| Maria-sama ga Miteru | |
 The first volume ofMaria-sama ga Miteru, published in Japan by Shueisha on April 24, 1998 | |
| マリア様がみてる | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Class S,[1]yuri[2] |
| Light novel | |
| Written by | Oyuki Konno [ja] |
| Illustrated by | Reine Hibiki |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Magazine | Cobalt |
| Original run | April 24, 1998 –April 28, 2012 |
| Volumes | 37(List of volumes) |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Oyuki Konno |
| Illustrated by | Satoru Nagasawa |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Magazine | Margaret,The Margaret |
| Original run | October 2003 –August 2010 |
| Volumes | 9 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Yukihiro Matsushita |
| Written by | Reiko Yoshida |
| Music by | Mikiya Katakura |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Licensed by | |
| Original network | TV Tokyo |
| English network | |
| Original run | January 7, 2004 – March 31, 2004 |
| Episodes | 13(List of episodes) |
| Original video animation | |
| Maria-sama ni wa Naisho | |
| Directed by | Yukihiro Matsushita |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Licensed by |
|
| Released | April 2, 2004 – August 21, 2009 |
| Runtime | 1-2 minutes each |
| Episodes | 29(List of episodes) |
| Anime television series | |
| Maria-sama ga Miteru: Printemps | |
| Directed by | Yukihiro Matsushita |
| Music by | Mikiya Katakura |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Licensed by |
|
| Original network | TV Tokyo |
| English network |
|
| Original run | July 4, 2004 – September 26, 2004 |
| Episodes | 13(List of episodes) |
| Original video animation | |
| Directed by | Yukihiro Matsushita |
| Written by | Reiko Yoshida |
| Music by | Mikiya Katakura |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Licensed by |
|
| Released | November 29, 2006 – July 25, 2007 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes each |
| Episodes | 5(List of episodes) |
| Light novel | |
| Oshaka-sama mo Miteru | |
| Written by | Oyuki Konno |
| Illustrated by | Reine Hibiki |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| Magazine | Cobalt, Bessatsu Cobalt |
| Original run | August 1, 2008 –November 30, 2013 |
| Volumes | 10(List of volumes) |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Toshiyuki Kato |
| Written by | Reiko Yoshida |
| Music by | Mikiya Katakura |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Licensed by |
|
| Original network | AT-X |
| Original run | January 3, 2009 – March 28, 2009 |
| Episodes | 13(List of episodes) |
| Live-action film | |
| |
Maria-sama ga Miteru (マリア様がみてる;TheVirgin Mary Is Watching orMaria Watches Over Us), often shortened toMarimite (マリみて),[3] is a Japaneselight novel series written byOyuki Konno [ja] with illustrations byReine Hibiki. Originally written as ashort story in 1997, Shueisha published 37 light novel volumes from April 1998 to April 2012. The story focuses on a group ofteenage girls attending theCatholic Lillian Girls' Academy inTokyo, Japan. Its storyline largely revolves around the lives and close relationships of the school's student council known as theYamayuri Council.
Amanga adaptation was published by Shueisha inMargaret and its sister magazineThe Margaret. Between 2004 and 2009, the series was adapted byStudio Deen into three 13-episodeanime television series and a five-episodeoriginal video animation (OVA) series. The anime adaptations have been released in North America byNozomi Entertainment under the titleMaria Watches Over Us. The license was later transferred toMaiden Japan. A live-action film adaptation was released in Japan in November 2010. Severalaudio dramas and music albums were also published.
Maria-sama ga Miteru received generally positive reviews by critics. It has been described as representative ofyuri novels,[2] and has been credited with starting "the modernyuri trend,"[4] in addition to reviving theClass S genre.[1] Critics have praised the series for its strong characterization, even among peripheral characters, and for its emphasis on romance and emotion over sexuality. The dramatization, however, has been criticized as being overly dramatic at times, but the lack of malicious characters has been described as reducing the chance for more drama. The extensive use of French titles has also been criticized as being distracting and initially difficult to follow. Over 5.4 million copies of the light novels have been published.
