HI SCORE GIRL II

DESCRIPTION

CAST

MANGA ComedyHi Score Girl
OVA ComedyHi Score Girl: EXTRA STAGE

REVIEWS

• 

  Pockeyramune919

  74/100
  The sequel manages to lose the same amount of health as before, just in different levels.

  [ ](https://anilist.co/review/4983)

  I should begin by stating that I really do like High Score Girl. While my criticisms may seem harsh, it’s only because I was enthralled by the concept, enthralled by the show’s novelty, heart, and competence. While all those concepts can be found in the show’s second season, High Score Girl II, they’re not nearly as prevalent as I’d like. The show’s cuteness and competence oftentimes are devoured to make way for the drama, which I didn’t care for. It wasn’t what I signed up for and the second season certainly didn’t make me clamor for it. I’m not sure how much of a synopsis is in order since this is just a continuation of the previous season. Haruo must contend with Hidaka’s increasingly overt feelings towards him as he tries to connect with Oono despite it growing more difficult due to the different lives they lead. The music is good and the animation is of the same quality as before, so I don’t feel the need to get into those aspects of the season. Giving credit where credit is due, the comedy is still spot on. I loved the comedic dynamic created by Oono’s sister, Makoto, and Haruo’s mother, Namie. There’s just so much energy when they’re in a room together and I love seeing them as the coaches for Haruo’s relationship, even if they’re a bit ineffectual. My favorite bit was Namie’s weird snores that kept Makoto up. Haruo’s friends are also quite good. While the side characters don’t have much depth, (though I found myself caring a lot about Jiiya and Gouda) they will provide some laughs. I also enjoyed the obscure bits of gaming history including Virtua Fighter’s very strange CG portrait series. This is the one Haruo watched in the show:

