Regardless of the time that's passed since an anime series has ended, sometimes its lasting popularity and supportive fanbase are enough to ignite a continuation. It can come in the form of a sequel series, a remake or in this case, a live-action adaptation. Even though the charming reverse-harem comedy anime Ouran High School Host Club ended in 2006, the series did so well that it received a live-action TV adaptation in 2011. This version even led to a film the next year, picking up where the TV series left off.
Fans of the original series may want to give the live-action series a try to to see how the Host Club's hijinks play out beyond the confines of the anime and manga, even if it isn't quite the same. Like any adaptation, there are similarities and differences that make for a different viewing experience. Whether someone's checking out Ouran for the very first time or is already a long-time fan of the series, here's what they can expect to stand out between the anime and its live-action counterpart.
Ouran High School Host Club's live-action adaptation ran for 11 episodes compared to the anime's 26-episode run, truncating the story that fans of the anime are familiar with. The TV drama adapts what are essentially the first 11 episodes of the anime. The live-action episodes aren't exact frame-by-frame recreations of the anime, especially when considering certain side characters are featured more heavily, but the plot overall is retained with little deviation. The story is still about Haruhi joining the Host Club to pay off her debt for the vase she accidentally broke, and each episode recreates the kooky antics of the club, its customers, and the relationships between Haruhi and the boys.
Outside of the shorter story length, the most obvious differences in the live-action Ouran are visual. The defining hair colors for the twins, Tamaki and Honey are far less exaggerated than in the anime. The signature powder blue Ouran High uniforms are also a much more realistic navy in the TV drama. With the anime being as comedic and camp as it is, the TV drama does make attempts to carry over visual gags, but like anything crafted through animation they may appear a bit awkward in a realistic setting.
Another rather large difference in the live-action Ouran is how much of a presence the character Nekozawa has compared to the anime. While the vampire-like president of the Black Magic Club appears in only five episodes of the anime, he shows up in every episode of the TV drama.
Nekozawa's somewhat menacing dark attire throughout the series is attributed to his photophobia. In the anime and manga this includes a black wig covering his blonde hair, whereas the live-action series opts for a simple black hairstyle and no wig at all. In the TV drama, it's almost as if he's an honorary member of the Host Club given how involved he is with everything going on.
What the live-action series chooses to add doesn't do much to deter from the essence of what Ouran High School Host Club is, which existing fans can surely appreciate. However, what it lacks may be where it falls short for anyone who's seen the anime or even read the manga. With the live-action adaptation retelling so little of the overall story, there's less of a chance to really delve into each character and how their relationships with one another develop.
Even though a shorter series may seem like the easier starting point for some fans in terms of the time commitment, the anime would still be the best place for newcomers to begin. It's only just over double the length of episodes, but as such, the anime develops a lot more character depth that will provide a much clearer understanding of all the relationships and everyone's personalities. Either the anime or the TV adaptation are good for anyone who's looking to watch a reverse-harem series, especially one that manages to satirize the genre's tropes effectively across both visual mediums.
The franchise's dedicated fanbase continues to this day, with a new musical stage-play getting its debut in Japan in January 2022. However a fan chooses to enjoy Ouran High School Host Club, they've got a variety of options to choose from that are just as cute and comical as the next.
