DESCRIPTION

CAST

NOVEL RomanceHige wo Soru. Soshite Joshikousei wo Hirou.
MANGA DramaHige wo Soru. Soshite Joshikousei wo Hirou.

REVIEWS

• 

  AnimeDweeb

  50/100
  After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Wrote a Review.

  #Spring '21 hasn't exactly been kind towards Slice of Life aficionados.

  My favorite SoL series all season was technically a carry-over from last Spring; the Kaguya-sama: Love is War OVA only needed 20 minutes to bring me more enjoyment than any other airing seasonal. Aside from the sleeper-hit Super Cub, we've been pretty short on unadulterated, vanilla wholesomeness. An age-gap LN adaptation with an obnoxiously long title seemed like the furthest thing from my lofty wishes. This pretty petty pessimistic mindset loomed over me as I went into this series. It has certainly given viewers other than myself reasons to give pause and get mad, thanks to material that can be seen as upsetting. But in spite of this series' controversies, I did find myself rather impressed at the refreshing way its taboo themes were addressed. After being surprised, I shaved and wrote a (spoiler-free) review. Let's jump into Higehiro. Feel free to skip ahead to my Tl;Dr if you'd like to go in blind.

  ---

  #He gets cucked by a co-worker. He drinks. He stumbles home drunk. He meets an attractive girl.

  Seems standard so far, but things are about to take a rather unexpected turn. The girl goes by Sayu. She's 17, and comes to our middle-aged main character with a strange proposition: give her a place to lodge for the night, and she'll let him have his way with her. The recently-rejected Yoshida, inebriated and in his feelings, refuses this stranger's offer of sex. But much to Sayu's disbelief, he allows her to crash at his place regardless. Higehiro is focused on exploring the circumstances preceding and resulting from this change to Yoshida's and Sayu's living arrangements. Now, this inciting incident could leave you feeling any number of different ways, from abject horror to mere indifference. In any case, we should properly look into the context behind this scenario, in order to understand what Higehiro's deal is.

  #"*Wait, that's illegal*. "

  A middle-aged bachelor living with an underage stranger is bound to set off all kinds of alarms. What's already a dicey situation to take in for Western viewers is compounded by local context; according to statutory laws in Japan, harboring a minor is a criminal offence, regardless of consent. The series' script is very much aware of how Yoshida's actions could be perceived by audiences, and addresses this mistake several times within the show. Heck, the LN author Shimesaba took to Twitter with a disclaimer for the real-life implications involved in Higehiro. When even the author himself is denouncing our main character for committing a literal crime, the warning sign is undeniably clear. What Yoshida does in this situation is dumb, there's no two ways about it. Higehiro fans and haters alike are on the same page here, Yoshida makes a terrible mistake. In his situation, the right thing any sensible adult would have done was to call Child Services, and let the relevant agencies handle this dilemma. But here's my question to those who share that line of thinking: "Would anyone be invested in that story?" Is there any merit to the tale of some drunk dude calling the cops on a minor? Point is, Higehiro's narrative wouldn't be "fixed" through the removal of this controversial decision; if anything, this weird inciting incident is exactly what the story needs in order to communicate its desired message. It can be counter-productive to talk about a show with this "How It Should Have Ended" mentality, even if that story demands a lot from our suspension of disbelief. The question we should be answering isn't whether or not Yoshida is in the right for taking in a homeless minor (he's not,) but what Higehiro tells us as a result of this dodgy writing choice. So let's address just that.

  #*Higehiro* offers earnest answers to its questionable start.

  The emotional juggernaut of the franchise, Sayu emerges from her flaws and trauma as the series progresses. Yoshida isn't the first person she had come to for that sexual transaction, but he's the one to help Sayu break out of that vicious cycle. He makes up for his criminal goof by turning out to be one of the more sensible protagonists I've watched recently. He's perceptive of others' actions and acts in their self-interest, with a self-deprecating edge that comes with being a bachelor nearing their thirties. Unlike the bad age-gap show this season^, Higehiro ensures that the older MC never sees Sayu as a romantic prospect. The result is a father/daughter dynamic similar to something you'd find in Usagi Drop. Yoshida acts as a kind-hearted guardian over Sayu, as she learns to cope with the circumstances that first drove her to Yoshida's doorstep. That's not to say that Higehiro plays its age-gap relationship completely safe either. Awkwardness and mild sexual tension between the two is interspersed throughout the show, which I actually find to be quite diegetic. Watching the characters acknowledge their growing intimacy makes this bond feel human, plausible, and quite unlike anything I've ever seen before. This overall niceness isn't limited to our wannabe dad MC, but carries forwards to most of the ensemble cast as well. Airi Gotou, Asami Yuuki and Yuzuha Mishima all have their respective moments to motivate Sayu as she grows out of her destructive habits. Our cast lends strength to a stranger in need, with a degree of openness and optimism that is really refreshing to watch weekly. The pep talks motivating Sayu to confront her deepest fears and embrace life rarely fails to warm my heart. Seeing this broken individual break free from her harmful vices was a rather cathartic experience, amidst the issues we've brought up so far, and the problems we're about to tackle.

