The Problem with Oregairu's Greatest Irony

[@zi784]

Personal opinion: Just because you aren't Hayato Doesn't mean you are Hachiman

[@mamertvonn]

then that means you're Kakeru Tobe, the side character lol

[@zephilandevol]

@@mamertvonn or you’re zaimokusa

[@gabriellamulyamin5884]

But we all know, we can’t be Totsuka

[@fats2010]

i wouldn't wanna be either tbh poor hayato never seemed to get his own 'genuine' ending, probably liked either yui or yukino but couldn't do anything about it :(

[@AirSkyyy]

.

[@reybladen3068]

Hikkis edgy personality got me in the anime but his desire for something genuine made me love the show even more.

[@christianvirtudazo6187]

Yes!

[@_Crimson._]

The fact that he is aware of his faults but still didn't want to change because of his speech about change but later decided to slowly change his way of doing things after realizing that the world around him has changed or

[@vwoify7705]

factual

[@senshai1267]

The real hero is the teacher .

[@brandonhughes4076]

Hiratsuka-sensei is the GOAT

[@togelz]

Hachi started as anti social who is afraid of getting hurt thus Hachi distancing himself socially from others (no COvid pun intended), so obviously lots of people will relate themselves to Hachi, but thanks to Hiratsuka sensei who drag him to become the member of service club, as the story progress Hachi learn to be more open and to trust people trough lots of troublesome situations and challenge in social life and as a result more and more people outside the service club circle like Kawasaki, Miura, Ebina, Hayama, Haruno, and Mrs Yukinoshita started to realize his talent and the fact that he is a dependable person So imo Oregairu teach us to be a better person and to be a braver person rather than just self-satisfying being an antisocial,...

[@gomi-san]

I agree with what you're saying but especially before we got season 3 and season 2, there were definitely a lot of people who didn't take that away from Oregairu.

[@togelz]

@@gomi-san maybe some fans already satisfied just by finding similarities and personal relation with their favorite character or the character that they think is cool because those similarities/relation can give them the justification or self esteem they needed that they couldn't get from their daily social life, and i can totally understand that because lots of anime fans is deemed weird/geek/freak by society afterall

[@anuzravat]

@@togelz Yeah its the Reality and I kinda dont like it.. but i am accepting it now

[@joaomarcoscosta4647]

​@@gomi-san As someone who works in theater, I also struggle with questions of how important it is to make sure that the audience gets the "right" message. I agree that if a lot of people walk away with a message that is actually harmful this could be an issue, but at the same time, trying to "force" the audience into one specific reading often feels ham-fisted and patronizing, which may easily push away the people who need to hear it the most. In my opinion, a certain degree of subtlety and showing understanding towards a mentality you wish to confront is necessary if you want to reach these people, instead of just praying to the choir. However, I think that if you look at Oregairu as a whole, the series handles it VERY well. It's clear that a lot of people empathize with Hachiman, but it seems unlikely there are a lot of people who watched until the end of season 3 - or even season 2 - and still believe that Hachiman's behavior during the start is something fully worth emulating. As for the people who only watched season 1... I understand that not everybody has the emotional maturity to "get it" at first, even if the themes are already there. But... Can you really blame an author if some people don't fully understand a work that isn't even halfway finished? Going back to your Jojo analogy, that would be the equivalent of someone leaving the theater after the first 30 minutes thinking that being a Nazi looks pretty fun. I understand it's more likely that someone would stop after watching only one season of a show rather than leaving in the middle of a movie. (Especially before the following seasons are out.) But even if someone walks away after season 1 without the maturity to fully understand it... I think that's fine. Because the seeds are already there, and the show is already forming a "thesis" against Hachiman's behavior. Even if a lot of it might escape a teenager watching the series for the first time, the penny might drop later on. A lot of great works are like that.

[@artytoons]

Even Hachiman has a reliable friend in "low places" in otaku/bad writer Zaimokuza. Hachiman finds Zaimokuza annoying but trustworthy and they are mutually sympathetic in their "low standing" in school society.

[@dontworryhouston]

Congrats man you made me wanna watch all three seasons again

[@oyj2542]

same

[@rajeebnayak2836]

I have decided to re-watch it this weekend XD

[@kevdurrant3478]

@@rajeebnayak2836 where do you watch it? Crunchyroll took out the first two seasons.

[@Atom30261]

@@kevdurrant3478 wcostream or 9anime

[@Aurora-qh2ju]

i just rewatched the whole 3 seasons last week xD

[@soooslaaal8204]

In my case Oregairu came in the absolutely best time in my life and helped me see how cringe and self destructive I was. Thank God I achieved a bit more maturity by the time I watched the series to see what it meant to people like me, I can gladly say this series effectively changed my life for good and I couldn't be more thankful.

[@mondelester]

Same here, champ

[@brandonhughes4076]

My journey of watching 8man was from "he just like me" to "oh fuck, that's me"

[@TheAlexRhodes]

Same. Basically bad-end Hachiman.

[@RustyskillCS]

Cringe

[@jaw9006]

Watching this series as an adult, I wish I watched this earlier in life when I was teenager

[@i_want_a_day]

Why?

