(CR) Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu

[pagan poor]

ep 3

Spoiler:

The relationship is still going strong but thank god for a strong male lead also. Thank god.

Spoiler for Just to add::

Yuuto is likely the most sane and rational person on the show. He thinks on his feet, isn't overtaken by events, and reacts accordingly to situations. He obviously doesn't care what other people do on their own time within reason. Only knock on him so far is we haven't seen exactly what his interests are. Other than a growing closeness to Haruka, of course. I'm definitely impressed.

[Silverwyrm]

I'd have to agree, he doesn't judge people on their hobbies, which is a good thing.

[zzeroparticle]

Episode 2:

Nothing really of note that hasn't been mentioned already since this series is just self-serving to all of the anime fans out there with its spot-on characterization of the otaku lifestyle. From the flashback scene though, I'm getting some Love Hina-easque vibes (as if Yuuto didn't already remind me of Keitaro with all the clumsiness removed). Even if this does turn out to be rather formulaic, I'll still stick with it.

I did smile a bit though when I heard the OP to Ichigo Mashimaro's OVA playing in the background.

[phishn37]

I am watching the first episode...

A lot of things already have turned me off. I don't like fanservice, and judging by the style of the show, assumed that the main lead would be another shonen romance harem-type leads, and there would be a super cute-moe girl love interest. And then Haruka said, 'ohayou gozaimasu!' ...

I fell in love with her voice right away ~ ! It's lower than most and mature and cool-sounding! That's the main reason I kept watching till the end of the episode. I now see more potential in this show!

[AuditionEX]

This show has a surprisingly great OP and ED , very stylish and the songs are catchy.

Story seems quite enjoyable , and the characters are likable and unique.

On a side note for ep 2, bricks were shat that I saw Shana Poster and heard the Binkan! song.

[ZODDGUTS]

May be just me but I think I heard the OP song of Koharu Biyori when they were in the Cafe in ep 2.

[Midonin]

Originally Posted by ZODDGUTS

May be just me but I think I heard the OP song of Koharu Biyori when they were in the Cafe in ep 2.

It was indeed playing.

Looking forward to more subtle shoutouts like these.

[ZODDGUTS]

Yeah thought so... kinda hard not to mistake that song when it sounds so...

[Matt Soulblade]

HHHGGGHNNNNN, the anime.

I have to say I watched the first anime and I had to inmediatly watch the second one. So moe Im gonna die.

With that said, I will follow this series, but I dont know if I will be able to finish it. Wish me luck, guys ;_;.

[SuperKnuckles]

Originally Posted by fict_ticious

Also, Japan's view on anime thing, I always like to refer to Anno (despite having beef with him).

I honestly don't understand why anyone would refer to a guy who semi-hates the whole thing. I tend to not listen to people on moé topics on people who hate moé to begin with. The bias, you know?

[Newprimus]

Originally Posted by phishn37

I am watching the first episode...

A lot of things already have turned me off. I don't like fanservice, and judging by the style of the show, assumed that the main lead would be another shonen romance harem-type leads, and there would be a super cute-moe girl love interest. And then Haruka said, 'ohayou gozaimasu!' ...

There was fanservice? If you mean the panties through black stockings, or the drunk sensei, you're weak yo.

I fell in love with her voice right away ~ ! It's lower than most and mature and cool-sounding! That's the main reason I kept watching till the end of the episode. I now see more potential in this show!

And a Noto Mamiko fan is born. Her voice is unique, but she doesn't have much range.

And if this is the first time you've heard that VA, you really haven't watched much anime.

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by Shinova

And a Noto Mamiko fan is born. Her voice is unique, but she doesn't have much range.

Mamiko NOTO

Yes, I have been a fan of hers for almost all the characters she has ever played, especially Yakumo from School Rumble and Nodoka from Negima! As for her range, well, she did try the male lead in Kanokon, Yuka in Elfen Lied, Sir Bedivere in Fate Stay Night (although, that was a bit weird), and Tiffania in Zero no Tsukaima.

Ok, back to the show. I don't know. In some ways, the show is so typical. However, I cannot help but get excited over watching the next episode. It is just one of those feel good shows, the male lead is a pretty good guy, and Haruka just draws me in.

[DragoonKain3]

Ugh... Mamiko as male characters, don't try and make me remember. I think I might've seen them all (there's her role in FMP as one of Sagara's guy friends, and her lead role in Girls Bravo as well)


ANYWAYS, what I particularly love about the show is that barring the OP, they don't accentuate Haruka's sexuality at all. I mean, if we weren't shown her in her swimsuit in the OP, I would've thought she would be smaller than average in the bust department. It's probably the clothes she wears, as both her seifuku and her casual wear usually has another piece of cloth covering her top, essentially hiding her assets.

My only problem is, all the other characters are still subject to fanservice; even the loli gets not one, nor two, but three panty shots in eps 3. While its true it emphasizes how little fanservice Haruka gets, it does accentuates everyone else's fanservice.

If there's one thing I truly like in the show, its the male lead. He isn't truly perverted, but he does think about those kind of things from time to time. And the way he protects Haruka in various ways, all I can say is Good Job!

But yeah, I'm not going to lie. Them having meet during childhood does help much for me to keep interest in the show, considering how big of a moe factor that is to me.