  #Despite *Higehiro's* best efforts, it sometimes feels like the series isn't making the best out of its own situation.

  One big caveat actually comes with one of the series' strengths: Yoshida's maturity. He doesn't really undergo a character arc in this story, mostly acting as a mentor alongside Sayu. What would have been two ends of an age-gap ends up feeling like half of a missed opportunity, as Yoshida's perspective rarely takes the spotlight from Sayu's growth. I'm unsure if this is an issue present in the source material, or a concession made in order to wrap up the adaptation within a single cour. In any case, this stagnation in character development results in certain stretches of the narrative meandering around similar story beats, especially towards the latter half of Higehiro. The script feels somewhat lost at times, resorting to Mishima delivering stream-of-consciousness rants to our other characters in order to motivate them in vague, inconsequential directions. I'd respect Mishima's efforts to get the plot going, if her obtuse rants didn't make up some of the more obnoxious portions of the show. Speaking of annoying, Higehiro does a pretty poor job with its villains. I refer to them as such since the show refrains from adding nuance or dimensions to their portrayals. Perhaps giving some depth to the figures in Sayu's haunting past would further incriminate Yoshida's actions in the audience's eyes, but it's difficult to take scenes seriously when these goons appear. Probably the biggest issue to take with Higehiro is with its depiction of mature scenes and disturbing themes. Making sure that Yoshida never sexualizes Sayu is key to making sure Higehiro gets to share its intended message. While Yoshida himself doesn't sexualize Sayu, the show does that to its own female protagonist. Some of it feels right within the context of the story, but other instances scream "fan service." Certain explicit shots come out from absolutely nowhere, and disrupt the momentum of otherwise serious scenes. The haphazard direction is largely to blame for these missteps. The director and plenty of staff are newbies, and that inexperience is evident in some distasteful mishaps. There were a couple of moments here executed so poorly that they wound up looking more perverted than other "trashy" shows airing this season^^. Production across the board is largely unremarkable.

  ---

  #**Tl;Dr**:

  Higehiro is a story packed with controversies. There are elements within the series which can spark outrage, but I feel that this series does an adequate job with what it's been given. Looking past the nasty implications behind Higehiro's age-gap premise reveals an earnest drama brimming with optimism. The healing process that results from Yoshida's initial criminal mistake is the show's strongest selling point, and one of the most heartwarming developments found in anime this season. Unfortunately, Higehiro does become hampered by inconsistency in areas of writing and direction. Still, I recommend this watch to those who can handle sensitive content; the hope Higehiro instills in its brightest moments could very well trump its upsetting flaws. 5/10~

  ---

  #STRAY RAMBLINGS (**SPOILERS**:)

  • ^We all knew this was coming, so let's compare Koikimo's and Higehiro's male protagonists side-by-side. Personally, I don't mind the lawful implications of a character's actions so much as, well, their character. As someone consuming figures in fiction, I want to understand their motivations and relate to their struggles - the intent is what matters. Yoshida is a selfless individual who rarely acts in his self-interest when it comes to Sayu. You could say he's a criminal, but at least he's not a creep. On the contrary, the core of Ryou's character is that he's a serial womanizer who wants to attain a power fantasy with a girl still in high school. The only age-gap in Koikimo is exploited primarily for comedic purposes, as the entire show is built around this perverted character flaw. You're free to dislike either show, but people who call out Higehiro for its share of controversies should be prepared to acknowledge that those problems are as bad, if not exacerbated, in Koikimo.
  • ^^A third of Episode 6 was really bad. Not a fan of Yaguchi being a ostensibly horny mfer. I'm not trying to sympathise with the rapist here, but it's hard to see him as anything other than a stock SAO villain when he pulls a perverted face you'd expect to see in Sentouin, Hakenshimasu! Even weirder is the idea that Sayu just shrugs the whole incident off the very next day.
  • We're still not done talking about Higehiro's dumber scenes. Episode 10 was a mostly functional look into Sayu's past. Nothing super unexpected here, but I think the direction held its own during Yuko's death. That is, until the show drops the ball in bizarre fashion. They cut to a nude scene of Sayu in the middle of the flashback, and it's really the most pointless thing. According to people who've read the source, she was masturbating, but the anime just cuts to her, ahem, wet hand for a few seconds and moves on. Completely unnecessary.
  • Mishima really knows how to make a complete fool of herself every episode. Her dumbassery deserves an award.
    Speaking of awards:
  • BEST GIRL: Asami. Smart and encouraging, she's a ray of sunshine all 'round. Possibly the only infallible character in the entire show. Gotou would have taken the top spot, had she not tried to bluff her feelings around Yoshida like a coy cougar.

