Final Impressions / First Impressions / Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu

「秘密です！」 (Himitsu Desu!)
“It’s a Secret!”

Episode at a Glance:
After making her grand appearance with her parents, Haruka notices that Yuuto isn’t among the guests yet. Just outside the ballroom, Mika runs into Yuuto, who’s still dwelling on what Shute said about his present. Heading inside, the two of the witness Haruka blowing out the candles on a gigantic birthday cake. After Yuuto wishes her happy birthday loudly, he receives a number from Mika for his turn to give his present to Haruka. Noticing Ruko and Yukari in their usual drunken stupor, Yuuto avoids them and inadvertently runs into Shute, who riducules Yuuto about his Dojikko Aki-chan present after finding out what it is. Seeing first hand the expensive presents that Haruka’s receiving (gold, accesories, dresses, cars), Yuuto retrieves his figurine and decides to leave the party, feeling that he’s an unwanted guest.

On his way out, Yuuto runs into the old man from yesterday and explains why he’s leaving, making the latter disappointed that Yuuto’s not the spirited man he thought he was. The old man then questions how the first person Haruka’s every invited can be an unwanted guest, reminding Yuuto of everything he’s been through with Haruka up until now. Remembering that the Haruka he knows is a little clumsy, airheaded, and only shares her secret hobby with him, Yuuto heads back just in time for his number, which happens to be just ahead of Shute. With everyone pleased to see Yuuto, Shute wonders what he’s still doing here, especially after cutting in on his turn. However, Yuuto completely ignores Shute and wishes Haruka a happy birthday while presenting her with the figurine. Despite being amused that Yuuto didn’t heed his warning about giving a toy as a present, Shute and all the other guests are shocked to see how happy Haruka is about it, with her adding that any present from Yuuto makes her the happiest.

Since it’s a day of celebration, Gentou offers to shake Yuuto’s hand as well, which draws more attention from the guests. Shute on the other hand wonders just who Yuuto is and runs crying to his father about being insulted by Yuuto. The old man then appears, claiming Yuuto didn’t do anything wrong since it was his turn and that Yuuto simply gave Haruka the present that made her the happiest. Annoyed by another interference, Shute questions who the old man is, but his father soon realizes who it is and punches Shute out before making his stupid son apologize to the old man and Yuuto. Seeing this, Gentou questions why the old man is dressed up like that again, after which Hazuki announces the old man’s present—an illusionary Rainbow Snake which is supposed to bring happiness if presented on one’s seventeenth birthday. Hazuke then introduced as Nogizaka Ouki—the current head of the Nogizaka family. Shortly after, everyone’s enjoying the fireworks and Gentou is surprisingly lenient towards Haruka’s relationship with Yuuto in front of Ouki.

Later that night in her room, Haruka shows Yuuto her beloved anime treasures and explains that if it wasn’t for the boy that gave her the first edition of Innocent Smile, she may have never met Yuuto. Reminded of what Nobunaga said, Yuuto recalls that it was Haruka who he gave the magazine away to in order to cheer her up. Laughing at how this could be either a huge coincidence or destiny, Yuuto refrains from explaining to Haruka, prompting her to inadvertently push him over. Caught in the moment, one thing leads to another and the two of them are about to kiss, when all the eavesdroppers outside come crashing through the door by accident. Among them is Ouki and Akiho as well, but Gentou soon comes along questioning what the hell Yuuto’s doing to his daughter. With everyone scrambling, Yuuto invites Haruka to go to Akihabara again when they return and together they tell Gentou that what they’re planning is a secret. Unable to catch up, Gentou soon gives up in tears.

 

ED Sequence:

Impressions:
So as suspected by myself and many others, the old man last episode is none other than Haruka’s grandfather, Nogizaka Ouki. Also, Shute turned out to be nothing more than a bother as there was realistically no way for him to get close to Haruka like Yuuto has. I was a bit worried that Shute was going to break Yuuto’s present at the beginning of the episode though, after him and his group of “thugs” bullied Yuuto like a group of kids at a playground (… which was pretty pathetic). While I would’ve like to see Yuuto punch those guys in the face, all that was really needed to restore his confidence was a little reminder of how far things have come between him and Haruka. While I reveled in Shute’s “wtf owned” reaction, I still enjoyed watching him get beat up by his own father for disrespecting the head of Nogizaka family. I was rather sick of hearing him refer to Haruka as “Fräulein” over and over again too, so I was glad someone shut him up.

