Parents' Guide to

Hi Score Girl

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Charming anime mixes comedy, romance, and violence.

TV Netflix Comedy 2018
Hi Score Girl Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Hi Score Girl TV Show: Haruo and Akira.
  • Hi Score Girl TV Show: Fantasizing about Akira.
  • Hi Score Girl TV Show: Akira visits Haruo when he's sick.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 2 parent reviews

hopkinfamilyfilms
hopkinfamilyfilms Parent of 3, 8 and 11-year-old
January 31, 2023
age 12+

Don’t be full of yourself.

Well the concept of the story was very heartwarming and targeted towards maturer teens and tweens. There was one girl that made the story a little weird. I won’t tell you who tho. It’s a good show I would let you children watch this if there matured enough to understand romance. There is quite a few F bombs tho, be aware of that.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Too much swearing
wizardortitan
wizardortitan Parent
April 24, 2020
age 13+

Some strong language in the subtitled version of the second season

While the dubbed version of both seasons contains only mild language, the official subtitles on Netflix for the second season include some occasional stronger language than the first season, including F-bombs, "godd*mn", "b*tch" and "sh*t". Just something to keep in mind. The English dubbed version is likely fine for preteens and up.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on the popular Japanese manga series of the same name, HI SCORE GIRL is an anime series about a young gamer who meets and befriends his unexpected match. It's 1991, and Haruo Yagushi is a sixth grader who is bad at school and sports, but considers himself the best gamer at the local coin-operated video arcade. But his life suddenly changes when the popular Akira Oono, his beautiful, rich, and intelligent classmate, shows up at the arcade and beats him at his favorite game, Street Fighter II. Soon the two forge a strange, rocky relationship that centers around their love for video games, and perhaps for each other.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (5):

This series offers lots of goofy moments as the two young gamers find a connection that goes beyond video games. The story is told from Haruo's point of view, which leads to lots of humor as he slowly comes to terms with the fact that Akira is his equal in the gaming world, and that he might even like her. Meanwhile, as the rather-reserved Akira slowly reveals details about herself, it becomes less difficult to understand why the two are able to relate so well to each other. Hi Score Girl is an entertainingly odd twist on a romantic comedy, but one that teen anime fans may find appealing.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of the Hi Score Girl manga (graphic novels). What makes this story different from other anime series you may have seen?

  • Haruo and Akira are two very different people, but what things do they have in common? What does Haruo learn about himself as he continues his friendship with Akira? Does Akira change after meeting him? How?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: December 24, 2018
  • Network: Netflix
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Topics: Friendship
  • TV rating: TV-14
  • Last updated: February 18, 2023

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