Ai Yori Aoshi
藍より青し (Ai Yori Aoshi)
Demographic	Seinen
Genre	Harem anime, Romance
Manga: Ai Yori Aoshi
Authored by	Kou Fumizuki
Publisher	Hakusensha TOKYOPOP Grupo Editorial VID
Other publishers: Pika Édition EMA Jonesky Grupo Editorial Vid Daiwon CI Norma Editorial Ever Glory
Serialized in	Young Animal
Original run	1998 – 2005
No. of volumes	17[1]
TV anime : Ai Yori Aoshi
Directed by	Masami Shimoda
Studio	J.C.Staff
Network	Fuji TV
Other networks: Anione
Original run	April 11, 2002 – September 26, 2002
No. of episodes	24[2]
TV anime : Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi
Directed by	Masami Shimoda
Studio	J.C.Staff
Network	Fuji TV
Original run	October 13, 2003 – December 29, 2003
No. of episodes	12[3]
Game: Ai Yori Aoshi
Developer	KID
Publisher	KID Hirameki International
Genre	Visual novel
Rating	ESRB: T (Teen)
Platform	PlayStation 2 Windows 98 Image File history File links Ai Yori Aoshi Opening File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Seinen not to be confused with adult )) is a subset of manga that is generally targeted at an 18–30 year old male audience, but the audience can be much older with some comics aimed at businessmen well into their 40s. ... A harem anime or (more accuratly) harem comedy is a term for an anime or manga story wherein usually one male character is surrounded by — often living with — several female characters. ... A romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. ... Manga )   (pl. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Hakusensha (白泉社 Hakusensha) is a Japanese publisher that was originally founded by Shueisha, one of Japans biggest publishers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Canada. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For the music movie, see Tokyo Pop. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mexico. ... Grupo Editorial Vid (also known as Vid or Mundo Vid) is a Mexican manga and comic publisher, each volume is sold for around 50-60 Pesos (Less than 5-6 Dollars). ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Hong_Kong. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mexico. ... Grupo Editorial Vid (also known as Vid or Mundo Vid) is a Mexican manga and comic publisher, each volume is sold for around 50-60 Pesos (Less than 5-6 Dollars). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Korea. ... Daiwon C&A Holdings, headquartered in Seoul, Korea, is a major Korean anime, manga and Japanese entertainment company formed by the merger of Daiwon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China. ... YOUNG ANIMAL ) is a magazine in Japan that features seinen manga and scantily clad women. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tankōbon ) is the Japanese term for a compilation volume of a particular series (such as a manga or a novel series, magazine articles, essays, craft patterns, etc. ... For other uses, see Television (disambiguation). ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... J.C.STAFF is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1986, their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... The Fuji TV headquarters in Odaiba is known for its eccentric architecture. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Korea. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... For other uses, see Television (disambiguation). ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... J.C.STAFF is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1986, their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... The Fuji TV headquarters in Odaiba is known for its eccentric architecture. ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 29 is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 2 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual) that creates video games. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Hirameki International Group Inc. ... Video games are categorized into genres based on their gameplay. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... Entertainment Software Rating Board logo The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, advertising guidelines, and online privacy principles for computer and video games and other entertainment software in the United States and Canada (officially adopted by individual provinces 2004-2005). ... Namcos Pac-Man was a hit, and became a universal phenomenon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... The PlayStation 2 , abbreviated PS2) is Sonys second video game console, the successor to the PlayStation and the predecessor to the PlayStation 3. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis and formerly known as Windows 97) is a graphical operating system released on June 25, 1998 by Microsoft and the successor to Windows 95. ...
Released	20 March 2003 29 September 2005[4] Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Game: Ai Yori Aoshi shunka
Developer	{{{developer}}}
Publisher	J.C.Staff
Genre	Visual novel
Platform	Windows 98
Released	20 May 2004
Game: Ai Yori Aoshi shuutou
Developer	{{{developer}}}
Publisher	J.C.Staff
Genre	Visual novel
Platform	Windows 98
Released	24 June 2004
Game: SuperLite 2000 adventure Ai Yori Aoshi
Developer	KID
Publisher	SUCCESS Corporation
Genre	Visual novel
Platform	PlayStation 2
Released	23 June 2005