Other than that, Yuuto’s realization that he gave Nobunaga’s first edition of Innocent Smile to Haruka way back when finally hit him. I found it interesting how he was able to laugh it off as a huge coincidence and/or destiny and how he decided not to tell Haruka about it. In any case, I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve seen this flashback all blurred out, so I’m rather relieved that finally showed us Haruka’s face, even though we already knew it was her all along. As for their first kiss together, it befittingly turned out to be a big tease, especially with the “dominating approach” that Yuuto decided to use. While I was left wondering about whatever happened to innocent first kisses, I guess this approach gives us a lot more Haruka fan-service (including a brief underwear shot). Seeing as the two of them claim they have another secret now, I’m under the impression that they actually did kiss, but you can blame the illusionary Rainbow Snake for blocking our view when it happened. So yeah, big tease. Oh right, you can blame these people too. =)

As for Shiina, she didn’t have a part in the finale, but did show up in the ending sequence working at a cosplay cafe in Akihabara. Also, Satou Rina played a minor role as the maid in the beginning

 

Final Impressions:
As I mentioned before, this series didn’t turn out quite like I expected, but I found it interesting viewing things from a different perspective than other series about otakus or Akiba-kei. At first, I pictured Yuuto to be more of a sarcastic type of character that would tease Haruka a bit about her hobby before getting closer to her; however, Yuuto turned out to be the most realistically believable male protagonist I’ve seen in a romance comedy in a while now. With the series being completely devoid of any sarcasm between Yuuto and Haruka, the whole Akiba-kei thing really took a backseat to the relationship aspects of the series. Personally, I was hoping to see a fair bit of romance in addition to the otaku comedy, but was surprised when it turned out to be basically all romance in an otaku setting. Luckily, this formula proved to work well for me, so I wouldn’t really use it as a reason to knock the series, unless of course you were hoping to see something more along the lines of Genshiken.

In retrospect, I assume that some people will be unhappy with an ending that barely advanced Yuuto and Haruka’s relationship, but I found that it’s the little nuances of their relationship — going on that first date in Akihabara, protecting Haruka’s secret from everyone, going to their first comiket together, defending Haruka’s hobby in front of her parents, sharing in their first school festival together — that made the series enjoyable to watch. As such, I find the series going out on a comedic note rather appropriate. If Yuuto and Haruka’s relationship instantly became more “serious” than an innocent high school-like one, I imagine it would feel out of place given the context laid out by the series thus far. The two of them got closer, struggled their way through various obstacles, and are in a “good place” right now, so I’m content with the “coming full circle” type of ending here.

Overall, I enjoyed the series, so I hope you did too. As usual, thanks for reading!

 

Cast:
– Nogizaka Haruka (乃木坂 春香) / Noto Mamiko (能登 麻美子)
– Ayase Yuuto (綾瀬 裕人) / Hatano Wataru (羽多野 渉)
– Nogizaka Mika (乃木坂 美夏) / Gotou Mai (後藤 麻衣)
– Sakurazaka Hadzuki (桜坂 葉月) / Shimizu Kaori (清水 香里)
– Nanashiro Nanami (七城 那波) / Ueda Kana (植田 佳奈)
– Ayase Ruko (綾瀬 ルコ) / Nabatame Hitomi (生天目 仁美)
– Kamishiro Yukari (上代 由香里) / Matsuki Miyu (松来 未祐)
– Asakura Nobunaga (朝倉 信長) / Takagi Reiko (高木 礼子)
– Nogizaka Gentou (乃木坂 玄冬) / Tachiki Fumihiko (立木 文彦)
– Nogizaka Akiho (乃木坂 秋穂) / Hisakawa Aya (久川 綾)
– Nogizaka Ouki (乃木坂 王季) / Naya Rokurou (納谷 六郎)
– Shute Sutherland (シュート・サザーランド) / Majima Junji (間島 淳司)
– Shute’s father (シュート父) / Taniguchi Takashi (谷口 節)
– Maid (メイド) / Satou Rina (佐藤 利奈)
– Celebrity A (セレブA) / Akashi Kaori (明石 香織)
– Celebrity B (セレブB) / Manaka Keigo (真仲 恵吾)
– Celebrity C (セレブC) / Oda Hisafumi (小田 久史)
– Celebrity D (セレブD) / Nakata Hayato (中田 隼人)

44 Comments

  1. oh no he didn’t he stepped on it… u show him Yuuto. Some really good stuff at the end, gonna miss this. ya i loved this series like u enjoyed it. this was fun to watch rather then exiting.

    Chimasternmay
    Reply

  3. Just as I expected (and relieved)… a happy ending. Don’t mind the kiss, as long as a bond has been established between Yuuto and Haruka… and at least 10 or so family members and friends.

    I also enjoyed following this series as well. Congratulations for covering it for us.

