Kimagure Orange Road (きまぐれオレンジ☆ロード) is a 48 episode TV series adapted from the manga of the same name by Matsumoto Izumi. The series aired on TV in Japan between 1987 and 1988.
Kyosuke Kasuga is your average 9th grader who has moved to a new town and entered a new school. The day before he begins school he comes across a beautiful and whimsical girl who gifts him her hat, he becomes smitten with her instantly. The reason his family has moved is du to their unique nature as espers. He and his younger sisters have psychic abilities and whenever they're secret becomes exposed they have to pack up.
On the first day of school Kyosuke meets a fiery underclassman who has a bit of a reputation as a delinquent. The underclassman, Hikaru Hiyama, is best friends with the mysterious girl he met earlier, Madoka Ayukawa. Surprisingly, Ayukawa has a fearsome reputation as a delinquent and trouble starter, Hikaru's antics don't help to quell that image either. Kyosuke couldn't believe that the girl he met earlier was as rotten and doomed as what everyone said. He desired nothing more than to find out more about her and get closer.
In the process he end's up half halfheartedly dating Hikaru, if only for his inability to turn her advancements down. Due to his real feelings being for Madoka, he tries to hide his extra curricular activities with Hikaru. At the same time he takes every effort he can to spend more time with Madoka, getting to learn who she really is. Madoka, in her own way is enjoying getting closer to Kyosuke, but is hesitant to express herself honestly for fear of the damage it would to do the oblivious Hiraku.
My first and really sole exposure to KOR came with the broadcast of the final move, Kimagure Orange Road: Summers End in the late 90's during the Sci FI channels anime movies weeks. The movie struck a chord with me and I have always enjoyed the characters and their world. But, I never went beyond the end of the story until Crunchyroll added it to their lineup. After the first episode I immediately regretted waiting so long. I enjoyed the innocent romance immensely.
In the process he end's up half halfheartedly dating Hikaru, if only for his inability to turn her advancements down. Due to his real feelings being for Madoka, he tries to hide his extra curricular activities with Hikaru. At the same time he takes every effort he can to spend more time with Madoka, getting to learn who she really is. Madoka, in her own way is enjoying getting closer to Kyosuke, but is hesitant to express herself honestly for fear of the damage it would to do the oblivious Hiraku.
My first and really sole exposure to KOR came with the broadcast of the final move, Kimagure Orange Road: Summers End in the late 90's during the Sci FI channels anime movies weeks. The movie struck a chord with me and I have always enjoyed the characters and their world. But, I never went beyond the end of the story until Crunchyroll added it to their lineup. After the first episode I immediately regretted waiting so long. I enjoyed the innocent romance immensely.
Given the age of the series it is quite dated, this applies to both artwork and story line sensibility. It is very much set in the world of 80's Japan where anything was possible. Though looking at it now, 30+ yeas later and comparing it to similar anime something's never change. This had always been on my list and I am glad I finally watched it, I do need to rewatch the final movie and track down the other movie.
The series is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
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