Ôran kôkô hosutobu

When I saw this series was available to watch legally on line on Funimation's YouTube channel I recalled that a friend had mentioned enjoying it so I decided to give it a go. As soon as the opening credits started I thought I might have made a mistake it was all pink and flowery and clearly not made for men, I decide to watch the first episode anyway to see what it was like. I'm glad I did as I found myself really enjoying it and over the next few days watched the remaining twenty five episodes.

The series opens with Haruhi, a new scholarship girl at the prestigious Ouran Academy looking for a quiet room to study in. She looks into Music Room #3 where she is surprised to find a group of boys, the eponymous Host Club. One thing leads to another and Haruhi accidentally breaks an antique vase, as she doesn't have the eight million yen required to pay for it she is told she must join the Host Club... to do this she must pass herself off as a boy as the club's purpose it to provide male company to the girls of the academy. With her short hair and small chest she manages to pass for a boy although her femininity isn't lost on the boys.

At first the boys of the club seen frivolous, being fascinated by Haruhi's commoner lifestyle the take to drinking her exotic instant coffee and do things as daring as going to the supermarket. In return they think nothing of taking Haruhi with them when they go off to a private resort during the summer holidays. As the episodes progress the boys seem less selfish as we learn why they are the way they are, by the end when things appear to be going badly for them it is genuinely sad.

While there is nothing really offensive in the series some people might be disturbed by two of the boys who act like a couple... the potential problem is that they are identical twins. Personally I thought it was funny, after all it is just an act for the girl's amusement. Even though this series is clearly aimed at girls I'd recommend it to anybody wanting a funny character driven series.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.