Leaves drift in the wind, the air is quiet, and a girl cries softly. Victim to the ever present humiliations of high school society, she ponders what the future holds — eternal exile or eventual acceptance? Setting the stage early for what Japanese anime fans adore in high school-based series, HANA YORI DANGO may seem like a typical teenage romance comedy, but as it unfolds, the series manages to break the mold that many popular precedssors have left behind.
The title of the show is "Boys Over Flowers," which is a pun on the well-known Japanese saying "Sweets over Flowers" ("dango" meaning "sweets" is replaced with a different set of characters, also pronounced "dango," which mean boy.) The original idiom emphasizes choosing practical things (food) over aesthetics (flowers). Certainly, HANADAN contemplates the issue of the title when it comes to high school romance; do we look at just how a relationship looks to others or do we ignore that and see it for what it truly is?
Based on the shoujo manga series by Kamio Youko, HANADAN follows the exploits of Makino Tsukushi, the seemingly typical high school student — well, typical for an anime series. She shares secrets with her close friend Makiko Yuki, longs for a boyfriend and generally wants to be accepted at high school. Fate, or more appropriately the plot device, will not allow either of these to occur, though. F4, a gang of four regular-stock bishounen guys who rule Etoto High School with a peer-pressure iron fist, have a run-in with Tsukushi and, after the leader is somewhat embarrassed (it is amazing what high school students take seriously), Tsukushi is thus "red tagged" and subject to the entire school's ridicule, taunting, and borderline hazing.
Any other girl would simply fold and then the series would be over. But the producers and sponsors of HANADAN cannot have that, can they? Tsukushi proves to be a strong-willed girl, fighting back at both the students and F4, notably Domiyoji Tsukasa, the leader. She marks her independence with a spirit that proves refreshing in a genre of series that usually showcase wishy-washy, two-dimensional lead female characters. Eventually, Tsukushi develops an admiration for Hanazawa Louis, the more introverted figure of F4.
The high school romance genre seems to have an inherent fascination with the silent, sullen and cynical male figure — standing out from a society which dictates uniformity, such character exudes a sense of rebellion and excitement merely with a look of half-closed eyelids and a sneer. Hanazawa Louis, from head to toe, fits the bill. Like other sullen rebels, Louis has his quirks. He sneaks off from the rest of F4 to play the violin, filling the air of Etoto High with his graceful performance. Also, he maintains a long distance relationship with a half-French, half-Japanese model. These paradoxical personality traits enhance Tsukushi's feelings for him.
The artwork of HANADAN displays a palette of pastel colors and earth tones, being softer on the eye and exuding a different feel for the series than what bright, cheery tones would offer — a more sombre and emotional attitude. While much attention is paid to the animation of the characters themselves, the backgrounds are more ambigious, non-dimensional and just often blurry or non-existant. The effect is much like theater or even performance art; nothing's there, but something is supposed to be there.
The introduction sequence and its song play like a dance segment from WEST SIDE STORY or FAME. But do not be fooled. And comparisons, however unfair, are bound to be made to other "teen angst romance" anime shows. But once the superficial and expected elements are peeled away, HANA YORI DANGO is a series worthy of support and perhaps even admiration.

HANA YORI DANGO Copyright © Kamio Youko/Shuueisha, Toei Animation 30 minute television show (Video release has not yet been announced)