The original To Love Ru television anime, a foundational series in the ecchi harem genre, has arrived on HIDIVE complete with English dub and subtitle options. The 26-episode series, produced by Xebec and adapted from Kentaro Yabuki's manga, follows Rito Yuuki, an ordinary high school student whose life is upended when an alien princess named Lala arrives on Earth and decides she wants to marry him.
Lala's arrival triggers a cascade of comedic chaos, as she brings with her a host of alien suitors, bizarre inventions, and a strict father who wants her returned to her home planet. The series leans heavily into slapstick humor, accidental nudity, and the escalating romantic entanglements surrounding Rito, who finds himself caught between Lala, his childhood friend Haruna, and the assassin-turned-classmate Yui.
While the series never achieved a MAL score that would place it among the genre's elite, To Love Ru's enduring popularity is evident in its multiple sequels and OVAs. Its blend of sci-fi elements with relatable school-life comedy and overt fanservice cemented its place in early 2000s anime culture.
Xebec, known for series like Shaman King and Space Battleship Yamato 2199, delivered a visual style that, while dated by today's standards, effectively conveyed the frantic energy and character dynamics that defined the show. For fans looking to revisit a classic or discover the roots of many modern harem tropes, the complete series is now readily accessible.
