The only one of these things that got a PROPER treatment was Maria-sama ga Miteru, really. And that was a miracle. It even gave the ilght novelist creative control, and consulted her illustrator, who also drew the manga, for animation design. Ironically, the last two seasons of Marimite were Yumi and Touko, which is not even 1% as compelling as Yumi and Sachiko, AND it wasn't a novel-like series like Aoi Hana or Sasameki Koto or Girl Friends. Plus season four had a pretty desperate opening, really. In all 3 cases they should have given them series, said to hell with first-year ratings, and set themselves apart going forward. A solid 3-season commitment and lots of promotion. Look at how Suzumiya Haruhi pissed away half of its second season. It's not like anime never takes chances for artistic reasons. Of the 3, Aoi Hana is the most nonsensical to have given only one season. Even completely eliminating the little theater of whatever and little women things, you don't really get anything from the two main characters until the last third.