The series still commonly-known under its original Japanese name Nozomi Entertainment label earlier this year. Hence we now have a brand-new, economically-priced DVD rerelease.

This is not a dramatically revamped release, however. While the menu screens are in 16:9 aspect ratio, the actual episodes are still in the original 4:3, and weirdly, the opener always looks fuzzy compared to the much sharper pictures in the episode content. The English OVA episode 13 is included. Both language tracks are done in the digital 2.0 likely used on previous releases.

Exactly why the series was popular is not hard to understand, as its core concept is the realization of a common adolescent fantasy: winning the heart of, and/or lusting after, a pretty/handsome young teacher. (In fact, the first volume of the original DVD release acknowledged this by borrowing the Van Halen song “Hot For Teacher” as its subtitle.) It also satisfies the popular Alien/Magical Girlfriend trope, although that is just a secondary consideration. Contrary to the initial impression it gives, though, it is neither a harem series nor really even a true romantic comedy. Although a love triangle does form between Kei, Mizuho, and Koishi, one of the other girls in Kei's group instead hooks up with one of the other guys and the third girl never expresses romantic interest towards him even though they do come to a mutual understanding. The comedy aspect, though sporadically present, is usually subsumed to the romance elements rather than a part of it, to the point that calling this a romantic drama with some sci fi and comedy elements would be more appropriate.

But does it work that way? The series is very hit-or-miss in that regard. More so than most series, it depends heavily on some huge contrivances, including the dodge it uses to get around the impropriety of the student-teacher relationship and the nature of the “standstill disease,” which would be called a psychological condition if not for its peculiar physical effects. Mizuho falling for Kei is only thinly-ed and the later stages push too hard to generate crises where there really aren't any. The appearance of Mizuho's mother and little sister in the middle episodes also offers nothing beyond stereotypical comic relief. However, the series does much better when looking at how the relationship between Kei and Mizuho gradually develops and how the relationship dynamics amongst Kei and his group of friends evolve over time. It plays key moments where pairs must settle on being a couple or not straight, as well as the heartache which can result from even a gentle rejection, which gives them greater and more realistic impact. And when we finally learn exactly what traumatic event was the trigger for his standstills, it is definitely no joke and grants a certain logic to the nature of the standstills.

The series is, for the most part, not really a fan service title, either. It definitely has some shots of Mizuho's cleavage and both her and the girls in swimsuits, but nearly all of that is pretty mild. Unlike more recent fan service-focused titles, though, the series never quibbles over whether or not its couples are actually having sexual relations. In fact, the OVA episode is quite blunt about this, and one mid-season episode even deals with the fallout from one of the couples having a spur-of-the-moment fling.

Overall, the artistic effort by studio Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo OAV and a Titanic parody in a movie theater visit in one episode. Oddly, the artistic merits take a dramatic nose dive for the OVA episode, with character designs being cruder and frequently having problems staying on-model; consider the Art grade to be a whole letter grade lower for that episode.

The musical score is a mix of synthesized numbers and gentler piano numbers. Though weak early on, it does gradually improve and more consistently offers pleasing to the dramatic moments late in the series. The synth-driven, upbeat opener “Shooting Star” by Mami Kawada is a softer, more melodic number which is a nice song but seems a little too gentle in tone for the series.

Sandy Fox is absolutely dead-on to the original Japanese performance of Mizuho's sister Maho in of pitch and delivery style (for better or worse) and the English script sticks pretty close to the subtitles. Interestingly, the voice actress for Kaede was changed for the last three episodes, although this has little impact since she has few lines through those episodes.

Considered as a rerelease, this new offering is entirely for those who are being newly-exposed to the series or never got around to picking it up back in the day. Considered on its content, it is a mildly entertaining series with occasional strong points and some storytelling aspects which offer a different feel than most current romantic fare.