[@unamesareerealventok312]

​@@i_want_a_daybeing alone is dope duh

[@sayo5885]

Authorial intent. Authors don't always make their message clear or they write with the intent of having multiple interpretations all to be accurate. It all depends on how people from different cultural backgrounds, age groups, etc. interpret the story or the way they want to understand. I think this is to be the case with the majority of work of fiction out there. Can people like a story and or its characters for the *wrong* reasons. Is there one single correct way to consume a story anyways? Is it to understand the author's intention word by word? Is it what we *personally* take away from it or is it an amalgamation of all of them? I think Sercive Club also existed for Yukino and not just out of personal guilt. She is also a 'social misfit' who is reliant on others (first Haruno later Hachiman) fails to convey her true feelings or rather she's in a spot that she can't even begin to identify what she truly wants. She's not only bad with people but with herself, she can't think on her own. That's why in season 2 episode 8 after Hachiman's genuine speech she ran away. She was so terrified of seeing Hachiman identify and spill out what he truly wants. Even though it was something as vague as 'something genuine', it is still far ahead from what Yukino can even begin to understand on her won. I think part of Hachiman's self-sacrificial acts came from his twisted sense of purpose and this is the role that the society has assigned him to. He can never be loved or be good so he'll be the worst there is. It's a source of twisted pride that no one but him can resolve problems as efficiently as he does. That all of those fake friendship groups are reliant on his self-destructive methods to preserve the status quo. It's his way of fulfilling his role in this society. Now that season 3 is finished this kinda shifted into 2 broken people; Hachiman who's actually really competent when it comes to understanding and analyzing people but is traumatized by his past experiences of rejection who's seeking out for something genuine and Yukino another misfit of society who genuinely has a hard time to understand and conduct herself on her own. Now only these 2 can understand confine and help each other the most.

[@macezfilo]

I just watched it last year at the same time season 3 was airing and what a ride it was. 8man is kinda like Oreki (Hyouka) in a way, a genuis and a dumbass at the same time. Loved how we see him grow throughout the series and how Sensei helps him along the way. Also the parts I felt the most were the Yui moments for just being unable to actually confess properly and burying her feelings more and more and more which really hurt even myself. I thought I learnt a lot but when it finished but after watching this video and another one titled "The Truth Behind Oregairu" (focusing more on Yui) it helped me point out more points clearly and helped me realize my thoughts and parts that I have missed out. My main lesson that stuck in my head after initially finishing it is You might be looking for something "Genuine" too hard or think it's none existent but when it's actually right in front of you. Thank you for this quality content

[@gdgetsceb4115]

As someone who has - Failed to confess 3 times during middle school/highschool/college - Treated like a joke by her and laugh at by her friends in 2 out if those 3 times - Getting myself isolated from everyone even my family cause they didn't help at all - Hoping graduation and changing schools would change a thing just to be into the same drama all over again - Fill myself with false philosophy multiple during each mental breakdown But never give up, keep on trying till I've found that one genuine someone. I can safely assured you that Hachiman way of life earlier on in the anime is half true and it's an actual characteristic. There's no need to be friends with everyone, there's no need to get hurt trying to blend in every conversation nor compensation for letting other people negativity manipulate your daily life. A lone life is good too, independence and no need to rely on anyone, it creates a strong mind and a strong heart. But Remember that you should get at least one genuine connection before you enter this mode cause no one can survive the mental world knowing they have not even a single genuine connection for them. Please be calm and be strong enough to be kind.

[@shoya5255]

The feeling that there is no one for you. The feeling that no one cares how you feel. The feeling that it wouldn't be noticeable if you weren't there anymore. The feeling of not belonging. Losing hope for change. Losing the power to change, to make it happen yourself. At some point, you can no longer bear the pain and despair. Every time hoping that a different school, a different place, is a new beginning. Only to always end up at the same point. Alone. To stop having to endure all of this. You lie to yourself. Start wearing a mask. Just to not feel like that again. To be helpful and kind. Regardless of who. But even being treated as not important. Not getting any help. A loner can be a solution. But all alone. You break yourself apart.

[@yevheniyv1601]

Good advice you mentined: to get at least one genuine connection. But don't be too high, as life basiacally not anime and you can loose this oneitis any time, being completely doomed and abandoned

[@guyharold3549]

It took me leaving high school and enjoying my current situation in life to better understand what this show is

[@nathente5826]

When 3rd season dropped I had a similar realization. I watched the first 2 seasons when I was near the end of middle school. I had nobody I would call close and I envied those with close friendships. All of oregairu's subtlety was lost on me and I idolized Hachiman. The third season dropped when I finished high school and by then I became more comfortable with myself and found peers I felt genuinely close with. I rewatched the show and could finally see that Hachiman's perspective was inherently flawed in how little value he put in himself. It was so cool seeing him grow as a character as I saw him in myself ways good and bad. Your critique was thought provoking as I realized I came away with these polar opposite interpretations because of my perspective. The subtlety is a strong part of understanding the show but the way the meaning can be lost without it is worrisome. If I watched the third season back when I started the show I doubt I would be able to accept that Hachiman was flawed. Very insightful video

[@KevinL205]

For me I never wanted to be like 8man, I just ended up relating to him on the view of our self worth & a traumatizing event at a young age along with other unfortunate situations for me but it just ended up being the case

[@mondelester]

To explain how the show kinda changed my life, this is pretty much the best way to put it.

[@Dariste7]

It’s so hard to let go of Oregairu and forgetting it, idk why but it really changed me too and I think in a good way

[@The_End_Of_Mike]

Great video. Like most people when I first watch oregairu I relate and feel like hachiman was written to be a self insert like "oh he's just like me" type of character. But lately the overall message I got from the anime is when you think you're all alone there's always people out there who can relate and understand you. Once you find them and create meaningful connections you'll slowly become a better person.