  

  ---

  

  And with that, we conclude our breakdown of this pairing's strange encounter. I only hope that our meeting here has yielded good impressions. If you happen to like my verbose rants, feel free to check out my other reviews for seasons past and present. I also frequently post writeups under my list updates, so definitely take a peek if you'd like to see me mald over anime as they hit the airwaves. Peace~

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• 

  Xydez

  90/100
  Higehiro is both heartbreaking and heartwarming

  This is my short review of Higehiro. The conclusion is at the bottom.

  Brief

  Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway is, as the title evidently proclaims about a high school girl, Sayu, that has run away from home. On his way to his apartment, 26-year-old Yoshida drunkenly stumbles upon Sayu under a street lamp. She convinces him to let her stay at his apartment. Yoshida wakes up the next morning and reluctantly decides to let her stay. He consequently learns more about Sayu and why she decided to run away from home, as well as what she's been doing. We subsequently experience the heartwarming relationship between Sayu and Yoshida and learn what she will do.

  Story

  The story is great. The concept of taking in an underage child is given a different and interesting perspective. I really like the way we learn more about Sayu and the way she changes as a person. The story could easily just have been sexualized, but instead, it gives a new view of what it means to be a guardian to someone.

  Yoshida is a really respectable person that's rare to find, and he's a really likable character. He is very principled, which shows in the way he acts towards Sayu. He is one of the few people that wish to take care of her instead of using her. His principles are constantly challenged, but he keeps them up throughout the show.

  The other characters were good as well, and they had the perfect amount of presence to benefit the story without taking anything away. The main focus always lies on Yoshida and Sayu.

  There were a few rare moments where some questionable things happened, but otherwise, I think the story progressed wonderfully. While the ending wasn't what I wanted the most, it was also really good, be sure not to miss the post-credit scene!

  Animation

  The animation is better than average, but nothing too out of the ordinary. The show has some beautiful scenes, but there aren't really any moments worthy of being wallpapers. I think the biggest strength lies in the character designs. They are really good and match the characters' personalities really well.

  Music

  Both the opening, the ending, and their respective songs are very generic. I don't really care since it has no impact on the story, but it's worth noting that it's nothing you're gonna add to your playlist anytime soon.

  Conclusion

  In the end, I think it was a really good anime. The story is very beautiful and wholesome while still remaining really interesting. The characters are wonderful and really likable. The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and it was the highlight of the week to watch. If you're looking for a drama/slice-of-life anime that takes itself seriously I would give Higehiro a serious recommendation.

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• 

  Hungerer

  80/100
  A flawed yet emotional coming-of-age story about a runaway teenage girl confronting her past.

  Higehiro is an emotional coming-of-age story about a runaway teenage girl confronting her past. Expect drama, ecchi fanservice, and taboo topics.

  The show is an emotional rollercoaster, especially the first 5 episodes. Lots of relatable, real-life topics are explored, such as unconditional niceness, the meaning of family, different types of smiles, and how a person's inner feelings are different from his or her appearance. Sayu learns how her issues are small compared to the universe and that she can always count on her friends to get through them. The wholesome interactions between Sayu and Yoshida are moving. In addition, witnessing Sayu’s growth as a troubled teenager makes the audience invested in her character. The story can be touching, relatable, and bittersweet. To accentuate key moments, the music sets a dramatic and melancholic mood. A major reason for Higehiro’s emotional resonance has to do with its main characters and the audience's investment in them.