The setting forMaria-sama ga Miteru is Lillian Girls' Academy (私立リリアン女学園,Shiritsu Ririan Jogakuen), a fictionalCatholic school[5] founded in 1901 inMusashino, Tokyo, Japan; the school is depicted as an elegant, clean, pure, and very prestigious institution. Among the facilities of Lillian, aside from the classrooms, there is a church, a greenhouse, akendodojo, an auditorium, a park, and the Rose Mansion, where theYamayuri Council meet. The students are very respectable and in good standing. The uniform at the school is a long, blackJapanese school uniform with a white collar.
The school uses the fictional sœur system where any second- or third-year student, thegrande sœur ("big sister"), might pick a younger girl who will become her "sœur" (sister inFrench). Thegrande sœur gives her thepetite sœur ("little sister") arosary and promises to look after her and guide her. The basic etiquette demands thepetite sœur to call hergrande sœur "onee-sama" (older sister inJapanese). Aside from being used in prayer, the rosary is the instrument that certifies thesœur union and relationship between two students.[3] There is an implicit code of behavior betweensœurs, especially in the Yamayuri Council—the student council of the school: quietness, measure and respect towards each other; values deeply attached to traditional Japanese education.
French is occasionally used throughout the story; for example, the series is given the French subtitleLa Vierge Marie vous regarde, which means "The Virgin Mary is watching you". In keeping with the tone of the series, formal language is used:[6]gokigen'yō (ごきげんよう) is a strictly formal and respectful greeting in Japanese, and is used both to greet and to bid farewell. By custom, this greeting is used often in the Lillian School; this has been one of the distinguishable and popular phrases of the series, and it is used to begin or to finish each volume. The Animax English-language version translates the word as "good day to you".
The Lillian Girls' Academy uses the lily symbolism as the whitelily is the flower of the Virgin Mary.[3] The white lily is aChristian symbol ofvirginity andpurity. This lily imagery is also used as a reference toyuri:[7] the story has some elements of romance between female characters;[3] the use of lilies reinforces this in subtext, as do the names of the student council and of the school itself.[7] The series is only explicit about a romantic relationship once in a flashback, but many of the sisters haveromantic friendships.[3]
The musical choices of theMaria-sama ga Miteru anime adaptations are generally classical music-inspired.[7][8] The Christianhymn "Maria-sama no Kokoro" (マリア様のこころ,The Virgin Mary's Heart) is often referred to in the series. In the context of the series, it is a children's song taught to the students at Lillian.[9]
Maria-sama ga Miteru's story revolves around the students of the Lillian Girls' Academy and is character-driven, focusing on interactions between the characters rather than any sort of ongoing plot or goal to attain.[3] When the story begins, Yumi Fukuzawa, a first-year student at Lillian, is praying in front of theVirgin Mary statue near the school entrance when she is suddenly approached by a cold second-year student named Sachiko Ogasawara who straightens Yumi's uniformneckerchief. This seemingly simple act of kindness stays with Yumi the rest of the day, and she speaks of her meeting with Sachiko to her friends during class and lunch.
After school is over, Yumi's classmate Tsutako Takeshima meets with Yumi to show her that she took a photograph of Yumi's meeting with Sachiko earlier that morning. Yumi asks if she can have the photo, but Tsutako says she will give her the snapshot under two conditions: one being that Tsutako can display it at the upcoming school festival, and two being that Yumi get Sachiko's permission to do so as well. Yumi agrees to this, which sets in motion a series of events involving the entire Yamayuri Council. A few weeks after first meeting Sachiko, Yumi accepts Sachiko's rosary and therefore agrees to become herpetite sœur. This officially inducts Yumi into the Yamayuri Council where she assists them in school matters alongside Yoshino Shimazu and Shimako Tōdō—thepetite sœurs of Rei Hasekura and Sei Satō, respectively. Through her activities in the Yamayuri Council, Yumi becomes closer to the other members and generally finds her experiences with the group to be enjoyable.
Much of the story ofMaria-sama ga Miteru revolves around the Yamayuri Council (山百合会,Yamayurikai; lit. "Mountain Lily Council"), which acts as thestudent council. The Yamayuri Council meets in a building called the Rose Mansion (薔薇の館,Bara no Yakata). It is located within the school and consists of two stories, including a meeting room on the second. The Yamayuri Council itself consists of three offices, named afterroses:Rosa foetida (ロサ・フェティダ,Rosa fetida; Persian yellow rose),Rosa gigantea (ロサ・ギガンティア,Rosa gigantia; Himalayan rose), andRosa chinensis (ロサ・キネンシス,Rosa kinenshisu; Chinese rose).[3][10] These are also referred to by their colors; the Yellow Rose (黄薔薇,Kibara) isRosa foetida, the White Rose (白薔薇,Shirobara) isRosa gigantea, and the Red Rose (紅薔薇,Benibara) isRosa chinensis.
