Ok the new season started and one can easily say that it’s something like the triumph of the fetishes. We have tons of panty-shots, a hell of girl-kissing and of course, what makes me the happiest – a fair share of animes full of “androgynous, ambiguously gay”* (ambigiously? Yeah, right) bishounen. We even get some cross-dressing (in both variants) and loli, which’s why I rise my voice in protest against the obvious lack of shota! Where’s my BL shota? And there are two (mind you TWO in one season) animes that are rather promising in the BL aspect – Gakuen Heaven and Princess, Princess.
I know that the genre usually goes with (severe) lack of sensible plot or character development (LOVELESS being the sole exception in the field). But let’s be honest, who in their right mind watches BL for any of the aforementioned? Well, not me anyways.
So, after this rather pointless blabber, let’s get back to the topic.
What did Gakuen Heaven offer in its first episode?
We have the (obligatory) all-boy boarding school full of bishounen and the (obligatory) clueless transfer student. Hm, that begs the question – is there any difference in plot between Gakuen Heaven and Strawberry Panic apart from only male students in the former and female in the latter? Wait, they don’t even have a real plot as of yet, so I guess not.
Basically nothing happens here, besides the implication that there’s something more than what initially meets the eye. Yes, there is bound to be A Dark Secret ™. As they talk about each student having some special abilities, which we so far have no idea whether they are just normal talents (as the shown in the sphere of painting and hacking) or they mean something more… It goes without saying that our uke-looking main character – Itou Keita shows no sign of any talent, which of course raises the curiousity of his new schoolmates as to why exactly he was admitted to BL academy. Obviously he has some secret but ultimate talent by virtue of being a main character. Of course, in some cases this talent is being the ultimate wimp but such is the life of anime characters.
Which leads me to the other rather interesting thing that I just have to mention – the most peculiar name that the school has. Man, Bell Liberty, or for short BL academy… One can die of laughter on the spot after hearing this one. I still wonder if that’s a pun with us the ever loyal BL fangirls or a pure coincidence (I rather think it is the former, it would be too much if the latter turns out to be the truth).
Animation-wise the anime is just your average BL anime – full of bishies, the character design is pleasing but the background leaves to desire better. The colours are crisp and well defined, the characters themselves are easily distinguishable (except for the twins of course, but they are together everywhere, so it hardly matters, and of course they were meant to be like that, long live the twincest!)
The music is also rather uninspiring. The OP is OK I guess it is lively and even nice to listen, though it is hardly making it into my list of favourite OPs, but still, I’d say it fits the anime, (or the genre atleast), but the ED is rather pathetic. The background music so far is kind of MIA. When there is music it is actually a piano version of the OP and it starts to become boring after the third replay. I am quite the fan of good BGM (it matters to me even more than the good OP/ED, since it helps create the right mood), so this would have been a major turn-off for me in any other case, but being the ever loyal BL fangirl…
I conclusion: I am watching this one for the sole reason that any BL fangirl has – the bishies and the ultimate BL it promises. And I hope it will sprout some story or at least turn out to be a bit more explicit, ‘cause that’s what can possibly save the show from being utter loss of time and will not be much of a pleasure. Otherwise the mere sight of bishounen running on screen will most probably bore me at some point. But time will show. The chances are I’ll see it though even if it stays plotless and unexplicit, but who knows…
* This is a quote form the parody-sub that Live-eviL did as April Fools’ Day joke. I strongly recommend it to anyone that can laugh over their BL fancy or simply has it to recognize a good parody.
Text in italics is added by Matrim who wants to officially declare hereby that it will be difficult to force him to watch more of this, too many other series to follow. Bashing something might be fun but I am tired of doing this with Mai-Otome. 
August 31, 2006 at 5:12 pm
I found this anime refreshing, while some of it was ‘to be expected’ I found that the pure innocence of the characters charming. I watched this till the end and while I admit I would loved abit more..ahem “action” The plot was cute.
I recomend watching it ^_^
September 14, 2006 at 11:42 am
I’m going to have to disagree with Lola here (sorry x3). The characters are extremely stereotypical which I personally don’t find refreshing in the least.
You can find a million other Keitas out there, all equally bland and forgettable to fit the, mousey, uke mold.
December 5, 2006 at 1:23 pm
-giggle- I actually think, despite the stereotypicism, I like this anime. I agree with the bit about the bishies. That’s my reason for watching. Mmm, bishies in uniform… -drool-
February 17, 2007 at 12:51 am
yeah the bishies are the best part of this (especialy Saionji) but i have to agree with Winny, Keita annoys me, he’s just too innocent like so many others
March 4, 2007 at 1:34 am
This was a really cute anime. To everyone who doesn’t like it, all I have to say is…
You honestly don’t have any right to critique it negatively. Go out there, make your own anime, and get it licensed. If it’s good, then you have room to talk bad about it. Until then, stfu
March 5, 2007 at 8:41 am
I’m going to go with Matt on this one. It was a cute, entertaining anime that did have a storyline. I really enjoyed it and all the characters, including Keita. (Of course, my favorite is Hide and his devious mind.) The only flaw I can find with it is there aren’t more episodes.
March 16, 2007 at 5:45 am
I strongly agree with Pam. The anime was actually very entertaining and the Ham-ham Heaven after each episode are utterly adorable! Me favorite is also Nakajima-san and his ‘devious mind’….^__^
And yes, there should be more episodes!
March 21, 2007 at 11:08 am
Like the above posts, I also found this anime to be incredibly pleasing. All of the characters were well-developed as they can be in only 13 episodes and a dozen pretty boys to cover while still involving a storyline. The only regrets I had were the lack of more episodes, and a severe lack of explicit material. But then again, I can always go get the game!
March 29, 2007 at 6:19 am
Its an adorable anime, all right, but I think it had more potential.
Those twin brothers, for example, they could be more “active” in making Keita’s life living hell. Hell, they could even become the “Rocket Team” of this anime, and still they are left most of the time, forgotten. Its a pity…
April 20, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Hi,
I watched the Gakuen Heaven. I loved it. They remind me of the “Kyo Maoh!”. Both are funny. I heard that there are only esp. 13 limit. I was hope that GH will be more series(maybe 2nd season) in the future?
November 17, 2007 at 11:07 pm
This anime is boring… like others BL.