Maria†Holic Alive English Sub & Dub

About Maria†Holic Alive

Looking for background on Maria†Holic Alive (まりあ†ほりっく あらいぶ)? This comedy series by Shaft (2011) starts out like this. In short: Miyamae Kanako, a high school girl, who is allergic to boys, enrols in an all-girls school, hoping to find a female romantic partner. However, her ideal candidate, Shidou Mariya, turns out to be a mischievous cross-dressing boy, who together with his sarcastic maid Shinouji Matsurika, give Kanako really difficult times.

More of the story: Time passes and Kanako still fantasizes about her ideal female romantic partner(s), to no avail, alas. Living in the same room at the dormitory Mariya and his outspoken maid keep on challenging Kanako's sense of reality on a daily basis.

In a comedy series like this, timing, character chemistry and running gags decide whether it lands. Mariya Shidou (Yuu Kobayashi) and Kanako Miyamae (Asami Sanada) are two of the characters you will meet early. Think of it as a pick for viewers who want something light between heavier series. With 12 episodes in total, there is enough room for the story to develop.

Production & Appeal

Shaft is the studio behind Maria†Holic Alive, and its direction shapes everything from character design to motion. Because it leans on comedy, timing, character chemistry and running gags decide whether it lands. With a 6.7/10 score, it is more of a niche pick than a universal crowd-pleaser. On the casting side, Yuu Kobayashi voicing Mariya Shidou gives the lead role a recognizable voice. It aired in 2011, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.