(L) Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru

[NeoSam]

A manga based on the game has started in the seinen(young men's) manga magazine Dengeki Daioh

First chapter of the manga got out on 21/9/2006.

[Kensuke]

Scan I found:

[eggplant]

Saw episode one. I suppose the players of the game don't even consider this to be a Otoboku title.

Spoiler for Episode 1:

Being the Starchild produced titled it is, the completely new casting and insertion (nejikomi) of the seiyuu unit Aice5 (who sings the opening song)was expected. At least the casting is comprised of top caliber seiyuu, so I had no problems with the acting job.
Even Horie Yui, who plays the cross-dressing Mizuho (the exact opposite position from her role in Kashimashi ~Girl Meets Girl~), sounds great in her masculine voice (which reverts to her typical Hocchan voice as a girl).

As for the character designs, when the staff is basically the same as that of Da Capo Second Season, the resemblence to D.C. is inevitable, especially having the same seiyuu from D.C. for the major characters. At least as an added bonus, there's a loli girl with an oversized ribbon named Kana (complete with SD characters in hexagonal thought balloons a la Canvas2).

Aside from that, the premise is interesting enough to warrant continued viewing. Replacing the time slot for Tonagura!, Otoboku doesn't back down with the fanservice either.

I suppose it's a matter of how much you endear the original product. I didn't play the original game, so I have no qualms about the anime (just like I had no problems with Tsuyokiss), unlike the empathy I hold for the title and characters from the original Kujibiki Unbalance.

[relentlessflame]

Yup, I agree with eggplant's post. Not having played the game, I don't have that to hold against them, so as a standalone piece, the setup looks like it could offer some light-hearted fun (with the potential to go a bit more serious near the end). The voice talent is definitely good, even it does sound familiar, and it sure does look like D.C.S.S. in terms of art style/character designs (which to me is just fine). And I did like the OP/ED music (the vocals aren't bad), but the SD artstyle of the ED is sort of creepy/freaky to me.

Spoiler:

It's completely inevitable that this house of cards is going to topple, so the premise seems to be just how far things can go until people "find out". The pacing of the first episode is sort of funny; it breezes through some parts at lightning speed, and then dwells on some other parts that may seem less important, but the goal here is to introduce all the characters and give you a sense of what to expect. They dropped some little hints about the story to come, but that's about it for the setup episode.

Anyway, as much as I always think 12 episodes is often too short, I'll keep watching to see what they do with it.

[ayyo]

My thoughts

Well I played the game The episode was pretty good but argh, how are they going to cover a whole school year with only 12 episodes.

[Sailor Enlil]

Well yet another new series in, and comparison to previous titles are bound to happen. And in this one I can't help but find references in this to one having the word Strawberry in its title (no I'm no talking about I My Me Strawberry Eggs as previously mentioned, but the other one - Strawberry Panic). Not just the overall atmosphere and general look (the uniforms here sort of remind me of those of those SP's Spica Girls Academy), but these ones somehow crack me up:

SP's Nagisa:

Spoiler:

vs

OwBnK's "Dark Nagisa" aka Maria:

Spoiler:

and

SP's Chikaru:

Spoiler:

vs

OwBnK's Mysterious Black-haired Beauty

Spoiler:

Now if someone like SP's Shizuma shows up in OwBnK I'm really gonna freak out, especially if she gets into contact with Mizuho with his pants (or rather skirt) down...

And by the way, something from the preview:
Chibi parade

Oh and one other thing, somewhat OT but when I got to see the first ep it was also about the time I was looking through information on the old 1980's Live Action TV Sitcom Bosom Buddies (which involved two crossdressing guys, one of them played by Tom Hanks of all people [which surprised me because I watched the series when I was a kid], who do so in order to live in an all-women's apartment because of the dirt-cheap rent, and only one of the women there knows their secret). Quite a coincidence that that old show and this series have that similarity?

[Kaoru Chujo]

Strawberry Panic? Sure. Kashimashi? Definitely! The fanservice, from blushes to moans to pantsu to cleavage, was, uh, quite stimulating. Horie Yui is the gender-bender this time. Also with Matsuki Miyu (Simoun/Anguras, Strawberry Panic/Hikari), Kanda Akemi (Negima/Asuna, Tonagura/Kazuki), Asano Masumi, Gotou Yuuko, Nogawa Sakura. Great cast. This season's most yuriesque show, though it's basically yuri for guys (which is how I saw Strawberry Panic, too, so your mileage may vary). The human relations have a nice feeling, so far.

[Cyz]

First time I saw the episode 1 pics from Random Curiosity, I thought it was yuri. As I was reading further down, then it made me go for a moment. The story was pretty entertaining and it somehow resembles another anime that I forgot what title it is.

[RunningTARGET]

Originally Posted by Cyz

First time I saw the episode 1 pics from Random Curiosity, I thought it was yuri. As I was reading further down, then it made me go for a moment. The story was pretty entertaining and it somehow resembles another anime that I forgot what title it is.

Does it start with a DC by any chance?

[Guido]

The first episode was better than what I have expected.

I believe that animation, coloring, and character designs were carried over from Da Capo seasons one and two.

