Gabriel DropOut Specials

Gabriel DropOut reaches its end (hopefully just for now) with these two specials that as a fan of the series left me very satisfied. I won't go over the characters since I already have the review of the TV version for that, so I will comment what you will find in these two specials.

The first one is the obligatory onsen/hot springs episode, with more fanservice than the one from the main series... at least as much as the divine protection allows it. Fun episode with the typical character interactions but in that setting.

The second one caught me completely by surprise since it went for a ... way more dramatic route, with our girls interacting with a girl who has severe sight problems. I didn't expect it at all and I admit that it hit me right in the feels, while this anime is clearly comedy focused, it also knows how to do drama.

Overall these two specials kept the level of the main series and even did some parts better, if you liked Gabriel DropOut, these specials are a must watch.

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Disclaimer
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The following review is completely spoiler-free, and is meant for users who are curious about whether to watch the show or not. While I write reviews with this focus, and the goal of presenting the show with little bias, it is impossible to write a completely unbiased review. Feel free to disagree with any of my opinions, and ultimately decide for yourself how you feel about the show after watching it yourself!

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Positives
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- More of the Same (Special #1)
The first special, while certainly different in a few ways from a regular episode, carries over much of the comedy and character interaction from the original series. Gabriel ... Dropout was a show that excelled in its characters and the repetition of their interactions so if you enjoyed the series, you'll find a welcome return to form here.

- Interesting Variety (Special #2)
The second special was a completely different tone to the entire series and special #1, and as such is an incredibly unique Gabriel Dropout experience. While the episode's goal shifts entirely from comedy to drama, it does so surprisingly gracefully and powerfully. I found myself incredibly impressed that a show so resoundingly light and goofy could pull off a very serious episode so well.

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Negatives
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- Fanservice (Special #1)
The first special is very much the fanservice episode. It does so comedically, so do not fret about it being tasteless or out of place, however it is certainly doesn't shy away from sexual comedy or innuendos. I personally enjoy sexual humour and do not mind the occasional strange line-walking that characterizes a fanservice episode in an otherwise non-fanservice show. However, I understand and cannot blame those who do not enjoy these things, and for those people, this special can be a bit uncomfortable among its ridiculousness.

- Tone Shift (Special #2)
As mentioned above, special #2 is very different to a regular Gabriel Dropout episode. And while I believe it to be well done, I can understand why some would look at this as being completely off-brand for a light comedic CGDCT anime, and end up not enjoying it.

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Conclusion
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Clearly if you're reading a review about Gabriel Dropout Specials, you've already watched or are interested in the original show. These two specials provide two very unique and special episodes (living up to the title of "special"), for separate reasons. They're definitely a lot more hit-and-miss than the original series, and explore more unstable grounds, but their bold decision to break the formula and try something new should be commended. Specials are a great place to stretch an otherwise consistent series to its limits and test new grounds, which is exactly what Doga Koba did with these two Gabriel Dropout short stories.

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Final Rating
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While it makes for nice averages and wonderful sorting, when it comes to reviews I personally do not like direct numbering systems. Instead, I am to answer the question: "Would you recommend I watch this show?".

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of fanservice/light sexualization of the characters of the show, even for strictly comedic purposes, I would recommend potentially skipping the first special.

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of the show's characters being put in a dramatic/serious situation, or simply wish to only watch episodes that will make you happy (I don't blame you), I would recommend potentially skipping the second special.

Otherwise, I would highly recommend watching these specials for their intriguing uniqueness.

This is one of, if not the #1 favorite side special episodes for any anime I've watched yet. The two episodes are wildly different from one another as well as from the main episodes. One isn't that great, but the other completely makes up for it.

For special #1, there's nothing special. It's an extremely fanservice-y and lewd episode where all the main characters are nude for practically half the episode. On top of that, there's some weird slime tentacle softcore hentai shit going on. God bless Japan. Not my thing, but if it's your's, it's there if you want to see it. If this was ... the only special or all the special episodes kept this formula, I'd rate this special a 4, maybe even a 3. There really wasn't even that much comedy going on, and the non-fanservice time was just typical "main characters take a train to hot spring" special.

