Original Akane

If you compare this cel to images of Akane from later in the series it's amazing how much her character design changes. Here her face is quite detailed and "realistic" for an anime character.

In cels from late-series episodes she's drawn in a much simpler, more stylized way. I suppose it's only natural once you've drawn the same character hundreds of times.

I like this look better, to the point of thinking of this as the "real" Akane.