Nogizaka Haruka – A sweet romance, otaku styled
One of the sweetest romances I've encountered in animedom is Karin. I wouldn't be lying if I recommended Karin as a 'vampire show' but surely that'd be misleading. A sweet romance with a vampiric touch would be closer to the truth. In the same vein, it would be incorrect to promote Nogizaka as "Genshiken with a touch of romance" since the converse is true. It's not just a matter of semantics but emphasis.
Nogizaka is a sweet sweet romance dressed in otaku culture. It's well executed not simply because it uses a theme that would obviously appeal to the target audience but more importantly it skillfully leverages on the premise to build the central relationship - Haruka X Yuuto. One of my key factors in assessing the worthiness of a romance lies in the basis of attraction and thanks to Haruka's 'terrible secret', there's now plenty of reasons to justify their feelings for each other. It was also heartening to see that the couple not only grow closer with each other but grow to become stronger individuals BECAUSE of one another. For that, I loved how, at the end of ep 3, Haruka finally stepped out of her closet to protect someone she cared for.
However, the strong characterisation seemed only to be reserved for the leads. The rest of the cast (with the exception of Shiina who is poised potentially to be the love rival of the series) seemed to be the generic over-the-top characters present mostly for comic relief. Nevertheless, I did enjoyed their antics very much especially the very precocious imouto. I'm also looking forward to more Shiina goodness since she remains a credible and very likeable character despite the copious amount of panty-flashes.
If you're looking for a light-hearted, sweet romance to unwind after a long day, look no further. Nogizaka is the perfect vehicle to help you remember the sweetness/awkwardness/silliness of your high school romances. Not recommended if you're looking for a Genshiken clone.
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August 26th, 2008 - 10:14
Karin was cute but I think the manga was better than what came out of JC Staff’s ass.
And you’re right it’s just a sweet romance so we don’t have to deal with all that stereotypical harem bullshit. I realize Shiina is a rival but I highly doubt she’ll do much damage cause at this point Haruka & Yuuto are a hardcore OTP XD
August 26th, 2008 - 10:19
Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu really is nice to watch when you want to unwind…
Even watching it raw brings a smile to my face the entire episode…
the moeness of Haruka also helps…
Though I agree that the lack of development for the side characters can lower the overall score of the anime, but this lack of development may serve to highlight the amount of development given to the leads…
As long as the side characters, except or maybe including Shiina, just continue on with their business of shipping Haruka x Yuuto, and Haruka x Yuuto gets closer and closer with each passing episode I’m okay with that…
August 26th, 2008 - 10:24
I’m loving it so far.
August 26th, 2008 - 11:34
Sasuga Stripey, should have known you’d be following this too–just watched episode 7 last night, and I’m definitely enjoying this too, Yuuto and Haruka make a great couple, and I agree completely about both of them getting stronger because of each other. I just hope with Shiina coming in to the picture more we don’t see Yuuto wavering and turning into a Masaki Tenchi clone, but I’m confident he’ll stick by Haruka (hell, the OP credits practically telegraph that there’s no real love triangle here). Never-withering sakura and magic-wielding tsunderes are great too, but it’s nice to see a straightforward romance/comedy like this. Only complaints would be like you said, the side characters are one-dimensional, and the animation quality…well, it’s not cabbage bad but ep 7 in particular had some facial expressions that looked pretty off, although the ultra-moe Haruka moments made up for it.
August 27th, 2008 - 01:15
I’m surprised that Stripey hasn’t jumped on Haruka’s supportive imouto. Shocking.
And yeah, it’s fun how the show dodges harem cliches left and right. The fact that it’s a quirky and fun romance adds to its charm.
August 27th, 2008 - 03:13
Same thoughts as Myssa Rei.
Kawaii Imouto and Moe overload seemed to be your thing (after siscon that is)
August 27th, 2008 - 14:43
I didn’t think I would like the show, but I decided to try it anyway. After the first panty flash I was like, “ugh,” but now I am waiting on episode 8 and I am not fully sure why.
