Orange

Full disclosure: I'm picky to the point of exasperation when it comes to anime. (As a woman, fanservice drives me nuts.) But I liked the dubbed version of this one so much I now own the full series. Yes, it's a slow burn. And yes, Naho can seem a little timid, especially when viewed through the American cultural lens. But that's kind of the point. We wouldn't be able to really see her growth as a character if she didn't start out that way. And that's what this anime is supposed to focus on: how our choices either encourage our growth as human beings or stall it. Romance is certainly a part of this, but it's not all of it, which is why it plays the role of a subplot in this anime (as many have griped about). Great balance, fantastic music, very respectful handling of sensitive topics, and yes, cute couples (without a hint of fan service in sight if you watch the dubbed one). I docked it a star only because there is one mild innuendo, one (relatively innocent) comment about how short some girls' shorts are, and (in the dubbed version), a handful of misuses of God's name (though this is likely a translation problem). Not quite as squeaky clean as its sequel, but definitely a must-watch! (Keep the tissues handy, though.)

Note: The original subbed version does contain a joke about fanservice, which I do not endorse. This review applies only to the dub.