  The parts where games and/or the romance with Oono were the focus were enjoyable, but more than the first season, I could not stand the love triangle. Regarding the first season, I said that the love triangle did not detract from the plot. This is not true for the second season. I know it may seem that I don’t like the triangle simply because I don’t like Hidaka. This isn’t the case; it would be petulant for me to not like a triangle if it served the story well or if both members were viable. Does it serve the story well? I suppose that begs the question of what the story is. If it’s a story of two children who grow closer due to video games, then no, it mostly obstructs it. The love triangle also doesn’t seem to help Oono or Haruo grow as people. It doesn’t really help Hidaka because, for one, without the love triangle, she wouldn’t _need_ to grow and its thanks to the love triangle that she needs to grow in the _first_ place. Hidaka as a love interest is an absolute joke. The first thing we see her do in _High Score Girl II_ is use her clout within the local arcade community to have Haruo bullied and driven from the arcade. Later, she tries to flirt with Haruo and sleep with him in a hotel room. She doesn’t get very far and the entire ordeal (and I suppose Hidaka) makes me uncomfortable. It contrasts nicely with Haruo and Oono, who had a very pleasant time when they had to share a hotel room last season. Overall, I didn’t see Hidaka as doing much besides confirming that Oono and Haruo were meant for each other, which I could have told you without her existence. The drama just feels really tiring, which is unfortunate given how exciting other aspects of the show are. Bear in mind I’m not saying the love triangle isn’t realistic, I’m just not sure what the point of it is for besides drama for drama’s sake. Oono’s family problems feel more organic since they were always there and are a central part of Oono and Haruo’s dynamic. This conflict didn’t grow old for me while the love triangle wore its welcome at the beginning of this season, if I’m being _generous_. At the very least, Oono never gives into jealousy towards Hidaka...she _does_ get angry at Haruo picking a _female character at a video game_, however. Sometimes, I honestly couldn’t with this show. The parts with Oono and Haruo were pretty cute, as always, however. It’s just so wholesome seeing them connect over video games, no matter how much older they get. It’s clear that an ending can truly make or break a story. While an ending breaking a story is [well-documented](https://anilist.co/forum/thread/9049), but it’s important to recognize endings that [improve the overall experience](https://anilist.co/review/5663). High Score Girl is an example of such an ending. I had such a good time with the final arc of this show in which Haruo and Oono compete in a _Street Fighter_ tournament together. This arc showcased the blend of video game appreciation and romance that I’ve come to love, reminding me of why I fell in love with the series in the first place. The tournament was very tense. While Oono and Haruo ended up facing each other in the final match, I still liked the swerve of Oono losing her first match, thus needing to climb up the loser’s bracket to get to Haruo. The final arc left me with feelings of both happiness and romantic longing. Probably one of my favorite aspects of the conclusion of this show is the fact that Haruo doesn’t need to compromise his passion for games to be an effective lover. He can love Oono as much as he loves video games, something that wouldn’t work with Hidaka, for she desperately wishes for him to separate her from video games. The final episode is also very nice; we see Haruo struggling with having to deal with Oono leaving again. Since she returned his trinket, he (understandably) believes that she’s moving on from him. This creates a somber mood. While most can guess that Haruo will get over his funk, it’s nice to see him have to finally work through his feelings since things are so dire. It’s cool to see the video game characters “helping” Haruo make it to Oono at the airport, once again tying the romance to video games in a way that viewers won’t see anywhere else. The ending was delightfully bittersweet. While the two finally declare their love for one another, Oono still must depart for America. Haruo vows to meet Oono there one day. As much as I love happy endings when it comes to romance, this ending felt quite authentic and I respect the show for that. I have to give a lot of points for the ending, it really did do a good job of showing just how great this show can be at times… ..the key words, unfortunately, are _at times_. While I really, _really_ did enjoy the ending, I’d be remiss to let the show off the hook just because it ended well. The journey, not just the destination, is important, and the journey was very, very rocky, at least for me. It wouldn’t be fair to me to give the anime a score that didn’t reflect the vast majority of my time with it. It’s really disappointing for me to come out and say it, since I had high hopes for this series going in, but I spent the vast majority of the season season being annoyed. Maybe it’s easier for me to acknowledge my feelings because the last episode showcased my biggest problem with the show: Hidaka. Hidaka’s appearance in the conclusion provides a nasty catch-22. Assuming she _doesn’t_ appear, then all the time we spent with her will have no payoff, thus, we’ll feel that our time has been wasted. Assuming she _does_ appear, however, she takes away from Oono and Haruo’s moment, possibly stirs up drama, and otherwise just reminds us of the tiring love triangle. I’ll admit that it’s nice that the show subtly conveys that Hidaka has moved on, showing that she has cut her hair and helps Haruo with Akira. What _isn’t_ nice is how Hidaka physically and verbally assaults Haruo for (again, _very understandably_) interpreting Oono’s return of her trinket as meaning she's moved on. The scene did very little in assuaging my negative feelings toward Hidaka. She rocks the boat to such an extent that my cute show is just uncomfortable to watch. A bit later, Haruo’s mother isn’t quite as bad, but she still criticizes her son for “giving up” when, as far as he can tell Oono has as well. This bit of the final episode reeks of taking agency away from Haruo and I don’t particularly enjoy it. Nor did I like the general framing of Haruo being somehow “dense” and not being a mindreader, for he’d _have_ to be to know that Oono wants him to go to her despite _actively providing evidence for the contrary_. I don’t consider myself particularly dense, but according to the show, me and Haruo are. Ugh And bear in mind that’s the last episode, one that I actually enjoyed. That might give a sense of just how annoyed I was for the _rest_ of the segments involving Hidaka. Still, the ending did do a lot to regain the points the show lost in my mind, but the points don’t amount to a much higher score than the first season. All _High Score Girl II_ did was flip its high and low parts. The first season (not counting _Extra Stage_) had a very solid beginning before declining, while II features an annoying beginning and a strong finish. Ultimately, the higher score I gave Extra Stage was not indicative of the second season improving upon the first, it was just indicative that the sequel season would have select sections that were great. At the end of the day, _High Score Girl_ is a hard show to hate. It’s cute, it’s interesting and fulfills a very specific niche for anime. I’m sure there are many anime watchers who enjoy video games and romance stories, so they’ll be sure to get something out of _High Score Girl_. I’d still want people to see this show of themselves due to how unique it is. At the same time, I’ve found this is a difficult show to love. If it’s not somewhat average, it’s annoying. The highs are high, yes, but it can be a slog to get to them and I’m not sure it’s worth it. Like I said last season, unless you’re _really_ into all the elements of the show, I’m not sure I can recommend it. Of course, I infamously don’t enjoy love triangles, so maybe it’s just me. As I said in the beginning, I do like this show. I even love parts of it. But overall, I don’t love all of it. 7.4/10 C
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• 

  Gomia

  100/100
  Por que High Score Girl é a melhor obra de romance já feita?

  Olá, mostrarei o do porquê eu acho esta a melhor obra de romance já feita. Você está no direito de discordar ou concordar comigo, afinal, é apenas minha visão. Não usarei, como argumentos, elementos técnicos como: iluminação, cenário, ambientação e etc. Apenas sobre o desenvolvimento dos personagens em si e a forma que eles amadurecem.

  Poderá ter spoiler. Avisado está.

  • Sinopse.

