Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu first impressions

I wasn’t planning on watching this series, but after reading the synopsis it sounded like a fun and unique story so I decided to give it a try…

After watching the first few minutes of episode 1, I was a bit apprehensive that the series might be too fan service-y for my taste. But as it turns out, it wasn’t too bad and episode 1 ended on a good note, establishing the basic plot of the series. Episode 2, however, I enjoyed a lot more; it was so cute (without being too sappy) and very well paced with only one instance of (painfully obvious) fan service. But so far, the fan service doesn’t seem too out of hand so I’m looking forward to watching the rest of NHnH ^_^ If I’m not mistaken, the series is based on novels rather than manga (anybody know how many novels there are, and if the anime is staying faithful to the novels?)

Anime series’ that involve characters who are themselves anime fans are always amusing. But I think the main appealing aspect of this series is that Haruka is not your stereotypical nerdy or eccentric anime fan; she’s basically your perfectly polite, talented, model Japanese female student, whose one slightly taboo interest will probably be the primary source of entertainment for the series. Mamiko Noto is great at portraying shy, polite female characters, and her role as Haruka is no exception. Some of her other roles include Yakumo from School Rumble, Kotomi from Clannad, Rin from Inuyasha, and Fiona from Allison & Lillia.

Most of the other main characters have not yet appeared, but so far Haruka and Yuuto make a cute and sympathetic pair of protagonists. Although Yuuto seems to have the typical personality of the “one main male character amongst many female characters” he’s still fairly likable. However I can definitely see Haruka becoming popular among male otaku viewers because 1) she has the ever lovable, polite, submissive, moe-ish personality, and 2) being an anime fan puts a fun twist on her otherwise common character and makes her even more appealing to otaku viewers who share in her anime interest XD Both Haruka and Yuuto also seem to have rather strained home lives so I’m curious to find out more about that.

The animation of the series so far is fairly good, though nothing spectacular. The visuals in the opening song are great (but the song itself is kind of generic); I especially like the computer/paint program sequence at the beginning =D The ending song is pretty catchy…and you can tell it was at least somewhat inspired by Hare Hare Yukai XD

Anyway, as I said, episode 1 was okay but episode 2 was fantastic, so I hope the series will continue to get better and better ^^ Hopefully the introduction of the rest of the female characters won’t turn the series into a fan service-filled harem, and will continue to focus on Haruka and Yuuto’s relationship (was it just me or did they make it so utterly obvious in episode 2 that Yuuto is the boy from Haruka’s past? XD) As long as the series doesn’t get constantly bombarded with interrupting fan service, I think it’s going to be very enjoyable =D