Hi Score Girl is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rensuke Oshikiri, running from October 25, 2010 to September 25, 2018. The story revolves around the life of gamer Haruo Yaguchi, the coin-op gaming setting, the changes that develop within both over time, and his relationship with quiet female gamer Akira Ono. Known as a ’90s arcade romantic comedy, the series is notable for its unique art style, and thoroughly accurate depictions of the multitude of gaming software, hardware, and even culture that are featured. An anime television series adaptation by J.C.Staff and SMDE aired from July to September 2018. A second season aired from October to December 2019.
Characters
Main characters
;Haruo Yaguchi ;Akira Ono ;Koharu Hidaka
Other characters
;Namie Yaguchi ;Jiya ;Makoto Ono ;Moemi Goda ;Genta Doi ; Chihiro Onizuka ;Numata ;Kotaro Miyao ;Felicia Nikotama ;Aulbath Ōimachi ;Sagat Takdanobaba ;Blanka Kuhombutsu ;Sasquatch Tamagawagakuenmae
Media
Manga
Oshikiri launched the manga in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan on October 25, 2010, and ended its serialization on September 25, 2018 in the tenth 2018 issue of the magazine. The series has been published in ten tankōbon volumes, with the first volume released on February 25, 2012, and the tenth and final volume released on March 25, 2019. Square Enix Manga & Books licensed the manga in English, with the first volume released on February 25, 2020. The December 2019 issue of Monthly Big Gangan announced that a spinoff manga titled Hi Score Girl DASH focusing on Koharu Hidaka, now a middle school teacher, will be in the magazine's next issue on December 25.
Anime
Monthly Big Gangan announced in December 2013 that an anime adaptation was green-lit. The anime adaptation was confirmed to be a television series animated by SMDE, with production by J.C. Staff, in March 2018, and aired from July 13 to September 28, 2018. It is directed by Yoshiki Yamakawa and written by Tatsuhiko Urahata, featuring character designs by Michiru Kuwabata, and music by Yoko Shimomura. The series' opening theme song "New Stranger" was performed by Sora Tob Sakana, while the series' ending theme song "Hōkago Distraction" was performed by Etsuko Yakushimaru. Netflix streamed the anime on December 24, 2018 with an English dub. The series received 3 OVA episodes titled Extra Stage that premiered on March 20, 2019. A second, nine episode long season aired from October 25 to December 20, 2019, with the staff and cast reprising their roles. The second season's opening theme song "Flash" was performed by Sora Tob Sakana, while the second season's ending theme song "Unknown World Map" was performed by Etsuko Yakushimaru. Season 2 premiered on Netflix on April 9, 2020 outside of Japan and China.
Reception
It was number two on the 2013 Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Top 20 Manga for Male Readers survey. It was also nominated for the 6th Manga Taishō and the 17th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. It was number nine in the 2013 Comic Natalie Grand Prize. As of December 30, 2012, volume 3 has sold 59,016 copies and as of July 7, 2013, volume 4 has sold 103,734 copies.
Legal issues
On August 5, 2014, Osaka District Police searched the offices of Square Enix, the publishers of Hi Score Girl, acting on an IP violation claim by SNK Playmore stating that the manga allegedly features over 100 instances of characters from The King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, and other fighting games. In response, Square Enix voluntarily recalled all printed volumes and temporarily suspended publication of future volumes and digital sales. However, the manga continued its run in Monthly Big Gangan. In August 2015, it was reported that Square Enix and SNK Playmore had reached a settlement, cancelling the lawsuit and enabling the manga to be sold again in different formats.
