Oh wow, combat android and maid. Of course, there were titles of the like, while not exactly the same in theme. An example of this is Steel Angel Kurumi, a series I have long reviewed over. Mahoromatic is sort of like that, but plotwise, essentially different.
Mahoro appears to be a normal maid... right. In all seriousness, she's a combat android from a secret organization Vesper, who retired from working on the frontlines to carry out the last of her days as a maid. This is something proven very early as she handles some robbers on the bus, the same one that Suguru Misato just happens to be on. Later, after making herself unannounced in his yard, she tells Suguru about herself, and later becomes his maid. Of course, this sudden change doesn't sit well initially with some people, among which a few of his classmates and his teacher who is after him (wait, what!?) Already alone, Mahoro's arrival seems to bring a spark in Suguru's life, even though they have something in common: the death of a certain man. It's enough that life becomes hectic for Suguru, especially with Mahoro and his teacher Saori Shikijo butting heads, but when her enemies reveal themselves, she must be ready to take arms once more and fight for her life... while she's at risk of losing that peaceful life, and her time is dwindling!
From first glance, I thought the anime would be on the sugary side, but watching just from episode 1 alone, I was off. While it is peaceful and warm in setting, the action picks up when the antagonists reveal themselves. It still has its comedic moments, and it is also a harem anime, so it has its 'moments' here and there. It also contains nudity in some areas, so if it's not your thing, or if you're too young, don't bother looking. Together, the anime in general is "standard length", as it runs for 26 episodes in all. Separately, they aren't much. Mahoromatic: Automatic Maiden lasts for 12 episodes, with the succeeding Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful featuring 14 episodes. Studios Gainax and Shaft worked on these titles, licensed for US and Canada under Sentai Filmworks. It is also old, dating back to 2001 during its original run of the first anime, and 2002 of the latter anime. But as it is a tragic drama, you can expect some serious moments. The endings are different, and while I say this all the time, this is a case where it can be somewhat similar in result, but the fate of the characters differ. I will say, though, that this title does follow through somewhat to its manga counterpart, but with a few situations taking place there and not in the anime (and vice versa). Mahoro is voiced by Bridget Hoffman in the dub, while Suguru is voiced by Derek Stephen Prince (who, in another harem anime Love Hina, voices Keitaro Urushima), with Wendee Lee providing the voice of him as a child.
Once more, the ending displeased me, as it was a bittersweet one, but overall, I say an 8 of 10 for Mahoromatic, which is ironic because this is how I felt about Witchblade (which is a much more serious anime), the one I FIRST reviewed... Oh well, until next time!
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