“Have you heard?  It's said that if two people in love go to Toudai, they'll find happiness!”

“If it really works, let's go to Toudai together, okay?”

“When we grow up, we'll definitely meet at Toudai again!”

“It's a promise!”

Love Hina tells the story of the promise made by two childhood lovers.  Although they planned to grow up together, the girl had to move away.  Before she left, however, they promised that one day they would meet each other again at Toudai, Tokyo University.

Based on the manga by Ken Akamatsu, Love Hina first aired on TV Tokyo early this year.  It ran for 24 episodes, and quickly became one of the most popular anime series in Japan.

Love Hina centers around the character Urashima Keitarou.  A 20-year-old student, he spends most of his time drawing and daydreaming of success.  Remembering his promise to a childhood girlfriend fifteen years ago, he strives to go to Toudai, hoping that she will be there, already waiting for him.  Unfortunately, he runs into two problems…  No matter how many times he takes the entrance exam, he is never accepted into Toudai.  Even worse, he can't even remember the name of the girl he made the promise to!

While he is studying for yet another entrance exam, he is invited to his grandmother's home.  Named Hinata Sou, it is a beautiful house with its own outdoor hot springs and expansive living quarters.  When he gets there, he discovers that it has been converted into a women's dormitory.  His aunt Haruka informs him that his grandmother has taken a leave of absence, and makes him the room manager, leaving him in charge of the dorm.

Much to his (mis?)fortune, he is also left in charge of the five beautiful girls residing  at the dorm.  All of them seem to take pleasure in making his life miserable, and they all seem to throw some powerful punches, too.  One of the girls, the 17 year old Narusegawa Naru, is a student at the local high school.  The story of Love Hina devotes much of the story line to the interaction between Naru and Keitarou.  Interestingly enough, it turns out that she has her own personal reasons for wanting to go to Toudai…

Love Hina is a very intriguing series.  It mixes drama, romance, and slapstick comedy in a pleasing combination.  The music is incredibly cute, and also has some gorgeous slow pieces that create a very dramatic effect.  If you like romantic shows, or just shoujo anime, then you should definitely see Love Hina.  It is one of the greatest new series from Japan, and it's no surprise that it became such a fast favorite.  If ever you have the chance to watch Love Hina, do yourself a favor; set down, relax in the hot springs of Hinata Sou, and experience the magic of Toudai.