Character: Out of all the series I've seen, Otogizoshi probably had the most potential. Right from the start, we're immersed in the plot and enthralled by the main character Hikaru, who must struggle to pose as her brother and fulfill a quest he cannot. While the dialogue is spare, each character's personality comes across clearly, and you come to like Hikaru and Tsuna, even while you wonder about the mysterious character of Mansairaku. They are real and subtle people, so we are more interested in their plight. Hikaru is clearly a noblewoman in every aspect, but she is not squeaky or shrill like most heroinesin anime today. Even while disguised as a man, she has an admirable, quiet dignity. If you're familiar with the Heian period, it's interesting to see it here, and if you're not, the story's easy enough to follow and it's fascinating to learn.

Art: In fact, that describes this anime as a whole. Quiet, elegant, and dignified, the art follows suit. Subdued realism meets Heian backgrounds. The care taken to keep this anime historically accurate (in setting rather than events) is amazing. It's worthwhile to watch the extras, if you have the DVD, and listen to the producers explain the detail that went into this work.

Sound: While the opening rock song is nice, it is not altogether suited to the series. All the same, the sound was not a detractor during the series. It didn't interfere with the story and it was atmospheric.

Story: I left the story for last because I found that most disappointing. While the first 13 episodes were fascinating as we followed Hikaru on her journey, the second arc in the series, where we're transported into a modern setting, left a lot to be desired. This half of the series is very slow and vague and at times I even got the feeling the producers didn't know where to go with it. They seemed out of their element in moving to a modern story.

Overall: While the second arc was disappointing, I would say that it's worth it to watch this series for part one of the story if you enjoy historical settings, subtle storylines, and realistic art.