“1991: Sixth-grader Haruo, arcade king, is crushed when perfect classmate Akira beats him at Street Fighter 2.”
Hi Score Girl
ハイスコアガール
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
1991: Sixth-grader Haruo, arcade king, is crushed when perfect classmate Akira beats him at Street Fighter 2.
The year is 1991, and arcade video games are the latest craze. Becoming a professional gamer is a far-fetched dream in an industry that has yet to spread its influence. Yet, that is the path sixth-grader Haruo Yaguchi wants to pursue. His aptitude for video games has earned him respect in local arcades and bestowed him with confidence and pride, both of which are shattered when fellow classmate Akira Oono easily defeats him in Street Fighter 2. Akira is rich, pretty, and smart—as close as can be to a perfect girl. But Haruo had never cared about these things as, despite his multiple shortcomings as a person, his supremacy in video games was, in his mind, undisputed. So, now that someone has appeared who can rival him, part of Haruo cannot help but loathe her. Another part, however, itches for somebody who can compete with him on equal terms, and Akira is more than capable.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 94 sampled reviews
What 94 viewers settled on.
Polarized
σ 1.97 · split reception
6.0 pts
Recommenders 8.6 · others 2.7
↓ 0.21
Running avg · Aug 2018 → Aug 2025
- 9 “The pure and innocent romance is refreshingly beautiful and completely free of oversexualization, making this an absolute favorite that I can't stop rewatching. While it has some corny and...”
- 7 “It's a little boring, but it's good. It touches my personal fancy (retro games), which is the main reason I am watching it. I would actually say that the story itself is very well-written and...”
- 10 “This short series delivers exactly what I want from entertainment: it's short, sweet, simple yet interesting, with nostalgic 90s elements from the soundtrack to OG fighting games that create a...”
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See all credits →Production slate
- Format 12 × 24′ eps × min
- Total runtime 4h 48m all episodes
- Aired Jul 2018 – Sep 2018 Summer 2018
- Source Tv media type
- Rated PG 13 - Teens 13 or older
- Ref. BS-8516 catalog
Produced by
- Square Enix Producer
- Warner Bros. Japan Producer
- KlockWorx Producer
- Good Smile Company Producer