[@piotr004]

Only one problem with your message, especially with, "Once you find them" - Hachiman didn't find them, they found him. He was literally thrown into them, it seemed like they (Yukino, Yui, Ms. Hiratsuka Sensei) cared about Hachiman more than Hachiman caring about them. I have a hard time believing that somebody would make such an effort as them for someone perceived as "loser". Btw. I love Oregairu, because it gives me and other people hope. For example me: I am 27 years old and even though I was never a social outcast, no woman ever give me any sign of her being interested in me. I had some temporary friends in school and university, talked normally with people, wasn't creepy, I always had good grades even in university, but still - no attention at all. It may sound similar to Hachiman's trauma from being rejected every time, but in my case I always had extra kilograms, so I am just not in shape (because of my illness). Being not physically attractive is enough to be loner.

[@succededhail9735]

About the problem of portraying the message of the series to a specific audience, I think it largely depends on how it is consumed. By the time you get to season 2, the major drawbacks of Hachiman's personality, ideology, and actions become far more apparent. But with only season 1, you don't really understand this until the very last arc in season 1, and it is still a middle ground. Nothing in season 1 was clearly pointing to the cons, so for those that watched the show as the show was airing could easily come with the wrong message, as I did in middle school. However, by the time I watched season 2, I still liked Hachiman and looked up to him, but I noticed the issues that he had with his ideology. And after a few more rewatches, it became apparent as to what exactly were the issues. Even now, long after season 3 and in my 20s, Hachiman is still my favorite character with Oregairu as my favorite series, but I can see what exactly I can relate to in every character, and what I think are good and bad traits from everyone. And I think it's done well as it is very realistic in how it portrays relationships. But attempting to make Hachiman's cons more obvious would be at the loss of development, run time, or realism, as many things concerning one's ideology and relationships can easily fly under the radar.

[@Yoannan_I]

To me watching Hachi’s growth over the course of the anime again made it so much clearer why he had to be with yukino, he was basically introduced to her by waifu sensei to help him learn to change and grow. Yui was always there but he shut her out because he didn’t want to accept her kindness that he felt was pity. Yukino and hachi stimulated each other’s growth the most while yui supported the both of them, so it makes sense they end up deciding what to distort eachother’s lives some more. Even tho I was pulling for yui from ep 1 I knew she’d lose, waifu sensei was too old and iroha was imo a much more confident and less conflicted yui that would’ve even great for hachi. Btw all the female characters besides hachi’s old crush are too tier.

[@FDE-fw1hd]

I still feel sad every night reflecting on yui's loss

[@user-ze7hp2jf5x]

as a kid I never related to Hachiman, I actually envied him and other anime protagonists that they were able to form meaningful connections, you know, sometimes you are just out of the loop and things happen, some more than others cause we all have our circumstances. never thought people related to him or any character really.

[@Ad_Astrum1121]

I was 12 when I first watched season one it hit too close to home and I loved it but not for the reason other people did, I recognized it was wrong I knew the way I acted and thought was wrong but it came from rude classmates and lacking friends and family, I hit close to Hachiman on the idea of I was already burned and was never expecting to live past 16 I was set on being dead already because I had given up on everyone but by the time of my death date I was practically dead already I was in an apathetic state where I didn't even want to put In the effort to die and the I was 17 and I froze I didn't know what to do because I was only half aware that I was even still alive and I was lost for awhile kinda in a constant mental breakdown not wanting to continue but not wanting to die but I finally looked around at the changes that had came in the past 5 years my family had gotten better now in a 50/50 on being better though that's way better then the past, my friends are so much better despite being the same people they have changed drastically, and I didn't have to interact with schoolmates as I now went online, it was arguably cowardly to runaway and give up on people but despite the dead state for 2 years it was much better for my mental health, though not for my ability to socialize😅, I'm mostly better though definitely not great even now still kinda out of it on being alive but it's not a wish for death just the expectation to die at 16 wasn't new when I was 12 I already had it at 9 so not being dead is still off. All this was explained to say I could understand sacrificing yourself for others despite hating society and the world but instead of having Hikigaya's wish to be a part of it I didn't want to exist but I understood the desire to be a part of it it was just out weighted, I knew it was wrong I knew I needed help and that wanting to die wasn't right but I already gave up on people so talking want an option and people were often quick to give up on me which is totally fair it's not like I made it easy why would I want to be close when I was planning to die that would be incredibly cruel of me, so I understood that Hikigaya was a sad person screaming at their situation with a mask of acceptance but I could relate and love that person and when season 3 came out I couldn't not love that he was subtly called out, that he was proven wrong in a way as he had to live the life he claimed to hate, it was the perfect ending to me especially as I was 15 and near my death date, it was a wonderful ending that I was glad to see, now that I'm still alive and can rewatch and adore it, I will always love this anime and I will love Hachiman no matter how wrong his mindset is because it's explained so well and with such self justification and hate in the same words that I can't not adore it.

[@perpeder4370]

This was a really touching comment, I hope you have a good life and can make it past your issues. Thank you for sharing, in a way made me see I was not alone in my own issues. Good luck in life.

[@AkuaBH]

Im still young and so after watching this anime and realizing the impact it made on me is pretty significant. I enjoyed the anime but the OVA and ending of season 3 just felt wrong for some reason.

[@RWZiggy]

The source is a light novel series. Hiratsuka-sensei made the club and put a troubled person in it, Yukino. She had more issues and was a more broken person than Hachiman even. Then she put another troubled person into it, Hachiman. The club is an official school club and was Sensei's.

