The appeal and evolution of High Score Girl II: A deep review

High Score Girl II - A story of games and youth

Overview

"High Score Girl II" is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Rensuke Oshikiri, and was broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11 from October 26 to December 21, 2019. It consists of 9 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and is animated by JCSTAFF. The director is Yoshiki Yamakawa, the series composition is Tatsuhiko Urahata, and the character design is Mitsuru Kuwabata. Set against the backdrop of the gaming culture of the 1990s, the work depicts the youth of boys and girls who grow up through games.

■ Story

In 1991, Akira Ohno stepped into an arcade to escape her strict family environment. She displayed her incredible talent by beating Street Fighter II on her first try using Zangief, a character no one would choose. Meanwhile, Haruo Yaguchi, who is also passionate about games, appears as a Guile player who torments Akira's Zangief. Although the two were at odds at first, they gradually came to understand each other better through games and developed a friendship. Four years later, in 1995, the two meet again at the arcade to face a new challenge.

■ Characters

・Haruo Yaguchi

Born June 1, 1979, blood type O. He is not good at studying or sports, but his passion for games is unmatched. He is particularly skilled at using Guile from Street Fighter II, and calls himself the "best Guile player." He goes to the arcade almost every day to hone his skills. After meeting Akira, he is torn between the complicated emotions of friendship and love through games.

・Akira Ohno

Born October 10, 1979, blood type O. She is the beautiful daughter of the Ohno conglomerate, with excellent grades, but in reality she is a skilled arcade gamer. To escape from her harsh home life, gaming is her only way to release stress. She is skilled with Zangief, and is talented enough to beat Street Fighter II on her first playthrough. After meeting Haruo, she experiences the conflict between friendship and love through gaming.

・Koharu Hidaka

Born April 4, 1979, blood type A. A modest girl who is Haruo's classmate. She admires Haruo's free-spirited personality and is drawn to his passion for games. Koharu has complicated feelings about Haruo and Akira's relationship, but she continues to search for her own path.

■ Production staff

Director: Yoshiki Yamakawa Series Composition: Tatsuhiko Urahata Character Design: Mitsuru Kuwabata (SMDE)
CG Director: Yusuke Suzuki (SMDE)
Character Model Director: Yuya Hatano (SMDE), Eri Sekido (SMDE)
Art Director: Akira Suzuki Color Design: Mika Funahashi, Miho Kimura Director of Photography: Shingo Fukuyo Editing: Kentaro Tsubone (REAL-T)
Sound Director: Hitoshi Aketagawa Music: Yoko Shimomura Sound Production: Magic Capsule
OP theme: sora tob sakana
Ending theme: Etsuko Yakushimaru
CGI Producer: Tomoyasu Sakakibara (SMDE)
CGI:SMDE
Animation Production Supervisor: Yuji Matsukura Animation Production: JCSTAFF
Game recording: Takadanobaba Game Center Mikado Game Research and supervision: Kenichi Ishiguro

■Broadcast information

Broadcast period: October 26, 2019 to December 21, 2019 Broadcast time: 1:05
Broadcasting station: TOKYO MX, BS11
Number of episodes: 9 Episodes Duration: 30 minutes

■Subtitle

ROUND 16／(2019/10/26)
ROUND 17／(2019/11/02)
ROUND 18／(2019/11/09)
ROUND 19／(2019/11/16)
ROUND 20／(2019/11/23)
ROUND 21／(2019/11/30)
ROUND 22／(2019/12/07)
ROUND 23／(2019/12/14)
ROUND 24／(2019/12/21)

■ Theme songs and music

OP1
Period: 1-9
Song Name: Flash
Lyrics: Junsei Terui Composition: Junsei Terui Arrangement: Junsei Terui Singer: sora tob sakana

ED
Period: 1-9
Song name: Unknown World Map Sung by: Yakushimaru Etsuko

■ Related works

"High Score Girl"

■Cast

Haruo Yaguchi: Kohei Amazaki Akira Ohno: Sayumi Suzushiro Koharu Hidaka: Yuuki Hirose

■Explanation

"High Score Girl II" is the story of boys and girls who spend their youth playing games. The story follows three girls, Haruo, Akira, and Koharu, who meet at an arcade and develop friendships and romance through games. Set against the backdrop of 1990s gaming culture, they grow up in a world filled with a thirst for victory, a desire to pursue technology, and personal pride. It is moving to watch them forge their own paths, supported by game characters and deepening their bonds with friends and family.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"High Score Girl II" is a work that can be enjoyed by anyone, even if they are not a game fan. Its appeal lies in its realistic reproduction of the gaming culture of the 1990s and its story that depicts the growth of the characters. In particular, the depiction of friendship and romance through games deeply moves viewers. Additionally, the animation that faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the original work and the efforts of the production staff who paid close attention to the game's authenticity have also been praised.

The recommended points are as follows:

1. Recreating gaming culture

The footage, which realistically recreates the gaming culture of the 1990s, will bring back memories for those familiar with the games of that time, while providing a fresh surprise for those unfamiliar with them. In particular, the game scenes from "Street Fighter II" and "Final Fight" are must-sees for game fans.

2. Character Development

The story depicts the growth of three characters, Haruo, Akira, and Koharu, through playing games. The conflicts in their friendship and love move viewers deeply. In addition, their interactions with game characters and self-expression through games are also fascinating.

3. Story Development

Stories of friendship and love through games have the power to draw viewers in. In particular, the episodes depicting the relationship between Haruo and Akira and Koharu's growth are moving. Also, don't miss the scenes depicting the desire to win the game and the desire to explore technology.

4. Music and video

The opening theme "Flash" and the ending theme "Unknown World Map" are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work. In addition, the video of the game scenes and the animation that depicts the character's facial expressions in detail have also been highly praised.

5. Faithfulness to the original

The animation faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the original work, which is a delight for fans of the original work. In particular, the efforts of the production staff who paid particular attention to the game's authenticity have raised the quality of the work.

■ Summary

"High Score Girl II" is the story of boys and girls who spend their youth through gaming. Its appeal lies in its realistic reproduction of the gaming culture of the 1990s and the story that depicts the characters' growth. It is a work that can be enjoyed by anyone, even if they are not a fan of games, and the depiction of friendship and romance through games in particular will deeply move viewers. The animation, which faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the original work, and the efforts of the production staff who paid particular attention to the game's authenticity, have also been praised. Please give it a watch.