(L) Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru.

[Kamuui]

Frog-kun made a very nice summary + impressions so I will let here (warning: pretty big text with images).

Spoiler for :

My overall impression of this volume is that, yes, this is definitely building up to some kind of climax. It’s just stretching out the development really slowly. Almost everything of note happens in the last 40 pages or so, which is par the course for the Oregairu LN.

In this volume, Hachiman, Yukino and Yui all take baby steps towards change, but in the end, they still need an agitating presence like Haruno to blow apart their relationships and force them into making a move.

The volume ends with Hachiman running off to “save” Yukino, leaving Yui in tears.



I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, so let’s backtrack and talk about the start of the volume.

The story picks up where volume 11 left off, with our main trio outside the aquarium. Hachiman is keenly aware that there are things left unsaid between the three of them. It’s awkward at first, and Hachiman overthinks every damned little thing, but in the end, they have a pleasant conversation looking back on everything that’s happened throughout the series.

At this point, Yukino even opens up a little bit, and mentions that she wants to go into politics and business like her father, but she’ll need to convince her mother to take her seriously for that to happen. Haruno, the eldest daughter, is the one tasked with the responsibilities. Yukino is just “the other child.”

For the first time, Hachiman finds the courage to ask her more about her family situation. This is a big moment, for everybody.

Yukino says that she plans to have a proper talk with Haruno about it. Then she plans to move back into her parents’ house (remember that she’s been living alone in an apartment for all this time) and ask her mother to listen to her. “I have to start by finding out what she thinks for certain,” she says. “This time, I’m deciding it through my own will. Not because somebody told me to, but because I came to this conclusion on my own.”

She confronts Haruno in the very next chapter.

Haruno is still at Yukino’s apartment when they return. She’s been drinking, but apparently she’s not drunk. According to her, no matter how much she drinks, she can’t get drunk.



In typical Haruno fashion, she wriggles her way out of answering Yukino at first. But when she realises that Yukino is serious about what she wants to do, she mutters, “So this is your answer.”

Then she says, “I’ll help you out.”

Haruno insists that she’ll help Yukino try to convince their mother. “She won’t change her plans so easily,” Haruno explains, “so you’ll need time, right? I’ll say my piece too when the timing’s right.”

And so (with Yui’s help) Yukino moves back into her parents’ house.

And then life goes on.

Yukino’s subplot is put on hold until the very end of the volume, and so from this point onward we see other characters take the stage. At this point, the secondary theme of this volume emerges: The “distance” between brother and sister.

This is shown, firstly and most obviously, through the relationship between Hachiman and Komachi. As you may remember from the anime, Komachi is taking the entrance exam for Hachiman’s high school. In volume 12, we find out that she’s managed to pass the exam. Congrats, Komachi!



At first, Komachi tries to carry herself like an adult. When she’s nervous about finding out the results, she tries not to show it. Hachiman senses that something has changed about their relationship – the siblings are beginning to drift apart.

But then Komachi finds out her results and she can no longer hold her emotions in. She cries and clings to her brother, the same way she did as a child. “The day we siblings drift apart will come,” thinks Hachiman. “But today isn’t that day.”

This is what the relationship between siblings is like, and it’s impossible for Hachiman to project those feelings onto anyone else. Iroha calls him out on this later, when he claims to see her as a little sister. “You should stop doing that,” she says. “No girl likes being treated as a little sister.”



This conversation is played off in a light-hearted fashion at the time, but Iroha’s sentiments come back to haunt Hachiman in the end. When he insists that he’ll “help” Yukino, even when she says that she can handle things by herself, Haruno points out how inconsiderate he’s really being.

“Are you playing the big brother again?” she asks him, cuttingly.

To that, Hachiman can’t really say anything.
__________________________________________________ ______________________

The primary conflict in this volume centers around the high school prom. This is a hare-brained scheme that Iroha cooked up after watching American movies, thinking that she’ll get to be the prom queen. She brings this request to the Service Club, and although Yukino and the others hold some reservations about Iroha’s motivations (“Is she really doing all of this for herself?” they wonder), they eventually decide to help her out.

At first, I thought that this would lead to a retreading of earlier conflicts in the series, where Yukino tries to organise a large-scale event by herself and encounters problems. Anticipating this, Yui tells her from the start: “Don’t overexert yourself.”