[@jazminlei]

THIS! Thank you for pointing out that Yukino was a more broken person compared to Hachiman. Hence, i was rooting for her and I so could relate to her introversion. I wish they had emphasized more of her growth in the series, my discontent prompt me to read the light novel, im still on vol. 6.5. The anime left out a lot of Yukino-Hachiman interactions and Hikigaya's inner thoughts about Yukino. My favorite are the scenes of them roasting each other in season 1 and their confession at the bridge.

[@rrakkuu]

Criminally underrated video. Just like you have said, my appreciation for Oregairu has never changed over the years, but it is the reasons that have change. But, there is one thing that I took issue with in this video. You say that Oregairu is (or at least intending to be by Watari) a cautionary tale, that he should make the central message of Oregairu more apparent. Hindsight 2020 aside (I'm writing this after Oregairu had finished airing, I think we all know how it went out), I think the transformation of how I appreciated Oregairu to be a key part of the experience. It's prove of how far I had come, and seeing the ending, how much is ahead of me. It may have been a coincidence, but I changed from the class clown into the edgy teen that never speaks when Oregairu Zoku started airing, to now upon self-reflection a more "normal" human when Kan had just ended. People will naturally grow, and I think instead of the story helping them to do it, having the story to grow along with them is much more impressive, meaningful, and mesmerizing. Sorry if this is very long, your video really made some good points and really led me to rethink about Oregairu. Anyways thank you for reading, and this video in general, cheers.

[@gomi-san]

I can relate a lot with what you're saying. Because there's like a five year gap between the seasons, I think watching Kan really made me realise how much I've changed as a person since I first watched Oregairu all those years ago. Thanks for sharing friend.

[@Tucanazo69]

For me Oregairu it´s about personal development more than being edgy it shows you that everyone can change and find their way in life even when you're in denial.

[@user-hq7hg2vx5l]

This is really true , the story is about the character development of hachiman from a misanthrope to a genuinely good person. I really appreciate this video, should have more views tho

[@a.nveshh]

ya, that's true the anime is all about making Hachiman realize that his ways of doing things are wrong and that he can read the situations but he can't read human emotions I think this anime is misunderstood by many.

[@saiyanscars]

I didn't watch this show until just before the 3rd season dropped and I'm glad I didn't watch earlier (i.e. when it first came out and I was in high school). At that time Hachiman would have been like me to scary degree, as in watching him felt like looking back at my self 6-8 years prior. And I think that would have reinforced this idea I had the I the way I was living was correct given that someone else, even someone fictional has the same idea. As a young adult with the benefit of hindsight and a few more years of experience under my belt, however, I can see that worldview was just me trying to justify my own self-inflicted loneliness by deciding that everyone else were the ones who were wrong and that everyone and their mother was out to get me. I was blind to just how many people were willing to extend a hand and mistook the attempts I did notice for pity when people just saw a lonely kid that could use some friends. If I met a version of me from that time, it would take everything in my power not to yell and scream at him to open his eyes, that the people who had bullied him in the past were the minority and that he didn't have to be alone. Tl:dr I was a lot like Hachiman when I was in high school and I wish I wasn't.

[@wavez4224]

I get where you are coming from in saying that those who stand to gain the most from oregairu wouldn't typically have the maturity to fully understand it but I think thats also part of the beauty of the series. I believe that leaving the main message somewhat ambigous allows people to create their own meaning in it. If it was kinda plainly stated then it would take away from the intricacy behind it

[@levimorgan2678]

Watching this in the phase between teenager and adult is perfect

[@irelicym]

Good video but I just want to clarify that Yukino did not make the club for Hachiman, hiratsuka-sensei was just smart enough to know that she could throw him into the club to help him with his problems. Yukino made the club for her own purposes.

[@gomi-san]

What would those purposes be?

[@irelicym]

Gomi-San honestly at this point I can’t even remember nor do I remember if it was ever clearly stated but I do know for a fact it wasn’t made for hachiman

[@irelicym]

Armando Ramirez what does that have to do with yukino making the club? Unless that’s the related reason please let me know.

[@pikadragon6826]

My reason for enjoying Oregairu is because it shows a character who I relate to, a character with a pessimistic world view who takes pride in their own self hatred/pity and believes that no one could love his true self, slowly coming to terms with how flawed these traits are and taking the first steps toward changing himself for the better, something I could only ever hope of doing. I like Oregairu not because I think Hachiman is a cool guy who is just like me fr fr, but rather because it deconstructs many of my own character traits with a character who is almost like me fr fr. I like Oregairu because it gives me a glimpse into a world where I could improve even just a little bit. It is because I relate to Hachiman that the moments where he takes a wrong turn hurt so much to watch, because I’ve already realized through my own life and insecurities the kinds of things that I could never do because of the harms it would do both to others and myself. I may be a paradoxical entity that is both a herald of the end times and an optimistic bundle of wierd, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying Hachiman slowly experiencing everything I wish I could experience, as well as everything I wish to avoid above all else. I enjoy Oregairu because Oregairu reflects all my hopes and fears.

[@dukiroki6891]

I watched this first when I was 13. I'm 20 now. Needless to say, 13 year old awkward me had the media literacy of a peanut. I thought this show was about how cool and awesome is to be different and how cool is to always be prepared for deception. It really got me doing and saying super cringy stuff that sometimes keep me up at night. Back when I rewatched it in 2021 at 16 in my senior year, I grinned. I got better. Youth is certainly good. And then I fucked it up with a lot of people. And yet still... Things just kept moving. Overall, I had a nice teenage life and I can just keep moving on.

[@Dariste7]

The show was good for us because at the start we had many similarities with Hachiman but we saw the character development and we changed too. Idk why Oregairu is hard to let go. Maybe because we saw how dumb it was to think that hachimans mindset was good and his character development showed us that being a nice person and always being honest is good

[@tlk9186]

Thanks for the vid, it made me appreciate and understand the anime more. One of the best animes for me. Hope for more videos to come from you!

