Oh please...
L4d | Here | 04/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"***SPOILER ALERT***
The ending was different than the manga, but that happens in anime. A lot of factors determine how long a series runs on TV. How the series ended in print format isn't a huge concern to TV.
Movies change books we love, all the time. At least after all the trials and tribulations, true love won in this one. You're not sure what happens in the manga.
Overall, this DVD provided a wrap-up for a series that was so wonderful I can't find another anime to compare to it. I love it that much. The final episode took us back to the first, with many of the same themes replaying...but making clear what all had changed since then.
Pet peeves: I saw the entire series in fan-sub, then saw the DVD version. It bothers me how the subtitlers on the DVDs have the characters referring to each other with their first names all the time, when the audio clearly demonstrates that they do NOT. It jarred me, every single time to hear "Makino!" and see "Tsukushi!"
When I first saw this anime (vol. 1...ah, memories!), I thought the animation was kinda boring. Now I realize how bright and crisp it is.
And the humor--! Very few of the episodes don't have a rib-clutching scene in it: Makino putting her shoe to Doumyoji's face to open (and close!) the series, Makino blowing on her fist to warm it up for Doumyoji's face, the F4 pretending Doumyoji had died, as a practical joke on Makino...who promptly starts strangling him for scaring her that way! I don't advocate that kind of behavior in real life, but it's amazingly funny here. Just like Road Runner cartoons are funny (to me, anyway).
As for the rest of the series...
This is one of the most wonderful stories ever, about friendship, loyalty, betrayal, forgiveness, being true to yourself, looking past exteriors to the person within, and the real meaning of love--all the important things in this life. It addresses serious issues like hazing and class differences with sensitivity.
Every character in Hana Yori Dango is real, someone you know or have known or met or loved or hated. It has one of the greatest female characters ever created. Makino Tsukushi isn't perfect. But I wouldn't want her to be.
I cannot recommend this series highly enough."
As much as it hurts me to do this...
J. Fink | St. Louis, MO | 01/05/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I can only give this disk 3 stars. The series, which became my guilty addiction, ended so abruptly, and so unconvincingly. And is it really over? What about all the characters I have come to know and love? (Where is the movie? They made one in Japan...although I heard it wasn't too good)
I don't really want to say too much, to give out any spoilers. But what I guess it comes down to is this...if you are a Boys over Flowers fan, you will definitely want to watch the anime conclusion. And if you haven't started reading the manga yet, this disc may just give you the jump start you needed...so the ending won't be so abrupt (I'm assuming...as of now, they have only released 15 volumes out of the 36 Japanese volume series)"
What?....
Kristi | 06/13/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This was the most exciting anime ever when i saw the first one i was wanting more. I only gave this a four star because the ending was too easy to guess and i wanted more than just that. It was just all sooooo funny and i was just so into the movie. I had to replay some scenes and re-laugh at them, but i really wish there were more to this anime..."