Ôran kôkô hosutobu

What a surprise! I've just recently gotten into anime, always trying to find new and unique dimensions to this genre; had seen a few of the classics and essentials. I assumed this would not be something for me, until I watched the first episode and there I was, a 33 year old, bearded American guy, laughing his butt off at a "teen comedy". Though I don't know much (or care much) about shoujo(?), I LOVE a good satire in any medium and this, folks, is up there, at times, with the best. The themes are familiar to Americans: the "plain-Jane", rebellious type, gets dolled up; the girl masquerades a boy for some reason; the lower-class student strives to survive or "pass" amongst snobby rich peers; the fish-out-of-water scenario. But here, they are combined in a very well conceived and, at least in our cultural context, highly subversive cocktail made from all of these generic themes.

And it is quite an intoxicating and addictive cocktail. I even find myself thinking, "dear gawd, I can't tell anyone about my taboo love-affair with this show, can I?", but then I realize it is usually 5x more intelligent, well written and poignant than anything on American TV since the Simpsons of the early/mid 1990s.

Based on the manga of the same name by Bisco Hatorri and produced by the studio Bones, who's work I quite like, we follow the titular Ouran High School Host Club, a sort of entertainment club for students at an elite, ultra rich high school in Tokyo. Newest member Haruhi Fujioka joins the previously all male club after her short hair leaves her mistaken for a boy. Anime antics ensue as she learns about each of her new school mates, is fawned over by club leader Tamaki, and gains friendships that will last a lifetime. Again not the type of anime I'd typically flip on I've been wanting to branch out, and this often appeared on lists of top comedic shojo. Honestly I had a lot of fun throughout, the characters are all unique, both in the expected tropes they're satirizing, but also with enough nuance that few feel superficial. With the characters each a trope, the series often breaks the 4th wall and plays for drama in pure parody that left me laughing out loud more than once. There is of course some silly romance, and lots of playing to taboos, but the series can also have plenty of more meaningful dramatic moments, with genuine connections between characters. At only a single season while I feel they could have done more it feels like they did enough for it to feel well rounded and complete by its conclusion. If it already seems like your kind of thing, would highly recommend, was great.

This is without a doubt the best anime I have seen so far. It's in the romance/comedy genre and is full of some of the funniest characters ever! Haruhi is a "commoner" scholarship student who enters elite Ouran High School, where lineage is second only to wealth, and becomes indebted to the Host Club, six male students who let the female students of Ouran enjoy their company. They each take the role of a certain "character" to entertain the girls; The prince, the loli-shota, the cool type, the silent type and the "brotherly-love" twins. Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

The plot is mainly light and fluffy, but touches on lesbianism, twincest and severely obnoxious people. Personally, I think it would be absolutely fine for anybody aged 12 or above, as none of these heavy themes are dealt with clearly. One can take what one wants from it.

I urge anyone who enjoys anime to watch this, as it will certainly raise more than a few laughs.

This Anime is quite funny! It's very original, I have never seen such a show! Truthfully, it does not have anything inappropriate, as many people reported it to be. So that should be a big weight lifted off your shoulders! What this show does include is romance and comedy (heavier on the comedy), and I suggest it to people who love those two genres. The author of the graphic novel, (which started this in the first place) had created a plot that is irresistibly funny! What it's about (mainly): How a scholarship student named Haruhi has to pay off a debt that she owes to her school's very own Host Club. And the story just builds off that. Ouran High School Host Club is wonderful for teens who like a bit of romance, and I think it may be better suited for females.

This anime is the tops. I have never seen a shoujo anime that I have enjoyed as much as Host Club since I saw Fruits Basket. Do yourself a favor and buy the DVDs of it, plus the manga. You will not be sorry, especially if you're a shoujo fan, or even if you aren't one...the characters are so vibrant, cute and fun that anyone, yes even a non-anime fan would fall in love with the Host Club. Outrageous, dashing, handsome, and idiotic Prince Tamaki, the crazy Hitachiin brothers (who put on a fake incest act that the girls seem to love??), Kaoru and Hikaru, Cute Momiiji Sohma-like Hunny, Mori, the silent strong host, and my absolute favorite and the HOTTEST host...cool and evil Kyoya, the "shadow prince" of the club. Haruhi, the heroine is refreshing, because way too many shoujo heroines are too bright and bubbly and in-your-face, Haruhi is calm and practical. I really hope they bring Host Club to America and dub it, but for now, watch Host Club any way you can, this series is too too amazing to miss!!!