Aerb

Story (2.5/10):

"Give harem anime a chance." That phrase, spoken by my once best friend--note, our falling out is, surprisingly, unrelated--prompted me to wander into an anime bootleg shop in Chinatown and snatch the first short piece I could find. I watched three episodes with a look of horror on my face and promptly shelved it. 

Picking it up and watching it in its entirety, six years later, living on my own and in another state, is neither something I can explain or condone. 

Despite my original intentions, Happy Lesson is not a typical harem anime. While it does rely on slapstick comedy and random fanservice to get a laugh from its target audience, and it is about a teenage boy, Chitose, trapped in a large house with young women he barely knows, all of these women are Chitose's "mothers" and teachers, not love interests. After the death of Chitose's parents, five teachers at his school hear about him living in a mansion alone and decide, independently, to become his substitute guardians. Chitose, though not thrilled by the idea, and disappointed that he can no longer live every teenage boy's dream of an early bachelor's pad, can't bear to turn any of them away. He instead shoulders the responsibility of avoiding the inherent scandal!

This premise, within its genre, has the potential to be innovative as long as one suspends one's disbelief. Since one of the subgenres of this show is "drama," there could have been strife and character development revolving around Chitose's eventual acceptance of these women into his life, but there isn't. There could have been more tangible conflict between Chitose's sisters living outside of his mansion, but there isn't. There could have been more tension from the show's often absent female romantic interest, Chitose's class president, but there isn't. The list of could have beens goes on and on and on. The most conflict one can expect is a sprained ankle and academic malaise. That hardly constitutes a story, sequel or no.

Animation (5/10):

I'll admit, the visuals are appropriately pink, cutesy, and brightly colored, right up to the closing sequence featuring female bobble-head dolls as the credits roll. This show is also old, and characters are drawn using overly harsh lines inappropriate for the subject matter. Mainly unremarkable.

Sound (3.5/10):

The soundtrack, like the animation, fits the premise of the show. Against my own will, I found myself humming the campy "Tokyo Nights" ending song in the quiet of my own room, door locked, long after I had exorcised the spirit of Happy Lesson from my television set. The within episode background sound, however, is virtually nonexistent, leaving me nothing to listen to but the voice acting.

Yes, the "voice acting."

I applaud the male seiyu, Daisuke Kishio, of the series for the effort, but the high-pitched shrieking of the predominately female, and often overly excited, cast is a horror from which no manner or quantity of earplugs can save you.

Characters (1/10):

Like many harem animes, Happy Lesson contains crates of character archetypes, from the strong over-eater, the spiritually inclined shaman, and the unintentionally violent scientist, to the acclaimed jpop star. The women find their archetypes and don't move from them for the entire series, even during their feature episode, of which each of Chitose's "mom"s receives one.  Chitose, the main character, outwardly pretends to be a stock tsundere character, but his development into a family-oriented guy is largely internal and takes all of an episode before it becomes incredibly obvious. The only person without good intentions is the greedy real estate agent in episode two. There are no characters in this show.

Overall (2/10):

While I do not particularly enjoy harem anime, I can still spot a good one when I see it. Happy Lesson, while it tries to be innovative, is not a good harem anime. It fails in the characterization department, where its genre dictates it should excel. Looking for an anime containing the general harem formula that promises to entertain and surprise? Check out Elfen Leid. Interested in one that excels within its borders? Try Love Hina, if you haven't already. Whatever you do, stay away from Happy Lesson.

Unless you do have the patience to watch the more popular, and apparently plot-ier, sequel. I won't be joining you in that effort.