More than ten years after the original 4-episode OVA had finished airing, we are given more Futari Ecchi in the form of a 3-episode OVA reboot entitled The One and Only Step Up Love Story (aka. Futari Ecchi 2014). The story goes pretty much the same as the original in most aspects: Makoto and Yura wed after some focused arranged marriage compatibility dating, and then enter their lives as newlyweds upon their wedding. Some new characters debut that were not previously seen, and some characters are scrapped entirely or shrank in importance. The problem with this re-telling is it shouldn't have taken as much risk inthe department of originality (a shocker coming from a guy who usually hates when a reboot just rehashes the original). Episode 2 and 3 of this OVA....spend too much focus on OTHER characters, rather than our main couple! The original OVA had side stories, but they never dominated/took center stage above Yura and Makoto's relationship. This tended to dampen the enjoyment of this anime for me, as I came to see the couple I loved to root for from the beginning.

Episode 2 focuses on a young highschool girl named Rui Watanabe, who is trying to figure out what love is about and what to look for in a guy. Her father is a pervert and has soured her view towards marriage in general. She slowly finds counsel from Yura and begins to silently use Makoto as her implied model for an ideal man. (This episode may have been catering/paying tribute to the spin-off of Futari Ecchi's manga entitled: Futari Ecchi for Ladies.)

Episode 3 returns to the side story (from the original OVA episode 2) of Makoto's childhood friend and student he tutored, Miyuki Kikuchi, and expands heavily on it (almost to the point where episode 3 ends with a pretty lackluster close).

Generally, the animation also struggles a bit in a few aspects. Don't get me wrong, the drawing is smoother than the original, but there are constant long still-frames and "slow-mo" chop shots that just fail to live up to the original Futari Ecchi in its presentation. And again, a personal preference, but I prefer the voice talents of the original actors for Yura and Makoto (especially Yura).

Other than that, some character' roles are shrank such as Yura's promiscuous sister Rika, or removed altogether like Makoto's lonely cousin Kyouko. This can be a pro or con depending on how you felt about the specific character.

Overall, the reboot OVA is nice if you want to revisit Futari Ecchi or see some elements expanded on that were not as highlighted in the original (e.g Makoto and Yura's pre-marriage dating life), but it doesn't live up to the original or bullseye what made the first OVA as heartfelt. Again, the original production is simply superior in almost every way.

(And you may be thinking: this guy hasn't even touched on what this anime is about.....sex! Well, let me tell you this: Futari Ecchi, to me, is more about the love and bond of a young couple. Even though the sex is focal point of this OVA, it does not dominate the over-arcing simple message of marital love/dedication. You looking for sex? Yeah, it's here....but that is not the fullest part of this OVA's enjoyment. Look at it that way, and I think you'll be pleased with the results.)