Due to the high importance the three Rose families have in the development of the student activities within school, those who becomepetites sœurs of any of the mentioned families receive a functional "inheritance" through thegrandes sœurs teachings, to adopt a position given certain circumstances. In this way, patrons are recognized through the generations of the members of the Rose families. Still, after graduating, thegrandes sœurs of the Yamayuri Council may continue with a fair participation in the events concerning their families, as shown in the novels.[11]
A Rose (薔薇,Bara), orRosa (ロサ), is one of three senior members of the Yamayuri Council. It is also possible to generally speak of all the members of the Yamayuri Council as roses. A Rose makes the critical decisions within this group since she controls the student council. Candidates for the position, which lasts through the school year, are chosen through an election. Any student can run to become a Rose, although the position is usually given to theen boutons, the Roses'petite sœurs.
Thepetite sœur of aRosa is called anen bouton (アン・ブゥトン,an būton), otherwise known as a "rosebud" (薔薇のつぼみ,bara no tsubomi).En bouton isFrench for "in bud"—as used in the exampleRosa Chinensis en bouton—and is unofficially considered part of the Yamayuri Council, as is thepetite sœur of theen bouton, if she has one. Theen boutons must be in a lower year than theirRosa, and generally, theen boutons execute the plans discussed by the Roses like assistants. Although theRosa positions of the Yamayuri Council are traditionally passed to theen bouton on the graduation of the current holder, they are nonetheless elected offices that anyone may run for.
Thepetite sœur of theen bouton is calleden bouton petite sœur (アン・ブゥトン・プティ・スール,an būton puti sūru)—as used in the exampleRosa Chinensis en bouton petite sœur—and is otherwise known as the "younger sister of a rose bud" (薔薇のつぼみの妹,bara no tsubomi no imōto). She must be in a lower year than heren bouton and performs small duties, such as attending to the Roses'en boutons, cleaning the Rose Mansion, and making tea and snacks for the Yamayuri Council. This lasts a school year; the following year, when theiren bouton is elected asRosa, thepetite sœurs automatically becomeen boutons.
After writing her debut novel seriesYume no Miya (夢の宮,Palace of Dreams) for three years starting in March 1994,[12] Oyuki Konno published a short story called "Maria-sama ga Miteru" in the February 1997 issue of theshōjo magazineCobalt with illustrations by Yuma Aoi.[13] In 1993, Konno had previously won both Cobalt's Novel Award and Readers' Award forYume no Miya,[14] and by February 1997, nine volumes had been released.[15][16]
In the afterword of the firstMaria-sama ga Miteru light novel volume, Konno admitted thatMaria-sama ga Miteru was very different from her usual genre of story-telling inYume no Miya, which she described as an "imperial story" set in a fictionalizedclassical Japan.[17] For the basis of Lillian Girls' Academy, Konno drew from her own experiences attending anall-girl high school, and some of the scenery of Lillian was also taken from this, such as aginkgo pathway which stretched out from the main gate. The laid-back atmosphere of the school was also incorporated into Lillian, although Konno's school did not have asœur system and it was not a Catholic school. Konno had been exposed to Christianity from a young age: she attended a completely Christian kindergarten which had asanctuary andcloister in the middle of the school. Konno notes that she put her own questions about the Virgin Mary's heart into the story via Yumi. Konno ultimately mixed together various sources and ended up with Lillian Girls' Academy.[17]
After writing theMaria-sama ga Miteru short story, Konno expanded it into a series of novels. The first volume was published on April 24, 1998, with illustrations byReine Hibiki.[18] In terms of the storyline, this first novel marks the beginning of the series; the original 1997 short story was reworked and republished in the ninth volumeCherry Blossom in 2001.[19] Shueisha published 37 light novels in the series, ending withFarewell Bouquet on April 28, 2012.[20][21][22] There were also two additional volumes published, the first containing an overview of the series and interviews, and the second featuring an illustration collection.[23][24] Second editions were published starting in 2018 to commemorate its 20th anniversary.[25] In February 2003, with 12 volumes released, Konno began to publish more short stories inCobalt, with illustrations by Hibiki.[26] Counting the 1997 debut, 27 short stories were published, which were included in later novels. The first five volumes of the light novel series were translated into German byTokyopop.[27]