Yep, the influence of Strawberry Panic is alluded into this anime regarding the private school setting and interactions among female upperclassmen and lowerclassmen.
But from the first episode you can tell that comedy will generally play for introducing smart laughs or play along the lines of commonly used gags.

The dramatic scope for Otome will come from Mizuho growing affections for the mysterious girl he encountered, Mariya's childhood affection blooming into love for Mizuho, the rest of the girls enduring sad memories or shame they experience in their pasts, and Mizuho trying to sort out his feelings.

Episode one basically showcased two things:
1. Introducing the main cast and the plot.

2. Mizuho getting accustomed to his brand-new, girl lifestyle at Seiou Academy.

Otome differs greatly from I My Me! Strawberry Girls. Basically, three women characters (Mariya included) know from the start about Mizuho's secret, and I'm a bit surprised that the headmistress allows Mizuho's enrollment despite him being a guy; a lenient lady?

Spoiler:

The headmistress explained that Mizuho's mother was a student at Seiou Academy. I've been thinking that she may be a friend of Mizuho's grandpa.

She might have agreed with the old man in letting Mizuho entered the Academy. But for what purpose have a boy disguised as a girl to be student in an all-female school?

It's most likely that the will and Mizuho's mother are connected with his enrollment at Seiou Academy; a plot device used for later on in the show.

The showtime & fun aspect for Otome would be witnessing Mizuho keeping his identity in secret while on the outside putting up an effective facade so as not having his cover blown, as he would end up unluckily amidst some situations- ones embarrassing and others very dangerous (fanservice).

And most unfortunate that the Council President, Takako, has already started to research him; she'll become a bother, as she'll be keeping a watch on him.

One more thing.

Spoiler:

At the very start, I think Mizuho was experiencing either an erotic fantasy or he just had a....

Spoiler:

wet dream.

And why is it that the teacher, Kajiura Hisako, has the same penchant for candies just like Van Argeno?

[DoReMiFaSo]

Actually, when I watched the part where Mizuho met that mysterious black-hair girl and the the girl said "Gokigenyou!", I have a flashback from Kannazuki no Miko.

OTOH, I can't imagine Mizuho being a guy. "He" is too feminine.

[Cyz]

Originally Posted by DoReMiFaSo

OTOH, I can't imagine Mizuho being a guy. "He" is too feminine.

Somehow that aspect is similar to Kashimashi were Hazumu is very feminine too.

[naka]

while the rewritten script for the adaptation into anime is fine...

the voice actors for the anime (except maria) however are not on par with the ones who did the game as they are practically simiply reading the script rather than expressing the personality of the character (both outside and inside)

the scenario changes are fine except a few animation inconsistencies in which the most obvious would be the stair scenario...

the o-boku-sama characters are fun to see it getting animated (especially the ending credit animation)

i dont think this is going to be right portraying Takako in such a bad way without due cause, and skipping the toilet scene (is this going to be revisited in ep2?) is going to greatly affect what's going to happen with Shion

is this going to be another rehash of how badly adapted like kasimasi?

[DoReMiFaSo]

Originally Posted by Cyz

Somehow that aspect is similar to Kashimashi were Hazumu is very feminine too.

Yeah, well, at least Hazumu looked more like a guy before "he" transformed into a girl. And after "he" transformed into a girl, I never for a second thought of "him" as a guy.

[Cyz]

I just finished watching the RAW version of ep. 1. You know, if you remove the part where she is actually a he, this could turn into another yuri anime. But then again, I don't mind. The first ep brings good impression indeed.

Spoiler:

He's very very feminine in many ways and I can see why girls are falling head-over-heels to him/her. First day and he/she is already the most popular "girl" out there. Btw, I do love the bed scene there

Mmmm, I can't wait for this one to be subbed. Wonder what group will take it?

[Lyshen]

There's a simplified chinese sub that was released yesterday, I believe by KissSub in Real Media VBR format. (Is there more then one group named KissSub?)

As for english, I believe Serin and Aquastar are supposed to be working on this series.

edit:
Nevermind, its the same KissSub just there is an english and chinese branch. And I haven't looked at it but there is also a traditional chinese sub also available (Big5).

[Eleutheria]

Originally Posted by Guido

One more thing.

Spoiler:

At the very start, I think Mizuho was experiencing either an erotic fantasy or he just had a....

Spoiler:

wet dream.

I think that was just a stylized animation of his

Spoiler:

transformation scene

I went into the episode hoping just to see some fanservice displayed by flat characters and I wasn't disappointed.
I couldn't tell which girl he's going to wind up with, which can be a good thing. Also hoping that more girls find out along the way that he's a guy...

[Nvis]

Originally Posted by Cyz

Mmmm, I can't wait for this one to be subbed. Wonder what group will take it?

I can't wait either. I was hoping maybe one of the bigger fansub groups would take it.

[Cyz]

Can someone help me find good imgs of Mizuho?

[Owaranai Destiny]

Well, it certainly seems like good, lighthearted fun, and I definitely don't mind any fanservice that comes across. The first episode interested me enough for me to possibly catch the next episode. For now, Mariya is certainly a favorite thus far.

Love the chibi-ness.