Anime Review: Onegai Sensei!

~~~~

By it's age, Onegai Sensei! is considered a slightly older anime, and it shows. The animation isn't quite as clear and crisp as newer releases and the art style is rather soft compared to the current styles. However, that's just fine considering that it's not over the top, and the subject matter is handled very well by the creator.

Onegai Sensei explores the relationship of an extra-terrestrial female who was sent to Earth to observe its evolution and a young human boy. The youngest person to receive a Planet Inspector's license from the Galatic Federation, Mizuho Kazami was seen appearing at the lake side by eighteen-year-old Kei Kusanagi, who fled from her. During his escape, he was overcome with emotional stress and went into a "standstill," which could be likened to a forced hibernation state. The next day, he finds that the alien he'd seen was now his new homeroom teacher, but he keeps silent and doesn't tell anyone, believing it to be a dream.

Eventually though, he discovers that it was not a dream, but he agrees to keep her secret. However, circumstances soon force them to marry, and it is here that the real exploration begins. If you're not a fan of student-teacher relationships and older woman-younger man pairings, then stop reading and go find something else like Haruhi Suzumiya or Blood+. If, however, you love stories done simply and gently, then read on.

With a background story like that, one would expect the show to take one of two directions; horrifically angsty or painfully comedic. Wonderfully, Onegai Sensei stays clear of both, choosing instead to explore the dynamics of a close-knit circle of friends and the ups and downs of married life. Though hilarious in some parts, Onegai Sensei handles its chosen themes very well, among them: the budding relationship between two of Kusanagi's friends, the discovery that Ichigo Morino, their class rep, suffers from the same "standstill" disease as Kusanagi, and the development of Kei and Mizuho's marriage are just some of the themes and scenarios explored.

The series is less about teacher-student and more about coming of age. For Kei and Mizuho, this is their first significant relationship. This relationship is portrayed realistically, with bouts of jealousy on both sides and the slow discovery of each other's true personalities. Even at the end of the series, this portrayal is kept realistic, as there are scenes in the end credits that show Kei and Mizuho fighting.

If you're looking for a light-hearted portrayal of first love and marriage, look no further. If a tender, gentle look at school friendships and relationships are your cup of tea, then kick back with Onegai Sensei. Be warned though; the pace may be slow at times, but there will be times when it's a tearjerker.