[@daviebowie8665]

Very deep analyses of Oregairu. I have vaguely pondered about the series the same way as you. Thank you very much.

[@blackstorm1301]

For a small youtuber you are amazing like dayumm

[@rochelle3701]

Great video! Been having the same sentiments on how some individuals in the fanbase wrongly perceived the purpose of 8-man's characterization. May I also say something? Hmm, though the animation wasn't THAT bad, maybe it is kinda disappointing that it wasn't pushed to the be best it can be? Not literally fluidity of the animation, but the direction and cinematography? I mean these two are integral components in creating a GOOD slice of life, psychological, social psychology animes. (Like maybe, Studio Shaft's March Comes like a Lion and Kyoto Animation's A Silent Voice). Yeah, just that the animation felt short for me? Oregairu has a very interesting and engaging narrative, Studio Feels could have played a little more to spice things up (symbolisms, nuances), transform it through the use of visual storytelling in a way that will make the some show's likely to be missed points (which have been mentioned in this video) more apparent. It just felt like straight anime translation of the light novel instead of owning anime as a medium. Oregairu is one of those animes close to my heart, so I thought trying to be critical with it. Indeed, it has been a great ride for us!

[@gomi-san]

It's funny because when the second season came out I remember really disliking the redesigns. I think the first season especially has some problems with animation quality but I think the redesign in seasons two and three were a lot better at conveying certain emotions, especially the "something genuine" scene. But yeah I agree that the show isn't exactly pushing the boundaries in terms of production quality.

[@shersockholmes6261]

Even thought the animation isn't peak , I think it shouldn't hinder with the overall appreciation. I see a lot of people focus so much on animation alone nowadays and it's kind of frustrating knowing animes are getting spotlight solely on the basis of visuals with really bad story. I suppose if the animation was like violet evergarden , adding to the already great story , it wud have been outstanding. But even with the animation they had , especially season 2 and 3 were very appropriate and in no way lacking. They were not extraordinary I suppose but were just enough for it to be not a problem and hinder in other MAJOR aspects of the anime.

[@ivorytorea]

I basically wrote this comment under another video just now before watching yours, but your interpretations are so similar that I can basically just post the same comment (which I will) because I think you might appreciate my takeaway from it as well and it obviously fits yours too. Additionally I can´t help but feel like this is an equivalent to MBTI and INFJs, where basically everyone in any capacity ever introverted will label themselves as such, basically using the worst criticism of the MBTI as an actual tool for self growth and understanding by putting themselves in a role that seems favourable to them because on a surface level it is open enough for everyone to see themselves in it...while completely disregarding that the actual INFJs of the MBTI tool are constantly sidelined by the people screaming how much they identify with their INFJ-roles and how horrible their struggles are...I really get the same vibe from watching some other youtubers with channels of 100.000+ subscribers (not that I am saying that they are lying or anything negative like that) and how much they can identify with the loner character of Hachiman. Anyways, my original comment will take up that point although it is really jumbled because I had to write it twice. Still, absolutely I can feel your point. This is such a good video, props to you! Oregairu is my favourite show, despite that tho I have not watched season 3 yet (in part because I wanted to watch it in one go for greater impact, but also because due to my depression putting me in a spot where I am not feeling like I can give it the viewing experience it deserves, given that it is a final ending that can only be experienced once). What I did watch tho were a lot of other KZbinrs video essays on Oregairu and how it links to their different depressions, how they can identify with Hachiman (which in itself poses an interesting question, after all the reason I clicked on this video here^^, what does it mean if all those different people for all their different reasons and with all their different depressions can all identify with Hachiman in the same way I can?), they even mentioned all other things from artstyles to who is best girl and even viewing fatique, which obviously is hitting pretty close to home for me as it may be my favourite anime but it is simultanously emotionally fulfilling as it is exhausting. But none of them actually mentioned what was bothering me the most about this show - that it is fiction. Now that sounds awefully mundane, but what I mean is essentially the realization that for all that I can identify myself with Hachimans struggles and thoughts and perspectives - there is not gonna be a benevolent teacher-sensei figure that is interested and engaged enough to care about and see through my struggles to force me into a magical romcom situation where not just will I suddendly find understanding and acceptance but also be useful for people that are prompted to come to me for help, all for their own individual reasons and me being actually able to do something about it that makes me not just misunderstood but even likeable. In my life there won´t be this superficial situation where everything is set up and falls into place. And even if, Hachiman is beast, not just does he come up with all those solutions, never failing anyone but also being able to work tirelessly here and there and everywhere that old grumpybear. For all that I can identify myself with him, those things will not happen and even if they would, I would not be secretly amazing like him. And I like that you pointed that out what all the other KZbinrs did not, that this Hachiman is not something that I should aspire to be like, that this is not how life works, in my life there will not be that random goodwilled Sensei and not that Yukinon that will set me off to self growth. And the Hachiman that everyone can identify with so well is not a good role self to play because instead of making people interested in you like in the show, being like him in real life in the beginning would only bring more misery. And I like that you pointed this out. Because it is a part of my exhaustion of why I haven´t watched the ending, because as long as the show was going on (I also didn´t read the LN for that reason yet) there was always the room for growth but now with a fix happy ending waiting, I am almost afraid of losing touch with my favourite show, because it is not where I can see myself in anymore. And all of those other KZbinrs just talking about how they could also identify themselves with Hachiman while at the same time persuing all their interests in creating big communities and hobbies (not that I am saying they are lying, but their identification is understandable but just different) Because I often wished I was like Hachiman since I always saw him as distinctly different from myself Because my life is not a magical romcom. But that is why I like (my interpretation of) your theory so much, because if this story actually leans itself on the work of "No longer human" and is basically an alternate, more cheerful, more hopeful outcome of that story...well at first one would think that gets me down, because as I stated my life is not Hachimans romcom and I am not secretly amazing like him and I won´t have amazing people help me with it...but actually that´s why this theory brigthens my view of this aspect. Because I am not meant to identify with Hachiman as he was, but the potential of growth that he has in him and in the show that potential for self-growth into self-love was needed to be prompted by the Sensei and the club. But I as one of those Hachimans hearing this theory can actually interprete the show into something that while I will not have those things get presented to me like for Hachiman in the show, it gives that hopeful outlook of what could be a reality for such a character in which the author would not have to kill themselves in the end. Because for me, I can actually prompt myself to self-growth, in my case by learning about psychology. In a way I guess I could say I can find my own Senseis in the people that explain it to me because it makes the world make more sense to me, it helps me understand more of others and myself. And with that self-growth from self-love I can actually endure the ending that perfect ending that Hachiman finds, because even if I don´t, I can at least realize my potential for growth into the person he becomes and go be able to reach out for a fulfilling ending of my own. I don´t need a Yukinon or club of myself to become a more rounded person, I can infact become the person that would have the capacity to realize and grasp the possibility of such a situation like Hachiman is able to in the end if it presented itself to me. And I got the show to actually provide me with the hopeful optimism that such a possibility could be a part of life, with all the setup that it needs to prompt its story, it actually describes lifelike situations after all, leaning on a work about real life but with the hopeful idea that with that journey of self-growth past my old identification of Hachiman I can infact hope for a different outcome to Osamu Dazai. With that being said, great perspective, I think I can watch the show now, that´s exactly what I wanted to prompt myself into with watching the youtube essays on Oregairu after all, so basically exactly what I said about giving myself the nudge in a forward direction seeking and finding the input I need myself :D