August 28th, 2008 - 01:56
I’m loving this for all the fluff and sweet romance. There are times when I get into thinking why exactly I’m watching this and realize that there isn’t much astounding about the series. Then I’ll wonder if I should just drop it and watch other shows… and the next thing I know, I’m watching the next episode and it quickly gets back into the top of my summer watch list and wonder why I even thought of dropping it XD
August 28th, 2008 - 09:24
Hinano: Yeah Shiina is as much a rival as Tina is to Aoi and Kaori in Ai Yori Aoshi
Still I hope she’d inject some rivalry since the closest thing to a rival now is Haruka’s very own lolicious sister… that can’t be healthy…. USO DA! XD Anyway I think Yuuto being a vertebrate does wonders to the show 
kaz3phyrous: Indeed, as long as the series don’t detract from Haruka X Yuuto growth, I’d be a happy tanuki
Ez: let’s hope it doesn’t do a NICE BOAT after there was a ep on a chainsaw… XD
suguru: I’m probably too caught up with Haruka’s sweetness to notice any animation misses. (Still this coming from the trained eye of a fellow bishoujo fan who sat through Yoakena TWICE, it must be true.
) Come to think of it, Shiina did have a couple of weird angles.. 
Anyhow, I’m loving the character design although Shiina does look like a Lunamaria clone XD
Myssa Rei: Imouto chan is a little too precocious for ‘my tastes’… Oh no what am I saying! Would I lose my imouto-moe membership finally? XD
Vin-nii: Heh, I wouldn’t say moe overload. Actually I thought ep 2 was a little overdone with Haruka tearing so easily at the end. It feel a little pandering to a certain demography. But I’m glad that didn’t take that too far. Haruka grew stronger within eps and I’m looking forward to how she stands up to her father
Derek: I think the characters are endearing and it’s a light-hearted series to catch after a long day of lectures/school/office politickiing
usagijen: We need an insightful post to dissect the subtle charm of Nogizaka
*pokes Usa-chan*
August 28th, 2008 - 21:39
“sweet” … that’s the word I was lumbering about to find for this series.
Yeah.. so far I’d rate manga-Karin > anime-Karin > this series… but that isn’t a terrible blow when I look at the other crap put out over the last season.
Enjoyable …. though I’ll have to say Hidamari Sketch x365 centers me much more thoroughly.
August 31st, 2008 - 10:48
I like Haruka, but I cannot say no to her imouto, i cannot choose!!!!
August 31st, 2008 - 19:48
You asked for it, Stripey, though I’m not sure if it meets your ‘standards’
September 1st, 2008 - 13:49
Although I’m usually resistant to such lolicon like oppinions I must admit that in this show Mika wins by miles. I can only hope that Shiina will get more focus in further episodes to help me resist these lolicon urges. On the other hand when I think about it, Mika seems much more adult than her sister. Its just her body is lacking in some important areas.
September 2nd, 2008 - 03:24
@Kain: Well said. Very well said.
Also, SHIIIIINNNAAAAAA /o/! I have not felt so much raburabu since True Tear’s Noe-chan <3!
September 4th, 2008 - 06:18
Vexx: Ah I’ve been wanting to catch Hidamari sketch for some time… you think it’d be up tanuki alleys?
EvilDevil: Mika is a lovely character. Haruka had better capitalise whatever lead she has with Yuuto since in a few years when Mika grows up, she’s gonna be a very serious threat to Yuuto X Haruka
usagijen: Great post! It was because of it that I rushed to watch ep 8. Mika ROCKZ!!
Kain: I think the series is setting Shiina up to mount a minor challenge on Yuuto X Haruka though we know what the outcome would be. Still it’d be nice to see Yuuto X Haruko come out stronger with the love tussle.
mellow_bunny: Shiina’s great because she actually has personality and don’t overreact like a mindless harem bishoujo when her undies get seen. That actually makes her more credible and likable.