The truth of the matter is, there’s really no manga or anime romance like Hi Score Girl. There are other great ones obviously, but HSG is unique. Oshikiri Rensuke is a genre onto himself both in terms of writing and art, and the more I see of this odd and quirky JC Staff adaptation the more I think they’re making all the right choices. The anime makes me think and feel things I didn’t when I was reading the manga, but they all seem like they were there all along, waiting to be discovered.
There are times in watching this series when I wonder in all seriousness – is Koharu actually too great a character? I suspect Oshikiri-sensei had this in mind all along, but there’s a very real danger that she overshadows the heroine. That happens in anime romance of course, but when it does usually because that heroine is bland or unlikeable. That’s not the case at all here, but Hidaka glows so brightly that when she’s really on her game, nothing else seems to matter.
One thing I know – I often feel that things would be so much simpler if Haruo felt about Koharu the way she feels about him. She has so much to offer and they share so much in common. She would be a very easy girl for a boy like Haruo to love, and they might just make a wonderful couple. Purely as a reader and viewer I appreciate what a breath of fresh air Koharu is. She actually says what’s on her mind, and she tells the guy she loves exactly how she feels. She’s the opposite of Akira in many ways, ways that speak volumes about both girls and their struggles in life.
The whole Shibuya Squad-Mizunokuchi Force turf war is kind of silly, but rather than something to complain about (as I’ve seen some fans do) I think that’s exactly the point. Let’s not forget that this series is autobiographical and to at least some extent, Haruo is Oshikiri Rensuke. Haruo sums all this up in his inimitable straightforward way – yes, the throwdown is silly but isn’t it better than people beating each other up? They’re actually expressing a shared love of gaming, in fact. And the whole “Shibuya = delinquent” (I’d love to know if Oshikiri really lived that) thing is, as Haruo says, a form of prejudice. It’s a provincial bias against any big city, but that doesn’t make it any less condescending than city slickers looking down on townies.
It’s hard to overstate how much I love the sequence where Haruo and Hidaka go off together after she juliennes the entire Shibuya Squad (including Haruo) at “VF2”. Much as I love almost all their shared moments, which is the problem (if there is one). Haruo can convince himself that she’s merely saving him from the predatory interest of a glomping Shibuya girl, but Koharu doesn’t let that fantasy go unchallenged. A rainy night and halted trains are the breaks she’s been waiting for, and she takes full advantage of them to lay her cards on the table in no uncertain terms.
Koharu’s behavior here is effectively proof that it’s not only alcohol that can get you drunk – when you’re 16 and in love, hormones are every bit as effective. Indeed intoxicated is the best way I can describe her at the family restaurant, and while I totally respect her for being brutally open and honest – and telling Haruo they should go to a love hotel is a brutal as it gets – she’s really putting him in a terrible position. Haruo is pretty innocent but he’s not a fool – he knows exactly what’s being suggested here. Of course he does – and Haruo is a good boy, he doesn’t want to hurt Koharu. He considers her a valued friend but even if he didn’t, he wouldn’t want to hurt her – that’s just the kind of guy he is.
Alas, cruel fate. Haruo is in love with Oono, that’s the problem. He knows it, he’s known it for a long time, and Koharu has known it too. Koharu gives him everything Akira doesn’t – clarity, honestly, communication. She’s a peer, a bro, a good friend – but she’s not Oono. She’s not the girl he’s in love with, the one whose life he’s seen impacted by his kindness and care in profound and meaningful ways. And the really cruel part of this is, the main impact of Koharu’s honesty may be to force things along between he and Akira – because that’s something neither of them has been able to do themselves. Koharu’s lot is indeed a painful one, but I never expect her to give up – she just doesn’t seem to have that in her.
Nadavu
November 11, 2019 at 7:07 amI think it was last week that you wrote that Akira and Haruo are fated to be together. In that same vein, I think that Hidaka really deserves someone better than Haruo. Not that he isn’t a pure and beautiful soul, but she deserves someone who’s better *for her*. And I don’t mean by that someone who’ll love her back rather than obsess over some ojou-sama. Yes, those two are made for each other, but Hidaka is a much more of a — how can I put it? — model meant for mass-production (enter comment about her desire to go to a love hotel here). She’s extraordinary, perhaps, but in a normal sense. Akira and Haruo are something of a singularity. The type of emotional support Haruo can give, only Akira will find comforting. Despite her infatuation, if Hidaka actually ended up together with Haruo, it would be a disaster. And that’s what having a crush at 16 is all about; looking back at it 20 years later and realizing that as painful as it was to all parties involved, you’re all better off for it not actually working out.
Guardian Enzo
November 11, 2019 at 8:38 amAn interesting perspective. Myself, I feel like Koharu might grow into the sort of person who would match up with the kind of supportive mate Haruo would be – but it’s all conjecture.
Rui Carvalho
November 11, 2019 at 8:31 amGood lord, Koharu was on her A-game this week, in more ways than one, of course. That scene at the family restaurant made me feel on the edge almost as much as Haruo. That was some impressive coming on to him, and the direction of that scene was brilliant. Kudos to the staff. It’s hard not to feel for her in that hug scene, but of course Akira would be there to let the drama thicken.
Togue88
November 12, 2019 at 3:36 amThis was a good read. Nice one.
Shibuya Squad V.S . Mizunokuchi Force battle is a common thing in Japan. Especially between car clubs, usually done in the same format.
Its a local pride thing. Like the East Coast V.S West Coast battles in the US, while not like a turf thing, it is a part of this highly competive thing.
Even in the US in some areas at the arcades, we would go over and challege players who had their home base at another place.
It’s not some gimic cooked up to make some silly action scene, this is really how it goes down.
Not just in games, graffiti writers and their crews would battle for who controls a (train) line or whatever.
So it would seem silly to those on the outside looking in, maybe because they can’t relate. Or maybe if they looked at it in way thats relateable.
I know kids who would have their basketball teams and duke it out on the court to see who controlled the court. It just competivite spirit, it’s a lot of fun. Happens in a lot of circles.
Also had no idea this was autobiographical.
That’s sick.
Guardian Enzo
November 12, 2019 at 7:35 amYes, those B-ball court wars can be pretty intense. Was involved in a few when I was younger.
MassterBrewer12
November 12, 2019 at 7:29 amWhere are you guys watching this? I’ve really wanted to start watching again at round 16 but I can’t find it on any of the usual sites. Is there somewhere to go or have you all just been able to watch it live somehow? Please help me.
Guardian Enzo
November 12, 2019 at 7:49 amI’d like to help you a bit, but I’m sure there’s a torrent of info out there if you search for it…
Rui Carvalho
November 12, 2019 at 8:38 amLol, nice one!
Guardian Enzo
November 12, 2019 at 11:21 amThis discussion makes me feel really old, ROFL.