mitsukuni seems like his clone, only チビ三年学生 version.　This character functions as mainly a source of cuteness and happy rainbow fun sunshine time.

Morinozuka Takashi: Pretty boring so far, “Mori-kun” is supposed to be the “wild type” in the host club assortment. He basically acts as the quiet, big, older brother and foil to Momiji. I mean Mitsukuni. Hopefully his character will develop more as the anime progresses.

Screenies!

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36 Comments »

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Shissou is the best song this season. I’m eagerly waiting for the release on May 17 I think.

I think F Haruhi owns S Haruhi anytime!

Comment by tj han — May 9, 2006 #
Ouran really is a great show. I’d even wager that I like this Haruhi more than the Suzumiya variety. While the manga was published by Shojo Beat, I really think this is more of an “anti-shojo” kinda show. I’m glad more people are watching/writing about it.

Comment by Hung — May 9, 2006 #
Hikaru & Kaoru are the reason why I constantly feel reminded of Harry Potter when watching Ouran.

Comment by Kestrel — May 10, 2006 #
Yeahh!!! I knew you would love it ^_^

I’m seriously not expecting something dramatic, pompous or intelectual from this show, just some fun and good times, and I’m sure it won’t disappoint me! (well the last episode didn’t)

And I adore the twins. Damn, they converted me to twincest…

Comment by eurys — May 10, 2006 #
“Was anyone else totally disappointed with the realization that Haruhi is actually a girl?”

As a guy, this was quite a relief to me and a very pleasing surprise that made me come back for more. But I can understand it coming from the other side of the spectrum…I guess?

Comment by Os — May 10, 2006 #
Hooray! I have fixed the no-paragraph-breaks-in-comments bug on my blog!

>>tj han: Yeah, somehow I’m not feeling Suzumiya half as much as F Haruhi. I guess I’m just not into the female tundere. Too much tsun to put up with just to get a little dere.

>>Hung: I love OHHC because it’s so ridiculous and over-the-top. It has the same outrageous humor (except more intensified) as the shoujo Fruits Basket did, which happies the panties.

>>Kestrel: Who CAN’T watch the Hitaiichin twins and not be reminded of the loveable red-heads? Unless they’re, you know, an anti-Harry Potter party pooper person. (Alliteration!)

>>eurys: I know what you mean about the twincest thing. At first, I was a little uncomfortable watching, but now I’ve totally converted to twincestism. They bring up a good point about their sexiness—two boys, switching between friendship and shounen-ai, who are identical and beautiful, who are both interested in you! Wow!

>>Os: I’m actually half-glad Haruhi turned out to be a girl. Partly because it will mean losing less of a male audience and partly because it will bring something fun to the table—girls and boys alike assaulting Tamaki’s love interest!

Comment by Saria — May 10, 2006 #
If Haruhi isn’t a girl, I would not be watching this show. As it is, I find this whole shojou fascination with cross-dressing creepy, but somewhat enjoyable.

But damn isn’t Haruhi cute? I think I fell in love at the end of the first episode when she had that big cheery smile… >.

Comment by Lupus — May 10, 2006 #
This anime is SO funny. SO well-made. This first ep is becoming one of my all-time favourites. I’m really not into shounen-ai/shojou stuff, but the producers were very very smart in putting a nice show together, emphasizing the comedy part a lot, so it appeals to a wider audience. As Lupus said, the fact that Harui is a girl “not so conscious of her genre” (what it may mean, is a different story) gives the show much more appeal to us with the Y chromosome.A winner, imho.

Comment by Wyk72 — May 12, 2006 #
>>Lupus: I’m just glad OHHC is getting the attention it deserves, cross-dressing girls or gay boys aside.

>>Wyk72: You’re my 400th comment! Hooray! I am never able to catch my comments but I looked at my Dashboard and saw “400 comments,” and you were the last one who commented! :D :D :D How fitting, too, since you’re a regular.

Comment by Saria — May 12, 2006 #
Oh my oh my. In the last (9) ep of Ergo Proxy, Pino counts up to 400 USAGIs….so I was destined to be .. number 400! How scary (^_^;) ….

Comment by Wyk72 — May 12, 2006 #
Oh my lord, I am majorly taken in by Haruhi! Just watched three episodes tonight, and though it is somewhat similar to Boys over Flowers, I really enjoyed the mix of friendship and humor!

That 400th comment was so apt, haha.

Comment by Kabitzin — May 12, 2006 #
Yay! OHHC is my very favourite show(but i can only watch it on the internet so I’m only up to ep. 13)(grumble grumble). As a male triplet, with older twin brothers, twincest isn’t a thing I can go for, so I always think of them as total goofs. (My brother and I couldn’t resist messing with our sister once we saw Hikaru and Koaru. I can’t decide if she loves us or hates us now. lol) The three of us all had to squeel when we saw momi–honey-kun -_-; I was annoyed that Haruhi was a girl, ‘cuz I was hoping for a goofy yaoi, but oh well. Anyhoo, thanks for loving my favourite show. (have you seen Nekozawa yet!? Hotty-Hotty-Cutey!

Comment by Dantesinclair — July 2, 2006 #
I’m usually a big BL/Yaoi fan, but I *LIKE* Haruhi being a girl, and a tomboyish, practical girl at that. I enjoy that, despite the comedic aspects, I can occasionally identify with her (that almost never happens for me in standard Shoujo manga… the girls - or the sub boy characters in Shonen-ai for that matter- usually are too frail and coy and useless) and her curious self-discovery in light of her being a previously oblivious virgin bookworm surrounded by hot young men. (And/or, dealing with the “evil lesbians” from the rival school… heh!) Unlike some “comedic” series that examine gender identity, I get no feeling of hostility or sarcasm from Ouran; Haruhi, and her father, are not just deux ex machina for sight gags or pure freakshows - they seem presented more as truly sympathetic characters.

Also, as for Mori-kun… I’ve come to find him very appealing. I’m confused at his description of being “wild” (in the fansub translation I have it is “stoic” in later episodes, which makes a heck of a lot more sense to me)

And.. ah… twincest. Two wrongs that are SO SO SO VERY RIGHT. :X Make me a sammich, bishes!

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I really love this anime. It’s cute and funny….plus it makes me laugh alot !

Tamaki is hularious ;)

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