As it turns out, there are no problems from Yukino’s side. No, the problems actually come from Yukino’s mother herself.

Yukino’s mother is, let’s say, one of those “concerned parents” types. She’s literally a member of the parents’ association. She wants to halt the prom because she finds it too “scandalous.” Literally all of her arguments are stupid, but she never changes her mind. She just smiles and pretends to listen to you and then gently reprimands to make you feel like the bad guy.

Yukino, who is obviously used to her mother’s style of argumentation, insists that she’ll be able to negotiate with her mother. Cut to the next chapter, however, and we find out through a phone call with Hiratsuka-sensei that Yukino has failed miserably at the task, but we’re left hanging about the details. According to Hiratsuka-sensei: “I’ve been compelled not to tell you. It’s Yukinoshita’s wish not to tell you.”

Then she asks, “Do you still have a reason to help out with the prom?”

This is the big moment for Hachiman. Even if it’s against Yukino’s will, does he still have a reason to help her, to rush to her aid?

He thinks that: “All of my reasons are linked to work, the club and Komachi. Even if I change the words and the way I say it, I realise that everything ties back to that.”

Haruno called his relationship with Yukino a “co-dependent” one, but for him, that’s not a reason either. “Co-dependency is the structure of a relationship. It’s not an emotion. It could be used as an excuse, but it could never become the reason.”

After thinking about every emotion in his heart, after squeezing himself dry, there is only one feeling left. A feeling that he cannot, does not want to verbalise.

But I have to say it, he thinks. If I don’t, nothing will progress.

And so he says, “I promised that I’d save her one day.”

Trite, hackneyed words without any rhyme or reason. He hates saying them.

But Hiratsuka-sensei accepts his reason. “Come immediately,” she tells him, so he leaves right away.

Yui waves him off.

“If you go to her, things will work out,” she insists brightly.



As soon as he’s gone, she bursts into tears.
__________________________________________________ ______________________

There are three cryptic interludes inserted at different parts of the story. Each one is apparently told through the point of view of Hachiman and Yui. Fans have already attempted to translate these, and you can find them on the Oregairu Reddit or 4chan or wherever.

In the first interlude, the writer (Hachiman?) admits: “I don’t want something genuine if it’s only going to be cold, cruel and sad.”

The second and third interludes appear to be written by Yui. In the second interlude, Yui discovers a photo of Yukino and Hachiman from Destiny Land. She notes: “It would be cruel to ask her feelings. It would be cruel to say my feelings. But I’m scared of knowing his feelings. And putting the blame on her would be the cruelest thing of all.”

And in the third interlude, she says: “I couldn’t blame everything on her. Just like she depended on him, I depended on her. I was the one who pushed everything on others.”

Everyone is afraid. What does it mean to move forward? What will happen when the status quo finally shatters? I think of this situation as a love triangle, but it’s also deeper than that. I think that this story is about the basic fear of being emotionally vulnerable.

There are little signs scattered throughout this volume that, despite the fact that they have known each other for a year, there are basic, essential things that these characters have not grasped. They are still afraid of asking personal questions. And Hachiman has never once touched the key for the Service Club room.

How will these trio of misfits truly break out of their shells and learn to relate to each other? Volume 12 completed the setup for this conflict. In volumes 13 and 14 (which are set to release at the same time at an unspecified date), we’ll see where the dice falls.

I don't know about you guys, but to me it looks like Watari is writing the story in some way that seems more adaptable in a movie than in another season. If the series will really end in volume 14 then I think a movie (or a series of movie like Heaven's Feel) would fit much better and would be far more gorgeous. If we get something like "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" I would be in tears.

[Sixth]

Among all girls in this LN or anime, I kinda fond with Kaori's character design. Her hairs look so nice and fluffy to touch.

[HereticMagus]

Originally Posted by Kamuui

Frog-kun made a very nice summary + impressions so I will let here (warning: pretty big text with images).

Spoiler for :

My overall impression of this volume is that, yes, this is definitely building up to some kind of climax. It’s just stretching out the development really slowly. Almost everything of note happens in the last 40 pages or so, which is par the course for the Oregairu LN.

