This is not just a graph of AIG’s stock price.

Along with Macross F, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu was a show I did not plan on picking up until a a few weeks after it aired. To be honest, it started with quite a bang, but lost its charm quickly as there was nothing that really stood out in this show (except for maybe Haruka and possibly Mikan). Did Haruka carry the show through its 12 episode run?? Ratings after the jump!

Meido (MDO) shares have outperformed loli (LOL) shares so far in 2008

Overall: (5/10)
Story: 4/10)
Art:  (5/10)
Characters: (6/10)
Enjoyment: (5/10)

Haruka gets very average ratings for a very average show. If it wasn’t for the more impressive first 3 episodes I probably would not of stuck with it. And is it just me, or did anyone else get Happy Lesson / Comic Party vibes from this show?? I’m not even sure WHY orz

Story:
The premise is that Haruka is a super cute, intelligent and rich highschool girl who loves anime, but must do so in secret due to her father and the rest of society being strongly opposed to this kind of hobby. Yuto happens to find out and it becomes a secret that they share. This was somewhat dropped after the first few episodes, while some “suspense” and “conflict” was presented.

The conflicts were predictable, and it was as suspenseful as watching milk go sour. It seems like the show kinda lost its way, and I’m not sure if this happens in the light novel, but honestly I’d rather they make not so vague references to other anime and seiryuu instead of that sad excuse for a story. Yeah, I wasn’t really expecting some epic writing but what I got was worst. It gets a 4 instead of the original 3 I was going to give it, only because some parts did make me laugh.

You might point out that “it was only 12 episodes, what could you expect them to do with it?” I honestly don’t know. But it just felt it could of been better. How? I don’t really have the answer to that.

Art:
Nothing really stands out, but nothing really to complain about. The OP was also, quite plain (oh except for the Photoshop opening… and I’m still looking for a desktop wallpaper of Haruka in this outfit and pose >.<)

Characters:
It seems like not matter what show it is, Haruka is always amazing. I must admit that Mamika Noto (Shana’s Hecate, ZnT’s Tiffania, Sola’s Matsuri, etc..) as Haruka’s VA caught me totally offguard. But maybe I got used to it, since it really wasn’t a problem for me beyond the first episode. As for the others, most other characters were bland, but I did enjoy Haruka’s dad over the top GAR and the mafia-leader-like mom. Mikan get honorable mention for being one of the sluttiest lolis in recent memory (possibly beating out Pantsu Witches but still behind Kanokrap).

Sorry Shin, I don’t care how much you like her. Mikan is a lolislut!

Enjoyment:
See graph at the top
Honestly, I had enjoyed the first four or five episodes before it started to landslide.

I was dragged in by all the hype Haruka was getting at the beginning of the season and although I wouldn’t call the show a failure, let’s just say not even Haruka in a fabulous two piece could save the show:

I think CCY put it nicely when he said (with a minor correction by me >.>):

Is Haruka’s Secret still a good show? For the most part, yes. It is above average, the first ninefive-odd episodes for sure. Either way it’s still good cotton candy, but you get the feeling it could have been more than that.

It had the characters, the songs, the potential to bring something memorable out of a weary genre.

Overall: (8/10)
Story: (6/10)
Art:  (7/10)
Character: (8/10)
Enjoyment:(8/10)

Story:
Sorry, love triangles that don’t resolved sucks. And penalty for lack of character development (I mean how many times have we heard Ranka say “I won’t lose” to Sheryl??). There were also some pacing issues too, I mean I didn’t really buy the explanation in the last episode, but I was bought over with lots of flashing lights and explosions.

Art:
If not for the somewhat inconsistent standards in the second half of the series, I would probably given this a 9. Oh, and -1 for not enough tentacles on Grace in the last ep :P Again, explosions and flashing lights won me over.

Character:
Well, we had a whole range of unforgettable characters (except for maybe Nanase). Ranka is, obviously, my favorite, followed closely by Klan. Michael was pretty cool too, until he failed and got sucked out into deep space. Oh and Alto wearing Sheryl’s earring ? no.

Enjoyment:
Definitely enjoyable. I think it had a very strong start and a strong ending (I watched the last episode 3 times -_-; so ’nuff said). All the tunes were catchy, though I don’t know why they didn’t get May’n to just do Sheryl’s talking voice as well?

Some random thoughts:

• If Sheryl’s Vajara disease was transmitted via bodily fluids, doesn’t it mean it can spread when she kisses Alto?
• Gayest earring a man can possibly wear. But then again Alto-hime pulls it off nicely.
• thanks #gg for the Zentradi (and freaking 700MB) subs -_-;
• Did they ever explain what organization Grace was working for? (or maybe it was just her and her other 2 friends… whoever those voices belonged to in the recap episode)
• Alto FAILS for not choosing Ranka (plus whats with these corny lines?? “You’re both my wings??” “Charge! Love Heart!!!” … oh well)

Andohbytheway all my screencaps are blank… dunno why. Plus I’m lazy. So no pictures :P

ps. looks like Kabitzin agrees with me (except for the Ranka hating part) … or should I say I agree with him.. though I had this written 2 days ago… was just waiting for the screenshots that never came :(