This might be one of the better episode in this show that doesn't feel like a filler. You found out more about Mayu's backstory when she was young child and why she react the way she is toward Kaoru. I must say, the impression is very sad as you see her family is more worry about their work that they forget to be with their Daugherty in her special time. Now, it make sense why she don't like her parent too much. Also, the backstory also bring up the sad backstory of Kaoru past which also enhanced the flashback even more and got to me emotionally.
Also, I have to say Mayu might have the potential of actually have a good character development in this show than the other secondary female character because of this. Might keep an eye on her arch as the potential is high.
Lastly, we got to see Aoi and Kaoru kiss for the 1st time (at the halfway point of the show). A big plus as before hand, their relationship was going to strain all because a misunderstood of a kiss that she overhead from Taeko. I guess this is from a strong respect relationship between those two they have.
Like I say, a very good episode and might be one of the better one.
Now, that I am at the halfway mark of the show, I think it might be a good time to make an impression of what I think about the 1st half of Ai Yori Aoshi. I have to say it's kinda a mix bag as of now and do hope it improve as I continue watching (or might stay the same which might suck). I was going into this show not knowing anything about it except it's a romance comedy.
The first three episode might be the big strength of the show to tell the truth. You see Kaoru as a common person who leave from a wealthy family after an incident which force him to make a difficult decision of his life. You see Aoi who live in a wealthy family but still want to marry Kaoru even though it was impossible because of his decision in the past (which you see in the 1st episode when Kaoru throw her out of his apartment). For Aoi, her love with Kaoru is strong to the point that she will leave her wealthy family life just so she can be with Kaoru even it mean she will have difficult time in her life. This all change when her mom can in to try to get her back home but Aoi manage to get her mom side to her even with the objection of Aoi's caretaker, Miyabi. In a way, this was a very strong story line and character development in this three episodes that have potential to become a good romance show.
Unfortunately, this is where I feel a bit cheated as how much they develop all this character and backstory, the developer of the show do a 180 turn and turn this very decent romance show into a pure comedy with a mix of romance. Yes, they was some comedy stuff in the 1st three episode (mostly sexual tone) but now, it feel like they push all the decent romance between Aoi and Kaoru that was developed and slap down more new characters in the show so they can do a typical comedy romance show which you see at that time with the same style of tropes that been use over and over.
You got a female character who is high in energy and have this happy go lucky tone on her and drink too much (and also like to touch beewbs). You have another female girl who is clumsy and always don't know where she is in direction. You also have another female character (in the last 2 episode) who have this feel of a young sister that is too attach to her brother. Also, do I mention all the new characters are female. Alone the way, they is quite a bit of misunderstood between Kaoru with the three female character which force Aoi to wonder if Kaoru is cheating on her or not and you can see some jealousy from Aoi because of this. Like in those romance comedy show, Aoi eventually go back to her strong believe with Kaoru and both of them still together.
It kinda sad as if the show stick the feel of the first three episode, it might have a good potential to become one of the better romance show at that time. This show can become like Emma A Victorian Romance story which is basically have the same idea of story. A gentleman felt in love with a maid after an incident but their can't really be in love because she is a common person while the gentleman is a wealthy people and it's a taboo for someone to marry a lower class rank. Even so, the gentleman will risk everything to proof his love to her and also his father that he isn't doing this for fun but will take the responsibility for it. Both know the hardship this will get themselves into but even with this, they love eventually win.
I guess the people who make the show and the manga realize the target market isn't interested in those romance show so, they see what is making money at that time and see how Love Hina manage to get very popular and kinda copy the formula from that show into this show. You do see some similar between then those two show. This might explain why the sudden change of the style of storytelling.
Not saying this type of show is bad. For Ai Yori Aoshi, they do sprinkle a bit of the romance theme with Aoi and Kaoru around and you do see it when they're alone together or walking by themselves without anyone disturb them. During those time, the development between them is strong and you kinda wish it last a bit long. Unfortunately, the comedy part need to push in the show and you do see it quite a bit. It reach to the point they're filler episode which doesn't move the plot at all except to talk a bit of the other characters in the show. Still, it isn't bad if you like those stuff and I don't mind it that much at all. It's fun to watch to see the other character in the show in the spotlight. Still, I do want to see more development with Aoi and Kaoru as that is the reason I am watching this show.
At the end of the day, comedy romance show is what people like to watch and it make sense to make it to the big target audience. This is why Ai Yori Aoshi got release in North America and become popular here because of the target audience this show go into. Unfortunately, you can't say the same for Emma A Victorian Romance story. Because this is more direct to serious style romance story line, not a lot of people want to watch it that it take the dedicated fans to manage to get the show out in North America. Kinda sad when you think about it.
Another thing I notice in this show is Aoi personality. I guess we know she is like those old traditional style woman who will be with her husband side and will do everything she can to make Kaoru happy. Not saying this is bad but did post one impression that she didn't go to college while everyone else go to college or work. It feel weird that she isn't going to school at all. A nitpick I will say but it's one that caught my attention. Also, she remind me of Belldandy from Ah My Goddess. Someone who is strong and always want her lover to be happy while at the same time have second doubt if her lover did something bad or worst get jealous from it. I guess, this is mostly target for man who always want a perfect woman in their life when they watching this show but for me, it feel very weird in so many ways.
Still, it's still a good show to tell the truth and I will continue watching it to the end. For me, it just feel like the people who make the story of this anime don't know if he/she want this anime to be romance show or mix with romance and comedy and you notice it here in the show. Well....that is a long thought of this 1st half of the show. Will go back watching the rest later.
