The Ouran High School Host Club anime debuted in 2006, but it was decades ahead of its time. The anime has everything one can desire from a Shoujo series, but at the same time, it made fun of every possible gender stereotype and Shoujo trope possible.

From an outsider’s perspective, Ouran might look like just another reverse harem anime with multiple characters going after the heroine. But it is only after one begins to watch the series that its true characteristics are revealed. And revealed they are in the most glorious of ways.

Ouran High School Host Club laughs at the face of gender stereotypes in Shoujo anime

Ouran High School Host Club satirizes Shoujo tropes and gender stereotypes | Credits: Bones

The protagonist of Ouran High School Host Club, Haruhi, is the biggest challenge to the popular Shoujo heroine stereotype. She is a tomboyish character, who is simply unbothered by her appearance. She even goes to the extent of nonchalantly cutting off her hair. It is the reaction of Tamaki that points out just how drastic her step was.

Shoujo anime often have at least one scene in which the heroine is hurt and the love interests begin fighting over it. Who could resist defending a poor defenseless girl? In Ouran, a similar scene occurs when Haruhi seems to be hurt and Tamaki is ready to throw hands. Only to realize that Haruhi wasn’t upset, she was just adjusting her contacts.

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Tamaki, the self-proclaimed love interest, is supposed to be a princely character, but his fragile ego is hurt every other minute. Kyoya, the cool character, is nothing but a scheming guy who only knows profit. Honey, the loli character, is actually the manliest of the bunch and has unrivaled fighting strength.

Honey and Mori’s characters are the opposites of each other | Credits: Bones

Mori, the strong and silent type, cares about Honey the most and the duo are inseparable. In fact, he is also particularly fragile. Now, let’s talk about the dangerous twins, Hikaru and Kauru, who are menace personified but also have a deeper character arc than anyone else.

Haruhi herself wants a stable career above all and does not have time for frolicking with guys. But after becoming a host, she is in charge of wooing women, a trait that comes to her quite naturally (to the horror of Tamaki). She isn’t meek or ditzy, Haruhi is blunt and apathetic in a way that makes everyone laugh out loud.

Ranka breaks every dad stereotype in anime | Credits: Bones

The series also replaces the deadbeat dad character with Ranka, Haruhi’s dad. He tries his best to support her, but he does not sacrifice who he is. He loved Haruhi’s mom dearly, but never hid his true self from Haruhi or anyone else.

Ouran High School Host Club satirizes Shoujo trends

Haruhi is an unconventional heroine in Ouran High School Host Club | Credits: Bones

Ouran High School Host Club does follow a few Shoujo trends, but in a way that it satirizes them. In Shoujo anime, one character is bound to be the main love interest, while the others serve as side characters. In OHSHC, Tamaki literally draws a line on the floor between himself and the rest of the host club members. He separates himself from the rest of the cast with full knowledge of the fact that he is the male lead. He even goes to the extent of calling others the “homosexual supporting cast.”

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Haruhi is often thrown into situations that any typical Shoujo heroine faces, but the way in which she handles them is unique. One scenario in which she went up against a few male bullies, ended up with Tamaki lecturing her about the fact that after all, she should never ignore the strength difference between her and guys.

Haruhi could care less about stroking Tamaki’s ego | Credits: Bones

Haruhi does not think of cutting off her hair as a huge sacrifice. She does not even care what she is perceived as, as long as she gets to study in peace. Rather than cooing at the beauty of the male host members, she sees what is within them. Every time Tamaki harps about his handsomeness, rather than getting swayed like any other typical character, Haruhi makes sure to puncture Tamaki’s ego instead.

Ouran High School Host Club anime is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
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