Happy Lesson
| Happy Lesson | |
 Happy Lesson | |
| Genre | Comedy, School |
|---|---|
| Manga | |
| Written by | Sasaki Mutsumi (story) Shinnosuke Mori (art) |
| Published by |  KSS |
| Anime | |
| Directed by | Akira Suzuki |
| Studio | KSS |
| Anime | |
| Directed by | Akira Suzuki, Takeshi Yamaguchi |
| Studio | Media Works, KSS |
Happy Lesson is a comedy anime released in two sets of television series and two set of OVA series, featuring a high school student who is adopted by five beautiful teachers.[1] Originally created as a manga written by Sasaki Mutsumi and illustrated by Shinnosuke Mori, Happy Lesson has been adapted into a computer game.[2] One volume of the manga has been released in English by ADV Films, who had announced the release of the second volume, which was changed and has yet to have a new release date announced.
Plot
The plot of Happy Lesson is based on five teachers who end up living with a troubled and indifferent orphan and their unusual plan to become mother figures in an effort to make him a productive student. To achieve their plan various methods are employed, such as science experiments, spiritual cleansing, physical training, and hijinks.
Despite superficially resembling a harem anime, the show is unusual because it has very little romantic tension and a male lead who is closer to the 'good-hearted delinquent' personality rather than a measly nerd.
Characters
Aside from the male lead, the main female characters follow a distinct scheme in their names. Their surnames are listed off in numbers, from 1 to 10. Furthermore, those characters have the archaic names of the months as their given names, i.e. Mutsuki = January, Kisaragi = February, etc.
Chitose Hitotose: A high school orphan who has moved into his deceased parent house by himself, but not for long as each of his teachers recognises his slipping grades and decide to secretly move in with him, becoming his "Mothers".
In the beginning of the series it is shown that Hitotose is very good at fighting, as seen when he beats up two guys who were making fun of him because he has no parents, later on in "Happy Lesson Advanced" we see his ability to fight numerous times during his conflicts( or duels, whatever you prefer to call them) with Nagatsuki Kuron.
Susumu Arisaka: The male protagonist in the manga version of the story. He replaces Chitose in the story but his circumstances are the exactly the same. He differs in personality from Chitose, being more studious, less irritable and generally nicer to those around him.
Mutsuki Ichimonji: Chitose's homeroom teacher, and a teacher of Japanese Classics she is the first to move in with him. She is gentle until Chitose slacks off on studying. She is seen cooking or cleaning the house, if she is not trying to lecture Chitose.
Kisaragi Ninomai: The introverted science teacher who acts like a cultist. She has a personality similar to that of Chikage from Sister Princess except that she is far more interested in science and things that can be explained through science. Though she acts almost 'emotionless', she harbours deep feelings for the people around her.
Yayoi Sanzenin: The school nurse and miko (meaning priestess), Yayoi can be calm and spiritual unless she feels Chitose is in danger where she may put her sword fighting skills to work. She is seen wearing a Japanese priest dress and puts her sword against Chitose's neck in order to attain a positive response.
Uzuki Shitenno: The art teacher, Uzuki acts like a small girl and is very happy-go-lucky. She gets into arguments with Satsuki. She is seen with 'angel' like wings due to her obsession with 'cosplay'.
Satsuki Gokajo: The athletics coach, Satsuki prefers brawn over brains and has a loud personality. She is seen as very aggressive and violent, acting or speaking without thinking things through.
Hazuki Yazakura: Chitose's adopted elder sister. Hazuki is a 'pop-idol' in Japan, and because of this she is usually touring different cities across Japan. Her singing is very popular and has won the hearts of people across the country. A major characteristic is her 'ability to eat', being able to eat extremely large amounts of food in very little time.
