Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru. - 01
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As per tradition, this season's long-named light novel adaptation comes from Brain's Base. Its name Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru.
I've expressed on more than once occasion that lately Brain's Base hasn't been on top form. Their works have dropped significantly from the highest of quality productions to nothing more than attempts at serious commercial success. As such they've slipped.....far. Instead of being high up on the list of studios to watch out, their works have been relegated to the "will watch if I have the time" pile. With all that in mind, how does Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru fare?
The spring season as a whole is weaker than I'd like to admit. Premiers have been less than stellar but somehow Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru wasn't all that bad. I say this of course with strict reservations and doubts for the future episodes of the series. Even you can tell from the production value of the first episode that Brain's Base is either out of cash or just not trying.
A rather simple premise forms the basis of this series. Jaded high school boy hates everyone because one girl rejected him a few years back. He's forced to join a group led by the school idol, with whom he refuses to get along, only later to be joined by a girl who appears to have a crush on our anti-social male lead. It's reminiscent of Haganai (season 1) but distinguishable enough to not be labelled a rip-off just yet. It even has its own, albeit un-special, charm.
What I enjoyed most was the chemistry between our main characters. There are no holds barred in their exchanges, and for once we have a male lead who isn't afraid to throw a verbal punch on any given occasion. Not to mention his lack of tact and overall care for the members of the opposite sex he's saddled with make the standard conversations somewhat enjoyable. Nothing extraordinary but not bad.
If the first episode is an indicator of more to come, then there shouldn't be any surprises with Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru. I'm expecting a Haganai/any other school clube/seitokai scenario with a focus on random activities which inevitably give birth to romantic comedy shipping. The OP hints at a growing cast of characters, which comes as no surprise but rather a sense of obligation to do as others have done before you.
Anything else? Perhaps I should mention the great opening performed by Yanagi Nagi. It was some ways the highlight of the episode.
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru OP
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Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru ED
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