Special #2 is what I give this such a high rating for and even went out of my way to write a review for. The focus is shifted from comedy to telling a dramatic story. Comedy is maybe 5% of this episode, if that. The world and characters of Gabriel Dropout was fantastically set up for telling a story like the one in this special episode. It's very out of place compared to the main series, but it really works well. It's one thing for an anime to get me to cry, it's a completely different story when an anime gets me to cry for a character that has only been shown for 10 minutes - if that. I really don't want to say too much about this episode, and I would urge you to avoid any reviews that might describe it in more detail, but it really was a treat, especially after lowering my expectations heavily from the first special episode.

I would really like to see more anime specials like this. It's wonderfully unique and absolutely deserving of having its own branch separate from the main episodes.

Edit (11/26/19): Rewatched the second episode and it made me cry just as easily.

In this review, I assume that you watched "Gabriel DropOut" so it may contain spoiler

Pros
- The story is more deeper and meaningful. Even though the duration is not as long as the TV series, it manages to pack a lot of things inside the story
- More creative way of handling censorship. It's unexpected and fun
- The atmosphere of the story is heartwarming as you can see the effort of each character
- If you like the TV series, then this one will complement it with more funny and caring side of your favorite character

Cons
- A little bit of unnecessary fan service since it doesn't suit the ... style of the anime, but still quite funny

Stories From Gabriel Dropout a special edition that continues the story of the gabriel dropout quite interesting
At the start of the Recreational Trip to the hot springs, and I guess a bit boring enough to make me
Withstand laughter as the mainstream anti-sensors covering vigne
And in episode 2
I was made quite surprised
Where the comedy genre in the anime is more dominating and it turns out there the main characters in the face by a character
The needy
In episode 2 this storyline is presented rather touch,
I can not say anything in this episode
One of the deficiencies in this special gabriel is satania, this satania already know that the ... character does not see this
Making it a joke
Ya want how else his name is also the devil
With little to the exclusion of the existing shortcomings
I still consider this special edition worth to watch

This special is really something I was waiting for, and dearly I was satisfied. As others pointed it out, there was a shift between comedy and drama in the two episodes, though I enjoyed both just the same. In the Overall and Character sections I will go deeper in the strenght of this series. The Sound rating, usually unfairly given coming from me, is influenced by both the opening and the ending.

Story (8) :

Whereas the first episode is skippable in the storyline, the second one will stay for a while in my mind, indeed was shown some of the soft side of Gabriel, which you ... would expect of course but it still was touching. If anything, characters with an handicap is something pretty rare in animation, although most people can come up with three or four characters. And it permitted quite the development, showing how nice they (the cast) are. Without going much deeper (talk about platonic) I can assure you it was worthwhile.

Art (8) :

Nice point being, it is the same artstyle as the series. Unknown to me if it is available in the highest quality, but it's satisfying nonetheless. Character design may be really cute, though something bugging me a bit is how huge are the chins and jaws, but it's still cute...
Backgrounds are well-made and forgettable at once, at least frames aren't really reused.

Sound (7) :

That part ! I loved the opening and it was the first time hearing the ending, both are pretty sweet. I especially have a liking for those series where the official voice dubbers are also the singers, like Nanbaka. Other than that, I'm not one to care about the sound effects.

Character (8) :

Dear I love characters in that anime, especially Raphiel seeing how awesome she is. But anyhow, characters aren't simply beholders of a personification of characters, in this series for the least. Well there is part of it but it's called the nature of a being.
And their interactions are always so cute... But the strenght of this series really lie in the comedy gag exploited every thirdy seconds with facial expression frames, and that I love.

