The Oregairu light novel series might be a hard read at times, yet I can confidently state that it is a masterpiece. The same goes for the anime adaptations. It does a decent job of capturing the timeline of Oregairu. That is excluding some extra karaoke short stories, the first gaming clubroom encounter, the judo arc, and many other small events. Below is a breakdown of my attempted non-spoiler review.
Story 10/10
We are introduced to a teenage protagonist, Hachiman, who views the world in a pessimistic and cynical manner. After Ms. Hiratsuka forces him to join a club, he loses his introvert status to an extent and has more chances to interact with his high school classmates. Throughout many arcs and volumes, Hachiman and even side characters undergo character developments. The additional context provided for sceneries and events not only helps create a richer story but also gives a finer understanding of the sociological and psychological side of things which is unique to Oregairu.
Art 8/10
Light novels usually have cool art on their covers and a few featured pictures here and there. The same is for Oregairu.
Character 10/10
Anyone who has consumed enough of the Oregairu franchise will instantly recognize that each character has their signature look and personality. Forgetting about one or two side characters will inevitably happen via binging or just the passing of time, but not enough to forget all of them. Each of their interactions with each other and Hachiman serve a purpose to the overall plot. Heck, the characters are well matured to where the author can make a joke about them and readers can still understand the reference.
Enjoyment 9/10
As someone who got into the light novel after finishing the first two seasons of Oregairu, I might have felt weary. Nonetheless, the protagonist's thought process, perspectives, and humor on certain topics are quite relatable to some people including me. The events that take place all seem realistic and not too cliched or typical. There is also a little sprinkle of romance here and there. Very captivating!
Overall 10/10
This is without a doubt something that people should invest their time into. I highly recommend it to anyone and even more so to the teenage group.