Konno also wrote aspin-off series of light novels titledOshaka-sama mo Miteru (お釈迦様もみてる,Buddha Watches Too), also illustrated by Hibiki. These focus on Yumi's younger brother Yūki and his schoolmates at Hanadera. Shueisha published 10 volumes between August 1, 2008 and November 30, 2013.[28][29][30]
Amanga adaptation, drawn by Satoru Nagasawa, was serialized in Shueisha'sshōjo manga magazineMargaret between October 2003 and October 2005.[31][32] Following this, the manga was transferred to Shueisha's sister magazineThe Margaret between May 2006 and December 2007.[33][34] The manga was again serialized inThe Margaret between May and August 2010.[35][36][37] The individual chapters were collected and published in ninetankōbon volumes released byShueisha between February 2004 and October 2010.[38][39] The first eight volumes were republished in fiveomnibus volumes in Japan between April and July 2010.[40][41] The story in each volume follows the corresponding volume of the novels. The first eight volumes were translated into German byTokyopop.[42]
Six brief mangaone-shots, illustrated byReine Hibiki and based on some scenes from the novels, were published by Shueisha inCobalt between February 2003 and December 2004.[43][44] They are: "Yumi's Valentine Eve" (祐巳のヴァレンタイン・イブ,Yumi no Varentain Ibu; February 2003),[43] "Before the Festival" (祭りの前,Matsuri no Mae; October 2003),[45] "Christmas Present" (クリスマス・プレゼント,Kurisumasu Purezento; December 2003),[46] "By Graduation..." (卒業までに…,Sotsugyō Made ni...; February 2004),[47] "All Alone on Sunday" (ひとりの日曜日,Hitori no Nichiyōbi; April 2004),[48] and "The Beginning of the Year" (年の始めの,Toshi no Hajime no; December 2004).[44] "Before the Festival" was later included in volume 18 of the novels,Premium Book,[49] and the other five were later published in volume 26 of the novels,Illustration Collection.[50] A one-shot ofOshaka-sama mo Miteru, illustrated by Sakura Kenjō, was published in Shueisha'sComic Cobalt magazine in August 2010.[51]
A 13-episodeanime television series adaptation ofMaria-sama ga Miteru aired in Japan between January 7 and March 31, 2004 onTV Tokyo.[52] Produced byStudio Deen and directed by Yukihiro Matsushita, the screenplay was written byReiko Yoshida, and Akira Matsushima based the character design used in the anime on Reine Hibiki's original designs. The art director for the series is Nobuto Sakamoto. The sound director is Yoshikazu Iwanami, and the soundtrack is composed byMikiya Katakura.[53][54] The series was later released byGeneon to sevenVHS and DVD compilation volumes from April to October 2004.[55][56][57][58]
Most of the production staff would return to produce two additional television series[59][60][61] and anoriginal video animation (OVA) series.[62] The 13-episode second season, titledMaria-sama ga Miteru: Printemps (マリア様がみてる〜春〜,Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Haru~), aired between July 4 and September 26, 2004 on TV Tokyo.[63] The series was later released by Geneon to six VHS and DVD compilation volumes from October 2004 to April 2005.[64][65][66][67] The third season, a five-episode OVA series titledMaria-sama ga Miteru, was released on DVD from November 29, 2006 to July 25, 2007; each episode is approximately 50 minutes long.[68][69] The 13-episode fourth season, again titledMaria-sama ga Miteru, aired between January 3 and March 28, 2009 onAT-X.[70][71] The series was released by Geneon to six DVD compilation volumes from March to August 2009.[72][73] Instead of Yukihiro Matsushita who had directed the first three seasons, the fourth season is directed by Toshiyuki Katō.[61][74]
In addition to the main anime series, a parody series calledMaria-sama ni wa Naisho (マリア様にはないしょ,Keep it Secret from the Virgin Mary) is included as abonus on the DVD releases of the three televisions seasons and the OVA series. There are 29 episodes: seven from season one,[75] six for season two,[76] five for season three,[77] and eleven for season four.[78] The episodes consist of short segments of fakeouttakes and parody skits drawn in asuper deformed style and starring the cast of the anime.
