If you have watched the anime or read the manga this will disappoint. Without Lion-san... it just isn't a story to me. Asumi was way too tall and old, but the others were cast well. Because Lion-san was missing, a lot of story points that were, to me, crucial were glossed over or missed. Overall I had too hard of a time divorcing myself from one of my favorite anime to watch this because the anime left such a strong impression. Story? Watch the anime, way better and longer too!