Hmmm... I had plans to buy this. From your review, it seems well done. :)
Gals! manga Review
Story & Playability
While someone here from MiniTokyo has done the anime version, I will go ahead and do a review of the manga itself. I owe it to this series: without this Mihona Fujii classic, I would not have the user name of Hachiko. With that said, I shall continue with my review.
What I can say: this is what you love to see in a drama with comedy mixes to it. When this was translated to English by CMX, it watered down the dialogue between the characters, which I found to be surprising, because the colorful language of this manga is one reason why it is unique. It is surreal, and it definitely pays a tribute to life in Shibuya Ward, and Shibuya itself, the main setting for GALS!.
The lead character, Ran Kotobuki, is a person that I really love to watch in terms of development. She has the tenacity that reflects her police heritage; however, at the same time, she cannot stand to fall in with them, because, as the self-proclaimed role of "The World's Greatest GAL", she makes it a priority to look good, and settle scores her special way, while sacrificing good grades, at the chagrin of her parents and her big brother Yamato. There are many famous tsundere characters, but I feel Ran is one of the most underrated tsunderekos, because her relationship with Machida's Tatsuki Kuroi is one that should be paid attention to. Her personal quirks and tendencies when it comes to being a GAL is what makes her a memorable character. Whether it's swinging the arms para-para style, defending her turf the way that only Ran can do it, winning a challenge set by those who give it to her, or just killing time by eating takoyaki and sitting on the Hachiko statue for meditation, Ran can do it all. Well, almost.
Miyu Yamazaki used to be a leader of a gang, but when she met Ran, her life changed, and her relationship with Yamato is a fun one to watch. She hasn't lost her fighting edge either, and she may even pack a bigger punch than Ran, so she is always watched over by the one with the characteristic red streak (or mesh).
Aya Hoshino is another character that you should keep close eye on. Under the duress of her parents because of her grades, her life also changed when she met Ran. Her relationship with high school idol Rei Otohata is perhaps the most important relationship to watch, because it is the most difficult one to build, in spite of Ran's scoldings. For me, this is my favorite couple in the manga.
The kogal culture knows no discrimation when it comes to being rich or poor, and Mami Honda of Ikebukoro is a class example. The daughter of a wealthy combine, at first she had a strong rivalry with Ran, but as the dust settled and it was certain that she would not be a match, she found Yuuya Asou to eventually be the one for her relationship. Yuuya, a.k.a. "Second Place," is futile when it comes to his relationships with Ran, but when it comes to Mamirin (as Ran like to call her), it's a bit more successful, although she likes to show her affection by being the dominatrix in the relationship.
Another character to pay attention to is Sayo Kotobuki, especially later in the series. With her classmate Masato Iwai, the form the Junior Detectives duo, and always seem to follow Ran around, much to her big sister's chagrin. When she becomes a freshman at Hounan High School (which is where Aya, Ran, and Miyu take their classes at), she finds things a bit rough, and tis is where her maturity starts to kick in.
GALS! has couples, plotlines upon plotlines, and plenty of comedy and drama to reinforce it. Well rounded, in spite of the watered English dubbing.
Rating:
Graphics
The art of this series remind me a bit of Sailor Moon, if only when it comes to the eyes. Mihona Fujii, I don't think, will be able to replicate such a wonder style of art, even with her recent mange series, "Tokyo ANGELS." The comedy scenes have some super-deformed slapstick, but when it comes to the serious issues detailed, it delivers. The early volumes had a more darker, adultish tone to them, but at the series progressed (or perhaps to the demand of her superiors from Ribon), her art became a bit more youthful.
That's not to say that it had affected the art overall. What makes the art of GALS interesting is that for the most part, the art is done by Fujii and her mom. She draws the characters, while her mother does that background work, and in the volumes, there are scenes of them hurrying to get the work done, but that's a little off the deep end here. Usually, you have the mangaka and a number of assistant to do the backgrounds, screen tones, touch-ups, but here, all you have is just one assistant.
I want to point out an example that really epitomized her art: when Ran asks Rei about an issue between the both of them, asking if she could "laugh it off" (Ran x Rei: the apples-oranges couple in the manga) and Otohata says, "Take it any you want," I couldn't help but see that this epitomized the artwork that Mihona and her mom put in. Many scenes say it all, but for me, that was the home run to end all home runs.
The way Mihona draws the characters' faces matches the emotions, too. For example, if Ran finds a good discount, or a nice opportunity, she draws her eyes like crosses in circles, or when she is a little bummed out, they are shaped like T's.
