High Score Girl

Main characters

Haruo Yaguchi (矢口 春雄, Yaguchi Haruo)

Voiced by: Kōhei Amasaki^[1]

A young man who is dismal in various facets of life: He's not academic, he's not athletic, and he's not very attractive. The only thing he's got going for him is an insane amount of mad gamer skills. He rules the arcade scene as "Beastly Fingers Haruo", until he meets his match during a fateful encounter with Akira Oono while playing Street Fighter II. Undeterred, he seeks to challenge and one day out play her, considering her his rival.

While he starts off as a snarky brat with an ego bigger than any winning streak he could rack up in Street Fighter, he eventually grows out of it. However, he never abandons his dedication and love for gaming, which almost borders on unhealthy obsession. On the bright side, this pure passion for gaming is what leads him to finding some of his closest friends.

Akira Oono (大野 晶, Oono Akira)

Voiced by: Sayumi Suzushiro^[1]

The daughter of the Oono zaibatsu, Akira is rich, popular, and multi-talented -- the virtual polar opposite of Haruo. However, in attempt to escape the strict educational regimen she faces at home, she sneaks away every so often to play in game centers where she showcases her exceptional gaming skills.

She initially encounters Haruo during a match of Street Fighter II, and from then on bonds with him over their mutual love for gaming. She never talks, and communicates solely through gestures and facial expressions.

Koharu Hidaka (日高 小春, Hidaka Koharu)

Voiced by: Yūki Hirose^[1]

A girl in Haruo's class throughout junior high. Goes to an all-girl school with Onizuka throughout high school. Previously an introverted girl who spent much of her time studying alone, she develops into a more sociable person and develops an interest in gaming after spending time with Haruo over a new Neo Geo MVS that gets installed in front of her family's store.

She has a natural instinct for fighting games, which transforms her into a powerful forced to be reckoned with as both a gamer, and a rival for Haruo's affections. After a fateful showdown at her and Haruo's usual stomping grounds, she developed a bit of a sadistic side whenever Haruo's around. This frightening skill garnered the attention of the "Mizonokuchi Force" leader, Nikotama, who helped Koharu truly awaken her love for fighting games.

Other characters

Haruo's Mom (Namie Yaguchi)

Voiced by: Satomi Arai^[2]

An energetic lady who raises Haruo as a single mom. Despite his shortcomings, she's very supportive of her son in her own quirky and loving manner. Whenever there's company, she's quick to offer her special stack of "Hotcakes Straight From a Manga".

Akira's Chauffeur

Voiced by: Chō^[2]

A kind old man who always looks out for Akira's best interests. He is a self-proclaimed pachinko addict, and has a nasty habit of running over Haruo with the family limousine.

Makoto Ōno

Voiced by: Chinatsu Akasaki^[2]

Akira's rebellious elder sister who relinquished her role as rightful heir to the Oono conglomerate to her younger sister. She secretly regretted doing so, having seen the wringer Moemi put her through over several years. She's since lightened up knowing that Akira's found a friend in Haruo through her formerly secret passion for gaming.

Makoto has extremely similar features to her younger sister Akira, but none of the discipline and fortitude. Having grown tired of the Spartan upbringing brought upon her by her family name, she now tries to enjoy the wonders of the "outside world" much to the ire of the family tutor, Moemi. As such, she frequently runs into Haruo and his friends after her introduction. She's also on good terms with Haruo's mother, and has become yet another frequent guest of the Yaguchi household.

Moemi Gōda

Voiced by: Shizuka Itō^[2]

The bespectacled official instructor of the Oono household. A totalitarian authoritarian who will stop at nothing to make sure Akira is nothing short of perfect and worthy as an heir to the Oono family name, she is absolutely against any kind of fun within the Oono household, which creates friction amongst its inhabitants. After seeing the effect Haruo's had on Akira and the error of her ways, she begins to relent a little, with an emphasis on the word "little".

If one doesn't work hard enough, she piles on more work. If one works too hard, she rewards them by piling on more work.

Genta Doi

Voiced by: Daiki Yamashita^[2]

Haruo's classmate in 6-2, and again in high school. A snobby kid who tries to come off as cultured and suave, his attempts to woo Akira are met with failure.

During high school, he begins to hang around Haruo and Miyao.

Onizuka

Voiced by: Daria Midō^[2]

A girl who went to school with Haruo from elementary to junior high, then seen at the same all-girl high school with Hidaka. A bit grotesque in appearance and crass in demeanor, though she apparently isn't self aware of that.

Numata

Voiced by: Yuichi Nakamura^[3]

A guidance counselor at Haruo's middle school, and likes to play videogames as well. He resembles Lau Chan from Virtua Fighter.

Miyao

Voiced by: Kazuyuki Okitsu^[2]

One of Haruo's classmates during junior high and high school who is his best guy friend. He also enjoys arcades, though not to the same degree as Haruo. He has a knack for attracting the ladies, and is quick to pick up on the bizarre love triangle formed by his classmates.

Felicia Nikotama

Daughter of an arcade proprietor, Nikotama is the head of the "Mizonokuchi Force", a band of gamers who operate in Kawasaki City. She takes Koharu under her wing after witnessing her skill.