[@nangsanbhalangblah333]

I'm halfway thru season 3 rn and I just find it bizarre/amusing that along with the "sigma grindset, Patrick Bateman, Taxi driver, name any other 'Literally me' characters" movement we have going on, this character is completely left behind, while being very close to the ideas of the concept I mentioned prior. Great video.

[@anime_world6684]

Hachiman was a very interesting character to me that isn’t generic, his philosophy made him detract from his character arc multiple times that it annoyed until he went back on track and detracted again and from there i was invested until I watched the summer camp how he made a messed up in the head plan to help others yet no one cares about him for helping then I realized by end of season 1 the type of friends he has and how he always get disrespected for hurting, it pissed me off that I couldn’t watch season 2 not even for the best character hachiman

[@niceman2077]

What a great video. You deserve more subscribers.

[@gbrl433]

i think the intent of the story is clearer the older you watch it

[@FDE-fw1hd]

That's why I'm gonna rewatch it. The dialogue was so complicated as a Japanese watcher. Also I'm depressed about you losing even though I wasn't on her side.

[@chengxiaoshi3461]

im sorry but i was mortilly shocked when the movie jojo rabbit that i was forced to analyse in english glass was brought up.

[@hmmmph.]

This the most underrated channel

[@DragonStar524]

I get it man. I've got ASD, and have trouble being social as well.

[@predictabowl]

Well crafted video, thumb up for you. I just wanna point out a couple of things: the first is basically nitpicking, concerning about what you say on 4:30 about Yukinoshita making the club to help Hachiman, to which I cannot completely agree. The club is more a place to correct both Hachiman AND Yukino. For sure Hiratsuka could have used the leverage of the car accident to make Yukinoshita believe that the club was solely for helping Hachiman, but I feel this was more a white lie to make Yukinoshita hop on board, with the ultimate goal to help her. This is even explicitly hinted in the anime, Season 2 episode 8, in the bridge talk with sensei. The second is what you said on possibly being a failure on part of Watari (12:05). This not necessarily wrong, but I do believe that not every author want to necessarily convey some sort of message, some just want to tell a story. Oregairu, while for sure have a large demographic of young people, could not exclusively be aimed at them. I know this sound absurd but, you see, many themes in Oregairu require to read between the lines to be fully appreciated, and I would argue that this is one of the reason why it's so good (at least for an old man like me). Conversely a different and more direct way of telling the same story, probably wouldn't had the same impact on the people who like it as it is. For sure Oregairu try to appeal at a younger audience, in the novels there's enough fanservice (albeit a different type than the standard light novel fanservice) to attract them, but at the same time it's also uncompromising in the way the story is told, which make it hard to follow for immature people, but so beloved by others.

[@orboakin8074]

I am relatively new to anime and I tried watching this show on Crunchy Roll in 2021 but I dropped it after the episode where the pink-haired girl came to thank him for saving her dog and he just blew her off and used the stupid excuse of "She is nice because she wants something" and it really made him hate him because even though I can understand being a recluse, being a cynical jerk to others in that extent is just too much. I had no idea he actually undergoes an evolution and drops the cynical loner a-hole attitude, mainly because most other videos and comments about the show were usually just people praising and idealising his loner lifestyle. Also, maybe it's partly because my own teenage experience was different from those in Japan or the west as I was born and raised in Nigeria.

