Kimagure Orange Road

Name: Kimagure Orange Road Anime Review
Item: Kimagure Orange Road
Rating: 90
Author: Ayukawa

ARCHIVIST: Ayukawa

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LOGGED: 2001-02-18

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REVISED: 2001-04-06

90%

Editorial Score

Consensus Grade: Consensus Aligned ⚖️

📊 Production Parameter Matrix Scale 1.0 – 10.0

S+ [STR] Story & Narrative Direction 10 / 10

A [AGI] Animation & Cel Craftsmanship 8 / 10

S [INT] Character Dynamics & Cast 9 / 10

A [SYN] Voice Acting & Soundtrack 8 / 10

Consensus: Consensus Aligned ⚖️

CLASSIFICATION S-TIER

[+] Strengths & Highlights

Madoka is a very interesting character because her expressions change so often. Her relationship with Kyosuke is great, although there are several times when I'd like to just smack him.

[-] Vulnerabilities & Flaws

Hikaru's voice is obnoxious. 'nuff said.

⤢ Fullscreen • Hover 2001

Consensus Aligned ⚖️

Modern Consensus: Modern retrospectives continue to hold Kimagure Orange Road in high esteem, matching the original 90% score.

📖 Overview

"One meeting leads to two loves, and three trembling hearts played a gentle melody." This is the light-hearted story of a love triangle complicated by mystical powers, and is considered a classic by many anime fans.

(I just recently had a chance to view the entire TV series, which raised my opinion on it, so I've altered my ratings a bit)

🎬 Storyline & Narrative

Kyosuke Kasuga, a Jr. High student moves into a new city and immediately gets stuck between two women, Madoka Ayukawa and Hikaru Hiyama. His ESP abilities only complicate matters further, as they seem to be more of a curse than of a gift.

👥 Characters & Dynamics

Kyosuke Kasuga is the main character and at times, the narrator. His twin sisters and himself are cursed with ESP abilities, although he's much more careful with them than his sisters. While he's mature and cautious about the usage of his powers, and taking care of his younger sisters, he's not exactly the greatest in the girl department...

Madoka Ayukawa is Kyosuke's age, and the first person he meets in this city. They fall in love immediately, but she doesn't want anybody to know about it, even Kyosuke.

Hikaru Hiyama is Madoka's best friend, and also falls for Kyosuke almost immediately. Where Madoka is quiet and moody, Hikaru is bubbly and wants everybody to know that she loves Kyosuke.

🎨 Animation & Visual Direction

While I'm no expert on animation, this series is very well done considering it's being almost 20 years old. The character designs for the TV series, OVAs, and 1st movie were done by Akemi Takada, and are excellent. The designs for the 2nd move were done by the same person who did "Please Save My Earth", and while they're good, I didn't like them as much as the originals.

🎵 Voice Acting & Soundtrack

The japanese voice acting for the TV series, OVA, and first movie is pretty good. Ayukawa's "Kasuga-kun" is adorable, and Kyosuke's voice is decent. Hikaru on the other hand, is high pitched, and can be very irritating at times.

I haven't had the chance to see the 2nd movie subtitled yet, and the english dubbing is absolutely horrible. Avoid it at all costs.

🟢 What We Liked: Madoka is a very interesting character because her expressions change so often. Her relationship with Kyosuke is great, although there are several times when I'd like to just smack him.

🔴 What We Disliked: Hikaru's voice is obnoxious. 'nuff said.

💬 Early-2000s Fandom Pulse Community Rating: ★ 4.5/5 (0 historical responses)

• Community Praise: Madoka is a very interesting character because her expressions change so often. Her relationship with Kyosuke is great, although there are several times when I'd like to just smack him.

• Contentious Points: Hikaru's voice is obnoxious. 'nuff said.

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