For my school winter break, which I am currently in, I gave myself the challenge to watch three different animes from various genres in the three weeks off. Having been in a very shoujo mood lately, I decided to kickstart the anime marathon tiemz with Kaichou wa Maid-sama! These days, I tend to avoid watching shows that are excessively popular or lighthearted, but I do not regret having made a start on Maid-sama! at all.
Released in 2010, and adapted from the ongoing manga of the same title, Maid-sama! tells the story of student council president Misaki Ayuzawa; the first female to ever reach such a title at her school, which has only recently turned from all-boys to co-educational. Ayuzawa rules the school is a very stricy (albeit amusing) fashion, and presents a facade with no weaknesses, whether they be emotional or physical. However, she is secretly working for a maid latte cafe in her spare time, to help provide for her poor family, and fears that she would lose power and popularity with the student body if this secret were to be leaked. Cue Tamaki Usui, the notorious heart-breaking stud, and top student. After discovering her secret, Usui becomes a regualr customer at Maid Latte, and appears to take a special interest in Ayuzawa. But why? Is he a jerk that likes laughing at her one weakness? Is he a crazy stalker? Or, is he in love with her?
This anime is really great for some light-watching. The animation is really lovely, with a bright and vibrant colour palette being used. The detail used for the characters juxtaposes the almost story book-like backgrounds perfectly, helping the show to achieve its up-beat feel, while still showing attention to detail. The characters are very typical of this style of shoujo, but are still very enjoyable. Unlike many tsunderes, Ayuzawa's behaviour is justified in that her father abandoned fer family when she was young. I'll admit, she can often go overboard with her man-hating, but it is humerous, so I'm willing to overlook it. Usui is, well, also what you'd expect for a male protagonist in a shoujo. Hello, fangirl bait! I don't think there's anything that this guy cannot do, really. Plus, he is ridiculously good looking. He's a little bit of a creepy stalker with a crush, but the fangirls don't care. His and Ayuzawa's relationship is a actually quite sweet, even if he is what she describes as a "perverted alien."
Oh, Usui =_=
There are a lot of funny moments, but there are also equally sweet ones. The supporting characters are also very enjoyable, especially Aoi, a young boy who enjoys crossdressing as a cute girl. The great thing about this show is, it doesn't take itself too seriously. While there are genuinely nice moments, they aren't done in a way that is too cliche. Having watched quite a few serious animes lately, this has proved to be a very refreshing break.
I was very surprised that there was a kiss and love confession so early in the series. Not that it amounted to anything /sigh/. I'm hoping (and assuming) that this will happen again at the end of the series. Fingers crossed this time Ayuzawa won't completely flip out to the point where Usui has to kiss another guy just to convince her that he normally kisses people, thus getting her to talk to him again. If I didn't sympathise with her "ZOMG MEN! IDONTKNOWWHATTODOBUTVIOLENCE!" behaviour, I'd really want to slap her. Luckily, I do sympathise, and I do like her, so it's all good.
Really, as cracky and hilarious as it looks.
Oh, I must mention the fanservice. Like, Usui is pretty much the definition of the word. Those creators sure do like giving him scenes with an exposed chest! Not that I'm complaining, because mmmsauce and stuff. The ending credits are also the second most blatantly fanservice-y I have ever seen. Thanks for those shirtless Usui shots, guys! I'll admit, it's not Hakushaku to Yousei, which had a progression of most of the main male characters lying (presumably) naked in bed, being covered by only a sheet on their lower half. Once again though, I wasn't complaining at all. Ehehe, I loves being a fangirl. I should also point out that there's pleanty of Auyzawa fanservice for guys watching the show too, but I'm not a guy, so I don't notice these things as much.
Overall, I have been very impressed by this series so far. I keep hearing wonderful things about the manga, so I may give it a read when I finish with the anime. I'm hoping to get it finished within the next few days, which is a bit of a stretch, but I watched six episodes in a day recently, so it could be possible. Thankfully it is the kind of anime that you can watch for hours and not get bored or depressed!
"I love you, Ayuzawa!"
Disclaimer: I have not downloaded this anime yet, as I haven't finished it, so I just stole these screenshots on Google and am using them here until I take my own. Sorry if I stole someone's shot. Please don't be offended/ shoot me! So, credit to the muffins that created the anime, and the cupcakes that took these screenshots. I own nothing! Also, if I have gotten any little details about the show wrong, please don't call for me to be murdered. Sleep and me haven't been good friends lately.
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