Oregairu explores the thoughts, behaviors, and reasons of these fugitives of society. Do they still try to rejoin the populace? Do they hope for a time when they themselves can be acknowledge by their friends, or peers, or acquaintances? While the show, originally, comes off as a simple romantic-comedy-harem anime, in reality, its exploration of the human mind, the human pattern, the human need to form a social hierarchy catapults the show above and beyond its lackluster facade.
The main characters, Hachiman Hikigaya and Yukino Yukinoshita, are social outcasts, despite coming from opposite backgrounds. Hikigaya, the epitome of bland and normalcy, is in the same social standing as Yukino, the queen of excellence and perfection in the school. Yet the final member of the trio, Yui Yuigahama is inferior to Yukino in all aspect whether it is beauty, or intellect, or athleticism; however, Yui is a member of the most popular group in the school.
These popular kids often used to contrast the thoughts and actions of Hikigaya. Often, Hikigaya analyzes the slight differences between him and the most popular boy in school, Hayama, and often hints that these subtle changes made Hikigaya an outcast and Hayama a hero among the student body. When the Volunteers Club and the popular kids actions intertwine, Hikigaya criticizes and mocks the behavior of the higher ups in the social pyramid. Thoughts and behaviors that are shared by many people. Instead, Hikigaya takes his own route in solving problems the group sees, often deepening the social grave he has already dug himself into.
While this show is very deep in its portrayal of human social rejection, it does offer some light points. The dialogue, especially thrown between Yukino and Hikigaya, are often the reprieve of depressing overtones this anime employs. Also, the conversations between Hikigaya and his teacher often use faulty logic that lightens the mood between its analytic observations.
However, this anime will make the most sense and hit home hardest to people who have ever felt socially alone, isolated, rejected. It is not meant for the people who have finished climbing the social ladder. That is not to say that those who have will not enjoy the show; however, it is important to realize that the anime will make the most sense to those who are just barely missing the next rung to climb above everyone else to those at the bottom of the ladder--unwilling to take the fall from the ladder again.
