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Apr 13, 2025
Generous, considering the disappointment
Enishi is the follow-up to Ai Yori Aoshi, and unfortunately, it's a sequel that not only fails to progress the central romance but actively undermines what made the original series compelling. What could have been a thoughtful continuation of Kaoru and Aoi’s relationship ends up diluted into a loosely connected collection of slice-of-life episodes, marked by lazy comedy, tonal confusion, and some deeply questionable fanservice.
Story – 3/10
The main problem with Enishi is its complete abandonment of plot. Despite a time skip of two years and the implication that Kaoru and Aoi are living together in a quasi-engaged state, no meaningful development occurs.
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The story goes nowhere. Their relationship, which should have been at the heart of the season, is relegated to the background—so much so that even their marriage remains vague and unresolved. The excuse, offered late in the season, that “their families haven’t approved it yet” rings hollow and reeks of stalling tactics.
Episodes drift aimlessly. One has Tina teaching Chika’s school friends to swim (with the usual breast jokes), another features a haunted house misunderstanding, and others revolve around minor character antics. None of it truly matters. Worse yet, the final two episodes center not on the main couple, but on Tina Foster and her short-lived departure to America. The tone turns melancholic as she tearfully leaves and then, anticlimactically, returns. There's no emotional payoff, just the faint sense of missed opportunity.
Characters – 4/10
Kaoru and Aoi feel frozen in time. Kaoru continues to be a gentle, self-effacing lead. Aoi is back to her one-note role as the perfect domestic goddess—forever kind, forever modest, forever cooking. Their emotional intimacy is all but ignored.
Surprisingly, Enishi tries to reposition Tina as the emotional center. A few scenes showcase her more vulnerable side—she longs for love and fears abandonment—but her development feels shoehorned and inconsistent. Meanwhile, side characters like Chika are thrust into the spotlight for episodes that veer into uncomfortable territory, especially given her age and the repeated use of sexualized humor.
Mayu’s solo episode is a rare highlight. Her nervous first date with Kaoru, her self-consciousness, and her quiet confession by the lake form one of the only moments in Enishi with any emotional weight. If the show had taken more cues from that, it could have been something.
Art & Sound – 6/10
The visuals are standard early-2000s fare—soft, warm colors with occasionally clumsy animation. Backgrounds remain pleasant but unremarkable. The music carries a similar tone to the first season: gentle, inoffensive, and ultimately forgettable.
Enjoyment – 4/10
There are a handful of chuckles and a few genuinely endearing moments—like Mayu’s date or the light-hearted tennis match—but the slow pacing, shallow writing, and often awkward comedy drag everything down. Many episodes feel like filler for a romance that never progresses, and the repeated reliance on breast jokes or accidental nudity (especially involving underage characters) is not only stale but sometimes uncomfortable.
Overall – 4/10
If Ai Yori Aoshi was a flawed but sincere romantic drama, Enishi is its hollow echo. There’s no destination, no growth, no emotional payoff—just a series of half-hearted sketches where the characters pretend nothing has changed. It’s disappointing not because it’s actively terrible, but because it’s so clearly the ghost of something that could have been lovely. Watch it only if you absolutely must see more of the cast—but temper your expectations and prepare for letdown.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Apr 3, 2025
Story - 6/10
Ai Yori Aoshi starts with an intriguing premise: Kaoru Hanabishi, a college student with a troubled past, is suddenly reunited with Aoi Sakuraba, a noblewoman who has trained her whole life to be his perfect wife. The first few episodes establish their relationship, hinting at a deeper romance and a struggle against societal expectations. However, instead of focusing on their emotional growth, the series quickly devolves into an episodic harem structure where various female characters compete for Kaoru’s attention, despite the fact that none of them ever have a real chance against Aoi.
While some episodes do explore meaningful character moments—such as Kaoru
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revisiting his mother’s grave and opening up about his traumatic past—the narrative often sidesteps real development in favor of comedic misunderstandings and ecchi hijinks. One of the most poignant moments is in the final episode when Aoi and Kaoru reaffirm their commitment to each other in front of her disapproving father, leading to a bittersweet yet satisfying conclusion.
Characters - 6/10
Kaoru and Aoi’s dynamic is the heart of the show, but their relationship feels stagnant. Aoi is the textbook example of a demure, traditional waifu—devoted, soft-spoken, and self-sacrificing to a fault. While her unwavering dedication to Kaoru is endearing, it also makes her feel one-dimensional. Kaoru, on the other hand, is a decent protagonist with some depth due to his traumatic childhood, but his lack of agency and obliviousness can be frustrating.
The supporting cast is hit-or-miss. Tina Foster stands out as the most lively and entertaining character, with her outgoing personality, love for alcohol, and comedic antics. Episodes focusing on her, such as the amusement park “love test” and the infamous love hotel incident, provide some of the show’s most entertaining moments. Mayu Miyuki, Chika and Taeko Minazuki receive their own spotlight episodes, but their inclusion mostly serves as an excuse for more accidental fanservice rather than meaningful character development.
A particularly questionable aspect is Chika’s portrayal. While the show tries to maintain a lighthearted atmosphere, fanservice scenes involving Chika feel uncomfortable. At least Kaoru never reacts inappropriately, but the intent behind these scenes remains dubious.
Comedy & Fanservice - 5/10
The comedy in Ai Yori Aoshi is standard harem fare—misunderstandings, over-the-top reactions, and the occasional slapstick moment. Some gags work well, like Kaoru’s grueling part-time jobs to buy Aoi a dress, only to return home exhausted and inadvertently make her doubt his feelings. The hanami scene, where Aoi unintentionally suffocates Kaoru with her chest, is a rare instance of well-executed fanservice with comedic intent.
However, much of the it is excessive and unnecessary, detracting from the story. Many episodes exist solely to put the female cast in compromising situations—pool scenes, bath scenes, tennis matches with bouncing physics, you name it. While this is expected in the genre, it often feels at odds with the show’s more mature romantic themes.
Pacing & Direction - 5/10
The first few episodes set up a potentially engaging romance, but the show quickly loses focus. Instead of progressing Kaoru and Aoi’s relationship, much of the season is spent on filler episodes where side characters get their turn in the spotlight. The structure becomes repetitive: a female character misinterprets a situation, hijinks ensue, and everything resets by the next episode. The final arc brings back some narrative weight, but it feels too little, too late.
One curious thought experiment is imagining a darker version of the story. What if Kaoru had never looked out the window in Episode 1 and saw the shady men approach Aoi, leaving her to a grim fate? While obviously not the intended tone of the series, it does highlight how much potential was wasted in favor of safe, formulaic storytelling.
Conclusion - 6/10
Ai Yori Aoshi is a frustrating watch. It has moments of genuine warmth, particularly in the relationship between Aoi and Kaoru, but it fails to develop them meaningfully. Instead, it gets bogged down by harem tropes, excessive fanservice, and episodic filler. Fans looking for a sweet, old-fashioned romance may enjoy parts of it, but those expecting a compelling, evolving love story will likely be disappointed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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