A flaw in the artwork of GALS! is a lack of natural appearance for the characters. The proportions and the figures of the characters could have been a bit more detailed, and refined. I would have expected Mihona to emphasize the bustlines, the curves, and add a bit more fanservice to the art. Sometimes the legs look like sticks, and don't seem natural. It does take away from the concept, because other similar shoujo series utilize a bit more fanservice, but not too much. A lack of naturalness in the appearance of the characters was why I give this a lower score.
Mihona's art is shoujo, but with a dramatic feel to the substance. The fact that it was two people who did this (only one assistant: Big Momma) make it even more impressive. However, I was hoping for a more natural look to the characters.
Rating:
Sound
As per the recommendations of our retired moderator Shinsengumi, I am going to go on a tangent and cover some other aspects of this manga.
The typeface of the English version of GALS! by CMX seems scrunched up, and bolder that it should be. I would have wanted the typeface to be lighter, and on par with the translations that other companies like Shojo Beat and TOKYOPOP. Also, some caption boxes scrap away tradition and use rounder Arial or Helvetica-like fonts, and CMX doesn't even bother integrating the chapter titles into the art itself, slapping only a box and that round, Arial-Helvetica test. The sound effects of the text replicated the Japanese versions adequately, though. That might be the only good things I could see from typeface selection.
Another unique quirk to the manga is Mihona's Free Talk Menu. In every volume, Mihona Fujii adds a sidebar to random events and thoughts, and at the beginning of each chapter, there are some How-To Guides to be a Gal. Mihona gives you suggestions on what platform shoes to wear, what dresses go with which, and so on. You can think of it as a fashion guide in a manga, another supplement to the big picture.
Rating:
Fun
GALS! brings laughter, tears, more laughter, more tears, and a wide smile across your face with drama and comedy that really delivers. When it comes to presentation, humor is the glue to this manga. It's the mortar to the bricks. Every volume presents the reader with a number of slice-of-life adventures.
Some examples of this include: Taizou's failed attempts at getting his daughter to join the police force, which go way back to when Ran was a kid, a wild chase for a monkey during Christmas, and a trip to Taiwan which results in an episode of mistaken identity. There is plenty of comedy to keep the reader wanting for more. A concept of shoujo and seinen blended together the way that only Mihona would envision it, and the research that goes into knowing what the kogal culture is like, the customs and Iron-Clad rules that follow...All of this was weaved into 10 volumes.
The only reason why I give this a lower score is CMX watering down the language in the English version. Had the language been in its original version, the score would be a bit different. It doesn't take away from the main concept of the manga. And from the very start, in spite of a lack a lack of natural appearance, and some corner-cutting by CMX, Mihona drives it home, and delivers.
In the end, I recommend GALS!. And that should be an Iron-Clad rule for all of you who believe in one Ran Kotobuki.
Rating:
Final Verdict
8.8333 (very good)
Reviewed by Hachiko, Aug 03, 2007
Comments
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Lariel Aug 03, 2007
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shinsengumi Retired Moderator Aug 03, 2007
Before writing a review, make sure you read A Reviewer's Guide to Minitokyo Reviews
In particular, please see the sections on how to properly score reviews and what to put in the sound section of manga reviews. Remember that liking a series is not in itself a legitimate reason for giving it a good score.
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Hachiko Aug 03, 2007
Quote by shinsengumiBefore writing a review, make sure you read A Reviewer's Guide to Minitokyo Reviews
In particular, please see the sections on how to properly score reviews and what to put in the sound section of manga reviews. Remember that liking a series is not in itself a legitimate reason for giving it a good score.
:o Thanks, because I was always wondering why that section is still there when I am making a review like this. This cleared it up. Props. X-P
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Softballgrl Sep 05, 2007
This sounds quite interesting, I will really have to look into this more!
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ChiekoKawabe Mar 13, 2009
This is one of my favorite anime. And trust me, I've had my share of anime. xD
merged: 03-13-2009 ~ 02:45am
Though I think it should had a higher score... -
beryl0402 Mar 16, 2009
wow cool. thanks for the review!
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pigmypuff Jun 03, 2009
accecories so full colour
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yuyuppi Jun 23, 2009
aya so cute
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Fanatik007 Jul 12, 2009
nice review
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Hachiko Jul 14, 2009
Thank you. I am glad you liked it.
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SchRita Aug 24, 2009
Thanks for the review!
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