Japanese release (region 2) DVD Fan Discs of the Junjou Romantica series will be released to commemorate Nakamura Shungiku-sensei’s 中村春菊 Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi 世界一初恋 anime that will be broadcast in April 2011,

Titles:
1) TV Anime Junjou Romantica (Season 1) & Junjou Egoist DVD Special Fan Disc
2) TV Anime Junjou Romantica (Season 2) & Junjou Terrorist DVD Special Fan Disc
TVアニメ「純情ロマンチカ（第1期）＆ 純情エゴイスト」DVDスペシャルファンディスク
TVアニメ「純情ロマンチカ（第2期）＆ 純情テロリスト」DVDスペシャルファンディスク
Price: 3,990 Yen each
Release Date: 25 February 2010

Features:

• Collection of re-edited scenes from the series. 純情ロマンチカ, 純情テロリスト, 純情エゴイストの名場面集
• Character introduction キャラクター紹介
• Misaki’s cooking special 美咲のお料理特集/本編で作った美咲の料理を一挙に紹介
• Audio commentaries voice cast (planned)
  1st season: Itou Kentarou and Canna Nobutsushi 上条弘樹役：伊藤健太郎, 草間野分役：神奈延年
  2nd season: Hanada Hikaru, Namiki Noriko 宇佐見秋彦役：花田光, 相川絵里役：並木のり子
• Illustrated CD Jacket and booklet illustrated by Nakamura-sensei
• Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi Promotion video preview 「世界一初恋」の先行プロモーション映像を収録！

I probably won’t put this on the priority list… I mean… I already have all 12 Japanese version DVDs of this series which cost me a bomb. But Misaki’s cooking special video looks like fun. :-\

Compared to the Japanese release (Region 2), it is cheap at US$49.99 for the whole season. But I guess we’re paying for all the extras in the Japanese DVDs, since the price of each DVD can get you the whole English subbed set already ^^;;;

Price: US$49.99 US$40.99
Release Date: 4 May 2010
Boxed set comes with a 24-page booklet featuring character bios, artwork and behind-the-scenes information.
Special Features: U.S. Season 1 Trailer, Clean Opening and Closing, TV Spot, DVD Commercials, Previews.
Spoken Languages: Japanese, English subtitles.

It is subbed and not dubbed (lol~ so far we haven’t had any English dubbed BL DVDs, right? XD) but I guess that is best left to the Japanese seiyuus (^///^)

Date of release for season two has not been announced yet :)

Music by:
Vol. 1 ~ MOKA, pigstar, SCRIPT
Vol. 2 ~ MOKA, pigstar, JUNED

Mini Drama Seiyuu:
Takahashi Misaki 高橋美咲: Sakurai Takahiro 櫻井孝宏
Usami Akihiko 宇佐美秋彦: Hanada Hikaru花田光
Takahashi Takahiro 高橋孝浩: Taniyama Kishou谷山紀章
Misaki (Young): Ise Mariya 伊瀬茉莉也
Obasan おばさん：Nishizawa Hiroka 西沢広香

Review/Comments:
Junjou Romantica Sound Collection 1 features all the music composed by MOKA for season one of the anime as well as the TV-sized versions of opening and ending songs.  Junjou Romantica Sound Collection 2 has that of season two. As an omake of sorts, both collections also contain five super-cute mini dramas each. These ten mini dramas were adapted from the mini comics that were on the inner covers of the original Junjou Romantica manga.

One of the things I love about Junjou Romantica anime is the music. Refreshing, evocative yet quirky at times. The varied style, melody and instruments used in the compositions are never out-of-tune with the pace of the drama in the series. In fact, I just can’t imagine how Junjou anime would’ve turned out if the music wasn’t this good. Who wouldn’t have their hearts skipping a beat or ache whenever Usami and Misaki’s love theme 夢見ごこちBOY comes up? And the anxiousness we feel when we hear Nowaki and Hiroki’s ONE-SIDED theme drumming up the pace in the background at their impending break-up? And the sweetness of 幸せの予感… ah~ there are just too many perfect pieces in both collections for each scene to mention.