Minazuki Rokumatsuri: Chitose's adopted younger sister. In the story Mina currently attends the middle school section of the same campus as Chitose. She lives with her sister Hazuki [whenever she is not touring] in an apartment building not far from Chitose's house. Mina loves Chitose like a real brother and helps Chitose whenever she can. She plans to marry Chitose when she gets older.
Kanna Togakushi: Kisaragi's childhood friend. She is first introduced as a highly skilled technician bent on taking over the world, with her technical skills being only second to Kisaragi. After meeting Chitose she immediately develops a crush towards him and has been seeking to 'capture' him using both casual talking or technological force.
Fumitsuki Nanakorobi: The Class President of Chitose's class. Fumitsuki has a deep crush for Chitose and Chitose is oblivious to it. She has excellent marks and tries to win Chitose's heart continuously. At times she is very aggressive, seen punching people with great force in a comical manner in order to silence students B and C or to get back at Chitose.
Student B and C: Two male students at Chitose's school who pop up every now and then. As their name suggest they each have a letter on their forehead. They seem to exist only to make Fumitsuki miserable as they constantly follow her around with a video camera and make sarcastic comments, often breaking the fourth wall. They were the only members of her poetry club until she kicked them out. There seems to have been yet another student, as B and C are seen visiting a grave marked "A".
Nagatsuki Kuron: A mysterious kid from China who claims to be the rightful child of Mutsuki. Appears in the Advance arc of the story, versed in Kung Fu, and contends with Chitose at every chance possible.
Series
- Happy Lesson (OVA)
- Five episode Original Video Anime, featuring how the main character meets with the teachers, as well as how he is reunited with his childhood friends, Hazuki Yazakura and Minazuki Rokumatsuri, from the orphanage.[3] It was published in 2002 by Studio KSS and an adapted for English version was distributed in the United States by ADV Films.[4]
- There were originally five episodes in the first OVA series. The first three were released in 2001-2002 before the TV series aired then the final two were released in 2003. ADV has only released the first three.
- Happy Lesson (The TV Series)
- 13 episodes were aired from April until June of 2002.
- The DVD version contains an extra episode, totalling in 14 episodes. Although a sequel, the first episode of the original OVA series was used as the first episode.
- Happy Lesson Advance
- The continuation of Happy Lesson The TV.[5] Broadcast July - September 2003. 13 episodes in total. Episode Nine was a rebroadcast of the extra episode contained in the DVD for "The TV" series.
- Happy Lesson
- The Final:Final series OVA. Three volumes in total.[6]
Media
Episodes
Template:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode listTemplate:Japanese episode list| # | Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
Theme Music
- Opening Theme - "Telescope"
- Lyrics by, OKEI
- Music by, SHOGO
- Arrangement by, Akihisha Matsuura
- Vocals by, Sleepin' Johnny Fish
- Ending Theme - "Dreamtown, Tokyo Life"
- Lyrics by, MAYU
- Music by, MAYU
- Arrangement by, MAYU
- Vocals by, Akiko Nakagawa
- Opening Theme (OVA) - "C'"
- Lyrics by, Yukiko Mitsui
- Music by, Yukiko Mitsui
- Arrangement by, Yukiko Mitsui - h2
- Vocals by, Hikari Okamoto
- Ending Theme (OVA) - "Place"
- Lyrics by, Kaoru Ito
- Music by, Kaoru Ito
- Arrangement by, Yoshimasa Shiozaki
- Vocals by, Five Moms
Manga
- ISBN 4-8402-2242-8
- ISBN 4-8402-2506-0
References
- ^ Happy Lesson (834) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia. Accessed 2007-01-25.
- ^ Happy Lesson (3505) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia. Accessed 2007-01-25.
- ^ Happy Lesson OVA ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia. Accessed 2007-01-30.
- ^ Happy Lesson from Animated Divots.com. Accessed 2007-01-25.
- ^ Happy Lesson Advanced ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia. Accessed 2007-01-30.
- ^ Happy Lesson The Final OVA ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia. Accessed 2007-01-30.