Ai Yori Aoshi (藍より青し, Ai Yori Aoshi^?) is a manga by Kou Fumizuki, originally serialized in 1998 in Hakusensha's Young Animal, a magazine for young men. The original manga series ended its run in 2005. A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual) that creates video games. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... J.C.STAFF is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1986, their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden. ... Video games are categorized into genres based on their gameplay. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... Namcos Pac-Man was a hit, and became a universal phenomenon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis and formerly known as Windows 97) is a graphical operating system released on June 25, 1998 by Microsoft and the successor to Windows 95. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... May 20 is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual) that creates video games. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... J.C.STAFF is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1986, their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden. ... Video games are categorized into genres based on their gameplay. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... Namcos Pac-Man was a hit, and became a universal phenomenon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis and formerly known as Windows 97) is a graphical operating system released on June 25, 1998 by Microsoft and the successor to Windows 95. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual) that creates video games. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Video games are categorized into genres based on their gameplay. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... Namcos Pac-Man was a hit, and became a universal phenomenon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... The PlayStation 2 , abbreviated PS2) is Sonys second video game console, the successor to the PlayStation and the predecessor to the PlayStation 3. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Manga )   (pl. ... Kou Fumizuki (文月晃 Fumizuki Kou) is a Japanese mangaka whos born in Fukuoka Prefecture. ... Hakusensha (白泉社 Hakusensha) is a Japanese publisher that was originally founded by Shueisha, one of Japans biggest publishers. ... YOUNG ANIMAL ) is a magazine in Japan that features seinen manga and scantily clad women. ...

The title is taken from a quote from the Chinese philosopher Xun Zi: "Blue comes from indigo, yet is bluer than indigo" (青は藍より出でて藍より青し Ao wa ai yori idete ai yori aoshi) (青出於藍而勝於藍 Qīng chū yú lán ér shèng yú lán in Traditional Chinese). The phrase is used in both Chinese and Japanese to mean that, although people are molded by their teacher, they surpass that teacher through their own efforts. The name of the main character, Aoi (葵, Aoi^?), is pronounced the same way as a ao(i), a version of ao "blue". Xunzi Xún Zǐ (荀子, or Hsün Tzu c. ...

Ai Yori Aoshi was made into an anime in 2002 and video games were released for the PlayStation 2 and Windows 98. The anime series, directed by Masami Shimoda and animated by J.C. Staff, was completed when its second season, under the title Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi (藍より青し ～縁～, Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi^?), was completed in 2003. The anime was released in North America by Geneon and in Singapore by Odex. The manga was released in English by TOKYOPOP. Also, a drama CD series was produced, with slight differences in the voicing cast as compared to the anime. The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... The PlayStation 2 , abbreviated PS2) is Sonys second video game console, the successor to the PlayStation and the predecessor to the PlayStation 3. ... Windows 98 (codenamed Memphis and formerly known as Windows 97) is a graphical operating system released on June 25, 1998 by Microsoft and the successor to Windows 95. ... J.C.STAFF is a Japanese animation studio founded in 1986, their first release was the three episode OVA Sengoku Kidan Yōtōden. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Geneon, formerly known as Pioneer Entertainment (or Pioneer LDC) and also a former subsidiary of Pioneer Corporation, is a home entertainment production and distribution company. ... Odex is a Singaporean company that licenses and releases anime for local and regional (South East Asian) consumption. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For the music movie, see Tokyo Pop. ...

The series is sometimes referred to as a halfway point between a harem anime and a magical girlfriend story. It is also referred to as "Wasei Rabu Hina" (和製 ラブ ひな, Japanese Love Hina^?) as the story is similar to Love Hina, but in a more traditional Japanese style.^{[citation needed]} A harem anime or (more accuratly) harem comedy is a term for an anime or manga story wherein usually one male character is surrounded by — often living with — several female characters. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine Original run 1998-10-21 – 2001-10-31 No. ...

Story

Kaoru Hanabishi appears to be an average university student, but in actuality, he's the eldest son of Yūji Hanabishi, the head of the Hanabishi Zaibatsu, and was set to take over the zaibatsu after his father retired. His mother, Kumi Honjō, and his father never married, making life difficult for both him and his mother. Kaoru's father died when he was five years old. Since then, Yūji's father, Gen'ichiro Hanabishi, took Kaoru under his wing and began educating him for the eventual succession. Yet Kaoru never felt at home in the Hanabishi family and left to live by himself after his mother died. Day by day he felt alone, thinking that he was living life with no reason pushing him on. Zaibatsu , lit. ...

