Man....am I disappointed by this ending. The amount of work they set it up for the audience from the last two episode to get here was great and get you pump to see how it will end. Unfortunately, when you get there and see the climax, it wasn't as you hope of how it will end. Yea, both Aoi and Kaoru are now official couple from they parent point of view and both can live happy without any fear. Still, very disappointed and kinda a small let down. I still have season 2 to watch so....might put it on hold a bit to let it all out and then start season 2.
So, now I finish the 1st season, I guess I will put my final though of the later half of this show. Also, cajunator, we can discuss a bit more about season 1 with spoiler as I am now done. Might be interesting of your input of this old show now.
I will say this. The 2nd half of this show is actually a bit better than the 1st half as they're more decent written episode about Aoi and Kaoru and also their friend. They're still filler here but you do have more special time with Aoi and Kaoru by themselves. Also, they few episode that is almost on par of the beginning episode quality.
Also, the build up at the ending of the show was done quite well and make you wish both will be together at last even with the issue they have to face with Aoi's father. Unfortunately, the ending isn't much to say really.
Still, I don't know if I would recommend this anime to tell the truth. Like what cajunator say about this show, it doesn't know if it want to be a comedy or a romance show and he/she was right. Most of this show is pushing the comedy part a bit too much. Like you got 5 support female characters in this show minus Aoi and Kaoru. Almost of them are literally one dimensional personality. Yes, they push each character it's own arch episode which explain their past history but even with those, you wonder if you really need those female characters in the show at all. I guess the the only female character that is worth to be in the show is maybe Tina, Miyabi, and maybe Taeko?
The strength of this show is mostly going to be when it direct toward Aoi and Kaoru. It's kinda funny as this is where the show shine well when we see their relationship grow. It's also sad as you realize if the show follow the romance drama route and don't push into comedy, it might get more interesting. Unfortunately, we never get there and we can only dream if it did.
Overall, I will say the show is okay. I guess if I see this show when it 1st air in Japan (2002), and I was a high school teen, I might like the show a bit more. You can say the same thing for me for Love Hina as I have a rose tint glasses for this show. Now, as I am older, I start to realize the show isn't as great as I believe it to be. It might be I have a much mature taste in story now than I was 13 years ago. I guess I could say the same with Ai Yori Aoshi. When it was release, the show might be very good and people might love it at that time but it didn't age as well now. I do hope the manga is much better than the anime as you can see the potential of this show but never have the chance to shrine because of this.
Well.....I am off to finish the special for this season and maybe go watch Season 2 of You're Under Arrest TV show.