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.

Ouran High School Host Club was one my first romance animes and it was a amazing watch.

Great characters, a cute story, hilarious comedy and lovable characters.

However it is not the perfect anime, a shojo classic but no 10/10.

The shortage of episodes is really an issue with this anime. After the last episode I began reading the manga.

This anime should of got an extension, if it did definitely would get a point up to a 9. Why not 10 you probably ask? Well here's why...

Like it or not the title should really be: Haruhi's harem. Even if you like harems it does get annoying the fact that everyone adores the main character.

Listen, is a great character her cheekiness is awesome but why can't at least someone not like her?

Not in a second (at least what can recall) does any of the host club members hate Haruhi.

They ADORE her, personally I wouldn't. She has a great personality and all but she has flaws that get in the way of liking her, I mean, come on. Why does everyone love her at first glance?

You may not agree with his review which is perfectly fine. Ouran High School Host Club is great and one of my favorites.

A great shojo, a awesome English cast, good animation, and a catchy theme song.

When I saw this series was available to watch legally on line on Funimation's YouTube channel I recalled that a friend had mentioned enjoying it so I decided to give it a go. As soon as the opening credits started I thought I might have made a mistake it was all pink and flowery and clearly not made for men, I decide to watch the first episode anyway to see what it was like. I'm glad I did as I found myself really enjoying it and over the next few days watched the remaining twenty five episodes.

The series opens with Haruhi, a new scholarship girl at the prestigious Ouran Academy looking for a quiet room to study in. She looks into Music Room #3 where she is surprised to find a group of boys, the eponymous Host Club. One thing leads to another and Haruhi accidentally breaks an antique vase, as she doesn't have the eight million yen required to pay for it she is told she must join the Host Club... to do this she must pass herself off as a boy as the club's purpose it to provide male company to the girls of the academy. With her short hair and small chest she manages to pass for a boy although her femininity isn't lost on the boys.

At first the boys of the club seen frivolous, being fascinated by Haruhi's commoner lifestyle the take to drinking her exotic instant coffee and do things as daring as going to the supermarket. In return they think nothing of taking Haruhi with them when they go off to a private resort during the summer holidays. As the episodes progress the boys seem less selfish as we learn why they are the way they are, by the end when things appear to be going badly for them it is genuinely sad.

While there is nothing really offensive in the series some people might be disturbed by two of the boys who act like a couple... the potential problem is that they are identical twins. Personally I thought it was funny, after all it is just an act for the girl's amusement. Even though this series is clearly aimed at girls I'd recommend it to anybody wanting a funny character driven series.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

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 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!!!