In this volume, Hachiman, Yukino and Yui all take baby steps towards change, but in the end, they still need an agitating presence like Haruno to blow apart their relationships and force them into making a move.

The volume ends with Hachiman running off to “save” Yukino, leaving Yui in tears.



I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, so let’s backtrack and talk about the start of the volume.

The story picks up where volume 11 left off, with our main trio outside the aquarium. Hachiman is keenly aware that there are things left unsaid between the three of them. It’s awkward at first, and Hachiman overthinks every damned little thing, but in the end, they have a pleasant conversation looking back on everything that’s happened throughout the series.

At this point, Yukino even opens up a little bit, and mentions that she wants to go into politics and business like her father, but she’ll need to convince her mother to take her seriously for that to happen. Haruno, the eldest daughter, is the one tasked with the responsibilities. Yukino is just “the other child.”

For the first time, Hachiman finds the courage to ask her more about her family situation. This is a big moment, for everybody.

Yukino says that she plans to have a proper talk with Haruno about it. Then she plans to move back into her parents’ house (remember that she’s been living alone in an apartment for all this time) and ask her mother to listen to her. “I have to start by finding out what she thinks for certain,” she says. “This time, I’m deciding it through my own will. Not because somebody told me to, but because I came to this conclusion on my own.”

She confronts Haruno in the very next chapter.

Haruno is still at Yukino’s apartment when they return. She’s been drinking, but apparently she’s not drunk. According to her, no matter how much she drinks, she can’t get drunk.



In typical Haruno fashion, she wriggles her way out of answering Yukino at first. But when she realises that Yukino is serious about what she wants to do, she mutters, “So this is your answer.”

Then she says, “I’ll help you out.”

Haruno insists that she’ll help Yukino try to convince their mother. “She won’t change her plans so easily,” Haruno explains, “so you’ll need time, right? I’ll say my piece too when the timing’s right.”

And so (with Yui’s help) Yukino moves back into her parents’ house.

And then life goes on.

Yukino’s subplot is put on hold until the very end of the volume, and so from this point onward we see other characters take the stage. At this point, the secondary theme of this volume emerges: The “distance” between brother and sister.

This is shown, firstly and most obviously, through the relationship between Hachiman and Komachi. As you may remember from the anime, Komachi is taking the entrance exam for Hachiman’s high school. In volume 12, we find out that she’s managed to pass the exam. Congrats, Komachi!



At first, Komachi tries to carry herself like an adult. When she’s nervous about finding out the results, she tries not to show it. Hachiman senses that something has changed about their relationship – the siblings are beginning to drift apart.

But then Komachi finds out her results and she can no longer hold her emotions in. She cries and clings to her brother, the same way she did as a child. “The day we siblings drift apart will come,” thinks Hachiman. “But today isn’t that day.”

This is what the relationship between siblings is like, and it’s impossible for Hachiman to project those feelings onto anyone else. Iroha calls him out on this later, when he claims to see her as a little sister. “You should stop doing that,” she says. “No girl likes being treated as a little sister.”



This conversation is played off in a light-hearted fashion at the time, but Iroha’s sentiments come back to haunt Hachiman in the end. When he insists that he’ll “help” Yukino, even when she says that she can handle things by herself, Haruno points out how inconsiderate he’s really being.

“Are you playing the big brother again?” she asks him, cuttingly.

To that, Hachiman can’t really say anything.
__________________________________________________ ______________________

The primary conflict in this volume centers around the high school prom. This is a hare-brained scheme that Iroha cooked up after watching American movies, thinking that she’ll get to be the prom queen. She brings this request to the Service Club, and although Yukino and the others hold some reservations about Iroha’s motivations (“Is she really doing all of this for herself?” they wonder), they eventually decide to help her out.

At first, I thought that this would lead to a retreading of earlier conflicts in the series, where Yukino tries to organise a large-scale event by herself and encounters problems. Anticipating this, Yui tells her from the start: “Don’t overexert yourself.”



As it turns out, there are no problems from Yukino’s side. No, the problems actually come from Yukino’s mother herself.

Yukino’s mother is, let’s say, one of those “concerned parents” types. She’s literally a member of the parents’ association. She wants to halt the prom because she finds it too “scandalous.” Literally all of her arguments are stupid, but she never changes her mind. She just smiles and pretends to listen to you and then gently reprimands to make you feel like the bad guy.

