Anime: Ouran High School Host Club

[timepiececlock]

Ouran HSHC [episode 3-8, 10]


I've watched up through episode 8 and ep 10 by now, and I'm glad I decided to start this series. It's cute and funny. I don't have quite the affection for it that I've had for other shows with similar mood and themes, like FB, but that's probably because Ouran isn't even a quarter as emotionally ambitious as Furuba was. Not so far, anyway. This is light, popcorn candy parody fun, and provided I don't keep using up my daily maximum from megaupload, I might be able to finish it before I go down South.

As for shipping... I'm split right now between Haruhi/Tamaki and Haruhi/Mori. Haruhi/Mori has a more naturally romantic vibe to it, since Haruhi actually seems to notice Mori as a male more than she does the other boys. But the ship suffers over the fact that Mori's character is still too mysterious-- it's hard to ship Haruhi with such an obscure, blank character. If we found out more about him, I'd definitely go for this couple.

Tamaki is... entertaining. I'm kinda rooting for him because he reminds me of a less assholeish and more ditzy version of Allen Schezarr of The Vision of Escaflowne. Even though I didn't root for Allen to get "the girl" of that show, Tamaki is like a more pathetic version of Allen, so he kind of gets my sympathies as an underdog. By anime standards Mori is more of "the underdog" than Tamaki is, but realistically Tamaki's such a ditz that Mori would probably have much better chances at getting a girl to date him. I do like Tamaki, though. Tamaki genuinely is that romantic at heart... and he might very well actually have a crush on Haruhi. But on the other hand, Haruhi doesn't need to be anyone's mother, and she kind of passive-aggressively mothers Tamaki already. We know from the fierce independence of her character that she spends all her time watching out for other people, and if she were to be with someone, it'd be nice if that person were to take care of her (and at the same time empower her), instead of being a burden to her. Basically, Tamaki is immature, probably too immature for Haruhi. But at the same time...Tamaki has a lot of potential, and I could easily imagine him growing into the kind of person who would be good with her. The more he's around her, the more he'll hopefully mature.

Comments

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

I don't have quite the affection for it that I've had for other shows with similar mood and themes, like FB, but that's probably because Ouran isn't even a quarter as emotionally ambitious as Furuba was. Not so far, anyway.

Oooh, nooo, don't expect it to become a Furuba; in terms of emotion, Furuba is in a league of its own, and while Ouran does eventually go into the less positive aspects of the characters (note the word 'eventually'; to see it will require patience, heh), it doesn't scrape Furuba. However, by its own standards and by those set by other shoujo anime, it's rather good.

Shipping... ah, I was Haruhi/Tamaki all the way, though it took some time to realize it. The Haruhi/Mori appeal I can definitely understand for its (relative) practicality, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to gain any strength as the series goes on - which is to say, Mori isn't really fleshed out any further. (He gets even less attention than Honey, though not really by a lot.)

Now that Allen analogy had me pause a little, heh; it's very unconventional, and I'd have to leave it to you to think of something like that. :P Anyway, in defence of Tamaki, the way he develops (or the way our view of him develops, more like) certainly changes his chances with Haruhi. I too wouldn't support a couple in which the guy can do nothing for the girl (and vice versa) - so what Tamaki does for Haruhi is actually intangible. This isn't conveyed until Episode 13. (*squees a little*)

In any case, what he can be to her isn't necessarily someone who can take care of her (she's incredibly independent and sensible, so I figure any attempt of Tamaki might just get in the way) so much as watch over her and influence the way she lives. Episode 13 introduces this notion and episode 26 seals it, confirming that Tamaki is actually quite pivotal for her character.

Basically, Tamaki is immature, probably too immature for Haruhi. But at the same time...Tamaki has a lot of potential, and I could easily imagine him growing into the kind of person who would be good with her.

Hmmm... I can't really say Tamaki matures, as he's actually as mature as he can get. On the surface, he's a child, but as elenathehun pointed out, he's very well-adjusted emotionally, more so than the other members. (except the senpai and Haruhi, maybe) From the way he handled his "emotional turmoil" in the last few episodes, I'd say some of his behavior is for show.

and she kind of passive-aggressively mothers Tamaki already.

LOL, the passive-aggressive part is a perfect, perfect description for her attitude. I just have to give you kudos for the line because it's so flat-out right.