There was, however, someone who loved Kaoru so much that she'd do whatever was necessary to be with him.

Her name is Aoi Sakuraba. Aoi is the only daughter of the owner of the Sakuraba Kimono Store (later renamed to Sakuraba Department Store). Kaoru's family and Aoi's family had agreed for Kaoru to wed Aoi, but after Kaoru walked out, the marriage was canceled. Both families had a friendly relationship and Aoi had been in love with Kaoru from the start, which Kaoru was unaware of. The Sakuraba family had already been searching for someone suitable, but Aoi was unwilling to marry someone else and walked out, chasing Kaoru.

Both were freed from their families' affairs, but didn't know how to make their living. Miyabi Kagurazaki, who had been looking out for Aoi, offered the two a way. Aoi and Miyabi would live together in a grand western style summer house owned by the Sakuraba family and Kaoru would live in a house for servants next to it. This would prevent a scandal, much like the one that had made Kaoru's life difficult, as the two would be living separately. But soon, Kaoru's friends, who just happen to be attractive females, took residence in the house, and it quickly became a dormitory. Very soon, Aoi became a landlady of the dormitory.

The first season ends when Aoi's father decides to arrange her marriage with another man, which she refuses, and is locked up. She manages to escape with the help of Miyabi and Aoi spends a day together with Kaoru. Rather than doing what Miyabi expects and eloping, they confront her father the next day and manage to get her father to agree to their relationship. Kaoru's best point in his argument with Aoi's father is the fact that, after having lost his family and enduring the pain of that loss, he doesn't wish to see the same thing happen to Aoi. Her father grudgingly accepts Aoi's choice in order to maintain his relationship with his daughter.

A best effort to map the story elements of the anime to the manga shows that the anime covers between one and two years in the lives of the characters.

Episode listing

1. Fate (縁, Enishi^?)
2. Supper (夕餉 , Yūge^?)
3. Separation (別離, Wakare^?)
4. Living Together (同棲, Dōsei^?)
5. Old Friend (朋友, Hōyū^?)
6. The Way of the House (家道, Kadō^?)
7. Illusionary Ghost (幻妖, Genyō^?)
8. Fondness (愛玩, Aigan^?)
9. One Night (一夜, Hitoyo^?)
10. School (学舎 , Manabiya^?)
11. Children (子女 , Shijo^?)
12. Kiss (接吻 , Seppun^?)
13. Star Festival (星祭, Hoshimatsuri^?)
14. The Chef (賄 , Makanai^?)
15. Feelings (胸懐, Kyōkai^?)
16. The Beach (渚 , Nagisa^?)
17. Ripples (漣 , Sazanami^?)
18. Sharing a Bed (同衾 , Dōkin^?)
19. Sleeping on Another's Lap (膝枕 , Hizamakura^?)
20. Healing (癒 , Iyashi^?)
21. Familiar Scent (風気 , Fūki^?)
22. Returning Home (帰省 , Kisei^?)
23. Decision (決意 , Ketsui^?)
24. Aoi (葵 , Aoi^?)

Characters and seiyū

Main article: List of Ai Yori Aoshi characters

This article is part of the Ai Yori Aoshi series of articles. ...

Enishi

Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi (藍より青し ～縁～, Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi^?) is the second season of an animated television series based on the manga Ai Yori Aoshi. The anime is distributed in DVD format by Geneon in North America. It was originally aired in Japan in 2003. Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi takes place two years after episode one of Ai Yori Aoshi. Enishi, as stated by Aoi, are the bonds that tie people to one another. Kaoru is now a graduate student, and Chika is now a high school student. The other characters are two years further along in the same positions that they were in in Ai Yori Aoshi. Unlike Ai Yori Aoshi, few episodes are centered around developing the relationship of the two leads, Kaoru and Aoi. Instead, the majority of episodes are devoted to slice-of-life episodes for the other characters. However, there are major changes that take place within the series. Many of the later episodes are used to develop Tina Foster's character. The end of the final episode includes brief glimpses at the near-term futures of the show's characters following the series' end. There is a total of twelve episodes in this season which do not completely surround Kaoru and Aoi.