Yukino, who is obviously used to her mother’s style of argumentation, insists that she’ll be able to negotiate with her mother. Cut to the next chapter, however, and we find out through a phone call with Hiratsuka-sensei that Yukino has failed miserably at the task, but we’re left hanging about the details. According to Hiratsuka-sensei: “I’ve been compelled not to tell you. It’s Yukinoshita’s wish not to tell you.”

Then she asks, “Do you still have a reason to help out with the prom?”

This is the big moment for Hachiman. Even if it’s against Yukino’s will, does he still have a reason to help her, to rush to her aid?

He thinks that: “All of my reasons are linked to work, the club and Komachi. Even if I change the words and the way I say it, I realise that everything ties back to that.”

Haruno called his relationship with Yukino a “co-dependent” one, but for him, that’s not a reason either. “Co-dependency is the structure of a relationship. It’s not an emotion. It could be used as an excuse, but it could never become the reason.”

After thinking about every emotion in his heart, after squeezing himself dry, there is only one feeling left. A feeling that he cannot, does not want to verbalise.

But I have to say it, he thinks. If I don’t, nothing will progress.

And so he says, “I promised that I’d save her one day.”

Trite, hackneyed words without any rhyme or reason. He hates saying them.

But Hiratsuka-sensei accepts his reason. “Come immediately,” she tells him, so he leaves right away.

Yui waves him off.

“If you go to her, things will work out,” she insists brightly.



As soon as he’s gone, she bursts into tears.
__________________________________________________ ______________________

There are three cryptic interludes inserted at different parts of the story. Each one is apparently told through the point of view of Hachiman and Yui. Fans have already attempted to translate these, and you can find them on the Oregairu Reddit or 4chan or wherever.

In the first interlude, the writer (Hachiman?) admits: “I don’t want something genuine if it’s only going to be cold, cruel and sad.”

The second and third interludes appear to be written by Yui. In the second interlude, Yui discovers a photo of Yukino and Hachiman from Destiny Land. She notes: “It would be cruel to ask her feelings. It would be cruel to say my feelings. But I’m scared of knowing his feelings. And putting the blame on her would be the cruelest thing of all.”

And in the third interlude, she says: “I couldn’t blame everything on her. Just like she depended on him, I depended on her. I was the one who pushed everything on others.”

Everyone is afraid. What does it mean to move forward? What will happen when the status quo finally shatters? I think of this situation as a love triangle, but it’s also deeper than that. I think that this story is about the basic fear of being emotionally vulnerable.

There are little signs scattered throughout this volume that, despite the fact that they have known each other for a year, there are basic, essential things that these characters have not grasped. They are still afraid of asking personal questions. And Hachiman has never once touched the key for the Service Club room.

How will these trio of misfits truly break out of their shells and learn to relate to each other? Volume 12 completed the setup for this conflict. In volumes 13 and 14 (which are set to release at the same time at an unspecified date), we’ll see where the dice falls.

I don't know about you guys, but to me it looks like Watari is writing the story in some way that seems more adaptable in a movie than in another season. If the series will really end in volume 14 then I think a movie (or a series of movie like Heaven's Feel) would fit much better and would be far more gorgeous. If we get something like "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" I would be in tears.

Coming back into the series after all this time, all of these 'conflicts' seem cheesy af. I think I understand the people who didn't like the second season of the anime at all now.

[sasabit]

Is Hachiman really the one who says “I don’t want something genuine if it’s only going to be cold, cruel and sad.”?

[Sixth]

Originally Posted by HereticMagus

Coming back into the series after all this time, all of these 'conflicts' seem cheesy af. I think I understand the people who didn't like the second season of the anime at all now.

Yeah, too much unnecessary drama and conflict in S2.

[lijenstina]

I don't think it was unnecessary drama, it was just dragging on too much (volume 10 and 11).

[Shadow5YA]

Two volumes of drama until a third volume for resolution was par for the course past volume 6. The Christmas arc resolved in volume 9, and Hachiman played martyr and soured things in volumes 7 and 8.

In this case, volumes 10 and 11 would have been par for the course, but it was just made significantly worse by the wait from the hiatus.

