One reason for the series' appeal lies in its portrayal of complex, flawed characters. Pico, in particular, is a fascinating and enigmatic figure, whose actions and motivations are both captivating and unsettling. Her relationships with her sister and mother are multifaceted, adding depth to the narrative and sparking discussions about the nature of family dynamics.

What made this first OVA historically significant was not the content itself, but how it was marketed. Natural High deliberately masked its adult nature. The promotional art looked like a standard, innocent slice-of-life anime. Because of this, unwitting anime fans would stumble upon it, leading to the birth of the internet’s most effective trap: Telling someone not to watch it became the ultimate way to ensure they would, creating a self-sustaining loop of shock and trauma.