  A história conta a rotina de um garoto que se considerava o melhor da sua cidade nós fliperamas (videogames). Um certo dia, ele encontra-se com uma garota de sua idade que, até então, parecia ser superior na questão de habilidades nós jogos. Sendo assim, encontrando uma rival a sua altura. Nessa tal rivalidade, encontrando-se uma bela amizade. A obra mostra o desenvolvimento dos dois personagens e a forma que isso é construído.

  • Os protagonistas.

  A relação desses dois é muito bem construída. Tanto romântica, tanto como amigos. Haruo, um garoto do fundamental despreocupado e que parecia aproveitar muito bem seu tempo como criança. Não era focado muito nós estudos e passava a maior parte do tempo jogando videogame (fliperama). Em um dia normal, como todos dos outros, Haruo foi na locadora que habitualmente ia. Considerava-se o melhor jogador, até esse dia. Havia encontrado um oponente digno, mas espere... É uma garota! Após isso, Haruo decidir viver para um dia ser tão bom quanto aquela garota misteriosa (que agora é sua rival). A construção e evolução de uma laço afetivo, a partir desse encontro, é muito bem feita. Os diálogos, as interações, a forma que aqueles dois personagens agem, parece tão natural. Você consegue sentir um verdadeiro sentimento de afeto emocional vindo dos dois. Muitas obras de romance, tendem a fazer uma relação muito forçada. Os personagens acabaram de se conhecer e, não depois de muito tempo, acabam já a demonstrar um certo afeto amoroso (??). No caso, não acontece em High score Girl. Até o dia que o protagonista decide aceitar que aquela garota não é mais uma rival e sim a pessoa que ele ama, demora. Não é algo as pressas, como muitas obras de romance tendem a fazer. Por isso, ao meu ver, essa obra já merece muito pontos comigo.

  • A introdução de uma rival amorosa.

  A Hidaka tem um papel mais importante do que ser uma rival amorosa. Hidaka conhece o Haruo no ensino médio, depois da partida de Oono do Japão. Ela se interessa pelo Haruo, após ver seu vício em videogames. Assim, sempre que tinha chance, ela o observava jogar. Hidaka se encaixa no tipo de personagem que eu havia dito anteriormente. Acabou apaixonando-se bem rápido. Por mais que no início ela não soubesse direito o que era, estava bem óbvio suas intenções. Depois que a Oono voltou para o Japão, Hidaka percebeu o porquê aquele jovem viciados em jogos não lhe dava tanta atenção e é isto que eu mais gosto desse protagonista. Mesmo depois da Oono ter ido embora, ele não esqueceu dela e continuou a pensar nela como uma rival, preso nisso. Mesmo Hidaka deixando bem óbvio que sentia algo por ele, Haruo parecia não ligar. Ele apenas queria derrotar sua rival e ficar ao lado dela. Viveu todos aqueles anos pensando nisso. Hidaka percebeu que a relação daqueles dois era diferente e distante ao que ela tinha. Ela é uma personagem que mostra os verdadeiros sentimentos do protagonista. Ele amava a Oono (por mais que constantemente dissesse que aquele sentimento era apenas uma rivalidade) e não queria estar do lado dela apenas para ter relações sexuais ou satisfazer-se como homem, ele queria estar porquê simplesmente adorava o sentimento que era estar ao lado de sua "rival". Ele pensava com o cérebro e não com seu órgão reprodutor masculino.

  • Nota da obra.

  Como eu havia dito, essa análise é mais minha visão pessoal. Não sou nem um tipo de analista profissional. Realmente gostei muito de acompanhar essa belíssima obra. Foi a primeira no qual eu realmente sentir afeto entre os personagens ao invés de puro prazer sexual. Para mim, High score Girl merece um 10 pelos os personagens, pelo o desenvolvimento, pela a forma que ele retrata as relações humanas. Sem dúvidas, se você ainda não viu a história, recomendo que veja. Uma obra que ensina de uma forma simples e meiga sobre o que é realmente amar. Algo que nunca tinha visto em nem uma obra. Minha experiência assistindo a tal, foi magnífica. Chega até ser difícil explicar com palavras a forma que me sentir assistindo tal obra. Como eu disse anteriormente, é uma história que merece muito um pouco do seu tempo.

  • Conclusão.

  Bem, acho que termino aqui. Quero novamente exaltar o fato de, tudo isso, ser apenas minha visão pessoal. Como outro ser vivo pensante, tem o direito de concordar ou não em respeito ao meu modo de pensar. Foi realmente maravilhoso acompanhar essa obra nipônica que tem como o tema principal o amor. Novamente me despeço. Espero que tenha gostado da leitura e até um outro dia, suponho.

  
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