[@piotr004]

You probably just were not rejected as much as Hachiman was (socially and romantically). People with rich (or at least not minimal) social lives will never understand how it is. For example me: I am 27 years old and even though I was never a social outcast, no woman ever give me any sign of her being interested in me. I had some temporary friends in school and university, talked normally with people, wasn't creepy, I always had good grades even in university, but still - no attention at all. It may sound similar to Hachiman's trauma from being rejected every time, but in my case I always had extra kilograms, so I am just not in shape (because of my illness). Being not physically attractive is enough to be loner.

[@unamesareerealventok312]

You're just lucky lol

[@zuhdibadwan8742]

Thank you

[@FLP_33]

Subbed. Great vid man! Keep going

[@gomi-san]

Thank you friend

[@ARreviews_tv]

In my personal opinion, I don’t think Hachiman’s behavior at the beginning of the series is wrong. People often label him as antisocial or someone who doesn’t talk much, but there’s more to his story. We know he carries some painful memories from the past. For instance, his classmates used to make fun of him for no reason, simply because he was a quiet kid. The light novel shows that he wanted to connect with them and talk about topics like anime, but they ignored him. He even gathered the courage to confess to a girl, only to be rejected, and the next day, everyone mocked him for it. When he entered high school, he genuinely wanted to start fresh, make friends, and create new memories. However, an accident kept him out of school for a while, and by the time he returned, social groups had already formed. For introverts like Hachiman, it’s incredibly difficult to fit into established cliques. Eventually, he lost hope and decided to protect his mental health by distancing himself from others. Despite this, we know he genuinely cares about people-he just doesn’t show it openly. He’s always quietly observing and understanding those around him. When he met people like Yukino, Yui, and Totsuka, he gradually started to let his guard down because they were good people with sincere intentions. I believe the message of the series is this: If you can’t find the right people or friends who truly accept you, don’t waste your energy chasing after others. But when you do find people with whom you can be vulnerable without fear of judgment, cherish them.

[@Sageonir]

is it weird for me to relate on both character yukino and hachiman?

[@tvinczee477]

How can u blame watari for the mayority of people being stupid? If they draw the wrong conclusions it's their own damn fault. U can't seriously expect watari to make the novel less enjoyable for the ones in search of his message by making things more obvious...

[@souppe9616]

yep not everything needs to be spelled out, would take away from the story/experience

[@circa-bq8tm]

It's just like how people used to think that Tyler Durden from Fight Club was a role model. They're kind of missing the point. Like Fight Club though, they are both shows/movies made from books. So maybe something is lost when translating mediums. I'm not sure that writers have all that much say in what goes into a film or show. It might not be a failure on the part of Watari or Palahniuk as much as a failure on the part of the medium. Great video btw. Idk anyone irl who's into this stuff, so it's cool to hear people talk about it.

[@MrDariox555]

I really liked this video, and I agree with it's broad strokes, but I don't think having a part of the fanbase identify with Hachiman, especially on the first season, is a weakness or a problem of the show. What's more, I think it's a necessity. The main point of the show is that Hachiman is wrong. He has put walls where he should have constructed bridges. He desires to be happy, but actively takes a path that hurts him and everyone around him. It's hard to have a protagonist that is so incredibly wrong about the world and still have people like them enough to follow their story. That's why, I believe, Watari wanted to make Hachiman look like he might be into something. A light novel's audience is mainly comprised of young people: teens and the like. It's in that moment of your life that you are more prone to think that Hachiman is a cool guy with everything figures out. But, as the show advances, it becomes more and more evident that this is not the case. That is what I think you got so right in your video. Hikki is fundamentally wrong about his approach to life and people. He has to realize that. And the reader/watcher should realize it too together with him. I don't think it was intentional, but that makes so great the years of difference between seasons two and three. It let the original audience grow until they were able to see the whole picture for what it is. Or at least that's my take on that haha!

[@Alessandro_Batistuda]

Hachi-men

[@setthegoldenboi6994]

9:25 yes I feel you bro

[@iqhmalRedux]

I think Oregairu is best watched multiple times at different point in your life. Early on you think Hachiman is cool and someone to idolize. A few years later you realize that Hachiman is just another guy in need of help. Then when you become even older you learned that Oregairu is about growing up. Hachiman changes throughout the series. Yukino changes throughout the series. Everybody changes throughout the series. The only people that don't are Hiratsuka sensei and Haruno, the adults. People who has their life figured out.

[@DarkKnightSatellite]

I like when people are honest. thank you. the thing is, we all know, that in reality, someone like hachiman would be unable to get girls or friends or whatever. and nobody would care about him. okay, maybe he is a good looking guy ... but that doesnt matter.

[@raheemcamal998]

Facts

[@kynikostashasch2218]

I'd argue that there's no right message to take from any story, it's subjective. The idea that someone who comes away with a different impression from your own is also kind of lacking in mental maturity.

[@SkyreeXScalabar]

8man in last ep cringes at the monologue that 8man in the first ep makes, message is pretty clear to me

[@theanimehero9474]

@@SkyreeXScalabar perspective and experiences tbh

[@unamesareerealventok312]

​@@theanimehero9474ppl😊😊

[@ll5ammyll]

Watching this anime make me wanr my own little genuine things

[@MelkorPT]

Your line about "JoJo Rabbit" reminds me that that's exactly what happened with "American History X", plenty of people came out of that movie thinking being a neo-nazi is awesome.