The piano and violin versions of the opening, ending songs as well as certain themes are also very beautiful. It is just amazing how changing musical instruments and arrangements can bring out a completely different atmosphere in the same composition. I’m glad they included the TV-sized versions of the opening and ending songs in the CDs. This is the only gripe I have with the lovely Antique Bakery anime soundtrack which did not do so… but that is for another review post.

The mini-dramas are little gems by themselves. The placing of the dramas within the track listings flows well with the other music pieces and are non-disruptive. The mini-drama in Sound Collection 1 is generally about a younger Takahiro gushing to Usami about how cute kiddy Misaki is and the things he does, but most of the time, they are silly enough to make Usami wonder if Misaki is an idiot lol~ As for Sound Collection 2, Takahiro keeps running to Usami for advice on how to deal with young Misaki’s rebellious behaviour amongst other growing up issues.

The dramas are very well-acted and funny. They also give us a deeper insight about the friendship and interaction between Takahiro and Usami. We  get to know Takahiro as a person better and boy, he -is- cute! I really like young Misaki’s voice too.

Both CDs have beautifully illustrated covers which are in bright, happy colours. Even the discs and inner sleeves are printed with cute designs of duck, bear and panda mascots. They’re definitely something you’ll love to have and own.

Vol. 1 Track Listings:
1. 純情ロマンチカ
2. 純情テロリスト
3. 純情DAYS
4. 君=花 (piano ver.)(OPテーマ)
5. ミニドラマ1 (Mini Drama)
6. 純情エゴイスト
7. ONE-SIDED
8. よろこびの瞬間
9. 変わりえぬ、ひと
10. ミニドラマ2 (Mini Drama)
11. 夢見ごこちBOY
12. 純情LOST
13. 純情行動派
14. ベイビーロマンチカ (piano ver.)(EDテーマ)
15. ミニドラマ3 (Mini Drama)
16. 抵抗中
17. 不安な夜
18. 幸せの予感
19. 誤解DAYS
20. ミニドラマ4 (Mini Drama)
21. …一緒
22. 青空ワルツ
23. キツいテンション
24. 木漏れ日
25. ミニドラマ5 (Mini Drama)
26. 純情ペシミスティック
27. 君とのテンション
28. やすらぎ
29. 純情ロマンチカ (strings ver.)
30. ヒミツの企み
31. 君=花 (TVサイズver.)(OPテーマ)
32. クマのぬいぐるみ
33. ベイビーロマンチカ (TVサイズver.)(EDテーマ)

Vol. 2 Track Listings:
1. 突然のロマンス
2. 純情エゴイスト デートver.
3. 純粋恋心
4. 2OP「衝動」piano ver.
5. ミニドラマ6 (Mini Drama)
6. 俺はあなたを
7. 僕らの旅
8. 星の部屋
9. 優しい抱擁
10. ミニドラマ7 (Mini Drama)
11. 誰にも言えない悩み
12. 抑えきれなくて
13. 幸せ、たくさん
14. 2ED「相生」piano ver.
15. ミニドラマ8 (Mini Drama)
16. 疑い惑う心
17. そよ風 ※気分屋の 削除
18. うつむく街角
19. 哀しみの理由
20. ミニドラマ9 (Mini Drama)
21. 散歩日和
22. 浮かないキモチ
23. 悪い予感
24. BOYS’ MEMORIES
25. ミニドラマ10 (Mini Drama)
26. ひとりごと
27. 別れの始め
28. 純情テロリスト violin ver.
29. 好きと言えなくて・・
30. 純情ロマンチカ, forever
31. 一生の恋
32. 2OP「衝動」TV ver.
33. ひつじ雲
34. 2ED「相生-アイオイ-」TV ver.

Label: Frontier Works Inc. (PLC) (M)

Limited edition Junjou Romantica DVD Vol. 6 tokuten is a pair of cute Piyo-chan socks (something I will probably never wear/use… kinda wasteful ^^”) and a mini manga.

Episode 11 is the continuation of the Junjou Terrorist arc (Miyagi x Shinobu) from the previous volume. There is some angst involved but overall still okay.

Episode 12 is Junjou Romantica (Usami x Misaki) arc. It is also the concluding episode of Season one.