Nozomi Entertainment, the licensing branch ofRight Stuf Inc., had licensed the three television series and the OVA series under the titleMaria Watches Over Us for North American distribution.[79][80] The four series were released as DVD box sets with English subtitles as follows: July 29, 2008 for season one,[81] November 25, 2008 for season two,[76] March 24, 2009 for season three,[77] and July 6, 2010 for season four.[78]Maiden Japan licensed the three television series and the OVA series after Nozomi Entertainment's license to the franchise had expired. An English dub for the series was considered in 2018.[82]
For the firstMaria-sama ga Miteru anime series, the opening theme "Pastel Pure" and the ending theme is "Sonata Blue". Both songs are instrumental tracks composed by Mikiya Katakura of the bandAli Project and were released on a theme song album in February 2004.[83] The original soundtrack for the first anime series was released in February 2004.[84] ForMaria-sama ga Miteru: Printemps, the opening theme is a vocal version of "Pastel Pure" by Ali Project and the ending theme is again "Sonata Blue". The single for "Pastel Pure" was released in August 2004.[85] The original soundtrack forPrintemps was released in September 2004.[86]
For theMaria-sama ga Miteru OVA series, the opening theme is again the instrumental version of "Pastel Pure", and there are two ending themes. The single for the first ending theme "Chercher" (シャルシェ) byKotoko was released in October 2006, and the single for the second ending theme "Kirei na Senritsu" (きれいな旋律) by Kotoko was released in March 2007.[87][88] The original soundtrack for the OVA series was released in March 2007.[89] For theMaria-sama ga Miteru fourth season, the single for the opening theme "Chizu Sanpo" (地図散歩) byKukui was released in February 2009, and the single for the ending theme "Kumori Garasu no Mukō" (くもりガラスの向こう) by Kaori Hikita was also released in February 2009.[90][91] For theMaria-sama ga Miteru live-action film, the theme song "Heavenly Days" byCooRie was released on her albumHeavenly Days in October 2010.[92]
Three volumes of albums titledMaria-sama ga Miteru: Haru Image Album containingimage songs andbackground music tracks were released between April and September 2005.[93][94][95] Each image album was assigned to one of the three families of roses; the songs were sung by the voice actors of the anime series. A vocal album titledChristmas Album was released in December 2008.[96]Shueisha produced 12drama CDs between January 14, 2004 and December 14, 2007, andFrontier Works produced three additional drama CDs between July 24, 2009 and July 22, 2010; the CDs use the same voice actors from the anime series.[97][98][99][100] The drama CDs are based on the stories in the novels. The fifth and tenth drama CDs by Shueisha were released in limited edition versions each with a slipcase and a pair of character mini-figures.[101][102]
AnInternet radio show to promoteMaria-sama ga Miteru calledWeb Radio Maria-sama ga Miteru (Webラジオ マリア様がみてる) was hosted byKana Ueda, the voice of Yumi Fukuzawa, and featured other voice actors from the anime series as guests.[103] The show features conversations and publicity, often commenting with news of the anime series and other funny situations from the plot of the novels. It had a pre-broadcast special for Christmas on December 22, 2005,[104] and later broadcast 19 episodes between March 9 and November 24, 2006.[105][106] The show was streamed online every other Thursday, and was produced byAnimate TV.[106] Three additional broadcasts followed: aNew Year's Day special on January 25, 2007,[107] aHinamatsuri special on March 1, 2007,[108] and another Christmas special on December 20, 2007.[109]
