I personally believe that Aoi Hana stands out (and above abominations like Strawberry Panic) because it mixes in just the tiniest bit of what homosexuality, and really any relationship, is like in real life. People are surprised when girls tell them they dated other girls. Flings don’t work out, and people don’t go hopping from one girl to the next without some tremendous baggage. It’s not “real,” but it’s a start at something.

Also: Did you ever notice at the very last second of the opening, one of the little fingers curls just a bit closer to the other? I didn’t catch this for a long time, but it tugged my heartstrings when I finally did.

@ Baka-Raptor: Quote of the day. You, sir, have won an internet.

@ Omo: See, it’s that kind of succinct ambiguity that makes you confusing! But I get what you’re saying , after a couple re-reads. It’s a good example though I don’t think I could paraphrase it.

@ Martin: Escapism is part of it, but I think it’s closer to the iyashikei type of escapism. Part of the appeal is in the fact that it’s unfamiliar.

@ otou-san: I lol’d. Well said. That’s what I meant when I said something or the other about semantics: you’re right, technically. It doesn’t change the show or the post, but yeah, subtle might not be the right word to describe most of the shows out there.

I disagree, though, that subtlety is anything but uncommon in anime. Ambiguity, yes, but subtlety, I dunno. I think that’s why I enjoyed what I did see of Aoi Hana.

If you’ll pardon me, please read these words flashing across the screen while I go blow up this nearby planet with my buster machine before this teenage god slips the bunny girl a mickey. Incidentally, I’m wearing a mask because it represents my hidden nature.

You’ve got me thinking about whether the reasons are more complicated than that though. Assuming you’re a heterosexual male viewer, your perspective is going to be more detached because no heterosexual males are likely to be involved in the relationships portrayed. Maybe there’s an escapism aspect at work here? I sure as hell can’t directly relate to something as far outside my personal experience as romance between girls and other girls. Maybe it’s a refreshing change in that sense too.

I think yuri and subtlety are a good combination like science and fiction, too. But what makes Aoi Hana work for me is the science. Or the subtlety. Like hard sci-fi makes make believe easier to stomach.