    Nanami Kamimura
    Reply

  4. https://randomc.net/image/Nogizaka%20Haruka%20no%20Himitsu/Nogizaka%20Haruka%20no%20Himitsu%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2022.jpg

    Lol! It’s Casper the friendly ghost!

    https://randomc.net/image/Nogizaka%20Haruka%20no%20Himitsu/Nogizaka%20Haruka%20no%20Himitsu%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2024.jpg

    Hahaha! Talk about naughty boys getting spanked by dear ol’ dad

    Hinano has another funny picture of those jerks getting pwned at her blog 😀

    https://randomc.net/image/Nogizaka%20Haruka%20no%20Himitsu/Nogizaka%20Haruka%20no%20Himitsu%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2044.jpg
    Anyone else can’t stand to see a grown man cry? 😀

    https://randomc.net/image/Nogizaka%20Haruka%20no%20Himitsu/Nogizaka%20Haruka%20no%20Himitsu%20-%2012%20-%20Large%2033.jpg

    So they’re childhood friends after all?

    Sailor Enlil
    Reply

  9. Well, here’s one more to go into the recycle bin. In ten years, I doubt any of us will even remember this choppy anime. If we do, it’s not likely going to be for it’s good points…or lack thereof.

    Remy
    Reply

  10. This show definitely deserves more episodes than this in my opinion. I thought 24 episodes would make this enjoyable like Hayate was. Such a good series with a small amount of episodes =_=, disappointing kiss too Dx. I was totally going OMG OMG, just one small passionate kiss please Dx. Damn…didn’t get it but ahhh well. They probably did kiss but yeah I blame the fish and it’s accomplices. Best anime of the summer season.

    Jason Isenberg
    Reply

  12. But usually Novels never get fully covered. and the anime is for both to get u in to the novel so u but it, and also just to make it in to an anime and making some money out of it if it becomes popular. But ya so far i hardly seen any novels being covered to the fullest. well right now allison and lilla kinda got fully covered… and slayers is trying…

    Chimasternmay
    Reply

  13. Phew! Thankyou Yuuto, you cancelled your membership to the league of idiots. Damn those budding goofballs for interrupting their little fling. Yeah, this is one of those happily ever before & after series. The novels are great and all but drawing out this series and further would simply cause it to lose its magic. But I definitely got what I wanted to see. Atleast I know that Yuuto & Haruka aren’t the super stupid couple that they were made out to be in the first few episodes.

    Megas
    Reply

  19. Would have preferred more instances where Haruka’s secret was almost compromised. Overall, the title of the series didn’t really reflect on what was happening in the series itself.

    But that for me IMO, is the only con. I generally love the series, and the main male lead, who for once isn’t some unreasonably horny/wussy person.

    paulrenzo
    Reply

  20. I thought it was a wonderful story as it stands. If they did cover the novels in greater detail we would have far more character development for supporting cast, a few more love interest and a slower pace romance. The anime did capture the general feeling of the novels so it’s really all good.

    If they wanted to do a second season, it seems really easy. Almost all the situations in the novel seem self contained and short. Ideal for creating small anime arcs. Because of all the great relationship development we got, the remaining novel stories focus on how they overcome various things and stay committed to one another.

    @Devine: Appreciate the great coverage. I looked forward to each weekly recap. A terrific job!

    Irie
    Reply

  33. @ BROOKLYN otaku

    Really? I never felt that way at all. If that’s the only thing on your mind then that’s probably the reason, lol. I only thought of that during this episode when they were in the room because it sure looks like that.

    Silver
    Reply

  35. Thanks for the blogs once again Divine!

    Personally I prefer the manga version (light novels are still out of my league) where they can play more with small details. Like Mika calling Yuuto Onii-san, but with the kanji combination for brother-in-law. Or how I like first time appearance of Haruka’s father in the manga better, where he leaves the London concour but turn around towards Yuuto and says something along the way “I was about to forget. Ayase-kun, I’d like to have a private chat with you about things some time in the future”.

    Still, great anime.

    [s]gregor
    Reply

  38. Throughout this series I’ve been advocating Yuuto growing a pair. I did NOT mean a pair of brass ones. Jesus, he went from slightly cowardly to ‘Fuck you dad, I’m taking your daughter.’

    Even I was feeling sorry for the dad.

    Tarage
    Reply

  40. It is always a fun game to guess who would best fit the voices if the anime was licensed in English, and I truly hope this one is.

    For Haruka, I think Hillary Haag would do a good job for her (tessa from FMP). Luci Christian would also do a good job. Yuuto is a harder one to guess but chris patton would do good.

    Since they had many references to Shana for the VA doing the maid, they should get the same voice actor from the English version to do this anime to keep the easter egg intact.

    draksig
    Reply

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