Of course, I'm still waiting for the rival-in-love to make her big appearance, as shows like these wouldn't be without a love triangle. I'm assuming it's the red haired girl judging by the OP, and considering she's an Akiba-kei as well, I look forward to future eps.

[nikorai]

Speaking of episode 3.

Spoiler for japanese poetry:

If you noticed, Haruka cites a poem from Manyoushuu. It’s the poem #3373, which often appears in various anime.

多摩川に 晒す手作り さらさらに 何ぞこの子の ここだかなしき
Like the rustling of the homespun cloth set out to bleach in the Tama River, why do I think so tenderly of that darling girl more and yet more?

Note the play on words with ‘sarasara’. This sort of pun can often be found in japanese poetry.
Attached to the first part ‘sarasara’ would mean ‘rustling of cloth’ but in combination with the second part it would stand for ‘increasingly’ i.e. ‘to love the girl even more’



Another example I remember is Kokinwakashuu, 515.

唐衣ひもゆふぐれになる時は返す返すぞ人はこひしき

Here, in combination with ‘karagoro’, himo would mean ‘a string’. On the other hand, ‘hi mo yuugure’ translates into ‘it’s getting late’ or ‘it’s close to evening’.

Also note the old style, where ふ is written in place of う and ひ instead of い.

[mangalowres]

Spoiler for ep3:

Could it be that her little sister is a little bit perverted.
The first thing she guessed that he had forced her elder sister to do and wear some weird stuff

And again that map with the bear .. tiger ... arghs, cat.
She cannot draw someone please tell her that or next time he will find himself in Africa while searching for a soft drink vending machine

[TrueKnight]

Haruka's sister nearly ruined ep 3 for me. The last thing I need is a perverted obligatory loli whose panties' flashes all the time when she had the screentime.

Thank goodness Haruka moeness and Yuuto cheesy lines somehow makes up for it. Eventhough Yuuto was somewhat generic in this one, but him covering for Haruka all the time, and the hugging scene again completely won me over. Again I'll have to say its cheesy lines, but somehow it manage to set things right. Kudos for Yuuto.

The one thing I regret was that its Haruka instead of Yuuto who completely beat the asshole at the end of the ep. Man I wanted Yuuto to beat that motherfucker so hard. Eventhough I'm glad that from that scene Haruka will somehow manage to look straight up now and grow stronger as a character. All of course, thanks for Yuuto.

Last thing, please oh please don't let Haruka's sister interfere with Yuuto x Haruka in later ep. Maybe somehow she'd support her, but I'll be damned if later she also fell for Yuuto, just... no.

[Julius Firefocht]

I dunno, my first impulse after watching ep3 was to kill Yuuto for being such a lucky guy.

In hindsight, he really is a good male lead, a suitable companion for Nogizaka Haruka. Not bad at all.

I like how Haruka runs out of her room just to stake her claim on Yuuto right after Miko threatens to take Yuuto for herself.

But at the end of the day, I doubt Miko would really follow up on her threat. She supports Haruka and Yuuto's relationship, as far as I can see. Though I think she is kinky enough that she probably wants a piece of Yuuto as well.

Oh, and I like how it was Haruka who threw that jerk away, literally. She is taking a stand for herself, and making a conscious choice to protect Yuuto in the process. Her reactions to any future labelling of her and Yuuto as "otakus who fail at life" would be something to look forward to.

So, this episode is not as MOEWHELMING as the previous episode, but still packs more than enough punch. In place of pure moe we have character development, always a good thing.

So yeah, great stuff all round.

[Daheji]

Episode 3

Good but

Spoiler:

the fact that Haruka was instantely looked down because of the Comiket mag was a little too extrem for me. She passed from being an idol to a otaku. I just want to beat them all!

Well, that's not that bad. Yuuto's and Haruka's relationship is getting stronger thanks to that (small) event.

And yeah, don't make Haruka angry.. she can threw you without sweat.

[Skyfall]

Originally Posted by DragoonKain3

Of course, I'm still waiting for the rival-in-love to make her big appearance, as shows like these wouldn't be without a love triangle. I'm assuming it's the red haired girl judging by the OP, and considering she's an Akiba-kei as well, I look forward to future eps.

I have been pondering about this for a while now, and simply can't bring myself to imagine how that would even work. Given the current state of affairs between Yuuto and Haruka, i simply can't imagine a serious love triangle developing. The chemistry between the two is going through the roof, and they seem a stone's throw away from becoming a couple after episode 3. (which is going to happen sooner or later anyway). I find it extremely hard to imagine a love triangle that wouldn't be horribly one sided to say the least.

I mean ... even the OP (which is where we draw the conclusion of the "red" haired girl being the possible "rival") has Yuuto and Haruka looking at each other when the screen is split in 3 and the girl is making her appearance. (not to mention the kiss). Of course i am just stating the blatantly obvious the two will be together sooner or later - it is written all over the place ... so, yea. I find it near impossible to imagine a tangible love triangle developing with how things are going.

[Daheji]

It's not official that Haruka and Yuuto are a couple.
I mean, they didn't say "I love you" or kiss or anything like this.

A rival can make her apparence and just hang around Yuuto because Yuuto is a nice guy. And etc etc, the girl fall in love with Yuuto and tells him and voila, a love triangle!

I want to see Haruka fights for the sake of love. *_*