The radio show returned to broadcast 13 main episodes and 3 specials between August 27, 2008 and September 30, 2009.[110][111] Again hosted by Ueda, the show was streamed online every last Wednesday of the month, and was also produced by Animate TV.[111] Combined, the two radio show seasons were later released on 13 CD compilation volumes byFrontier Works between August 4, 2006 and February 24, 2010.[112]
| Radio broadcasts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season one | |||
| # | Title | Date | Guests |
| 01 | "Full with the Red Roses, Say Good Day" (紅薔薇づくしでごきげんよう,Benibara Zukushi de Gokigen'yō) | March 9, 2006 | Miki Itō (Sachiko Ogasawara) Emi Shinohara (Yōko Mizuno) |
| 02 | "Still Not Accustomed to Say, Good Day" (まだ言いなれていないごきげんよう,Mada Iinarete Inai Gokigen'yō) | March 23, 2006 | Kaori Shimizu (Noriko Nijō) |
| 03 | "On a Public Recording, Say Good Day" (公開録音でごきげんよう,Kōkai Rokuon de Gokigen'yō) | April 6, 2006 | Kaori Shimizu (Noriko Nijō), Miki Itō (Sachiko Ogasawara), Haruna Ikezawa (Yoshino Shimazu) & Mamiko Noto (Shimako Tōdō) |
| 04 | "It is a Good Day, Madam" (ごきげんようですわ奥様,Gokigen'yō Desuwa Okusama) | April 20, 2006 | Rina Satō (Tsutako Takeshima) |
| 05 | "With Mimicking, Say Good Day" (モノマネでごきげんよう,Monomane de Gokigen'yō) | May 11, 2006 | Miki Itō (Sachiko Ogasawara) |
| 06 | "With Roll Cake, Say Good Day" (ロールケーキでごきげんよう,Rōru Kēki de Gokigen'yō) | May 25, 2006 | Haruna Ikezawa (Yoshino Shimazu) |
| 07 | "On the Tea Party, Say Good Day" (お茶会でごきげんよう,Ochakai de Gokigen'yō) | June 8, 2006 | Haruna Ikezawa (Yoshino Shimazu) & Mamiko Noto (Shimako Tōdō) |
| 08 | "Even with Rainy Blue, Say Good Day" (レイ二ーブルーでもごきげんよう,Reinī Burū demo Gokigen'yō) | June 22, 2006 | Emi Shinohara (Yōko Mizuno) |
| 09 | "From Yumi's Room, Say Good Day" (祐巳の部屋からごきげんよう,Yumi no Heya Kara Gokigen'yō) | July 6, 2006 | |
| 10 | "From a Daytime, We Are Drunk and Say Good Day" (昼間っから酔っ払ってごきげんよう,Hirumakkara Yopparatte Gokigen'yō) | July 20, 2006 | Shizuka Itō (Rei Hasekura) |
| 11 | "Shimako Watches...the 'Good Day's of Ladies" (志摩子はみてる…奥様たちの「ごきげんよう」を,Shimako wa Miteru...Okusama-tachi no 'Gokigen'yō' o) | August 3, 2006 | Mamiko Noto (Shimako Tōdō) |
| 12 | "Shimako is Mine! With Jealousy, Say Good Day" (志摩子は私のだ!ジェラスィーでごきげんよう,Shimako wa Watashi no da! Jerasī de Gokigen'yō) | August 17, 2006 | Megumi Toyoguchi (Sei Satō) |
| 13 | "Not So Bad, Say Good Day" (ボチボチでごきげんよう,Bochi-bochi de Gokigen'yō) | August 31, 2006 | Hitomi Nabatame (Eriko Torii) |
| 14 | "On a School Excursion, Say Good Day" (修学旅行でごきげんよう,Shūgaku Ryokō de Gokigen'yō) | September 14, 2006 | Kaori Shimizu (Noriko Nijō) |
| 15 | "Good Day of 500 Push-Ups" (腕立てふせ500回のごきげんよう,Udetate-fuse Gohyakkai no Gokigen'yō) | September 28, 2006 | Rie Kugimiya (Tōko Matsudaira) |
| 16 | "Second Grade Trio Say Good Day" (2年生トリオでごきげんよう,Ni-nen-sei Torio de Gokigen'yō) | October 12, 2006 | Haruna Ikezawa (Yoshino Shimazu) & Mamiko Noto (Shimako Tōdō) |
| 17 | "Alcohol, Fishing, Jealousy, and Good Day" (酒、釣り、嫉妬、ごきげんよう,Sake, Tsuri, Shitto, Gokigen'yō) | October 26, 2006 | Shizuka Itō (Rei Hasekura) |
| 18 | "Crazy About Cakes, Say Good Day" (おやつに夢中でごぎげんよう,Oyatsu ni Muchū de Gokigen'yō) | November 9, 2006 | Miki Itō (Sachiko Ogasawara) |
| 19 | "Have a Good Day Till We Meet Again" (また会う日までごきげんよう,Mata Au Hi Made Gokigen'yō) | November 24, 2006 | |
| SP 1 | "New Year Special, Say Good Day" (新春スペシャルで、ごきげんよう,Shinshun Special de Gokigen'yō) | January 25, 2007 | Kaori Shimizu (Noriko Nijō) & Mamiko Noto (Shimako Tōdō) |
| SP 2 | "Doll Festival Special, Say Good Day" (ひな祭りスペシャルで、ごきげんよう,Hinamatsuri Special de Gokigen'yō) | March 1, 2007 | Mamiko Noto (Shimako Tōdō) & Haruna Ikezawa (Yoshino Shimazu) |
| SP 3 | "Christmas Special 2007: Good Day with a Revival on Christmas Eve" (クリスマススペシャル2007 『聖夜の復活で、ごきげんよう』,Kurisumasu Supesharu 2007: Seiya no Fukkatsu de, Gokigen'yō) | December 20, 2007 | |
