[Anime] Ouran High School Host Club

To be blunt, this anime is gay. REALLY gay. This anime is full of pretty boys looking gay, and often times acting gay too. Not surprising of a shoujo anime. Wait... Shoujo anime?! Surely you gest, TFL! Why would you, a guy, be watching something made for girls who love pretty boys in yaoi-esque situations?! Well, quite frankly, this anime is for anyone who loves a good comedy and enjoys laughing out loud. It's pure hilarity, to put it simply. And no, nothing is wrong with you for watching this anime. Your masculinity, providing you're a guy reading this, is not in jeopardy.

The story begins with Fujioka Haruhi, a first year, and new, student at Oudan High School, a prestigious school for the wealthy. Bottom line, if you don't have a rich background with a lot of money to throw around, you won't get into this high school... unless you're a genius like Haruhi and got in with the help of a rare scholarship. Unfortunately for Haruhi, he's just a commoner among the thousands of rich teens at the high school. In fact, he seems to be the only one.

Haruhi finds himself looking for one of four libraries scattered about the campus; the last one was far too noisy for him. However, he quickly stumbles upon a seemingly vacant music room, only to come across... THE OURAN HOST CLUB *que sparkles and flowery background*. There he meets the club's odd collection of six members, all of which I'll introduce later, and after a bit of confused chit-chat as to why Haruhi is there, the unfortunate commoner accidentally knocks over a vase that is valued at 8 million yen (roughly 68,500 US dollars). From that point on, Haruhi is forced to become the Host Club's "Host Club Dog" and run errands for them in order to work off his debt.

So what is the "Host Club"? As the founder and president of the club so eloquently puts it, "In this private Ouran Academy, pedigree comes first, then money comes second. One thing that rich people have is time. The Ouran Host Club is a secret club, consisting of pretty boys with time to spare. The host and entertain girls with the same time commitment. It's a special extravaganza employed by the super rich folks."

The next scene we're introduced to the members of the Host Club and their odd idiosyncracies. First we meet 2nd Year Tamaki Suou, the Host Club President. Being the club president, he enjoys being called "King" among his club members. He is also the most popular among the members, as he is requested by 70% of the girls who frequent there.

Haruhi's first assignment is to bring the Host Club some coffee to drink. Being that he is a commoner and only knows so much, he ends up being instant coffee, which Tamaki is amazed by. Having never had instant coffee, Tamaki proposes that they try it and see what it tastes like (of course Haruhi must serve it). The girls are a bit scared to try the said coffee... until Tamaki proposes a way to drink it. Naturally, the girls go nuts.

Next we meet 1st Years Hitaiichin Hikaru and Kaoru, twin brothers who often talk in unison and pretend to flirt with one another in front of their guests. Again, the fangirls eat it up.

Then there is 3rd Year Morinozuka Takashi (AKA Mori), a quiet guy who neither talks much nor smiles at all, and his cousin 3rd Year Morinozuka Mitsukuni (AKA Honey), who, despite his loli looks, is actually the oldest member in the entire club. He's too adorable for his own good, and the fangirls love it.

Lastly we meet 2nd Year Ootomi Kyouya, Vice President of the Host Club. It appears that he is less of a host and more of a planner for the club, as he usually plans the events held for the many girls that come to be entertained.

After some banter, one of the twins removes Haruhi's glasses, expecting beady eyes but discovers something spectacular. Tamaki takes his look... and immediately orders the club to give Haruhi a makeover. Soon, Haruhi looks just as good as the rest of them, to which Tamaki obviously approves. Now looking like a bishishounen like the rest of the club, Haruhi's status as a member is upgraded to a full member!

Unfortunately, Haruhi doesn't seem to be very good at first as far as entertaining girls goes. However, he quickly gets the hang of it and has three girls request him for their next meeting. Tamaki then introduces them to one of his frequent quests, Anayokouji-hime, to which Haruhi simply says hello and smiles, slightly embarrassed. Of couse, Tamaki is utterly impressed by Haruhi's natural talent and shows his appreciation. Haruhi calls out to Mori for help, and Mori does indeed come to his aide, only to notice something strange about Haruhi. Unfortunately, Anayokouji doesn't seem to like the new host club member due to his bad upbringing.

Unknown to Haruhi, Ayanokouji throws his bag into the school's pool at the front of the academy. Haruhi goes searching for his things, and Tamaki later comes and helps him. Next scene, Ayanokouji requests Haruhi, only to try and start trouble and get Haruhi kicked out of the club. However, the twins dump water on the two, and Tamaki sees through Ayanokouji's plan and tells her to leave the club. With Haruhi's only uniform now soaking wet, the club provides Haruhi with some spare clothes and tells him to go change.

While Haruhi is changing, Tamaki comes to give Haruhi some towels to dry off with, only to discover something shocking. Haruhi is actually a girl! Unfortunately for Tamaki, Kyouya was the first to figure it out, while the other members figured it out along the way. The episode ends with Haruhi mentioning she'll have to use "ore" (the masculine version of referring to oneself in Japanese) from now on and gives us a cute smile. So cute, Haruhi~! <3

This anime is a complete blast and is hilarious. This is easily one of the best new shows of the season. The animation is smooth and the art is very nice, despite the characters being a bit one dimensional. There shouldn't be any reason you wouldn't watch this anime if you enjoy a good comedy. I know I'll be eagerly awaiting each hilarious episode as the weeks go by. ^_^

LINKS

Lunar Anime | website | IRC |
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3

Doremi-Fansubs |website | IRC |
Episode 1
Episode 2

Solar | website | IRC |
Episode 1

Most amazing jew boots

lol~

Fredrick-sama~

There's nowhere I can't reach.