Hina Logi feels like another show in the growing trend of CGDCT borrowing from Western Cartoons. Some of the tropes featured are those that are straight out of cartoon plots, and with an implementation that seems very in line with what happens in cartoons. For example, the last episode was a cartoon plot that I had seen very many times before, and it worked in the fashion that I usually expect them too. It did have a couple of differences, but that's what makes it work so well. If one were to just copy Western Animation and add nothing more, it would just be a pretty version of a mediocre cartoon. But the ability for Hina Logi to take that, and take the good parts of those tropes and its humor and combine it with the cuteness and fluffy fun of CGDCT is what makes it so much fun to watch.
Another example of its cartoon influence are the scenes that revolve around her dad. Lion's animosity towards her overprotective and overloving dad and his unrivalled enthusiasm is much like what I expect from cartoons. Especially with the outlandish ways, her dad acts. While he doesn't fall into the idiot dad trope (he's very competent, just very loving and very silly), he lands closer to cartoon's approach to parents rather than the more grounded and reserved style that anime parents are usually put into (when they even appear.). And that isn't to say that anime parents being eccentric doesn't happen, it's rather the way that he is seems more cartoon-like than other anime examples. The coloration of his interactions with Lion and the cast and the humor involved in his actions do add an extra element of fun to the show. It sets it apart from other CGDCT shows and makes it unique which is much appreciated.
Doga Kobo has done many CGDCT shows before and if one has watched one of those it's easy to see that Dogo Kobo knows what it's doing with cuteness. However Hina Logi adds to that even more with the adorable expressiveness of Lion, as well as the silly antics that the group gets into. The show is a lot more animated and a lot farther from realism. Comedy gags will be used heavily. Character's actions will be embellished for the sake of silliness. While it might not be for everyone it does enhance the cuteness of the show for me. While comfy is nice it doesn't fully ascent the cuteness like the more energetic CGDCT shows can. Hina Logi falls into that more energetic group and for those that like that, like myself, it makes for a really good choice.
The character interactions are all great as well. The characters have natural chemistry with each other and it's very believable that they are all friends and good ones at that. They care for each other and try to help each other. They bond with each other and all of that. Each interaction feels very real and doesn't' have those hints of fakeness that some shows are plagued by. And while other shows will have similar character interactions like these, there was something special about them. Something that made me happy inside each time I watched them hang out with each other. It's not as if they were relatable or the best-written characters. They just had this shining aura to them. It also doesn't hurt that in the latter half of the series they amp up the gayness to 11. Now I'm personally not the type of person who is happy just because yuri is present but seeing the already existing adorable and meaningful bonds between the characters bloom into something more was so wonderful for my heart. It didn't feel just like pairing them up for the sake of pairing, but rather a good couple that fit together well and would make for a happy life together.
While the characters weren't the most developed they also weren't one-note characters. While one shouldn't go into this series excepting stellar character development, they stiill were given ample room to grow and did have moments where they shined and their characterization got built up. There is a key moment for Nina and Lion later on in the series, as well as lighter moments for each of the main characters. The episodes themselves work decently well and thusly does allow them to be that less shallow. They're decent characters who are able to shine with the natural chemistry that they have with each other. And because of the fun. This show is a whole lot of fun.
One interesting appeal to Hina Logi is the trance and action scenes that comes with being from Luck & Logic. The action scenes were pretty good when they happened although they didn't show up that much. It can add an extra layer of appeal and certainly it's nice to see some good action mixed between episodes. In some episodes, it's used really well to build up the plot or resonate with character issues. As well the outfits from the trances do add some nice eye candy as well as show interesting and unique costumes that enhance the cuteness and provide a nice set of attire that often isn't as utilized. I think the trancing is blended in really well with the show as a whole and does help its narrative and its uniqueness.
One small complaint I have about the show is the pacing can be too rushed at times. The SOL episodes have a great pace to them and flow naturally due to them not being from a 4koma. But, in the more important episodes, it has a tendency to try to jam in too much material into one episode. While I did enjoy all of what each episode had to say. I do wish it could have taken more time to fully flesh out some of those emotions or ideas. Also while overall the art is good, later into the season it sometimes cheaped out likely due to delays. Something that I hope can be fixed in the Blue-rays. However, these issues to me are small compared to the good that it has in it.
In the end, while I do want to give props for the good things that Hina Logi has done, it's really a simple gay show that mainly relies on cute comedic moments but works so well. It has everything that I want from a CGDCT, and for me, that's a show well worth watching. It may not have the layers and deep meaning of K-On! or all of the great details and character building that Urara Meirochou has. But it's fun, cute, and heartwarming. And for someone like me, I think that's worth a lot.