| Season two | |||
| # | Title | Date | Guests |
| 01 | "It's Been a Long Time, and Good Day" (お久しぶりに、ごきげんよう,Ohisashiburi ni, Gokigen'yō) | August 27, 2008 | Ami Koshimizu (Kanako Hosokawa) |
| SP 1 | "Special Just Before the Autumn Lillian Festival" (秋のリリアン祭直前スペシャル,Aki no Lilian-sai Chokuzen Special) | September 10, 2008 | |
| 02 | "Good Job at the Lillian Festival, and Good Day" (リリアン祭お疲れ様でしたごきげんよう,Lilian-sai Otsukaresama deshita Gokigen'yō) | September 24, 2008 | Marina Inoue (Shouko Naitou) |
| 03 | "Good Day with a Double Role" (一人二役でごきげんよう,Hitorifutayaku de Gokigen'yō) | October 29, 2008 | Hitomi Nabatame (Nana Arima) |
| 04 | "Good Day with a Christmas Song" (クリスマスソングでごきげんよう,Kurisumasu Songu de Gokigen'yō) | November 26, 2008 | Kaori Shimizu (Noriko Nijou) |
| SP 2 | "Merry Christmas! Good Day!" (メリークリスマス!ごきげんよう!,Merī Kurisumasu! Gokigen'yō) | December 24, 2008 | Mamiko Noto and Haruna Ikezawa |
| SP 3 | "Happy New Year! Good Day!" (明けましておめでとうございます!ごきげんよう!,Akemashite Omedetō Gozaimasu! Gokigen'yō) | January 7, 2009 | Shizuka Itō |
| 05 | "The Yamayuri Council is Eternal...Good Day" (山百合会よ永遠に…ごきげんよう,Yamayurikai yo Eien ni...Gokigen'yō) | January 28, 2009 | |
| 06 | "You'll Get Used to it Eventually! Good Day!" (そのうち慣れる!ごきげんよう!,Sonouchi Nareru! Gokigen'yō!) | February 25, 2009 | |
| 07 | "It's Spring! Good Day!" (春ですね! ごきげんよう!,Haru desu ne! Gokigen'yō!) | March 25, 2009 | |
| 08 | "Good Day with All Kinds of Pink!" (ピンクづくしでごきげんよう,Pinkzukushi de Gokigen'yō!) | April 29, 2009 | |
| 09 | "Let's Get Along, and Good Day" (仲良く行きましょう、ごきげんよう,Nakayoku Ikimashō, Gokigen'yō) | May 27, 2009 | |
| 10 | "Happy Birthday! Good Day!" (お誕生日おめでとう! ごきげんよう!,Otanjōbi Omedetō! Gokigen'yō!) | June 24, 2009 | |
| 11 | "Good Day with Just the Two of Us" (2人きりでごきげんよう,Futarikiri de Gokigen'yō) | July 29, 2009 | |
| 12 | "Good Day During Summer Vacation" (夏休みにごきげんよう,Natsuyasumi ni Gokigen'yō) | August 26, 2009 | |
| 13 | "Be Careful of Injuries and Good Day" (ケガに気をつけてごきげんよう,Kega ni Ki o Tsukete Gokigen'yō) | September 30, 2009 | |
A live-action film adaptation premiered in Japanese theaters on November 6, 2010.[113] The film is directed by Kōtarō Terauchi,[114] and Terauchi co-wrote the script with Keiji Sagami. The film's music is composed by Chika Fujino. The film was released on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in Japan on July 29, 2011.[115] To tie in with the film, a new edition of the first light novel was published in June 2010 with a cover featuring starsHonoka Miki andHaru.[116][117]
It was reported in April 2010 that 5.4 million copies of the original light novels have been published.[118] Reception to theMaria-sama ga Miteru anime series has been generally positive,[7][8] althoughAnime News Network (ANN) noted that the series leaves itself "wide open to cynical sniggering."[6] Carlos Ross from Them Anime regarded it as "one of the most beautiful and graceful anime" series,[7] adding that the animation is sometimes of questionable quality but overall "very appealing".[7] Andrew Shelton from AMR found the series to be "fairly unique" compared to othershōjo works, explaining that although the story is "a little basic" and "overly dramatic", what is most important is the "response and actions of the character on who the story is focused."[8] Stig Høgset, also from Them Anime, commented that the third season was criticized for being too short, but he personally did not feel "like it was lacking something."[119]Jason Thompson creditsMaria-sama ga Miteru with starting "the modern yuri trend."[4] Newer anime titles thatMaria-sama ga Miteru is compared to includeOtome wa Boku ni Koishiteru,[120]Strawberry Panic!,[121]Best Student Council,[6] andAria.[122] Carlos Ross, writing about the first novel in the series, felt the story was a "classicrags-to-riches tale," but that it was "also sweet, touching and witty when it needs to be." He criticized the lack of teachers and schoolwork in the series, which led to the plot being filled with extracurricular activities, which are common to high school series. He also criticized Yumi's low self-esteem.[123]
