Oshiete! Galko-chan

Best described as "a nice little anime", with the focus on "little" due to episode length. The characters are pretty lovable, colorful and well thought out, but the lack of good comedy (and by that i mean stuff that actually make you laugh and not just smile or chuckle), story (and therefor its progression), relationships and romance as well as each episode being only a measly 7 minutes long kind of ruins it.

On top of it all there's more fanservice than the short episodes can or should be made to handle, but its mostly well placed so it doesn't stand out like a sore ... thumb as in some other titles. Best compared with "Seitokai Yakuindomo", this anime doesn't really hold its ground too well, still, its kind of fun and definitely worth a watch. 6.5/10

Reading some of the other reviews actually makes me wonder what the fuck even is this community that I'm a part of. But whatever, although the story is nonexistant and pretty much everything is average - 10/10 best anime ever! Saw only 1 episode :)

Nah, what I really mean is that this show is very average and not worth your time. The only enjoyment you could ever have from this is looking at some really awkward poses that the characters are drawn in for some reason. Then again - their soulless eyes will dry up your life energy, so maybe not the best idea.

I ... guess some 14 year old girls might relate to some of it, especially towards the end where they talk about how hard is dealing with first few years of menstruation. But everyone else will forget about the show in 5 minutes.

NOTE: This MAY contain spoilers!

Story 5/10: No plot. High school friends hanging out with each other.

Characters 6/10: No character development. But you get a sense of how they are and how they interact with each other. There are some funny and perverted/sexual moments of references. Galko is constantly late for class and laid back. She is known to have large assets. Ojou is kind, and bubbly. Otako is a bit monotone but chilled.

Overall enjoyment 5/10: It was okay. It can be boring at times, but in the beginning of the anime, they introduced some of the other characters and gives them a brief introduction. ... With an anime that doesn't have a lot to work with, it is less than 10 minutes. The questions that the anime asks in the beginning of each episode also makes the audience curious as well. It is basically an anime full of pillow talk for girls who have these types of conversations.

Hey folks, this will be a review for Oshiete! Galko-chan. You know when you have a craving for some food and then pig out on it until the thought of eating any more sickens you? That's what this show does to sexual interest.

The story is really straightforward. Three girls attend a high school class in which they will talk about something perverted. Generally they will be presented with a question like, "is it true that girls with larger boobs have larger areolas?". The girls will then discuss it as if it came up in natural conversation. Generally Otako uses the topic to pick on Galko, ... who in turn generally gets embarrassed and responds loud enough for her class to hear, rinse and repeat.

The characters are strange. Galko is a gyaru who is actually innocent and not perverted. Otako is a nerdy girl who loves picking on Galko. She is in general funny, and interesting, if only because she is the only character really. Ojou is the third wheel character who every now and again will amplify a joke because she comes in during the middle, or misunderstands it.

Honestly I wasn't expecting what I watched. I thought it might be a little more clever or not as direct. At first the explicitness of the topics was interesting and amusing but it quickly became repetitive. Unlike Seitokai Yakuindomo, I quickly became bored. Its a strange thing to feel tired of lewd things, not sure I'm happy with this outcome.

TLDR: Even though its a short I still wouldn't recommend it. If you want sexual jokes and haven't seen Seitokai Yakuindomo, then go watch that.

(This review has been adapted from my blog/reddit thread. Spoilers ahead!)

When people look at me, they cannot believe that I love to listen to heavy metal.

The most recent disbelief actually came from someone close: my brother-in-law. We were talking about bands and music in general when I brought up Metallica, both my favorite heavy-metal band and my favorite music group ever. I rattled off some of my favorite songs – “Disposable Heroes,” “Blackened,” and so on – and he was taken aback at my adoration.

I don’t blame him for his surprise because, as an unassuming nerdy white guy, I don’t “appear to be” a fan ... of that kind of music. But that’s why we talk and listen to others in order to really understand them. In other words, interests, personality, and actions mean more than some jeans and a polo ever could.