There isn’t much to censor in both clips but the darkened areas were removed, so we can see the “compromising positions” clearly :)

There’s still some con-non-con in Junjou Terrorist but is less disturbing and Misaki’s hilarious but seriously cute attempt to service an amused Usami. Enjoy! XD

1) Episode 11 Miyagi x Shinobu

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

2) Episode 12 Usami x Misaki

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Limited edition Junjou Romantica DVD Vol. 5 tokuten is a cute Panda mechanical pencil (kindly modelled by Lulu ^^) and a mini manga. It contains episodes 9 and 10: Junjou Minimum and Junjou Terrorist.

Chibi Usami x Hiroki is super adorable. There wasn’t anything to censor but I have to say, it is one of my favourite episodes in the first season. Sweet! xD

As for Junjou Terrorist arc (Miyagi x Shinobu), personally I don’t enjoy it as much as the other two. I’m not exactly sure why although I like Inoue Kazuhiko who voices Miyagi.

If you’ve already watched the censored TV version, you’ll know that there’s a non-con in this episode. I understand that Miyagi only intended to “scare” Shinobu off or something to that effect… but watching the uncensored version, I felt rather disturbed by Shinobu’s ordeal and it felt worse for me when I saw him in tears, so I didn’t include that part in this video clip.

Warning! There’s some non-explicit non-con (which didn’t go all the way but still…) if non-con in any form (forced kissing, etc) disturbs you, please don’t watch the video clip.

1) Episode 10 Miyagi x Shinobu

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Honestly, its been a while and I can’t remember what exactly were the censored scenes already lol~ Anyway, DVD 4 features Romantica couple Usami x Misaki again ^_^ Episode 7 and 8… eh… was it the one they went on a date? xD Very cute DVD covers. Hmm, I’m still behind on posting images of previous DVDs… the special for this limited edition is drama CD Junai Parallel (純愛パラレル) Fairy tale starring the Junjou Romantica characters hehehe Prince Usami ^^ and boy in the forest Misaki.

Update! On to the sweet yet smexy H-scenes ^^ Pantsu-less MISAKI Kyaaaa~

1) Episode 7 Usami x Misaki Cute… *ahem* window smex XD

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

2) Episode 8 Usami x Misaki By far the most revealing scene to date…

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

• Episode 12 FINAL (Usami x Misaki)
• Episode 11 (Usami x Misaki) <3
• Episode 10 (Usami x Misaki) xD
• Episode 9 (Usami x Misaki) ^^ very sweet… but sigh~ where did all the fan service smexing go… (T_T)
• Episode 8 (Miyagi x Shinobu) Okie… Miyagi redeemed himself here ^^
• Episode 7 (Usami x Misaki)
• Episode 6 (Nowaki x Hiroki)
• Episode 5 (Usami x Misaki)
• Episode 4 (Nowaki x Hiroki)
• Episode 3 (Usami x Misaki)
• Episode 2 (Usami x Misaki)
• Episode 1 (Usami x Misaki) XD SOoOOo Cute! I think the animation improved cos the movements seem smoother and more fluid. The wait is not in vain. Awesome episode ^^ YAY JUNJOU!

Anyway these 2 episodes of Nowaki x Hiroki are both my favourites cos besides the hot smex, it was rather touching and angsty :)

The DVD contains episode 5 and 6. It also comes with the short manga and a cute brown place mat with chopsticks. Both mat and chopsticks are printed with teddy bear Suzuki-san’s face I’ll post the photos when I can. I love the cover illustration and designs too. Really pretty. Gaaa… this series of DVDs are saccarine sweet. I’m so glad that season 2 is going to air in October! Love to see more Junjou cuteness xD

Oh yes… and the drama-mama library scene…

Watching the interaction between the couple moved me again but not as much as when I first watched the subs… ah~ so drama queen this Hiroki ^^ still he -is- a cutie. But this time, the scenes were kinda sweet/mild and not as hot as I wanted it to be. Seriously… they went through all that trouble to censor just a pair of naked legs (Erm… actually just one leg… and a half-naked butt) o_o||| You probably won’t even notice it even if you have watched the TV version. Maybe I’ve read too much hard core stuff. I can’t describe how mild this looks to me now.. lol~