[@sulpherbratigh7936]

I hate this show for how repressive it feels, it's a classic teen romcom story structure where the main characters won't talk to each other about their feelings until the very end of the series which will cause a lot of drama along the way, in this story it makes sense somewhat because the main 3 actually cared about each other and they are bad at communicating but man it's still so annoying to watch, it got a happy ending but can't say it was worth going through all the crap that goes down in season 2 and 3

[@traffy001]

i dont particularly want to be 8man or be like him, im kinda like him already in some ways. his "idgaf about what other's think of me" is what i need/want

[@icecp6532]

He clearly does give a fuck about others though. Literally the whole point of the series.

[@guestguest6397]

Can someone explain why hikky actions are bad if his action are able to fix/help get anythings done

[@bvilceisvilceus]

His friends just doesn’t want to see him hurt himself in the process. Most of his plans has him sacrificing in some shape or form to achieve his goal. Prime example would be how he made himself look like the bad guy when the leader of the sports festival went awol. Plus in the light novel it is well establish that most of his plans fail in the long run and didn’t actually solve the problem just provided a bandage for it.

[@karlbenito9992]

They are short term answers to long term problems

[@T-rex-y8i]

Relatable i agreed

[@astermos-6616]

I still can't get over the fact that we didn't have a girl that is an old friend of Hachiman to join the battle for his heart HAHAH

[@zephilandevol]

You mean Komachi? (just kidding)

[@macezfilo]

@@zephilandevol oi oi oi

[@arunbainz]

This just 💯💯💯

[@KingJH0510]

So this is the reason why i cant come to relate or even understand hachiman and his point of view, even though i understand the main plot of the story Because the people that relate to hachiman wouldnt understand the story and vise versa

[@omni_awareness67]

Hachiman is my favorite slice of life anime character, but for the love of God people need to stop calling him relatable because he is not. He is just a very unique, and kind person that none of us are like.

[@Roonagu]

To be fair, "relatable" doesn't mean being exactly like that person, it means that you can understand/emphasize with (some of) his/hers world views.

[@Makizni]

@@Roonagu I agree, even though I didnt really "relate" to him. I really empathize with Yukino

[@enanebres6481]

New Subscriber here

[@arundas8870]

Wait only 228 subs?!

[@basurahan306]

For some reason you remind me of Hiding in Public.

[@gomi-san]

I can't say that I haven't taken inspiration from him.

[@basurahan306]

@@gomi-san can't wait for your 100subs dude. Happy to have seen you this early

[@ShekarShekar-iu8ef]

@@gomi-san the video is good

[@d.s.elijahdecastro3379]

Subbed

[@drakelans8821]

didn't age well since it's a trend now to follow psychopathic edgy characters lol. great video

[@haruko7423]

I made a piano ost just because of this anime i will not for get this masterpiece anime!!!! :)

[@zidnyknight3611]

What is yukino family problem?

[@enanebres6481]

34k 2y 2.25k subs

[@abdootlili3258]

I agree

[@Stevdude]

Is it a better watch sub or dub?

[@aliking134]

Sub

[@christ.5717]

What's the name of the BGM? thank you

[@gomi-san]

It's various pieces of the OST from Oregairu

[@motokavsvlog7737]

38k 3y 3.4k subs

[@S3ntenal]

Your understanding of the plot (at least in the anime) seems to be off slightly. Considering this, I don't believe your understanding of the themes are accurate. Not to fall into either group you are portraying, but it's worth taking note of if you are going to make repeated references to the story. Also good practice to tell us when the events you reference occur, either visually or audibly.

[@icecp6532]

Oregairu literally ends with him cringing at the speech he does at the beginning of the series.

[@thewingedserpent5823]

Hachiman is worth emulating. especially for those people who would idolize his season 1 persona (since that's what it is, it's a mark he wears). More specifically, i think his character arc is worth emulating. 3x11/12 Hachiman is a perfectly fine character to look up too. He has left many of his more anti social aspects but he is still cynical/realistic in his few of the world and sociaty, just in a far more healthy way. Hachiman is my favorite character of all time, which is way i always find it especially weird when people see his "nice-girl-speech" and completely agree with him because that entirely misses the point. The whole story (for which the plot is essentially identical to hachiman's and yukino's character arcs) hinges on the fact that early Hachiman is wrong. you are supposed to disagree with him while still understanding the reasons for why he thinks the way he does. otherwise the story is entirely nonsensical. as such, i find that Watari made it apperent enough that that is the point because otherwise the whole story loses all meaning and becomes nonsensical.

[@denjihv7307]

Please trad this vid un french

[@dildry9317]

You look way too deep into it man The story was always about Hachiman changing for the better and not putting themselves down because they dislike normie culture Idk I am like 20 rn and grown up and to me social life and stuff is completely different and I cannot relate to Hachiman in any form I also feel like Oreigaru isnt that accurate anyway but I did like the message it conveyed and was a lot more nuanced than other high school setting anime.

[@felipedilho]

Just because you don’t think that is the message the author is intending to pass what makes you think your's is the correct message? Perhaps there is nothing wrong with Hachiman or with his philosophy, perhaps there is only something wrong with you!

[@icecp6532]

Hachiman literally says at the end of the series, that his first speech about being a loner is embarrassing to look back upon. It’s literally the whole message of the series.

[@unamesareerealventok312]

​@@icecp6532he has hot girls with him he was never a real loner

[@icecp6532]

​@@unamesareerealventok312 Did you not watch the show? His loner lifestyle is quite literally the very reason he almost loses them as friends in s2. That's literally all s2 is about. Only after he abandons that lifestyle in ep 8 is when he has the ability to fix his friend group.

[@karunamajee7868]

Explain the anime, i don't wanna know about your life, I'm here for explanation fo anime

[@shadowblade19]

Weeboos, all of ya.

[@motokavsvlog7737]

New Subscriber here