Sekirei is another title I passed on for the longest while, and suddenly got roped in when I checked it out. Funny thing is that given the girl advertised, I was expecting a soft, but rather risque and fanservice kind of anime... well, on that regard, I was PARTLY right.
The setting is in Tokyo, Japan, the year here is 2020. The world of Sekirei involves the titular characters as well as their owners, called Ashikabis. One such Ashikabi is named Misato Sahashi. Despite being a ronin that flunked the entrance exam twice, he is the hero of this story, whose fate literally landed on him in the form of Sekirei #88: the fist type Musubi. Because of him, Musubi awakenes in a process called winging, to which they kiss for a Sekirei to awaken. Following an eviction from a single apartment, as well as a chaotic encounter with two others, Misato and Musubi find themselves as residents of Izumo Inn (after dropping there from the sky.) He soon meets other Sekirei, some that forms an alliance with him, and some that oppose him alongside their own Ashikabis: some with good intentions, others the complete opposite. However, Mid Bio Informatics (often addressed as MBI) and it's eccentric founder Hiroto Minaka seizes control over Shinto Teito (a location in Tokyo) to serve as the battleground for a tournament known as the Sekirei Plan. However, some people don't wish to take part, since it has it's penalties: if a Sekirei should lose their symbol, or beaten so bad she/he ends up inactive, that Sekirei and their Ashikabi are separated for good. While he initially knows nothing of it, Minato will discover through battle that he has a bigger purpose in this "game" Minaka started, since he may be the one to end it. However, with other female Sekirei... he has a lot to deal with, that's for sure. While he has to keep his wits about him with the battles, there's another he'll have to survive: the battle for his affection between all of his Sekirei!
Sekirei is a currently ongoing series that has spanned 2 seasons, with enough indication that there will be a 3rd season. The manga itself is also ongoing, so it's not over yet. As expected, it is a harem and romantic comedy, but it also involves action, so that "soft" thing is automatically ruled out. Made in the Seven Arcs studio, it is licensed for US release under Funimation. The first 12 episodes and an OVA were under the title Sekirei in 2008, while 13 more episodes and an OVA (which was made as Episode 0) were made in 2010 as the second season Sekirei: Pure Engagement. Currently, there is no known info as to whether Season 3 will come out, but it will happen, as the last episode of Season 2 suggests so. From my perspective, they made the seasons based of the plot's "stages", so given Season 2's climax, we'll be seeing more of this series. Alexis Tipton voices Musubi, while the role of Misato goes to Joel McDonald (who did other roles as Takumi Fujiwara of the Funimation Dub for Initial D, and he also did other work as part of the staff for other titles, such as script work for Dragon Ball Z Kai.) Chuck Huber, who voices roles like that of Dragon Ball Z's Android #17, also has a role here as the voice of Hiroto Minaka, in all his eccentric glory.
I enjoy romantic comedies, but this isn't why I hold titles like Ai Yori Aoshi in such high regards. Sekirei is another on that list, not saying it's entirely perfect, but it has earned that spot personally for me. The comedy angle aside, the plot thus far has been enjoyable for me, scoring an 10 of 10 and a seat on the Perfect Grade roster. Sure, it isn't over yet, but I'm hoping the future titles fail to disappoint.
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