Anyway… enjoy! ^^

Episode: 6 Nowaki x Hiroki

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Arrived… :) Clips here but the DVD has a much better quality than youtube… And now… for the H-scenes we’ve been waiting for…

(Episode 3) Nowaki x Hiroki
Well, I think they could’ve made it more nose-bleeding but I guess that might have rendered it unsuitable for the DVD rating. *raise one eyebrow* Whatever xP The perv is rearing its ugly head. Anyway, enjoy!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

(Episode 4) Usami x Misaki
Misaki looks rather alluring here and I find the H is sweeter ^^

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Limited edition comes with beautifully illustrated DVD cover and booklet (or liner notes as they call it), a short manga, a jacket for an upcoming light novel (I think), a cute water-squirting-sunshine-yellow rubber ducky (with thick KISS ME NOW lips) XD and -uncensored- Junjou episodes 1 & 2, non-TV broadcast special video and trailers.

If you are a hardcore fan, it is a no brainer. Of cos it is worth it! I’m not a hardcore fan but I’m pretty much sold anyway ^^” The whole package is lovely. Girls are just suckers for pretty things. But I’ll be even happier if it was cheaper tho… 6600 yen is (T-T) ~$~

Anyway, video and sound quality is great as can be expected, so yeah no complaints there.

As for the uncensored scenes in episodes 1 and 2… I personally don’t think they are explicit, so the stunt they pulled for the TV broadcast by obscuring them was probably erring on the overly cautious side. *shrug* HOWEVER! The Egoist arc may be a different matter cos from the uncensored trailer… gosh… they look pretty hot.

View the *cough* uncensored *cough* DVD-only Trailers in Vol. 1 for…

1. Episode 2 (Usami x Misaki)

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

2. Episode 3 (Nowaki x Hiroki)
(So NOW we know what we were missing while watching the tv broadcast) eee I sound like such a perv… woohoo~ watch out for Vol. 2 DVD end August.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

I can’t rip the whole DVD… so please don’t ask me to… ^^;;;

純情ロマンチカ Junjou Romantica DVD vol 1. will be released on 25 July 2008! :D

There’ll be two versions, limited and normal.

Limited Vol. 1 DVD will have the following goodies:

• DVD outer box (left pic) illustrated by Nakamura-sensei
• DVD jacket Illustration (right pic) by Nakamura-sensei and 8-page liner note
• A special 16-page manga #1 that features the characters
• Junjou Romantica rubber ducky X3
• Coupon #1 for exchanging limited version dvd tokuten
• Non-broadcast preview trailer

The Damage? 6,930 Yen (w tax)

The gripe? Only 2 episodes on each DVD *dies*

24 episodes = 12 x 6,930 Yen = 83160 Yen (approx US$850) You’ve got to be kidding me (o_O) And that doesn’t include shipping cost *faint* Erm, and please don’t do a Darker than Black / Koutetsu Sangokushi and release an additional episode 25 that is on DVD only (unless it is also included in the vol 12 DVD *grin*)

Update 28 May 2008
Hmm… there’s some “conflicting” info about the number of episodes that will be released for this series. There wasn’t any confirmation that there will be 24 episodes, was there? Just a rumour? Cos upon closer inspection… if each DVD only contains 2 episodes and only 6 DVDs will be released (I just noticed that the marketing promo text at comi-comi was saying that the 6th DVD is the final one o_O) So logically there are only 12 episodes? Unless plans are underway for Season 2… *rubs chin* Anyway…

Update 29 July 2008
Yup there’ll be Season 2 ^^ Official announcement out. Season 2 first episode will air in October XD Yay~ more Junjou goodness to look forward to.

Normal Vol. 1 DVD will have the following goodies:

• DVD jacket Illustration by Nakamura-sensei
• 8-page liner note (Same as Limited)
• Coupon #1 for exchanging Normal version dvd tokuten
• Non-broadcast preview trailer

The Damage? 4830 Yen (w tax)

Brothers and sisters. Start saving now!