A characteristic element of the series is the extensive use of French titles, which Carlos Ross has criticized as "distracting".[7] Mania.com criticized the early anime episodes as being "difficult",[124] and saying that the first episode "throws a lot of terms and names at you".[125] On the other hand, Ross compared the "atmosphere" presented by the series' artwork with those from other anime titles of similar setting, including the bright and vividRevolutionary Girl Utena.[7] Another reviewer from Them Anime also comparedMaria-sama ga Miteru withOniisama e..., but noted that the former is much less dramatic.[126] Marc Hairston commented on the unusual character designs compared to other series, and said they are "ordinary students."[3] ANN also noted the "clear, expressive eyes and character designs that are gifted with an understated mobility," praising the casting choices, and noting that even "peripheral" characters are "fully realized."[6] Holly Ellingwood of Active Anime described the relationships between the characters as "intensely platonic" and "pseudo-gay" for the most part.[127]
ANN noted that the second anime season tends to overdramatize, especially in the last three episodes. ANN also describes the second season as "more embarrassing andshoujo-ai oriented" than the first season, but that the solid characterization is still a strength of the series.[128] Holly Ellingwood of Active Anime appreciated the focus on characters other than Yumi and Sachiko for the second season, regarding Shimako's loss of Sei and befriending Noriko as being "one of the more moving" arcs ofPrintemps.[129] ANN regarded the OVA season as the best of the first three seasons, citing the improved production standards and the less melodramatic storylines.[130] ANN notes that the fourth season is "a return to dramatic form" after the relaxation of the OVA series, but it is not as melodramatic as the second season, due to the increased maturity of the cast.[131] Chris Beveridge, writing for Mania.com, found it odd that Yumi and Sachiko did not spend so much time together in the fourth season, and felt that the series needed an epilogue, but enjoyed seeing Yumi taking on some "adult responsibilities."[132]
Andrew Shelton has suggested thatMaria-sama ga Miteru's "reduced capacity for epic drama" is due to the lack of malicious characters;[8] he considers the series "pure shōjo", mostly due to its character-driven storyline.[8] Japanese reviewers for their part regard the story as a revival of theClass S genre, and specifically a modern-day equivalent ofNobuko Yoshiya'sHana Monogatari.[1] Hairston notes thatMaria-sama ga Miteru emphasizes romance and emotion over sexuality, and it has a respectful treatment of its homoerotic themes.[3] He describes the series as "one of the most interesting and touching anime series of the last two years",[3] adding that it is "about self-discovery and self-acceptance."[3]
APizza Hut tie-in campaign for the fourth anime series started on January 7, 2008.[133][134] The Rose Mansion from the story was recreated in theSecond Lifevirtual world and opened on February 8, 2008.[134]
The Virgin Mary's heart was a blue sky, an evergreen oak tree, a Japanese nightingale, a mountain lily, and a sapphire. That was the song you were made to learn first upon entering kindergarten.
