A true classic. Please do not let the early animation style nor the length of this anime discourage you; it is a fantastic work, and deserves to be enjoyed by anyone who considers themselves a fan of romantic anime. Something no one else has mentioned is the beautiful, original way the story wraps up. The ending is the best finish of any anime I have watched; it is magical, and makes watching all 48 episodes incredibly satisfying. Do yourself a favour and invest the time in this show; you will be rewarded.