Watch Maria Watches Over Us

Maria Watches Over Us is an anime series produced by Studio DEEN in 2004 based on a light novel series by Oyuki Konno. The show is set in the exclusive Lillian Girls' Academy, a Catholic high school for girls in Tokyo, Japan. The story mainly focuses on the lives of Yumi Fukuzawa and her relationship with her "sisters" - the senior students who take her under their wing and guide her through her time at Lillian. The senior students are part of the student council, each representing a flower: Rosa gigantea, Rosa chinensis, Rosa foetida, Rosa canina, and Rosa multiflora.

Yumi idolizes the student council and especially admires Sachiko Ogasawara, a fourth-year student and the Rosa chinensis. Sachiko is indifferent to Yumi at first, but soon becomes more friendly towards her and eventually asks her to become her soeur - a younger student who is mentored by an older student in the school's aristocratic traditions. Yumi is thrilled to become Sachiko's soeur, but quickly discovers the complexities and expectations that come with this relationship. The show explores the intricacies of the relationships between the soeurs and their sœurs, the rivalries between the different flowers, and the drama that unfolds within the confines of the school.

Maria Watches Over Us has a gentle, contemplative feel that is typical of slice-of-life shows. The pacing is slow and the story often takes a meandering approach, focusing on the day-to-day interactions between the characters. The show is driven by its characters, who are all complex and multi-layered, with their own motivations and secrets. While there are moments of tension and conflict, they are more often subtle and understated, with the drama often taking place beneath the surface. The show is primarily aimed at a female audience and explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the bonds between girls.

The animation in Maria Watches Over Us is smooth and detailed, with a soft color palette that complements the gentle atmosphere of the show. The backgrounds are meticulously detailed, and the character designs are distinctive and expressive. The show is notable for its use of visual metaphors, which are often used to illustrate the characters' inner thoughts and emotions.

The voice acting in Maria Watches Over Us is exceptional and adds a great deal to the show's contemplative atmosphere. Kana Ueda gives a standout performance as Yumi, bringing both vulnerability and strength to the character. Candice Moore and Sarah Hauser also do an excellent job as Sachiko and Rosa gigantea, respectively, capturing the nuances of their characters' personalities and relationship.

Overall, Maria Watches Over Us is a beautifully crafted anime that offers a unique and insightful look at the complex relationships between teenage girls. The show is a slow burn, but its focus on character and atmosphere is sure to captivate viewers who appreciate a more contemplative and introspective approach to storytelling.

Maria Watches Over Us is a series that ran for 4 seasons (45 episodes) between January 1, 2004 and on Manga Entertainment