And Oshiete! Galko-chan agrees.

STORY

Oshiete! (for short) takes a somewhat unconventional route: girl talk.

Make-up, breast sizes, and periods are the norm from episode to episode. For example, one scene has the girls checking out whether they should purchase pads or tampons while a later conversation has them discussing the difficulties associated with bra purchasing. Embarrassing discussions (usually posed as an opening question), but they provide a peek into a part of life that does not usually get publicly paraded.

Of course, the topics, while still stemming from the girls’ talk, do not strictly stick to just them. Earlobes aligning with nipples. The reason for varied bladder sizes between sexes. The absence of melanin in private places. All examples of Oshiete! continuing with the girl-centric motif while also broadening its reach into more semi-educational material.

In what can only be called a clever move, the anime also introduces a group of boys. They not only mix up the formula but also provide an outside perspective. Much of that perspective revolves around their libido-driven imaginations – they get excited when Galko talks about breasts being as soft as bread dough – but they help to accentuate the girl talk from the boy talk in a simple yet direct manner.

Simultaneously, much of the content, while serious or factual in its presentation, aims for comedy. Galko taking a euphemistic psychological test becomes a comedic scene when she gives her answer in an obliviously sultry way. Or Ojou mistaking a “rubber” for a bracelet as opposed to a condom puts her in quite the promiscuous-sounding situation.

And as can be gleaned from almost every example, sex has a lot of prevalence. Otako bringing up a “long-held belief that lips represent a person’s genitals,” an intense love scene during a movie, and one of the boys seeing the (to them ironic) white panties of Galko when she bends over to pick up a dropped pen. Sexual but contextual – these are boys and girls going through high school. So having material related to their natural, hormonal feelings only makes sense.

Besides the motif, the comedy, and the sex, Oshiete! even contains a prominent theme: It’s what’s on the inside that matters most.

Bomuo, the bedhead boy, views Galko as nothing short of annoying for her incessant hair-care complaining. But, once she helps him out, he develops a small crush on her. Similarly, Iinchou, the student council president, initially believed Galko to be too carefree. But, after watching Galko take part in an essay-writing contest, Iinchou partially regrets thinking of Galko in that way.

The final episode of the season cements this idea as the show’s main focus. Galko and Otako first meet here in high school. However, they do not originally get along – mostly because Otako prematurely judges Galko, going so far as to insult her. But when Otako finds herself in a personal dilemma, Galko arrives to aid her without a moment’s notice. Afterwards, they make up and become best friends – with Ojou joining their group in an unexpected, comedic fashion and these nicknames for all.

The entire narrative is not exactly complex, but it’s consistent in its content and surprisingly smart in its presentation. Plus, at roughly eight minutes an episode, the show is quick and to the point.

One can’t ask for much more.

ANIMATION

Oshiete! stays mostly within its school setting, leaving little room for experimentation in terms of its art. Other places, like a public pool or Galko’s house or the local mall are visited, but those places are definitely not the norm.

Instead, the norm consists of a feminine color palette to fit the feminine show. Lots of pinks, yellows, and lighter variations of greens, purples, and blues paint and dot the anime. More specifically, they make up the anime’s common technique of turning the backgrounds into more stylistic drawings of lines and shapes.

It’s also worth pointing out that the OP’s visuals are reused scenes (with a small handful of original material) from the season itself. An unfortunate decision that only hurts the show.

The character designs, however, receive a nice amount of attention. Galko’s long, blonde hard, big bust, and tallness, with many accessories ranging from earrings to bracelets, paints her as the gyaru she is. Otako’s unkempt hair, glasses, and short figure, plus her plain clothing and freckles, give her an otaku look. And Ojou’s straight-and-braided hair, proper attire, and beaming smile make her out as the likable, wealthy airhead.

To put it differently, Oshiete! designed the cast (including the side characters) with an “all types” mentality. In this way, the anime adds variety to its jokes and its ideas in a natural fashion.