The bigger issue is the gradual tonal shift beyond the halfway point in the series. Early on, even when things soured and something broke apart the Service Club, there were still plenty of cynical, but light hearted moments. But beyond volume 6, the humor has gradually disappeared to make way for even more serious drama. The only real breather we have had was the Christmas arc with Tamanawa's shenanigans. It's like the series became the drama queen Hachiman was making fun of early on in the series.

[Sixth]

Originally Posted by Shadow5YA

Two volumes of drama until a third volume for resolution was par for the course past volume 6. The Christmas arc resolved in volume 9, and Hachiman played martyr and soured things in volumes 7 and 8.

In this case, volumes 10 and 11 would have been par for the course, but it was just made significantly worse by the wait from the hiatus.

The bigger issue is the gradual tonal shift beyond the halfway point in the series. Early on, even when things soured and something broke apart the Service Club, there were still plenty of cynical, but light hearted moments. But beyond volume 6, the humor has gradually disappeared to make way for even more serious drama. The only real breather we have had was the Christmas arc with Tamanawa's shenanigans. It's like the series became the drama queen Hachiman was making fun of early on in the series.

All because Yukino for being inflexible drama queen and unnecessary meddling from Haruno.

[snarlmane]

The biggest problem with season 2 was that people couldn't follow what was going on, because Studio Feel rushed the source material, changed things or left out incredibly crucial details that would have made the story make more sense to people. And it's a problem that is still relevant to this day. Even for a lot of LN readers as I've noticed.

I'm not saying that the series didn't become more dramatic, but I will say that it would have been more engaging if it had been properly adapted and people could actually follow what was going on. There have been moments of levity in the later volumes, but most of those happen in the side volumes. And when a studio rushes the source material, you end up with a season 2 that not only doesn't make sense, but also has very little in the way of "fun" when it comes to the main characters.

I don't know if any of you guys visit the Oregairu subreddit (some of you probably do), but I posted an incredibly long summary on the series where I explain the story beat by beat, in the hopes of fixing the story. And well, for some people it worked, because it opened up a lot of things to them and I guess made the series more fun, because they could now actually follow what was going on.

And I was kind of planning on doing the same thing to other anime communities. Obviously I can't force anyone to read it or force anyone to like the series, but I do still think that this has a very good story, that's just a bit too difficult to follow for its own good, because there are so many things you need to pay attention to in order for you to fully grasp everything that's going on.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, would you guys be open to giving the series another shot, basically letting go of everything you thought you understood about the series and starting over again, except this time with me guiding you through what's going on?

If not, then there's nothing I can do to fix the series. However, a lot of people that have read it, have really enjoyed it. So, let me know if you guys would be interested in that.

tl;dr: I've written a really long summary on the series where I explain pretty much everything and point out things that you may have missed out on. I can't guarantee that you'll love the series again if you finish reading it, but maybe you will.

[ShirayukiX]

Originally Posted by snarlmane

The biggest problem with season 2 was that people couldn't follow what was going on, because Studio Feel rushed the source material, changed things or left out incredibly crucial details that would have made the story make more sense to people. And it's a problem that is still relevant to this day. Even for a lot of LN readers as I've noticed.

I'm not saying that the series didn't become more dramatic, but I will say that it would have been more engaging if it had been properly adapted and people could actually follow what was going on. There have been moments of levity in the later volumes, but most of those happen in the side volumes. And when a studio rushes the source material, you end up with a season 2 that not only doesn't make sense, but also has very little in the way of "fun" when it comes to the main characters.

I don't know if any of you guys visit the Oregairu subreddit (some of you probably do), but I posted an incredibly long summary on the series where I explain the story beat by beat, in the hopes of fixing the story. And well, for some people it worked, because it opened up a lot of things to them and I guess made the series more fun, because they could now actually follow what was going on.

And I was kind of planning on doing the same thing to other anime communities. Obviously I can't force anyone to read it or force anyone to like the series, but I do still think that this has a very good story, that's just a bit too difficult to follow for its own good, because there are so many things you need to pay attention to in order for you to fully grasp everything that's going on.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, would you guys be open to giving the series another shot, basically letting go of everything you thought you understood about the series and starting over again, except this time with me guiding you through what's going on?

