Story 8/10:
As funny as it may seem, the most appealing aspect of the story to me is just how cliché it is. Oregairu mocks the standard romantic comedy structure in a way that it almost could be classified as a parody. It employs the classic concepts of a love triangle, a club setting, the tsundere character type, and the mandatory pool/beach/camping episode. Honestly, it seems to me that the series' creators intentionally do this in order to completely deconstruct and ridicule the genre while providing something unique and refreshing to viewers. Don't watch this series if you are expecting a story that has never been done before. Watch this series if you want a fresh and exciting spin on anime stereotypes that will leave you bawling in laughter.
Art 7/10:
Art is not something that stands out to me in a series unless it is extremely good or extremely terrible. The art of Oregairu is neither. The character designs are attractive and the backgrounds are made with the perfect amount of detail. If you are expecting the art to rival that of a high budget movie, you will be disappointed. One thing that really caught my eye from the lackluster art was the expansive variety utilized in the facial expressions of characters. This adds a human level of emotion to the characters and contributes to both the realism and deliverance of their lines.
Sound 8/10:
I will not for a second pretend that I am some sort of expert in regards to the use of sound in anime. All I can say is that sound was used well in moderation in Oregairu. The soundtrack did not play as often as I anticipated, but its sparse usage really added to the drama and emotions of the characters. The opening was also very pleasant to the ear and I never skipped it even once while watching this anime.
Character 10/10:
Where do I begin? The characters of Oregairu were undoubtably some of the best that I have seen in any show.
Hikigaya Hachiman, the cynical and somewhat pessimistic lead male character, was hilarious in his dissections of everyday occurrences and his appreciation for the little things in life. Hachiman rebels against conventional wisdom and sees the world in the way it is, without the glamour and aspirations most of us enjoy. His monologues are shockingly insightful and though provoking, challenging me to rethink the way I view certain facets of my daily life. Hachiman is perhaps the most developed character I have seen in any anime as well. The way he thinks and acts changes drastically throughout the course of the show as he meets new people and learns more about how to be a friend. This development allowed me to empathize with Hachiman, allowing him to become one of my favorite characters in any show.
Yuigahama Yui, the air-headed and inexplicably nice member of the main trio, grew on me throughout the series. At first, I hated her. She appears to represent all the stereotypes and conceptions about a female lead in a romantic comedy series. I often wondered why she did what she did, not because she was mysterious in any way, but because there didn't appear to be any reason. Once her backstory was revealed however, I began to appreciate her character and the environment that shaped her into who she is. Yui served as the glue that stuck the main trio together with her much needed comical outbreaks and genuine emotions.
Yukinoshita Yukino, the incredibly cunning and calculative tsundere, at first appeared as the other stereotypical female character type of a romantic comedy series. She sharply criticizes Hachiman for what she sees as his pathetic outlook on life and refuses to admit that she in fact is in the same boat as he. Where Hachiman lacks friends for his mistrust of others and cynical behavior, she lacks them for her perceived perfection and elitist attitude. They both grow on each other in a way that is not as predictable as it may at first seem. Yukino's clever remarks never fail to make me laugh and her emotions are so strong when she allows them to show. Her backstory is also extremely well done, allowing me to sympathize with her and feel her pain. Yukino, like Hachiman, develops greatly as the story progresses and learns the happiness the comes with having a relationship with friends.
Enjoyment 10/10:
To say that I greatly enjoyed this anime would be the single greatest understatement in the long history of humankind. Every week I hotly anticipated Oregairu and the comedic brilliance that it entailed. I rarely laugh at loud to anime. This show was the exception. I found myself on the brink of tears as I witnessed Hachiman's internal dialogue and Yukino's blunt statements. At this point it is scary to me just how close I was to missing out on this absolute gem of the romantic comedy genre. If you are to watch this superb anime, put all preconceptions, predictions, and expectations aside. They won't be needed with this show.
Overall 9/10:
The only reasoning I have for not giving this show a perfect score is that it wasn't a perfect show. Really though... what is? Oregairu allowed me to greater appreciate the imperfections of the world around me in a way that I had never done before watching it. This show is a must watch for all, regardless of whether they are a fan of the genre or not. As I close I would like to quote the wonderful Hikigaya Hachiman:
"Question: The world will not change, but you can change yourself. So then, how will you change?
Answer: You become the god of a new world."
