Hi Score Girl

Hi Score Girl is an endearing, nostalgic anime series, exclusive to Netflix, that beautifully combines early '90s video game culture with an unconventional love story. The series, originally released between 2018 and 2019, perfectly captures the essence of the decade’s gaming fandom while providing a unique look at the dynamics of growing up and the complicated emotions of love, rivalry, and friendship.

The story follows the life of Yaguchi Haruo, a young sixth-grader who is rather mediocre at most things in life but demonstrates an extraordinary enthusiasm and skill for video games. Unlike his classmates, Haruo is not an outstanding student, nor is he particularly popular. His primary interest in life revolves around the local arcade, where he spends most of his time honing his gaming skills. He prides himself on his progress and often loses himself in these pixelated worlds, taking great joy in the victories he achieves in this virtual landscape.

However, Haruo's seemingly uncomplicated life takes an unexpected twist when he encounters Ono Akira, a quiet, academically accomplished girl from a wealthy family. She is his exact opposite - privileged, respected, and admired by everyone. Despite her upstanding image, it turns out that Ono harbors a secret passion for video games that equals Haruo's. Upon discovering her hidden gaming prowess, Haruo is both shocked and intrigued, and this unlikely mutual interest marks the beginning of a unique friendship.

As they compete at various video games, they experience a rollercoaster of wins, defeats, rivalries, and alliances. As they go head-to-head in fighting arcades, joust in RPG battles, and compete in shooting adventures, their relationship eventually blossoms into an unusual bond. In the backdrops of Street Fighter matches and Dancing Eyes quests, grows a heart-warming story of friendship, self-discovery, rivalry, and love.

The animation style of Hi Score Girl is noticeably different from traditional anime. It combines classic 2D anime styles with 3D CGI, creating visuals that aren't strictly conventional yet offer a distinct charm. This blend reflects the bridge between traditional animation and modern technology, and the balance struck in the fusion of styles feels appropriate given the retro-modern theme of the show.

Another remarkable aspect of Hi Score Girl is its meticulous attention to the details of 90s gaming culture. The series is exceptionally knowledgeable when it comes to 90s video games, and the references are plentiful. From the sounds of joystick clicking to the close-up shots of game controllers, Hi Score Girl is both an ode to and a detailed chronicle of the period’s gaming scene. The joy and frustration that come with video gaming, the camaraderie and competition it fuels - the show captures all of these elements with sincerity and intelligence.

True to its title, the anime scores high when it comes to its characterization. While the narrative primarily centers around Haruo and Ono, it also introduces several additional characters that inject their own flavors into the story. Each character is well-written with distinct personalities and quirks, adding depth and dimension to the storyline.

Beyond the gaming and the rivalry, the show does an excellent job at illustrating the feelings and issues of adolescent life. It tactfully explores themes like personal growth, familial pressure, dealing with expectations, and most importantly, the understandings and misunderstandings of young love. While they tackle their way through various games, Haruo and Ono also navigate the challenges of growing up in their unique, rather contrasting circumstances.

With its depiction of the joyous era of the '90s gaming arcades, juxtaposed with a heartfelt love story, Hi Score Girl offers an appealing blend of nostalgia and romance. It's a series about revealing and accepting one’s true self, understanding the power of friendship, dealing with the complexities of feelings, and calling Checkmate in love. This makes Hi Score Girl an emotionally-involving series that, while set in the backdrop of gaming culture, provides viewers a profoundly human experience.