Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu | |
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| | Posted by : kevinchaosvs 
Posted on : 2008-10-01  
Story & Characters/Dev: 50%
I picked up this series for mainly one reason: this series, according to the synopsis, is about a closet otaku. So what was I expecting? Parodies, anime references, maybe with a nice touch of those simple, sweet school romances and such. Seeing as how it is only a short series of 13 episodes, I certainly wasn’t giving it high expectations i.e., the caliber of Hayate no Gotoku, Lucky Star, or in the case of romance: Rumbling Hearts, School Days (okay School Days was mentioned as a jest :D ) Indeed, the fact that this series stars a closet otaku made it appear different from most otaku-based series, which usually feature Konata archetypes who aren’t afraid to uh… "show their love for anime".
However, this series turned out to be quite a disappointment. Rants about stereotypical cast aside, this is the first time I didn’t laugh at an anime reference/parody. As for the romance part, well, love-com such as Love Hina, Maburaho are much more enjoyable and also funnier. What was annoying about the romance part is that the little sister "stumbles" into the "critical scenes" a little too often. Also, the treatment of the issue of otakus being viewed as weirdoes was not resolved well, making it seemed like Haruka has practically wasted her time trying to hide her secret hobby. The Voice Acting for the main characters weren’t anything fantastic as well.
Animation/Graphics/Design:60%
The animation quality didn’t impress either. They seemed to have put in the effort in the graphics only in the OP and ED. Indeed, the only thing that stuck in my mind was the beginning animation: the Photoshopping of the Magazine sequence.
Music: 75%
Admittedly, I enjoyed the OP and ED – catchy tune, but I’m giving this section a rather low score due to the bgms (or rather, the lack of it).
And then there’s also the dance routine – another series trying to jump onto the bandwagon of the trend set by Hare Hare Yukai (Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi), it seems. Sadly, the series itself wasn’t anything outstanding so I doubt the dance routine will gain much recognition. (that reminds me: the character designs for the Maids bear uncanny resemblances to two certain Humanoid Interfaces form Haruhi )
Summary:
A rather typical series. Not recommended; there are other love-com that much better. This series is given a low rating not because it's bad, rather, it's due to the fact that there weren't anything memorable.
Though I’ll recommend watching the OP and ED at the very least.
personal overall rating:53%
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