DVD Release Dates

1. Vol 01 ~ 25/07/2008
2. Vol 02 ~ 22/08/2008
3. Vol 03 ~ 26/09/2008
4. Vol 04 ~ 24/10/2008
5. Vol 05 ~ 28/11/2008
6. Vol 06 ~ 26/12/2008

12 June 2008 Update!

Limited Vol. 2 DVD will have the following goodies:

• DVD outer box illustrated by Nakamura-sensei
• DVD jacket Illustration by Nakamura-sensei and 8-page liner note
• Special 16-page manga #2 that features the characters
• Junjou Romantica Radio CD “Business-trip” version. Cast: Hanada Hikaru, Itou Kentarou and Kishio Daisuke
• Coupon #2 for exchanging limited version DVD tokuten
• Non-broadcast preview trailer

Normal Vol. 2 DVD will have the following goodies:

• DVD jacket Illustration by Nakamura-sensei
• 8-page liner note (Same as Limited)
• Coupon #2 for exchanging Normal version DVD tokuten
• Non-broadcast preview trailer

The characters and animation were smooth and expressive, with many different facial expressions and camera angles which makes it rather engaging to watch. The backgrounds and enviroment scenes were also varied and beautifully painted too ^^ You can see that the animation was created with care and not “cheap” looking. The humour came across quite nicely and chibis were cute. The pace of the story was just right and did not detract from the original.

The H-scene in the first episode was kind of subtle (but then again maybe not *sweat drop*) and if you’re not familiar with the manga, you may not even catch what really happened LOL~ It was yummy ;) and non-BL fans will -definitely- freak out at all the other BL scenes as well. Ah~ But what a treat for BL fans! The voice casting was spot-on as expected hehe.

Yay~ again to a great start! (^_^) A definite must watch!

Update: 28 October: Junjou Mistake 純情ミステイク, a spin off manga about two side characters Asahina Kaoru (Okiayu Ryoutarou 置鮎龍太郎) and Isaka Ryuuichiro (Morikawa Toshiyuki 森川智之) from Junjou Romantica will be made into an anime!

This anime series is based on BL manga by Nakamura Shungiku 中村春菊 ^^ The first episode was aired in Japan on 10 April 2008.

Junjou Romantica Anime Official Site (http://www.suzukisan.info/index2.html)

Although I have to admit I haven’t been following the manga closely, I’ve listened to one of the drama cds and it was rather cute and funny. Sakurai Takahiro is back as Misaki and the promo trailer (youtube) looks promising! :D Probably won’t be explicit (like the manga or drama cd LOL~) which is fine as long as it is done well X)

Summary (adapted and edited from animenewsnetwork)

Takahashi Misaki is suddenly having some unexpected and odd problems. What started as a need for some college entrance exam tutoring has somehow led him to being romanced by a suave older man who also happens to be his older brother’s best friend. Confused by all of his brand new emotions, Misaki struggles to deal with his suddenly very odd life. And if that wasn’t enough, his suitor, Usami Akihiko (Usagi-san), has plenty of issues of his own. A man-child who decorates his room in giant teddy bears and toys, Akihiko is a famous novelist who also writes steamy boys’ love novels on the side. When Misaki cracks open one of these books and reads sentences like “Akihiko licks every inch of Takahiro’s hot body”…and Takahashi Takahiro happens to be Misaki’s older brother’s name… all hell breaks loose!

Cast: (Woo-hoo~ definitely a seiyuu-phile’s dream) xD
Sakurai Takahiro 櫻井孝宏 as Takahashi Misaki 高橋美咲
Hanada Hikaru 花田光 as Usami Akihiko 宇佐見秋彦
Itou Kentarou 伊藤健太郎 as Kamijou Hiroki 上條弘樹
Canna Nobutoshi 神奈延年 as Kusama Nowaki 草間野分
Kishio Daisuke 岸尾 だいすけ as Takatsuki Shinobu 高槻忍
Inoue Kazuhiko 井上和彦 as Miyagi You 宮城庸
Taniyama Kisho 谷山紀章 as Takahashi Takahiro 高橋孝浩
Namiki Noriko 並木のり子 as Aikawa Eri 相川絵理
Okiayu Ryoutarou 置鮎龍太郎 as Asahina Kaoru 朝比奈薫
Morikawa Toshiyuki 森川智之 as Isaka Ryuuichiro 井坂龍一郎

One of the hot screen caps from the first season :D