Episode listing

1. Spring Blossom (桜春, Ōshun^?)
2. Friends (友垣 , Tomogaki^?)
3. Tennis (庭球 , Teikyū^?)
4. Phantom (怪 , Mononoke^?)
5. Piano (洋琴 , Yōkin^?)
6. Journey (道程 , Dōtei^?)
7. Summering (避暑 , Hisho^?)
8. Fish (水魚 Suigyo, Fish^?)
9. Pure White (白妙 , Shirotae^?)
10. Hot Springs (湯帷子 , Yukatabira^?)
11. Moonlight (月光 , Gekkō^?)
12. Ties (絆 , Kizuna^?)

Manga

Besides sharing many similarities in the storyline with the two anime series, the manga also expands on parts not covered in the anime, such as Kaoru's younger brother, and Miyabi's past.

• Volume 1 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13371-4; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-645-4) From about February of Kaoru's 2nd year in college to three months later.
• Volume 2 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13372-2; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-646-2) From the end of Volume 1 to fall.
• Volume 3 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13373-0; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-647-0) From early Christmas season to Cherry blossom time in the second year.
• Volume 4 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13374-9; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-648-9) From April to early May.
• Volume 5 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13375-7; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-649-7)
• Volume 6 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13376-5; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-650-0)
• Volume 7 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13377-3; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-370-8) Mostly during summer break in the second year.
• Volume 8 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13378-1; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-371-6) From late in the second year to celebrating Kaoru's admission to graduate school early in the third year.
• Volume 9 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13379-X; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-372-4)
• Volume 10 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13440-0; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-373-2)
• Volume 11 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13441-9; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-374-0)
• Volume 12 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13442-7; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-375-9)
• Volume 13 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13443-5; English Edition: ISBN 1-59532-376-7)
• Volume 14 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13444-3; English Edition: ISBN 1-59816-201-2)
• Volume 15 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13445-1; English Edition: ISBN 1-59816-202-0)
• Volume 16 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13446-X; English Edition: ISBN 1-59816-838-9)
• Volume 17 (Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-592-13447-8; English Edition: ISBN 1-59816-839-8)

Video games

KID Corp. published a Playstation 2 video game based on the series in 2003, and was released in English for Windows PCs by Hirameki International. That game was re-released in 2005 by SUCCESS Corporation with bonus footage and mini-games. Hirameki International Group Inc. ...

J.C.Staff published 2 games on Windows 98, which were separated into 2 titles based on seasons. Each title comes with voice and screen saver collection.

Theme songs

Ai Yori Aoshi

Opening theme:

• Eternal Flower (永遠の花, Towa no Hana^?) by Yoko Ishida

Ending theme: Yoko Ishida , born October 7, 1973 in Niigata, Niigata Prefecture) is a Japanese singer, employed under Hyper Voice. ...

• Namo Shirenu Hana (名も知れぬ花) by The Indigo

the Indigo is a band based in Japan comprised of Taoka Miki (田岡美樹) on vocals and Ichikawa Yuichi (市川裕一) on composition and arrangement. ...

Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi

Opening theme:

• Treasure (たからもの, Takaramono^?) by Yoko Ishida

Ending themes: Yoko Ishida , born October 7, 1973 in Niigata, Niigata Prefecture) is a Japanese singer, employed under Hyper Voice. ...

• I Do! by The Indigo
• Presence by The Indigo

the Indigo is a band based in Japan comprised of Taoka Miki (田岡美樹) on vocals and Ichikawa Yuichi (市川裕一) on composition and arrangement. ... the Indigo is a band based in Japan comprised of Taoka Miki (田岡美樹) on vocals and Ichikawa Yuichi (市川裕一) on composition and arrangement. ...

References

This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 30 is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 30 is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 30 is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 30 is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Japan Ai Yori Aoshi page
• Geneon's Ai Yori Aoshi page
• Animenfo reviews
• English version PC game website - includes downloadable trial version
• J.C.Staff PC game site
• Success Corp game
• Ai Yori Aoshi (manga) at Anime News Network
• Ai Yori Aoshi (TV) at Anime News Network