As for the animation, it does not hold up as well as it could. Characters often stand around as they make their quips without much body movement. Episode four has a particularly slow-moving and un-animated basketball – an indicator of the anime’s low level of actual animation.

CHARACTERS

The main girls of Oshiete! – Galko, Otako, and Ojou – are usually pigeonholed into their respective, encompassing trait for comedic purposes. For example, the class misunderstands Galko when she calls her father “Papa,” believing that she prostitutes herself. Otako brings up niche, old wives tales whenever she can. And Ojou joins conversations halfway through, misinterpreting most of what was said.

In other words, the characters behave in a manner that their appearances would seemingly dictate. Surprisingly, however, the characters manage to successfully tackle a sweet, if not cliché, theme that goes against this notion. A theme seen throughout the events of the story: It’s what’s on the inside that matters most.

This theme is readily apparent just by describing the characters. Galko is classified as gyaru – gaudy looks and a penchant for debauchery. While she does put extra care towards her appearance, she, more often than not, takes part in recreational activities. She likes to cook. She enjoys watching films and anime. She hangs out with her friends in class and at the pool and mall.

Beyond her interests, her personality also contrasts with how people may see her. She lends her materials out to those that need them. She is extremely friendly to everyone, even strangers. And she has a tender side when it comes to romance and motherhood.

Otako is similar. Deemed an otaku, many people view her as someone too entrenched in her personal hobby. Namely, books. But those bindings and pages say very little about Otako as a person. She likes to tease (especially Galko). She cares deeply for the close relationships she shares, making sure to think before she speaks in a given situation. She gets the most embarrassed about sexual topics despite her allusions to them.

And, perhaps obviously, the same can be said for Ojou. As an airhead, she has trouble keeping up with Galko and Otako’s banter. And her wealthy status, where chefs and tailors wait on her hand and foot, only continues the idea that she is not independently strong. Yet she does not let this direction deter her. With childlike wonder and happiness, she constantly seeks to learn more, giving her a set of observational skills that the others do not necessarily have.

While the cast all represent the same theme, a negative does manifest: Otako and Ojou (and the majority of the side characters) hardly get to demonstrate this idea. While the anime is titled Oshiete! Galko-chan, everybody but Galko rarely gets to act differently from their supposed stereotypes. Especially so in Ojou’s case since she has a smaller amount of screen time than both Galko and Otako. As such, the characters’ theme ends up only moderately strong.

SOUND

While the opening track for Oshiete! is quite quick and upbeat, even catchy, it tends to be too long. The show is short, so when the OP sometimes lasts upwards of two minutes, it takes up precious time that the anime could be using to provide more of its comedy and scenes.

The ending track consists of (mostly) just an acoustic guitar. It’s short, sweet, and simple. Exactly what the ED needed to be for this kind of anime.

Perhaps expectedly, the rest of the original soundtrack is nothing to praise, consisting mainly of simple slice-of-life tunes that fit the silly and laidback nature of Oshiete!. But while the OST may be lacking, the other sound-effects are not.

Many times, the anime includes silly sounds, like a whip cracking to censor a dirty word or a tiny bell for each major question asked. The anime even uses narration for a lot of the sound-effects, like when the boys whiff the scent of the girls as they walked by or the bouncing of breasts when Galko was running, adding further to the comedy of the anime.

Lastly, voice acting performances are slightly above average. Azumi Waki as Galko, in one of her first main roles, gives the girl a sexy and energetic voice. Miyu Tomita as Otako, also in one of her first main roles, uses a quieter, tomboyish voice for the small girl. And Minami Takahashi as Ojou nails that airhead way of speaking.

ENJOYMENT

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this one.

Galko, Otako, and Ojou were fun to watch on-screen. Galko blushing at the prospect of reading a kissing scene in a literature book. Otako reading up on areolae to cheer up her best friend. Ojou being amazed at everything that happened in front of her. They each had their moments, and they each made me laugh.