If not, then there's nothing I can do to fix the series. However, a lot of people that have read it, have really enjoyed it. So, let me know if you guys would be interested in that.

tl;dr: I've written a really long summary on the series where I explain pretty much everything and point out things that you may have missed out on. I can't guarantee that you'll love the series again if you finish reading it, but maybe you will.

Hasn't and never will ruin the series for me; plus, I'm too biased towards Oregairu to save my life. (only read the TL;DR version. Busy with writing a blog and school, so apologies good sir.)

[WingedAccelerator]

Friendly reminder that Brain's Base put 6 volumes of content into one season, while Feel put 5. Both considered "rushed" in my standards, but I guess Feel's version gets more hate, because that's where the story got more serious, so it's kinda noticable at the end. Although they treated Volume 9 well, that alone got like 4 episodes, or 4 and a half, and that's a plus.

[Marcus H.]

Nah, I don't think that either season was rushed. Hell, I think they did the best possible outcome for the two seasons by ending at the "clash" between Hayama and Hachiman for S1 and the three-way confrontation outside of the aquarium park for S2. I just feel that people wanted more scenes from the LN to make it into the anime series, and it's an understandable but greedy sentiment.

That said, the structure of the story for this volume does seem boring, but only because it was published after a long hiatus. I bet people are thinking "we've waiting a long time for THIS?" As for me, this reminds me of Volume 6 of Hyouka, where the status quo had to be shattered for actual story development to happen among the main cast. It can't be helped, we're approaching the end of it all.

My only worry is whether the conclusive volume will be fulfilling enough.

[Rejectors]

^I don't think that either season was rushed.

Season 1 Adapt Vol 1-6.5 (7 Volumes adapt).
Season 2 Adapt Vol 7-11 (5 volumes adapt).

Me: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think you maybe try to re-read the Novel again I guess.

[Marcus H.]

I haven't really planned to read the novels due to several reasons including (1) watching the anime series based on its own merits and (2) the anime has covered everything.

If anime-only watchers did not consider the two seasons as a rushed adaptation, then it could mean two things: the anime series had done a good job in adapting what's necessary, OR that the LNs could be further compressed and lose absolutely nothing of its essence.

[Rejectors]

^the anime has covered everything.



Here we go again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I just leave it as that.

[snarlmane]

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

If anime-only watchers did not consider the two seasons as a rushed adaptation, then it could mean two things: the anime series had done a good job in adapting what's necessary, OR that the LNs could be further compressed and lose absolutely nothing of its essence.

What if I showed you what Watari himself thinks of his own adaptation?

>Could you guys respect the source material?
http://imgur.com/a/KAxuO
http://imgur.com/a/oVIWb

>I wonder how long they will be my fans.
http://imgur.com/a/WW7rm

>Volume 11 delayed. ANOTHER to go alongside the BDs.
http://imgur.com/a/Drzu8

Keep in mind that the guy isn't contractually allowed to speak up about his series out in the open, which is why he hasn't said a word or talked to any of his fans in two years. He did show his grievances not just with the adaptation, but the anime industry as a whole as well in his other work; Girlish Number.

[hikarushindo]

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

If anime-only watchers did not consider the two seasons as a rushed adaptation, then it could mean two things: the anime series had done a good job in adapting what's necessary, OR that the LNs could be further compressed and lose absolutely nothing of its essence.

It's just like Harry Porter. The people who only watched the movies said they were full of holes while book readers said those were all explained properly in the books. But are you sure no anime-only watchers said the second season was rushed? Because I know some would say otherwise. After vol 7, the series got more serious with important details so we can't compare vol to vol. for example, vol 9 alone was around 600 pages while other vols usually were around 300 pages.

But the problem with SS2 is not because it's rushed but the lack of a direction. Heck I would even say that they did not skip enough. If they skipped that chuuni guy's scenes, they might as well skipped some Totsuka's scenes (don't kill me please.) and Hayama's scene too.

SS1 direction is to boost the series sell. Thus it put out the unique of the LNs. Ep1 was a strong induction. And the one with Hachiman's though about nice girls hit viewers like a train. I dare to say most anime-only viewers still remember this scene vividly. SS1 served its purpose really well as an introduction to the series.

