Number of Episodes: 13 + 1 OVA
What Wikipedia says: As office worker Kobayashi gets ready for work, she is greeted by a large dragon right outside her front door. The dragon immediately transforms into a human girl in a maid outfit, and introduces herself as Tohru. It turns out that during a drunken excursion into the mountains the night before, Kobayashi had encountered the dragon, who claims to have come from another world. Subsequently, Kobayashi had removed a holy sword from Tohru's back, earning her gratitude. With Tohru having no place to stay, Kobayashi offers to let the dragon stay at her home and become her personal maid, to which she agrees. As Kobayashi has forgotten her drunken offering, she is initially reluctant to allow the dragon into her home despite her previous promise, but a mix of guilt and the usefulness of Tohru's dragon abilities convinces Kobayashi to accept her. Despite being efficient at housework, Tohru's unorthodox methods of housekeeping often end up scaring Kobayashi and bringing more trouble than help. Additionally, Tohru's presence attracts other dragons, gods, and mythical beings to her new home.
What KoanMan says: As with many anime, there is an interesting entry to the story that becomes clear over the course of the series, as the emotionally flat Miss Kobayashi (whist sober at least) catches up with her own life events. At times trite, and at others a little cheesy, the slightly convoluted plot unfolds to reveal different, and yet surprisingly similar characters, each with their own method of escape and identity-denial.
Director Yasuhiro Takemoto keeps the pace steady, integrating fan-service right into the characters in a story that does not take itself too seriously, and keeps the whole production light-hearted.
So How Does it End? (Spoiler free): Do slice of life series ever end? In any case, satisfactorily with plenty of room for season 2.
How About the Music? Music and mood is good, in particular, the jealousy and rage scenes are surprisingly well done, with no doubt as to what the characters are feeling.
Overall Grade: An easy watch and good entertainment that will not tax the cerebrum. KoanMan gives Miss Kobayashi and her infatuated maid a B.
Addendum by tTPO: Despite the extreme moe, generally successful comedy and currently fashionable fantasy setup, this is a remarkably emotionally honest and engaging series. The decision to separate the overt fan service from the slowly developing yuri relationship between Kobayashi and Tohru ends up lending more weight to the relationship than would be expected in this otherwise pretty lightweight series. I cared, and so did Mrs tTPO (who is not the greatest yuri fan). Recommended. B+
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