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Rating: 
Summary: Cute and Upbeat with a Clever Military Bent
Review: (Disclaimer: I have never seen Love Hina.)Watching this series makes me happy! The entire premise is based around cuteness -- I've never heard the *characters* of an anime say the word "kawaii" so frequently (I watched this subbed) -- but I don't think it's cloying or excessive. The fact that there's a definite military aspect to all of the magical girl action makes for some amusing jokes that the normal elementary-school-aged viewing audience is likely to miss. The young characters are likable (the adults less so, though I think Sylvie's grandfather is pretty amusing). Volume 1 contains some enjoyable, quick episodes and introduces the characters. The DVD itself doesn't (iirc) have particularly interesting extras, but the show content is sufficiently worth it. If you hate small children and think they're whiny, you'll probably dislike this, but try it if you can appreciate "the delight of viewing the world through a 2nd-grader's eyes", or cute things, or meta-humor about cute things, or cute things defending Japan from cute things, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Cute and Upbeat with a Clever Military Bent
Review: (Disclaimer: I have never seen Love Hina.) Watching this series makes me happy! The entire premise is based around cuteness -- I've never heard the *characters* of an anime say the word "kawaii" so frequently (I watched this subbed) -- but I don't think it's cloying or excessive. The fact that there's a definite military aspect to all of the magical girl action makes for some amusing jokes that the normal elementary-school-aged viewing audience is likely to miss. The young characters are likable (the adults less so, though I think Sylvie's grandfather is pretty amusing). Volume 1 contains some enjoyable, quick episodes and introduces the characters. The DVD itself doesn't (iirc) have particularly interesting extras, but the show content is sufficiently worth it. If you hate small children and think they're whiny, you'll probably dislike this, but try it if you can appreciate "the delight of viewing the world through a 2nd-grader's eyes", or cute things, or meta-humor about cute things, or cute things defending Japan from cute things, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant and Funny
Review: In the not-so-distant future, military hardware has become so expensive and complex that each armed force in Japan (army, navy, air force) can only afford to build and maintain a single vehicle (mecha); for political reasons each mecha is piloted by a single 8-year-old girl, in order to save japan from 'cute' alien invaders. While this series has some points of intrigue and some commentary on world affairs and war in general, the main point is the humor and the cute, memorable characters. The dub takes pleanty of liberty, though Pioneer does a good job in improvising and in choosing the voices. Whether you watch it subbed or dubbed even those with only a minimal sense of humor will laugh and enjoy this brilliant and funny show.
Rating: 
Summary: From Hina With Love!
Review: Mao-Chan is a 2nd grader whose grandfather is the Chief of Staff of the Ground Defense Force. She has been trained to become a valuable member of the force since she was born. When she turns eight, she, together with her friends Misora and Sylvia, form the elementary school self-defense team. Mao protects the land, Misora, the skies, and Sylvia, the sea. These pint-size girls do their best to protect Japan from "cute" alien invaders. From the creative team behind Love Hina! Original story by Ken Akamatsu (Love Hina), Directed by Yoshiaki Iwasaki (Love Hina, El Hazard) and scripted by Yousuke Kuroda (Please Teacher). Featuring seven bilingual 15 minute episodes per disc with both dialog and signs-only subtitle streams! Volume one also features the non-credit opening to the series and a reversible cover.
Rating:
Summary: Very Cute Series!!!!!
Review: Mao-chan is about three 2nd graders who protect Japan. Theres 7episodes per DVD. There about 15minutes long but funny cute and great animation.. A must see
Rating:
Summary: It's Cute and Cuddly, You Can't Help But Smile!
Review: The world is at threat from aliens (OK, cute aliens) and the only people who can stop them are...three 8 year-olds?! That's the basic set-up to the ultra-cute series, Mao-Chan. From Ken Akamatsu, the mastermind behind the wildly-popular Love, Hina comes a look at saving the world through the eyes of an 8 year old. In this first volume, we meet our three heroines Mao, who controls all Land-based operations, Misora, who is in charge of Air-based missons, and Sylvia, who mans all Sea-based missions. Together, the girls must stop cute aliens from taking over Japan. Now, when I first heard about this, I thought the series was very annoying (and very girly; pink is diffently not my color nor mood). But after reading glowing reviews, I decided to give it a go. The first volumes has a total of 7 episodes, each about 12-15 minutes long, which is just enough cuteness that won't make you puke. The animation glows with bright and neutral colors that are appealing and add over-all character to this series. I listened to the English dub and was very pleased. Pioneer/Geneon has always done a rather excellent job with translations, so they get an A in my book. I gave this 4 stars because the voices for the English dub where rather soft and kinda high-pitched (then again, the main characters are 8 afterall). Also, with so many Magical Girl series running amuck, it puts a little strain on the over-all main characters. You also get the standerd extras, like a creditless opening, bloopers and trailers. But if you can get past teh faults, then Mao-Chan is a delightful romp through a world of cute kids (and aliens), non-violence and over-all fun!
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