We here at oprainfall don’t just love video games: we’re big fans of anime, manga, and light novels, too. So in celebration of the medium, we’re here to give you our thoughts on what we’ve been watching and reading each week as we enjoy them. Old, new – anything goes.
Manga:
Otaku ni Yasashii Gal wa Inai!?
I can’t quite remember how I first encountered this title, but I’m glad I did. Otaku ni Yasashii Gal wa Inai!?, or Gal Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!? is a high school slice-of-life manga depicting the relationship between an introverted, yet kind otaku, named Seo, and two gyaru. While Ijichi is your typical outgoing, energetic gal, Amane is cool, stoic and secretly an otaku herself.
One of the main themes of this manga is how differences in character or interests don’t need to be a wall or hurdle for a friendship to form and blossom. Another, more subtle, theme is how assumptions based on looks, style, or interests can be ignorant and shortsighted. Each character has their own personality and background, and although common interests and circumstances do help to initially form the friendship, the story allows these three to maintain their distinctions while growing, both individually and in their relationship. And sure, some of the common high school tropes come into play, like popularity, attraction, social hierarchy, as do the typical situations of festivals, exams, and summer vacation. Yet, this manga does a nice job of using these tropes merely as a step before moving forward to genuine character development and charming relationship building.
I will say, Seo, our male lead and titular otaku, is a bit trope-like and typical, especially when compared to the two female leads, so hopefully more background or more diversity in his character is introduced soon. As for the girls, they really make this manga. I love how Ijichi is so much more than the stereotypical gal, frequently breaking away from the expected. Amane’s stressing with fitting in, being social, and hiding her interests out of fear is relatable, and her coming out of her shell, similarly to Seo, is a pleasure to see.
No news of an official English release yet, though the fan-translations over on mangadex are satisfactory. Fun, funny, yet gentle and good-natured, Gal Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!? is an easy recommendation. – Drew D.
Hajimete no Ojou-sama
Hajimete no Ojou-sama, The First Times’ Lady, is a lighthearted rom-com centered around sheltered princess Ojou Kotone. Ojou, in order to experience life beyond her affluent, yet limited upbringing, is eager to learn more about the world and is ready to experience many new “firsts” for herself. Determined to be more self-sufficient as well, the story begins with her first hurdle of using a train ticket machine.
Suguru Sewa, a typical high schooler, sees Ojou having trouble and bluntly guides her through the process. Then, he witnesses Ojou’s next struggle of getting though the ticket gate. Seeing how helpless she is, Sewa can’t help but keep an eye on Ojou for the time being.
When they part ways, Sewa doesn’t think he’ll meet Ojou again, only to be shocked that Ojou has transferred to his high school and same class, all in order to continue her efforts of independence and learning about the world outside her affluence.
Hajimete no Ojou-sama is pretty obvious with what it delivers, yet it’s done notably well. This short publication has plenty of humor, from slapstick to innuendo, and lots of charm, too. Ojou is cute and a bit air-headed, but hides deep thoughts and feelings. Seeing hers and Sewa’s character development is a highlight of the manga. As is the ability for this duo to make the mundane and everyday into something much more. As I said, this one’s short, only 21 chapters, and I wouldn’t have minded more. Cute, funny, even uplifting too, I very much enjoyed Hajimete no Ojou-sama for its bursts of humor and lighthearted fun. – Drew D.
What anime are you watching? What manga and light novels are you reading? Let us know in the comments!
You can read previous Week in Anime & Manga entries here!
