Geneon (formerly Pioneer) had been on the theme of "anything you can do, I can do better. And with cute girls at outside baths to boot." "Dual! Parallel Trouble" is an example since it followed after the popularity of "Neon Genesis Evangelion." I'm not saying that it's true; it's just a thought.
With that out of the way, my belief is that there should be something for everybody. And "Ai Yori Aoshi," which is in the same harem-romance-comedy-drama box as Love Hina, relies less on the comedy and more on the romance.
Add one Kaoru Hanabishi; whose sense of gumption is nearly rare for handsome-looking anime male leads during his time. I'd say he's in the 1/10 ratio that's now being held by Negi Springfield of "Negima(!?)" and Kazuki Muto of "Busou Renkin." Then add Aoi Sakuraba; the female lead who's basically "trophy wife" material (i.e. doormat). The helping-out Kaoru gave to her during their childhood is carved in the stone of her mind. She wants nobody else beside her but Kaoru; defying the rules of her parents and caretaker.
It's as if the story of "Romeo & Juliet" had been retold without the elongated dialogue. And even though it raises my suspicion from being hot off the heels of Ken Akamatsu's "Love Hina" series; AYA excludes LH's constant woman-on-man violence masquerading as "slapstick humor."
In fact, Kaoru proves that physical violence (inflicted upon him, by the way) is in no way "funny."
Other than that, it's a gruelingly lengthy romance drama that's offset by the comedic exploits of the rest of the cast. Including said caretaker and the pet ermine.
With that out of the way, my belief is that there should be something for everybody. And "Ai Yori Aoshi," which is in the same harem-romance-comedy-drama box as Love Hina, relies less on the comedy and more on the romance.
Add one Kaoru Hanabishi; whose sense of gumption is nearly rare for handsome-looking anime male leads during his time. I'd say he's in the 1/10 ratio that's now being held by Negi Springfield of "Negima(!?)" and Kazuki Muto of "Busou Renkin." Then add Aoi Sakuraba; the female lead who's basically "trophy wife" material (i.e. doormat). The helping-out Kaoru gave to her during their childhood is carved in the stone of her mind. She wants nobody else beside her but Kaoru; defying the rules of her parents and caretaker.
It's as if the story of "Romeo & Juliet" had been retold without the elongated dialogue. And even though it raises my suspicion from being hot off the heels of Ken Akamatsu's "Love Hina" series; AYA excludes LH's constant woman-on-man violence masquerading as "slapstick humor."
In fact, Kaoru proves that physical violence (inflicted upon him, by the way) is in no way "funny."
Other than that, it's a gruelingly lengthy romance drama that's offset by the comedic exploits of the rest of the cast. Including said caretaker and the pet ermine.