Synopsis
Geeky Hiroshi Karigari has always had a crush on his schoolmate Marie for as long as he can remember. But Hiroshi and Marie couldn't be more contrary... after all, Marie is the most popular girl in school, while Hiroshi is basically a nobody. But Hiroshi is a genius, and so he decides to make his own Marie! Hiroshi succeeds, and his android Marie is just about everything the real Marie is -- sweet, pretty, talented... only the hair color is different! Hiroshi instructs android Marie to help him bag the real Marie, the problem is, android Marie's feelings and emotions are so well-developed that she finds herself falling for Hiroshi...

Review
Funny and sweet, My Dear Marie is quite the undiscovered treat. It does not enjoy the popularity and exposure of romantic comedies like "Kimagure Orange Road" or "Maison Ikkoku", but it's actually an excellent title that's also worth some recognition. A dash of sci-fi is added in the mix, making My Dear Marie more than just your regular love story.

Characterization is very good despite the scanty number of episodes. The main characters flesh out very well, and their chemistry makes the whole viewing experience a lot of fun. Hiroshi is your typical nerd -- glasses, lab coat, and all. He's crazy about Marie, but he also knows that he doesn't stand a chance with her as he is. He creates android Marie, surpisingly not as a replacement for the real Marie. Android Marie is like his little sister, bodyguard, and best friend all rolled into one. Android Marie also has her own personality and feelings. She was programmed so well that she's almost human, which brings us to the main conflict -- Android Marie falling in love with Hiroshi. She wants nothing but Hiroshi's happiness, but will helping him win the real Marie give him that? Things are quite complicated for our charming female protagonist, and she is so endearing that you'll find yourself rooting for her too.

The art and animation are good, but the drawing style takes some getting used to. For one thing, all the characters have very pointy chins and ears that stick out. It's not bad, just different from the usual. The ending leaves a little something to be desired though. I would have preferred to have My Dear Marie end in a more conclusive note, but as it is, we are only given clues in the form of various stills and images. Still, this doesn't change the fact that this anime is very enjoyable and entertaining. I'd recommend it any day.

Miscellanies
The VHS release contains all three OAV episodes.

Screenshots

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