Second thing: There is no plot. Nope. A couple of recurring themes, or running gags, but that's it.

Azumanga Daioh is a 'slice of life' anime, a running gagfest about the everyday adventures of a group of school girls. They compete in sports, take part in culture fests, take exams, go on summer study retreats and school trips, and generally live it up together. Each girl has her own personality, though in the end the heart of the series lies with Chiyo-chan--the genius 10-year-old who is advanced into High School--and Miss Sakaki--the tall, silent, glamorous, tough-seeming girl who is actually just shy and actually wishes she was little and cute and could own pets. (Her parents are allergic.)

Incidental to the girls' stories, it also goes into the lives of two of their teachers, who have been friends since school themselves. The teachers are possibly funnier than the students. Even the male teacher who leers at the students manages to be the source of more humor than grossness. In fact, this is one of the few anime series I'd recommend as safe to watch with little kids. No overt sexuality, no violence, no swearing at all that I remember (Maybe possibly from their teacher. Oh, and the teachers go out boozing together.) A few gags about comparative bust sizes, though.

The series is fall-off-your-seat funny. At least, it is at first. As time goes by, the series seems to run out of laughing gas, and though it's still fun to watch the misadventures of the characters, by Disc 6 you will no longer have to hold in the giggles.

I've heard it said that this series is actually more popular among people who are past their high school days, and provides a lot of happy nostalgia about what it was like (or could have been like) hanging out with your buddies during and after school. I agree with that, though I know people in high school whi also enjoy it.

Overall, Azumanga Daioh is the perfect thing to throw in the DVD player when you want something light and silly, and which you don't need to get too involved in.