When I first started checking for new anime on the Internet, way back in 1996, I found a game called Doukyuusei. I somewhat recall this game as I have seen it on chinese magazines. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to buy the game since there was no way for me, then, to get it. Some time later, by 1998, I decided to check again. Not only I found about it's sequel, Doukyuusei 2, but it has also turned into an anime! I, then, decided to check for it. Fast forward one year, I found another title, called Kakyuusei. At first, I thought it was another hash of Doukyuusei, yet it was different. Somehow, I felt more attached to Kakyuusei's character than those of Doukyuusei. This led me, again, to another search on the Internet, which is the focus of this page. What is Kakyuusei then? The best answer I found came from Dave Endresak, on his KASHA homepage. Here is what he wrote me later. (I edited it slightly, though)

"In the early '90s, Studio Elf created one of the greatest life-simulation games, ever. It was called, Doukyuusei, or "Classmates". Using a combination of exquisite character designs, detailed backgrounds, dynamic storylines, and beautiful music, the creative staff formed a game that allowed "The Player" (a male teenager, 18 years old) to try to win the heart & soul of the girl of his dreams by the end of the school year. The game was phenomenally successful, and it was decided to animate the game into a one-shot OVA of the same name. However, due to the rapid increase in popularity of the game and the popularity of the anime, it was decided to recreate the one-shot OVA into a full series of four OVAs entitled Doukyuusei. The first one-shot OVA and OVAs 3 & 4 were brought to America as End Of Summer and End Of Summer 2, respectively, by ADV. Thus was born one of the most beautiful pieces of animation ever created, and the saga had begun...

"With the continuing popularity of Doukyuusei both as a game and as an anime, it was natural to do a sequel. Since the game revolves around a specific set of characters in their final year of high school, it's more accurate to speak of a "successor" than a true sequel. The successor to Doukyuusei was Doukyuusei 2, both as a videogame and as an anime. In fact, the Doukyuusei 2 OVA series is one of the longest adult OVA series ever, with 12 volumes. In addition, it has had the honor of being broadcast on late-night TV anime programming beginning in July of 1998, with 9 volumes (edited from the 12 OVA volumes), and a 3 OVA special called Sotsugyousei: Doukyuusei 2 Special.

"Kakyuusei, or "Lower Classmates" was first released as a videogame after the success of Doukyuusei 2 (In fact, Doukyuusei is the sixth most popular bishoujo game of the 20th Century. Doukyuusei 2 is fifth and Kakyuusei is tenth!); and the release of the OVA series has been anxiously anticipated by fans of the series. Earlier, Pink Pineapple had produced another, independent, OVA series named Kakyuusei, which was brought to America as First Loves by ADV. One should never confuse the two series - the current Kakyuusei OVAs are the "Studio Elf version", and might be called the "true" Kakyuusei, since they are directly based on the videogame.

"The OVA story focuses on Yuuki Mizuho, the main female character, Kamiyama Miko and Nagase Tooru, the main male character made for the OVA. In the creation of this OVA series, however, it was decided to take a rather unique approach... Two version of the last OVA was made: one for general audience, and one for over 15 years old, which features an extra scene.

"After the inital success of the OVA, a second series, but this time for the TV was made. Also called Kakyuusei, it features the same character cast, including some that only had a cameo in the OVA, but a different story. It focuses on Minamisato Ai, and introduces a different male character, Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi. It spanned 13 episodes and one extra side story episode."

Note: All images and characters are copyright of Elf, KSS Studios, and Pink Pineapple. They are being used without permission.