But what's the purpose of SS2 after viewers have already tasted those uniqueness and most have already read the LNs? As we have already long passed the introduction point, it's nothing more than just some summaries and spoilers. What message did they try to send to viewers? Facing consequences of your actions? The real pain of losing irreplaceable things? The conflict between one own ideal and reality? Or the desire for genuine things even if they are cold and cruel? It tried to do everything. Thus, it achieved nothing. It failed to capture the struggle Hachiman went through after seeing the results from his past actions in vol 9, which became a turning point to the series. For anime-only viewers, this is really bad because it undoubtedly reduced the impact of following events a whole lots. It's just like how Harry Porter movies never explain why they don't use guns (like seriously, all their spells feel like a waste of time except the invisible one hehe)

For anime-only viewers, what would they remember beside colorful arts and a flood of events? SS2 depicted all important scenes but they didn't have a soul. Thus, it couldn't stand on its two feet and failed miserably.

[Marcus H.]

>Could you guys respect the source material?

One cruel truth: thing will never go as planned. The best thing to do is settle for a compromise. The author definitely knew this—HE only knows how to write, and THEY only know how to make his story into an animated adaptation, regardless of how good or accurate it would get.

>I wonder how long they will be my fans.

Another cruel truth: an author/creator is only as famous as its biggest hit. Just like how Dan Brown's name is only known for The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, Watari might as well be forgotten after Oregairu ends. But that didn't stop people like Kazuma Kamachi or Hiro Mashima from being the prolific creators that they are. That's one cruel road a creator has to tread on, and I'm pretty sure every single one of them who loves their craft are well aware that their fame is short-lived.

Keep in mind that the guy isn't contractually allowed to speak up about his series out in the open, which is why he hasn't said a word or talked to any of his fans in two years. He did show his grievances not just with the adaptation, but the anime industry as a whole as well in his other work; Girlish Number.

Also keep in mind that the overall tone of Girlish Number isn't completely cynical nor is it optimistic that things will change for the better. Quoting my own impressions for Girlish Number's finale:

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

SUCK IT UP! encapsulates the final episode, really. Everyone had a moment to recollect on how much they hate the job through Chitose's monologue, but they instead used it to move forward and make with what they have. They are working on a shitty anime with shitty animation and a shitty story based on a shitty LN. The director is a massive douchebag who drags around everyone with his nonsense, and schedules and budget are stretched thin. However, they have already committed on the project, and they have to persevere, at the very least to give themselves the catharsis they needed.

It's just like Harry Porter. The people who only watched the movies said they were full of holes while book readers said those were all explained properly in the books. But are you sure no anime-only watchers said the second season was rushed? Because I know some would say otherwise. After vol 7, the series got more serious with important details so we can't compare vol to vol. for example, vol 9 alone was around 600 pages while other vols usually were around 300 pages.

Of course, Harry Potter with its expanding page coverage. Of course things would get cut off. Everyone knows that a single movie won't be able to cover everything, and Deathly Hallows had to be split just to accommodate the amount of content involved. And yet people kept on complaining.

For anime-only viewers, what would they remember beside colorful arts and a flood of events? SS2 depicted all important scenes but they didn't have a soul. Thus, it couldn't stand on its two feet and failed miserably.

That's what people think, that since the anime had left out some details from the light novels meant that the anime series had to feel "incomplete". Well, that reeks of adaptation bias. Please, be a little bit more considerate about the limitations of an anime adaptation. I'm sure everyone is aware that the anime will feel incomplete in some parts, and that's how it is with adaptations.

[Sixth]

I don't know, man. I think even if the anime has adapted the source material perfectly, I am still dislike the direction it went because it made everything so gloomy and unfun to read or watch because the whole silly "Genuine" that they were seeking. Would have prefer that the story focusing on them solving people's problems instead of being a drama queen. Also, they should have be the new School Council member because Hikigaya and Yukino are deserved it.

People said that Hachiman is a "Batman" but the Batman that I watched/knew said something more awesome line than "Genuine", which is "Because sometimes…the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded."

[Marcus H.]

The "end of fun and games" is a staple in school club-themed anime.

It happened with K-ON.
It happened with Sket Dance.
It happened with Haganai.
And it already happened with Oregairu, a club that didn't even have a strong foundation in the first place.