Resolved to become a more independent person, Yukino Yukinoshita decides to smoothen things out with her parents, and the first step toward achieving that goal is to prove herself.
As graduation draws closer for the third-year students, Iroha Isshiki—the president of the student council—requests a graduation prom in collaboration with the Volunteer Service Club. Yukino accepts this request of her own volition, hoping to use it as a chance to demonstrate her self-reliance, but what lies ahead of her may prove to be a hard hurdle to cross.
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan revolves around the graduation prom as emotions are poured into the preparations for the event. At the same time, a chance for the Volunteer Service Club members to better understand each other presents itself. And thus, Hachiman Hikigaya's hectic and bittersweet high school life begins to draw to a close.
“Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan” – Breaking the Mould of Traditional Rom-Coms
Synopsis
“Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan” (translated to “My Teen Romantic Comedy is Wrong, As I Expected: End”, and often abbreviated as Oregairu) is a riveting mix of heartwarming, high-school relationships and raw, realistic psychology of youth. The protagonist, Hachiman Hikigaya, is an apathetic high school student with narcissistic tendencies who is forced to join the Public Service Club by his guidance counselor.
The club comprises Yukino Yukinoshita, the icy and perfect class representative with her own deep-rooted problems, and Yui Yuigahama, a sweet, cheerful girl struggling with her own insecurities. Together, they assist others in overcoming school life problems, and in the process, unearth painful truths about their own emotions, creating a tense atmosphere around their previously carefree lives.
Review
Oregairu has always shone in its depiction of teenage psychological drama and this season is no different, in fact, it just got better. It’s one of those rare series that effortlessly encapsulates the complexities, contradictions, and fleeting nature of the school-life experience making it relatable for many who have navigated through this rite of passage.
Oregairu’s cast is one of its major strengths. Rather than treating them as simple caricatures defined by a single trait or two, as is typical in the genre, characters are established with depth and humanity laced with a cocktail of different emotions. Hachiman, Yukino, and Yui, are three of the most avowed and well-developed characters in the rom-com genre.
The balance between comedy and drama in Oregairu is aptly maintained. The permutations and combinations of different feelings, the bitter-sweetness of youth, and the realities of growing up are all placed delicately on this fine balance. The satire is intellectual, rather than slapstick, and adds another layer of complexity to unpack.
As always, as crucial to the narrative of Oregairu, its character growth is phenomenally handled. This season, in particular, allows all of our central characters to grow and ‘find themselves’. They accept their flaws and turn them into their strength. The introspection shown by each character sets this anime apart.
On the visual front, Feel Studio does an excellent job in maintaining the consistent animation quality. Their attention to character expressions and body language contributes to the story in a meaningful way. The soundtrack also complements the storytelling, often rousing different emotions at the perfect moments.
Verdict
If you’re someone who’s no stranger to anime rom-coms but wants something that breaks the stereotype, then “Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan” is a must-watch. While it does handle some heavy themes, it does so with grace, lending an air of authenticity to the narrative.
With that in mind, is it worth buying, renting, or streaming? Given the complexity of the storyline and its rewatch value, buying a Blu-ray or DVD is the optimal choice for many fans. However, if you are new to the series and unsure if it caters to your taste, streaming it is the most viable option. It’s available on various platforms like Crunchyroll and Funimation—we definitely recommend giving it a shot!
And so, whether you’re sinking into the sofa for a binge-watch or patiently waiting week by week for the episodes to drop, grab your popcorn, folks! Prepare to be captivated by this beautiful high school story that breaks the mould of traditional romantic comedies.
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