Hi Score Girl

Set in 1991, Hi Score Girl centers on sixth grader Yaguchi Haruo, a shy kid whose world is defined by arcade machines. He's neither popular nor smooth, but he has real skill at video games. One afternoon he meets Akira Oono, a wealthy and composed classmate who effortlessly destroys him at Street Fighter II and keeps beating him at every game they try. Akira starts showing up at arcades after school, and their repeated matches form an unusual bond. Rather than a straight romance or sports story, the show follows their slow, awkward connection as rivals and friends, while school life and 90s gaming culture shape how they grow up.

Released in 2018, Hi Score Girl is an animated television adaptation of Rensuke Oshikiri's manga. The series features voice work from Sayumi Suzushiro as Akira Oono, Daiki Yamashita as Genta Doi, Satomi Arai as Namie Yaguchi and others, and it brought manga fans a faithful, animated take on the arcade-heavy source material.

Critics and viewers have praised the series for its affection for retro gaming and well-timed humor, reflected in an 8.0/10 average from fan votes. The show focuses on themes of adolescence, social awkwardness, competition, and how shared interests can create unexpected connections. Character growth comes through matches, small gestures, and everyday school scenes rather than big melodrama.

Hi Score Girl had a visible effect on retro gaming fandom, renewing interest in 90s arcade titles and sparking conversations about authentic period detail in anime. Its accurate recreation of arcade cabinets, game culture, and period music made it a touchstone for fans who remember the era and those discovering it for the first time.

The series didn't sweep major industry awards, but it found a loyal audience and steady fan support. Its combination of nostalgia, humor, and sincere character work helped it stand out among contemporary anime comedies and attract viewers who care about gaming history.