Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

The story started with the entry of a high school girl, Ashiya Mizuki, who left her home in America and transferred to Osaka High School in Japan (against her parents' wishes). Because Osaka High school is an all-boys' school, she cut her hair and enrolled under her brother's name- all so so that she can meet Sano Izumi- the high jumper she had been idolizing for the longest time. However, Sano dropped out of the high jump team because he was injured while saving Ashiya back in America. He was afraid to return to high jump because of the heaps of expectations he had to face previously. So Ashiya decided to join his school and to encourage him to jump again, as she felt guilty for his accident.

The story continues with how she became close friends with the guys in the dorms, especially with Nakatsu Shuichi, and of course, Sano. Eventually, both the guys fell in love with her. Sano knew her identity as a girl right from the start of the show, and protected her from being exposed many times throughout the show. He was also influenced by Ashiya's determination, and eventually returned to high jump. He also opened up to the rest of his schmates in the later part of the show, because of Ashiya's and Nakatsu's influence.

Nakatsu fell in love with Ashiya early in the show, but struggled with his "homosexual" desires, as he did not know that Ashiya's a girl. When he eventually accepted the fact that he loved Ashiya despite him being a "boy", he found out that Ashiya's a girl, and finally expressed his feelings for her. However, Ashiya was already and only in love with Sano. In the end, both of them became best friends.

There are many other subplots in this story, like competitions between the dorms and the other friendships/relationships amongst the other students. Eventually, the dorm heads were able to put aside their differences and work together (Sakura committee).

At the end of the story, Ashiya was exposed. Her school mates were furious at first, but they slowly understood and accepted her after knowing the reason for disguise. Finally, Ashiya left with a smile back to America.

***

CAST:

Horikita Maki as Ashiya Mizuki
I think she gave a decent performance in this show. Her behavior was boyish enough, with a tinge of cuteness in it! haha. she has beautiful eyes, and her expressions show through a lot through her eyes. Ashiya is a very cheerful and brave character, and I think maki delivered it pretty well, except that I think she was a bit melancholic sometimes. 4/5

Oguri Shun as Sano Izumi
Decent performance too, but a bit too stiff? But I guess that's the requirements for that character. I think his emotions were a bit flat, even though I agree that it is very challenging to play such a "cool" character. 3/5

Ikuta Toma as Nakatsu Shuichi
Brilliant performance! that's all I can say. I was laughing at almost every of his scenes, esp those when he "talked" in his head and with those wacky actions. really really hilarious. And yet, when he was serious and all teary, it really moved my heart as well. It was a very challenging role, yet he delivered it so brilliantly! He's a very versatile actor I must say. I think he outshined the rest of the characters in this show. 5/5

Mizushima Hiro as Nanba Minami
Very good performance as well. He was cool and "sexy" enough for this ladies' man role. 4/5

Kamikawa Takaya as Umeda Hokuto
Well I thought the doctor in this manga's supposed to be more pretty looking and feminine. Even though I think he's too manly for this role, it was still funny to watch him. performance wise, good. 3.5/5

Kimura Ryo as Senri Nakao
The guy who fell in love with Nanba. quite nice to watch him. The scene at the beach was rather moving and his crazy love antics were rather funny. 3.5/5

Ishigaki Yuma as Tennoji Megumi (Dorm 1 Head)
Very muscular eh! Quite interesting to watch him. 3/5

Kyo Nobuo as Himejima Masao (Dorm 3 Head)
Very very eccentric. A bit exaggerated performance, but I guess it suited the character pretty well. 3.5/5

Yamamoto Yusuke as Kayashima Taiki
He reads aura. Quite funny to watch. 3/5

Nothing much to say about the rest of the characters :)

****

All in all, I really really love this show! Well it's much more exaggerated than the Taiwanese version I think, but I prefer this plot to the taiwan version's. It was funny and hilarious, yet there were very moving scenes as well, especially when the guys were sending Ashiya off in the last episode. It just moved me to tears! I'm really envious of such high school life too.

If you want to have a good laugh and like watching shows abt school and friendships, this is a must watch! Highly recommended. Nakatsu is a must must watch in this show! His appearance is a good enough reason!