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Having spent 3 days to marathon the first season (and discovering how to watch videos from inside a shower), I finished the first season of Oregairu (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru) and proceeded with the second a while back before it's conclusion. Why this anime does not appear on many radars (instead for Fuh Stuh Nut) is baffling, since in my personal opinion, I consider this a top-notch anime that even non-anime fans may enjoy. There is quality in this work that rarely pops out of its genre, namely romantic comedy (it also helps that it is a deconstruction of the genre, which is something I have a fondness for). This review covers both first and second season of the show. Be aware that the first and second season were made by different studios on differing budgets so the quality in animation and graphic quality can differ. Also be aware that this anime is based on a light novel series by Wataru Watari.
The characters are a major positive to this show with the show's lead, Hachiman Hikigaya (or Hikitani according to some of the show's characters - I am aware that Hikigaya is his real name) stealing the show while happening to be the main male protagonist. Unlike most romantic comedy (or romcom) protagonists, Hachiman is not the generic protagonist who has romantic hijinks and instead, is a cynical person who due to circumstance and experience, willingly isolates himself from the typical high school life. Hachiman's cynical rants are interesting and in my case, very relatable (the "Nice girls" rant is a personal favourite). His views and opinions are filled with snark and made with a realistic (and pessimistic) perspective which grants him unique options to handle issues that others may not resolve. Unlike most shows, the protagonist's methods are not the ideal solution and are not the final perfect solution to the issues encountered. The show avoids idealising or making Hachiman's solutions as being the perfect solutions as season 1 does which I do like as it avoids making him seem too perfect as a problem-solver and the show itself addresses the flaws of Hachiman's current lifestyle, allowing the viewer to see his gradual character development.
The two main female protagonists, Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama (I am beginning to see a pattern here), are also well written characters for a romantic comedy in my opinion with the former being an aloof and very direct individual with an obscured backstory that is gradually revealed as the story progresses and the latter being a normal individual who, while nursing romantic feelings for Hachiman, acts as the normal individual to balance out Hachiman and Yukinoshita whereby the two are considered social outcasts. Each of them are entertaining to watch with snark-filled banter between Hachiman and Yukinoshita while Hachiman and Yui are friendlier but with the social awkwardness expected by Hachiman included (though Yui does throw out the occasional snarky remark). The other characters work well enough to move the story forward and regardless of whether you like or dislike the characters, they are not badly written. In my own experiences, I found myself speculating on the origin of Yukino's traits as the show began to provide hints of a past trauma from youth (and nothing too drastically dark, you Urobochi fanboys...) while wondering how the other two will help her resolve these issues.
The writing for this genre is quite well-done with the usual clichés around romcoms being either critically examined or ignored as the series goes on. Notions such as high-school groups are given a closer look such as (MINOR SPOILERS HERE) the structure of a group being reliant on one popular individual to hold it together due to other members not being friends with each other (notions I have noticed at times though only realised it due to this show) and the folly of having a crush on a person that is nice to the individual in question (SPOILERS OVER). The story also goes against the typical problem with a formula used to resolved said problem as previously mentioned (i.e Scooby Doo: Finds paranormal stuff, finds monster, chased by monster, finds clues along way, more chase, finds a tangible clue that shows motive, make trap, initial trap fails, Scooby and Shaggy inadvertently traps monster, monster unmasked and mystery solved) with season 2 showing the negative consequences of Hachiman's unique methods to resolve issues in terms of his relationship with his newly made friends. The tension and mood between characters due to events in the story also has a strong effect on the show which shakes up the status quo around the characters with developments adding new personal issues that the three main characters would have to resolve over time. The character development in the second season was amazing to say the least with the "genuine" confession being an amazing moment in the show. After dragging myself through many romcom anime and their cousins, the harem genre, it was nice to find something with decent writing and Oregairu certainly delivers with considerable interest.
The soundtrack and voice-acting are quite well done as well. I will not go into to details but will merely note their positive additions to a decent show with the soundtrack setting the mood and the voice acting conveying the character's emotions well (especially with Hachiman and the "genuine" confession).
What breaks it:
Ironically, for all of its quality, it does not fit in the genre of romantic comedy, at least for the first season in terms of romance. Due to Hachiman's own character, romance does not appear often in the show and once, was shot down in a rather harsh manner. There is comedy present in the show (I will not state any to keep it fresh for new viewers) but the romance does not really appear often. From my own viewings, the romance is subtle but only becomes prominent near the end of the first season and throughout the second season. Fans of gushy or apparent romance will be disappointed by this. Personally, I liked the subtlety to the romance though my opinion will differ from others.
Another thing I have to point out is the animation and graphic quality in the first season. While I did not notice flaws during my viewing experience, many sources have pointed out the low quality of the animation and graphics in the first season. This was apparently due to a low budget being used by the studio and while I don't have problems with below average animation quality, some will. I only bring this up so that I do not misinform people too much and it should be noted that season 2 does improve on the two to a good degree,
There is also not a lot of events going on in the story with no action going on though I personally find no fault in that. While this means there would be a lack of typical excitement, it should be remembered that this is a show about how a high school student going through his high school days is having a messed up high school life. People who expect high-flying action, space battles or unexpected deaths should seek out other places to settle down.
Personal opinion:
There is more I want to say about this anime but right now, I am working on a half-asleep brain with brain drain in progress. I personally love this series and would probably place it in my top 5 anime of all time for great writing and superb characters due to the approach taken and sensible complexity. I have found websites that have given this show much praise and from what I have seen, it deserves the praise though the second season's ending may not be what a fan would expect. There is quality here that I rarely see in most anime and manga, along with light novels, which I wish to see more of. As of now, my curiosity of the current issue in the series and how it will be resolved is at a peak which hopefully would be sated by a third season that can cover the entire light novel and all of its short stories. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes anime and does not need to have action in every moment.
What makes it: Characters, Writing, Soundtrack and voice acting
What breaks it: Not fitting into genre, Below average animation and graphic quality in first season at occasions, Lack of events
(P.S: These reviews I write don't actually provide a score or rating. All they do is provide the reader my personal opinions so that the reader can see if my tastes and the readers are similar. If they are not, you may take these reviews as opinions or suggestions. Remember, my opinions are subjectively biased.)
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