Hana Yori Dango
That's just within the first few episodes too. The three other F4 members consists of Mimasaka Akira and Nishikado Soujirou, who are both play boys and Hanazawa Rui, the more quiet, antisocial of the bunch. At first Tsukushi falls for Rui because of his violin playing and more nicer attitude, but Rui already has a childhood sweetheart, Shizuka, who's a model and law student aboard. Domiyouji, in a whacked way, gets attracted to Tsukushi and trys to win her over first with money and then through a few childish antics. But when Shizuka comes back but then announces to the world that she will give up her family inheritance in order to serve the poor back in France. Rui is real broken up at first, but follows Shizuka over anyway. And now with Rui gone, Domiyouji and Tsukushi start developing a relationship. What's sad and humorous about this is that Domiyouji really likes Tsukushi but she herself is still a bit hooked on Rui. So when Rui returns alone from France, and Domiyouji catches them kissing on the beach, both the comarde and relationship is broken.
The whole anime series runs a total of 52 episodes which has other people who come in to try to affect Tsukushi and Domiyouji, ranging from a rival lover, an old enemy, Domiyouji's intimidating mother, his sudden finance and finally Tsukushi's financial situation. Although the ending seems a bit unresolved, the manga version by Kamio Yuuko doesn't end like that but continues for quite a bit with a whopping 35 volumes or so. For more info on manga version: UsagiPikachu's Manga Review of Hana Yori Dango.
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This anime's title translates to something like "Flowers Before Boys". The main character is Makino Tsukushi, a 16-year old, pig-tailed brunette, who we learn is going to a very pretigious school that only rich kids go to. And by all means, Tsukushi's family is not rich, but in an attempt to hit the jackpot, Tsukushi's family forces her to attend Eitoku Gakuen in order to meet a rich guy and marry into fortune. Little does her family know how ostracized she feels because most of the student body looks down on her. Makino herself swears to pass high school as quietly and unconsiously as possible. But diasaster strikes when Tsukushi stands up to the leader of F4, Domiyouji Tsukasa, to the rescue of her friend. The F4 is a group of 4 "flower" boys whose family have much power in the school and therefore, they themselves have don't go by school rules. Due to Tsukushi's heroism, she is tagged for war via a red flag in her locker and the whole school, eager to please F4, is against her. Her classmates taunt, torment, and chase her around the school, even going so far as to physically abuse her. Finally, when she had enough of this abuse, she retaliates and declares war on the F4 by slapping a simliar red flag on Domiyouji's face and then giving him a good fly kick for measure...
Spoilers- Tsukushi and Domiyouji's love endures through thick and thin until Domiyouji mother literally imprisons him in the mansion. When Tsukushi tries to see him, Domiyouji had flung a chair through the window and drops into the room. Seeing all his cuts and briuses from wrecking everything in his room, Tsukushi breaks up with Domiyouji. Back at school, no one has seen Domiyouji for awhile, until rumor arrives that Domiyouji is marrying Shigeru, his finance. Tsukushi is stunned at first but when she gets Domiyouji's note saying that the marriage is only a farce, she gets angry that he would do this to Shigeru, since Shigeru and her have become friends, and jumps onto a raising anchor of the marriage boat to give Domiyouji a scolding. As the two of them bicker away, Shigeru plops her wedding veil on Tsukushi's head and confesses that she and the rest of the F4 planned this to get the two away. After that, Shigeru jumps overboard and it turns out that Kazuya, Tsukushi's Friend, has his fishing boat ready to fish her out. Back on the docks, Domiyouji's mother reaches for her cell while Domiyouji's sister, Tsubaka, pleads with her mother to let them be. As the call connects, his mother tells the captain of the boat to please take care of the two passengers. The boat sails off into the sunset as the two main characters reminscent over their past "courtship" ^_^ Then a short sequence, the two share an indirect kiss via an apple as the openning song comes on in the background.
This show is very amusing and quite emotional as well! Lots of love triangles abound although in the end you'll either rooting for Rui or Tsukasa to get the girl. If you're into soap operas, this is a very good selection for you. It sort of explores the differences between classes and also different points of views. Both Domiyouji and Tsukushi make a cute couple together though, because both are stubborn and both like to get their way, but you get the feeling that they are genuinely in love except for all the obstacles in front of them. Although there are a lot of slow moments where Tsukushi is narrating with thoughts, the less serious scenes have just as much of an impact on viewers. Also, the budding friendship that rises between Rui and Tsukushi although doesn't have a result, his support during tough times make it possible for Tsukushi to continue on... enough of that... The anime is drawn pretty good, and the voice acting is mad subperb! (UsagiSakura 10/10/03)