High Score Girl: Extra Stage

Following straight after the final episode of the series, these three OVA are in no rush to complete the story, which is surprisingly a good thing.
We get new interesting characters introduced, development for the existing characters and the story continues at a steady pace that makes you want more.
Like the series, the art, music, opening and closing are the same. Though I do feel Oono has gotten even more expressive.
If you loved the series, you will love the extra episodes too, they are just as great.
What more is there to say, except here's hoping we get more High Score Girl in the future.

“High Score Girl: Extra Stage” is the sequel to the TV Anime “High Score Girl”. It chronicles the life of gamer Yaguchi Haruo growing up as a teenager in the mid to early 90s.

Story: 7/10

The story in itself isn’t anything too special in these three episodes. It wraps up the loose ends that were left behind by the initial 12 episodes. This includes Yaguchi’s final duel with Hidaka and the ever increasing strictness in Ono’s home life. It can get pretty cheesy at times but there’s some charm to it that will keep you interested.

Art: 8/10

One of the first things people probably see about this ... show is the strange art style. It uses CGI bodies with hand drawn heads and faces. It’s a strange combo but I didn’t find that it hurt the show. It actually started to grow on me if anything. I think the biggest positive I can give to the art is Ono’s expressions all throughout. She doesn’t have any dialog outside of non-verbal noises so her body language is all you have to go on. The studio has done a fantastic job at getting her emotions across as she’s very expressive.

Sound: 8/10

The intro and outro are superb. As for the the score during the show itself, they do a solid job at helping to build the atmosphere or mood of a specific scene. I never really felt like it chewed the scenery which is a good thing.

Character: 9/10

One of the biggest strengths of this show has always been the characters and that fact holds true here. Everyone in the show is lovable and memorable so I enjoy watching them interact with each other. I even enjoyed a couple of the new characters introduced within this OVA such as Ono’s sister.

Enjoyment: 10/10

What can I say? I’m a total sucker for all these video game references. The best part is that it never really comes across as if it’s forced or cringy, it does it’s own thing and I really enjoy it for that.

Overall: 9/10

“High Score Girl: Extra Stage” is an enjoyable affair that you’re sure to enjoy if you like slice of life. I especially recommend it if you have an affinity for retro video games as I do.

This sequel doesn't accomplish much. Unless being momentarily annoying is considered an accomplishment.

Mrs. mute is still mute and mr. dense so dense they could have as well named the specials 'Extra Dense'. Kohara, the 2nd harem option is still the only person who feels even slightly human. But even her purpose in these specials seems to be hitting mr. dense and make him atone physical pain. This scene is, by the way, followed by bunch of side character dudes also hitting mr. dense because apparently, if girl hits a man, it's the man's fault and other men should also start punching him. I am not ... sure if this is supposed to be humor, but a) I don't especially enjoy It'S a PrAnK bRo -tier jokes, and b) it feels like pro-misandrist propaganda at best.

In terms of story-writing, more romance cliches are introduced and this time around 3rd party is trying to cut the obvious canon pairing's relations because manblaming whilst people at the same time tell mrs. mute not to blame herself. Kohara's story is equally shitty since she challenges the bro in a match and then rages, also blaming him for everything. I thought the main season was still average despite its problems, but now these ideals presented here are downright appalling. I am not sure if this is giving worse picture of pussywhipped men or girl gamers, but I guess it doesn't matter since this doesn't represent any parties with realism.

The mary sue traits are pushed even further here which makes mrs. mute's character feel even more like an empty object. There doesn't even seem to be any advancement coming in the future either due to more irrelevant side characters being introduced in the purpose of side-tracking, and the same story elements being recycled. The alarming part is that this side-tracing filler is much more substantial than the main story line. Let me just quote mr. dense: "We will be separated again. I wonder how many times we have been separated already." I will tell you; too fucking many. So many that our story and "characters" can now be described with one singular word: fake. Even rushed conclusion would have been better than this level of lame.