Saikano is one of my most favourite animes of all time. What attracted me to it the most was how "realistic" it is, in a sense that all the characters reactions and thoughts are what all teens would react in truth. Chise is a very pitiful character... and what she goes through, her thoughts and all her actions, you can tell it hurts.
Shuji is also quite realistic, seeing as I think most guys would react the same way as he did if they were confronted with the same situation, and that's why I loved this anime a lot.
I just didn't like the ending though... -___- But I still loved it. I'm currently collecting the manga (which is more explicit than the anime, but it has a bit more humour than the anime).
I've watched the OVA (which there are two episodes) and am on the look out for the live action movie. The girl acting as Chise seems to look the part. ^^ Shuji... looks a little weird. But I'll judge after I watch it. ^^