Anime To Heart

[densuke]

[b]To Heart[/b] (1999)
Shounen Romance
13 Episode TV series
Production: KSS/Aquaplus
Based on Leaf ero-game/Playstation dating simulation

The domestic DVD release of another KSS/Aquaplus title (Comic Party) brings this earlier title to mind. Although To Heart has never been licensed it has captured the attention of anime fans in at least two separate waves. The series was fansubbed on VHS in its soon after its initial release. A digital fansub project is in progress.

Hiroyuki and his childhood friend Akari, now high-school students, are going through changes. Hiroyuki finds it hard to apply himself seriously to sports or activities as he once did, and instead he finds himself fascinated with the activities and hobbies of those around him. His sympathetic nature inspires his classmates (and turns the heads of a few girls).

Akari begins to see Hiroyuki in a different way and wonders how to deal with her thoughts and feelings. She and Hiroyuki work and play with old and new friends, sharing hopes for the future and making memories.

This is one of the best-produced series I have ever seen. Few shows reward close scrutiny the way this one does with its top-notch visual work, supportive score and subtle writing. The series' character sketches and low-key story arc are perfectly suited to the series' short run.

[list][size=2]Comparing cel-based anime like To Heart to newer CGI anime[/size]
[*][size=2]Comparing To Heart with other shounen romance series[/size]
[*][size=2]Comparing shounen and shoujo romance series[/size][/list]
are all potential subjects for discussion.

[Dagger]

I'm surprised that To Heart hasn't been licensed yet. From what I've heard it has a lot of fans, and the show is far from ancient. Anyway... I watched the first two episodes a little while back, but I don't really feel compelled to keep going.

As you said, from a technical standpoint To Heart is absolutely superb. The character designs are pleasing to the eye, and the animation just looks wonderful. I love To Heart's OP theme as well as its background music. However, that doesn't change the fact that I just don't find the premise terribly fascinating. Shounen romances, serious or comedic, rarely grab my interest.

~Dagger~

[densuke]

I don't remember too many series being this short back when it came out. 13-episode series are being licensed now, but that's a fairly recent development.

Most of [b]To Heart[/b] is simply about making friends. The show has a fair amount of romance, but is not dramatic. Most episodes introduce female characters who get to know Hiroyuki and Akari a little; then the show moves on.

In some ways this series is comparable to [b]Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou[/b] or [b]Niea_7[/b]. It shares their languid pacing and sense of interval or space ([i]ma[/i]).