  Characters

  One sees a budding mentor-mentee relationship between Yoshida and Sayu. Sayu gets the most development and growth from the series, as the audience watches her confront her past. Yoshida goes through some development as well. The existence of Sayu brightens his life, and he questions what she means to him throughout the show. Unfortunately, his development stutters in the second half. Due to his lack of self-reflective dialogue, the audience has a difficult time learning his motivations or feelings. He also doesn’t have any unique traits and ends up as a likable but generic salaryman character, similar to Nakano from The Helpful Fox Senko-san.

  Themes

  Despite the taboo nature of the show, Higehiro has wholesome and relatable themes and messages. For example, one theme is asking for help. Initially Sayu has a fake, plastic smile because she doesn't want to concern others with her problems. But as the series progresses, she opens up and learns to talk about her problems. As mentioned earlier, other relatable themes in Higehiro are unconditional niceness, confronting one's past, and dealing with family troubles. Each one of them are addressed in some fashion.

  OP and ED

  The opening and ending are great. The OP uses symbolism well, such as with the ribbon to show the fated encounter of the two protagonists. The music is synced to the animation and has an upbeat tune. The ED is a slideshow of the two main leads living together and portrays the slice-of-life elements of the show well. The ending song is catchy and has unique instrumentals. Due to its closeness with dramatic plot twists, the happy ED can invoke contrasting melancholy, similar to the ending song "Torch" from Clannad: After Story.

  Production values

  The production values for the show are poor. To illustrate (pun intended), the visuals are subpar, and the character designs are generic. In certain frames, the characters will have disproportional faces, like in one of Sayu's flashbacks. The show does have its moments where the visuals are bumped up to accentuate certain scenes, such as the starry skies. Also, some of Sayu's facial expressions in the early episodes are cute and show her emotions well, like her uneasy smile, but this does not last as the show goes on. In addition to the weak visuals, one also needs to accustom to the fanservice.

  Fanservice

  There is a lot of fanservice present. In the first 6 minutes, it is evident how the show will handle its female characters, and the level of fanservice doesn't decline; Sayu gets many provocative camera angles and half-nude scenes. Some have complained about the fanservice, but it is present even in the first episode, so you'll know what you're getting into. I didn't find the fanservice too distracting, as it serves to emphasize how Sayu only knows how to communicate gratitude through her body, and the fanservice contrasted nicely with the supposed normalcy of the later episodes to emphasize what a troublesome predicament Yoshida is in. To its detriment, the fanservice makes an appearance on the final episode, which runs contrary to Sayu's growth of a character. The fanservice also suggests an underage romance and contrasts with the wholesome vibe the show attempts to portray. Luckily though, this always get shut down.

  Dialogue

  Conversations can, at times, be long-winded and are reminiscent of a TED talk than a normal discussion between two people. Mishima is a key offender of this, as she has multiple long-winded talks and even apologizes for rambling. To the show’s credit, as a realistic drama, it is normal to talk about important issues. In fact, the first few times it occurs, it is refreshing: two adults talking honestly about their problems and thoughts. However, as this repeats, the dialogue becomes repetitive and boring. At times, a character’s monologue goes on for too long, usually with vague ideals, and the other character will be silent for most of it, turning the conversation into a one-sided lecture.

  Minor character

  The side characters don’t get enough depth. They function to provide advice or push the narrative forward but don’t have much personality. The weak side-characters for the most part don't detract from the show because Higehiro is mostly about Sayu and Yoshida. An exception is Gotou's and Mishima’s inclusion as harem elements. Their romance and love interests never get explored adequately, and the harem elements detract from the coming-of-age story.

  Story

  The writing of the show has some road bumps. (Minor spoilers.) Parts of Sayu’s back story are not well foreshadowed, making their revelation shocking and random. The second and third revelations in particular are weak due to their lack of relation to the show’s premise. The resolution of the final arc feels rushed and unnatural. The show also tackles the issue of sexual assault poorly, and the characters don’t act “realistically” in the resolution of the incident. The ending, while being satisfying, has minor scenes that contradict the main characters' prior development. It also doesn't conclude Yoshida's arc to the extent one would hope for. Despite these flaws, the story is still enjoyable.

  Overall Opinion

  Even though the show has its fair share of problems, watching it was an enjoyable experience. The show's premise and story are unique. At the start, it is a comfortable slice of life about coping with trauma. Later on, it becomes a harsh drama, and the execution could be better. Despite some odd events though, the story is mostly coherent, and it does land some key emotional moments. It has good life lessons and messages scattered throughout. Although the ending isn't the best, Sayu's character will always have a place in my heart.

  B

  If only Yoshida could have adopted Sayu, and the writing leaned away from the romance path. Oh well, the ride was still fun. Until next time.

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