Other segments had me smiling wide or nodding my head in approval. The small aside when Bomuo dreams about living out the rest of his life with the sea urchins, and the sea urchin not empathizing with him, made it obvious how snappy and funny the anime could be. Or when one of the boys had his hand used by Galko to prove how small her hands were brought even more hilarity.

My favorite moment from the whole season, though, comes from Galko in episode seven where she, Otako, and Ojou go to the pool. A couple of girls heckle a young boy because his mother dotes on him. Que Galko wrapping her arm around the kid, pulling him close, and staring directly at the hecklers. They storm off (a later scene implies that one of them has a crush on the boy – hence the heckling) thanks to her quick thinking. She read the situation perfectly, making her and that tiny scene awesome to watch.

Oshiete! Galko-chan winds up being a rather solid experience. Music and animation may have troubles, but the unconventional topic, the thematic cast, and the nice character designs make the show a simple yet fun outing – even without any heavy metal.

SUMMARY

Story: Great, girl talk galore that contains different perspectives, nice comedy, sexually relevant material, and a theme about “it’s what’s on the inside that matters most”

Animation: Fine, colorful art, nice character designs, and below-average actual animation

Characters: Fine, Galko, Otako, and Ojou continue the theme about “it’s what’s on the inside that matters most” but only mostly with Galko

Sound: Fine, bad OP, okay ED, bad OST, nice sound-effects, slightly above-average VA performances

Enjoyment: Good, silly characters, fun comedy, and some awesome moments

Final Score: 6/10

Galko is not a bad show and I certainly enjoyed it. It was funny and broke taboo and sterotype alike! But I couldn't help but feel it was a little gaudy. The art style is varied and pretty, but it isn't put to stupendous use. The jokes, while kinda informative and wholesome, got stale after a bit. I think this is one of the better short anime out there, but nothing you can't pass on.

That being said, it is good to see shows willing to tackle a broader variety of topics including things that are usually hushed up as inappropriate. While the topics didn't ... really resound in me, I do find value in that this show was made and I hope others like it come along.

The friendship of the 3 girls is interesting, but doesn't evolve much until the last episode. I do like the way they end the series, as there is no *great* stopping point in short shows like this, so it makes sense to round it off with a 'how they all met' sort of story that a.) gives us a lasting impression of the characters and b.) hammers home all the ideas the show has posited the whole time.

The score is largely a reflection of my general enjoyment; I don't regret watching it, it was worth my time. But not something that will linger in my mind or alter who I am or anything.

Overall - 5:
This anime is the kind of anime that looks good in gifs because the art and character design look good. The show, unfortunately doesn't live up to the expectations these gifs create.

Story - 4:
Nothing really special here, for the most part the mini stories aren't all that interesting.

Art - 7:
Like I said before, this show looks good. It's not trying to animate anything too complicated, a lot of it is pretty simple talking scenes, but it does a good job at making those scenes look good.

Sound - 4:
The soundtrack is boring, kinda like the show. The tracks fit well into the show, so ... this isn't rated too low, but there's nothing too good about the sound.

Characters - 7:
This is probably this show's strong suit. The characters each have their own little quirks that make them stand out, not only from other characters, but the stereotypes they represent as well. Most of the show is getting to know these characters, which is a good thing.

Enjoyment - 5:
I liked the characters, and the occasional scene was pretty good, but a lot of the time it was just kinda boring.

I wanted to give it higher score but for what genre/use it's made for reeks with misinformation through mixed meaning in way too many situations. I saw the word Kadokawa, now I "understand".

Visuals, characters and voices are beautiful, content is rich without artificial dragging, but i simply wish it was more respectful torwards the questions it literally asks (and be for audience that is more likely watching).

Also, given the focus It's not for people who seek unique or a lengthy story. Story-wise realism isn't found here either but it tries to be slightly educational and faithful to real life situations. Subjectively content-wise i think it's ... a much better short kadokawa series.