is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ken Akamatsu. It was adapted into a 24 episode anime series by Xebec, which aired in Japan on TV Tokyo from April 19, 2000 to September 27, 2000.[1] [2] The opening theme was and the closing theme was . Both songs were written by Ritsuko Okazaki and performed by Megumi Hayashibara. The two themes were released as a CD single, which debuted on the Oricon charts at Number 7.[3] [4] A 25th episode was later created and released as a DVD bonus.[5] The series and bonus episode were directed by Yoshiaki Iwasaki, written by Shō Aikawa and featured character designs by Makoto Uno.[1] [2] After the series finished, Christmas and Spring specials followed, and finally a three-part original video animation (OVA) series called Love Hina Again.[6] [7] [8] The series follows the daily life of Keitaro Urashima, the manager of an all-girls dorm, as he attempts to pass the Tokyo University entrance exams and to find the girl he promised to enter Tokyo U with when he was a child.
In Japan, the series was released on nine DVDs by Starchild Records between August 3, 2000 and April 2, 2001.[9] [10] Several volumes were also released with a bundled character figure for an additional price.[11] The Christmas special was released on July 4, 2001,[12] and the spring special was released on August 1, 2001.[13] Love Hina Again was released as 3 separate DVDs between January 26, 2002 and March 27, 2002.[14] [15] [16] A complete box set containing the entire TV series, the two specials, and the OVA series was released on July 6, 2005.[17]
The series was originally licensed in North America by Bandai and released across six DVDs from February 19, 2002 to November 19, 2002.[18] The Christmas special was released on December 3, 2002 and followed by the Spring special on March 18, 2003.[19] [20] Love Hina Again was released on September 2, 2003.[21] A box set containing the Christmas and Spring specials and Love Hina Again was released as "Love Hina Movie Set" on September 4, 2002.[22] [23] A complete box set of the television series, Christmas Special, Spring Special and Love Hina Again was released on September 28, 2004 as "Love Hina - Perfect Collection".[24] A complete box set of the television series was released on June 27, 2006 as "Love Hina Anime Legends Complete Collection".[25] In July 2007, Funimation Entertainment announced they had acquired the license to Love Hina after Bandai's license had expired, and a box set of the series over 4 discs was released on February 24, 2009.[26] [27]
In the United Kingdom, Love Hina is licensed by MVM Films, who released the series on six DVDs between September 6, 2004 and March 7, 2004.[28] [29] A box set was released on May 14, 2007.[30] The Christmas and Spring specials were released out of order, with the Spring special released on May 16, 2005, and the Christmas special on November 7, 2005.[31] [32] Love Hina Again was released on January 8, 2008.[33] A box set containing the Christmas and Spring specials and Love Hina Again was released as "Love Hina - Specials Collection" on September 4, 2002.[34]
Love Hina is also licensed in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment, who released the series across six DVDs between September 18, 2002, and February 11, 2003. A box set was released on December 3, 2003.[35] A box set containing the specials and Love Hina Again was released on March 14, 2007.[36]
Love Hina Again