Haruka Nogizaka's Secret Finale

First off, I'm writing this review more as a review for the entire series, rather than just this OVA itself, as the OVA itself does not contain the entire essence of this series. In addition, I have neither read the light novels, nor it's manga adaptation, so my memory of the anime itself is my only gauge for this. As you would know, the basic premise of this story lies in the development of the relationship between the series two main protagonists, Nogizaka Haruka, and Ayase Yuuto. Story: 6 Essentially, this story is best described by the evil "C" word - Cliche. You can roughly expect toknow what comes next throughout this entire series, for both TV seasons, and this OVA. Twists and Turns are not to be expected, and if you enjoy that kind of story, this is certainly not for you. However, you can expect that the essential points of a series focused on a pure teenage love would be shown, and it eventually does end well (as seen in the OVA). One other big issue about the story is how when there is a case of conflict... it somehow gets resolved WAYYYYY too easily. It fails to demonstrate the problems and issues of a teenage couple being in a relationship of such nature, and often these issues are either not brought out, or are easily resolved. If you are hoping for some real good drama, this story may disappoint you (hence, lower your expectations). Art: 8 The art improves with each season of the series. Not to say that I believed that Season 1 had bad art, but i certainly would've given it a 6. At least with the passing of time and improvement of technology, the art for this series has gotten better. Basic character designs stay the same throughout (a good thing, because they generally appealed to me, save for a few characters), but the backgrounds and color quality improve, and in a pretty obvious way by the time it reaches this OVA. Sound: 8 The OPs and EDs for the entire series do not always fit, particularly the OP for the 2nd season, but they don't entirely disappoint (they do encourage me to unleash my ultimate skill of fastforward though). I'm mainly giving points here to the overall soundtrack. The inclusion of many classical themes (as fitting of a story involving a rich ojou-sama, yes?) suits the story of each episode, and the music fits well with the series in general. Character: 6 The characters are generally not unexpected. As this is not a harem romcom, we get a decent individual for a main character, and a really shy ojou-sama as the other. However, sadly, while they are given lots of screen time, they do not come across as strong main characters. The best characters in this story are in fact the side/supporting characters. I'm not even speaking of "almost-main," but definitely recurring characters that don't always need to make an appearance (Nobunaga!) However, even with the issue of the main characters, it is not a complete failure, and the strength of the protagonists sometimes does show, normally more with Ayase Yuuto (i'll attribute this to the story component). Enjoyment: 7 Since the story is cliche, the most important thing that will make this series a success is the execution. However, the execution does some massive acrobatic yoyoing tricks at times. For example, the first two episodes of the 1st season were thoroughly enjoyed, but it slumped really badly for the next few, to rise again, and then fall, and then balance. However, it has it's moments, as when it does do well, it really can match with the top animes in terms of enjoyment. Consistency is the greatest issue here. When I got to laugh, i really did, but when it fell, it really plunged a massive hole of disappointment in me. If there's one thing this OVA does do that the rest of the series doesn't (oh, producer, why you dragging on the story?), it gives closure to the series. Overall: 7 Overall, this series is not a waste of your time. It is certainly not a must-watch, and you must be prepared to not have high expectations for it. However, the important points of the story are covered, and throughout, it is best if you don't compare it to better series in the genre of a pure romantic comedy. It is slightly unique in it's own way with how it treats the problems of a rather... draggy relationship, but it will not spoil your day, and at it's best, it may actually be quite a fun ride.

Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Finale is a perfect way to end this series and basically any anime series, but why? Well not only does it include them becoming a couple, but also closes basically all of the plot points introduced within prior seasons and returns to some old locations we never thought would be returned to. Another great idea they did was the transition from Miran singing the OP to the N's, basically the whole cast, to sing it. If you are a fan of romance animes then this is a must-watch! Please don't miss this opportunity! I did a whole 12 minute review on myYouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCeKOdhVudA

So, at last the long story of one of the most gullible female MC in the world, Nogizaka Haruka, has meet its end. It wasn't indeed a smooth journey and as a romcom fan i rather like this anime, but of course there are still flaws. The anime overall (Season 1 up to the end) was what i can say a downfall. Season 1 started very promising. The male MC was not as dense as i thought and Haruka was, despite her denseness, indeed very lovable as a character. There were lots of cute moments between the 2 and even with the absence oflove confession from either of them i find their relationship already satisfying enough. Well of course to keep the relationship moves on either one of them has to confess their feeling, which i thought would happen in season 2. But no, season 2 got even more dragged along with lovey dovey moments from the 2 and with an addition of dramas and cliches at the end of it i wasn't sure that this anime is as good as it was in the first season anymore. Season 3 got us finally a conclusion, but again the cliches added to it was even worse than season 2 and i could almost feel cringe just like when i watched rubbish shoujo animes. And in at the last episode i was just like "Thats it? I watched all those seasons only for this one f*cking scene?", it was rather unsatisfying because i thought there would be at least a bit more after story development. Overall this anime's recipe was pretty outdated for a romcom, but i still pretty much enjoyed it. The comedic and cute moments were all there. If it wasn't get dragged along too much with all those cliches it would've been a very good romcom anime series. 6/10

Bad finish for a bad anime. I didn't want to make a review but there is to much good comments for this. It was powerful nullity from A to Z, and the finish was so shabby that the last «season» happens to be even worse than the rest. The characters are bland and meaningless, nothing and no one is endearing. I present you a bland animated cliché and caricatural with a poor little nerd who wants to take the princess. If you want to see an uninteresting romance that will make you discover nothing but maintain the clichés on their category, well bored and not be able to chain2 EPs so it sucks, throw yourself on it.