Reviews

I dropped this anime after watching six episodes. However, after watching Hiding in Public's video about the anime, I decided to give this anime another chance. To be honest I hated the way this anime focuses on the love dynamics between the main characters while not giving much attention to what specifically they like about the games they played. If anyone wants an anime or manga that balances the enjoyment and appreciation of video games with subtle romance then I would recommend Hi-Score Girl. What I was beginning to like after the sixth episode is how the characters begin to understand one another when they are not focusing on each other but when they are enjoying each other's play style when playing games or vaguely discussing what they like about the games. I wish the anime built this up more, but unfortunately it never does. The anime seems to be playing it safe with keeping the subject of enjoying video games minimal while putting out the romance gags. I liked how the anime breaks free from the trope of every girl falls for the main character by having one of the characters already have a boyfriend that she is serious about. It's interesting to see the other characters expect this character to fall for the main protagonist since it reveals both their and the audience's tendency to expect two people of opposite sex enjoying each other's company to be an item. I would like to see the anime dwell on this topic a bit more in the future. The final episode seems like an experimental episode to test whether the audience would tolerate the minimizing of the romance aspects of the anime for the contemplation of video games place in the life of each character. If the anime continues in this direction, then I would look forward for the second season and hope for the improvement. If not, then I guess I am done with this anime. I wouldn't turn to this anime for a great entertaining story but for its intriguing ideas it seems to vaguely play with. It barely breaks through for me as slightly above a sub-par guilty pleasure.