I really didn't like how Hisao kept trying to dodge Student Council work all through Act I. He just came off as a lazy dickhead, the kind who swears on a stack of Bibles and then doesn't fulfill any of his promises. Maybe that's why he's not a fan favorite or something. He definitely gets better as the route goes on, though. Looking at Act I Hisao vs. Act IV, I probably couldn't tell they were the same people at first glance.
I also liked Shizune's character. Yeah, she comes off as annoying in Act I, but she gets so much better throughout her route. Honestly, most of her interactions with Hisao come off as Belligerent Sexual Tension- I don't know why most fans classify her as a straight-up bitch. Maybe they're just terrified of strong women or something. xD
Jigoro I couldn't stand. Perhaps he cares about his daughter deep down, but he does a frankly terrible job of showing it, pissing on not just Hisao, but also Misha and one of Shizune's great passions, the Student Council. You do not constantly belittle your children about stuff they like and/or are passionate about unless it's obviously bad for them (drug abuse, etc.). (Know the hypothetical sports-obsessed dude who constantly insults his son for being an intellectual and a "nerd"? Same principle.) He just came off as an ass, especially his final scene in ACT III, where he immediately calls Hisao's book "literary dreck" even though he (apparently) knows absolutely shit about it. Really?
The "inviting Shicchan on a trip personally" scene was a nice gesture though. Least he's not a total asshole.Hideaki was meh. He was mostly boring throughout Act III, but I could tell he cared about Shizune more than he let on.
Misha... Misha, Misha, Misha. Hoo boy. When I started the replay I did not like her at all. Not only because I was already put off by her loud, boisterous mannerisms and had marked her as one of those people who constantly tries to shove you into friendships and socialization even if you'd rather curl up in a corner somewhere with a good book, but also because I was furious at her for going after Hisao for "comfort". I couldn't see her as anything but a corrupt spinster trying to destroy a perfectly good relationship out of jealousy and hate. Over the replay, however, I gained a new perspective- she wasn't really an evil bitch trying to hurt Shizune out of jealousy, but a hurting person who just desperately needed to feel even a little goodness and went to Hisao when she was fucking desperate. Maybe I still don't like her, but it's not the intense hatred I once had.
I liked the ending. Once again, it didn't beat you with feels like Lilly or Hanako, but it was sweet in its own way. The trio are all friends once again, Misha isn't in suicidal depression anymore, Shizune's vowing to change her ways for the better, and Hisao's going to keep pursuing Shicchan no matter what. I didn't get any sort of bitter-sweet "we'll split up again" feel like so many others. (Which reminds me, I really need to re-read Weekend at Hisao's sometime later.)
So... yeah. Not exactly a "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY FEELS" route, but good in its own way. I'll probably revise my girl/route rankings later this week.
Oh yeah, I also posted a poll up there^ so feel free to vote in that if you want.
