Don't be deceived by the "Volume 1", I don't plan on spending too much time on this.

Hello and welcome to the first entry of this series. This will be about Animes/Mangas I don’t regret watching/reading—not just because they were good, but because they were captivating and aligned with my tastes, each "Volume" will be about Individual Animes, they won't be compared to other animes or of the same genre, unless it is tied to a series already. In this first entry, I won’t go into too many details about the episodes, as I have only watched the anime series. My opinion is solely based on the anime, not the manga. Also, please note that this is entirely my opinion, but I hope you’ll still find it worthy of watching.

For this first entry, I want to start with a really good anime series that I have fell in love with, an unforgettable anime as it is underrated, very few people know about this and are scared away for the wrong reasons in their first impressions. This anime series can be found on Netflix.

Hi-Score Girl

Summary: The story revolves around the life of gamer Haruo Yaguchi, the arcade game scene of the 1990s (particularly fighting games), and his relationship with quiet gamer Akira Ono, as we follow the characters from about age 12 to about age 17. Known as a 1990s arcade romantic comedy, the series is notable for its unique art style, and very precise depictions of the multitude of gaming software and hardware featured.

Source: Wikipedia

Strongest Parts: Does Rom-Com right, Interesting Setting and Theme, Realistic Characters, Good Balance of Focus on a lot of themes.

Weakest Parts: Lack of development on certain aspects, The Love Triangle.

"Does Rom-Com right"

I haven't watched a lot of Rom-Com's myself, most of the time I think they are corny and unrealistic, but Hi-Score Girl does it right.

It main's focus isn't about the protagonist scoring a hot chick or achieving the peak of the career or stop being a loser, in fact, I don't think the protagonist gives a damn about having a "special someone", which wouldn't be good in most Rom-Coms but it absolutely works in this, The Protagonist is just a teen that is really into videogames and wants to be the best at it, which when his obsession becomes what connects the two love-birds.

"Interesting Setting and Theme"

This might be the first anime *I have watched* that focus heavily on videogames and systems, if you are into the underground world of fighting games or generally arcade games from the 90s you will love this. I'm personally not much of an arcade buff but it kept me captivated on the scenes that focused highly on it, it was never boring to me!

The setting in the 90s might not be so original, but it does it very well with the videogames of the time, and even makes it relevant to the plot as a whole.

"Realistic Characters"

Back on the characters again, especially the protagonist.

Rom-Com's always use gullible and or dull characters, and it's only infuriating when it's all obvious signs and the main guy NEVER gets it, but this one is different, the girl isn't as expressive as you'd think as she is entirely mute, she expresses it by using more of body language and actions, and is overall "comfortable" around the protagonist. 

But the protagonist just sees her as an adversary, a rival in a videogame, as he is a bit dull but it makes sense when he is a pubescent teen that the main focus in life are videogames.

"Good Balance of Focus on the elements"

As previously mentioned, there is a good balance of the elements, they are really well-made and complimentary about each other, the videogames, the relationship development, the protagonist's obsessions and interests, it all ties itself together.

It's not too complicated to understand either, it is pretty soothing for a casual viewer.

Now to the weakest points...

"Lack of Development on Certain Aspects"

Basically, there isn't a lot of elaboration on Akira Oono's side of the story and family, it is not needed to know why she doesn't speak but I wish it was a bit more elaborated, but this is for a later part of this blog.

We know a bit of her family, and how she is overworked with expectations from her parents and that's why she is so much into videogames too, but they aren't really elaborated over the sister.

"Season 2's Love Triangle"

As much as I liked the new character, I don't think this Anime needed a Love Triangle at all, it feels a bit forced in but it still goes along with the anime's flow, but it doesn't make it any stronger.

That settles my somewhat lenghty "review" on the series, I hope you were convinced to give it a watch, I might remake this entry as I rewatch it or read the manga, and or overall improve and give more details on this. Thanks for Reading !

- The Pupgirl Guy, Nick 犬