As Haruhi learns more about the boys in the club, they learn more about themselves, and what’s more, their feelings about her begin to change as well. The intensity of the series has increased tenfold, and honestly, if it was any higher on the scale of suggested romance, my very life would have been in danger. (I’m fairly sure my brain would have exploded with fangirl glee.) Be that as it may, the episodes are more exciting, and the cast of characters begins to expand to include classmates, siblings, and eventually parents. Only Ouran could make such ordinary relatives and acquaintances integral and interesting inside of single episode doses. Experience such excitement as a strangely determined younger Haninozuka, an incredibly spine tingling Halloween episode, and the thinly veiled threat of parental intervention! If that’s not enough, try explaining to the highly-competitive all-girl Lobelia Academy that kidnapping is bad.
As an added bonus to your romantic gland, some pretty strong hints begin to crop up, leading those suspicions of unrequited love to expand into any number of love-match possibilities. Will the Hitachiin twins’ lifelong bond survive the inclusion of this outsider to their group? Will Tamaki finally face the unfamiliar feelings he holds for Haruhi? Will that tough-looking freshman ever learn social skills from the ever –cool-and-stoic Mori, and what about his blossoming crush on that Fujioka ‘guy’? This box set will only fuel your affection for the Host Club, and drive you to some pretty insane lengths to prove your love. Reverse-gender cosplay, anyone?
The animation, as always, is incredibly expressive and pretty, and the music is usually subtle, except when the need for a rush of emotion is called for. Even then, the studio manages to find the perfect combination between emotion and humor to keep the balance steady. The voice acting is also precise and well-acted, though I find I prefer the English to the Japanese. As a special bonus, this collection of everyone’s favorite reverse harem anime, a themed Ouran High School Host club twelve-month 2009 calendar is included so there need never be a day without beauty in one’s life. To boot, the extras include a lengthy reel of voice-over outtakes. Thank you, O Anime Gods, for this plentiful bounty, and bring us more!