Enjoyment (8) :

Did I mention I really like Gabriel DropOut? Well now you know. If anything I love almost every character, saying : Satanya, Gabriel and Raphiel. Basically in essence this was a satisfying special for the ones that really appreciated the original series, and it manages to stay following the canon characters of the manga. Pretty sure it follows even perfectly to the letter the manga though...

Overall (8) :

It's certainly not gonna change animation as a whole, but probably future series are about to be shaken by this series. And the special will be useful in strenghtening both the lenght and the weight of the series Gabriel DropOut. And if I get more cute girls doing cute things I won't say crap.
As you can see, subjectively I enjoyed a lot this special, and I hope I can convince you to try it out.

In short, these specials end up averaging on par with the main series for me (8/10).

With special #1, I’d say it was a little on the lewd side (although the joke with the variety of censoring-lights was funny). It’s by no means bad, but the comedy just didn’t land like with the other episodes, overall, extra ep #1 was a 7/10 for me.

On the contrary, special #2 was possibly the best episode of the entire series. Featuring possibly the only truly “emotional” moments of this comedy series, this special was one that gives a warm and fuzzy feeling - pure wholesomeness with a few laughs ... here and there. It manages to have Gabriel actually seem like a “good” person for once while still keeping her in character (her tendency to ignore the rules). Not only that, but a minor line by Satania, “THIS is why I hate angels!” actually does WONDERS for explaining her motivations throughout the main series. Overall, extra ep #2 was a solid 9/10.

Splitting the difference, we end up with 8/10 just like in the main series.

If you loved the first 12 episodes, make sure not to miss out on these specials!

More Satania is ALWAYS a good thing...uhhh didn't expect that mood whiplash though.

Spoilers ahead!

Gabriel DropOut's Specials have two isolated stories with our demon and angels, one comedic, the other, a alot more solemn that Gabriel DropOut is known for.

The first episode focuses on Satania wanting to exact revenge against Gabriel through all her mocking and with her and the rest of the gang, go to a hot springs, the obvious ensues with Satania. If your a Satania fan like LA then this episode is just the injection that you'll need as Satania gets most of the narrative focus with her "plan" and well it's Satania, ... the expected with her is BOUND to happen, though with that LA wished that the preconception of Satania wasn't repeatedly said that the effect is the expected approach dulling the climax, but who are we kidding it's Satania!

The last episode of the Special focuses on a girl that the gang befriend voiced by Fuuka Haruna and yeah the thing is, she's blind and well...things "happened" with her and Gabriel interferes in a ways, yes this the "mood whiplash" LA aforementioned as it's one of the more solemn episodes in the series, like yes Gabriel DropOut has it's solemn more dramatic moments in the anime series (mainly it's ending) but this episode ACTUALLY made an effort to put some heart and drama into it, uniting the gang under one cause, that of the new friend they all befriended.

The animation and voice acting is pretty much the same as the anime series so LA won't really touch on this element much.

The specials are good in all honesty with the same flavour of comedy and aspects that Gabriel DropOut would have and it's more or less an extension from the anime series and LA would highly recommend these specials, if your a Gabriel DropOut fan and want more antics from the gang or even for the last episode itself wanting something a bit different from the series but with the same charm, then watch these specials.

Story: OVA 1: so the first OVA is about Vignette that wins a ticket for all the girls to go on a trip and satana wants to get back at Gabriel so she does stuff to try and mess with Gabriel and what not a basic OVA.

Ova 2: this ova is kinda neat with this anime that they end up meeting a blind girl who calls them angles out of the blue later on they all start to hang out with the girl that's that basic thing of this OVA.

Art: art is pretty good not that bad at all nothing really to say here

Sound: ... the OP and ED both return in the OVAs and also the voices as well to what you heard in the anime you ll hear here as well all 3 are really done well.

Characters: Gabriel's basically the hikikomori of the anime playing games all the time, not wanting too go too school and stuff like that pretty much also a pretty decent person all around. Raphiel is the other angel in the anime she has a thing for seeing people suffer or in a way of finding her friends for amusing times (well bad things). Vignette is almost a angel in her self but is a demon but the way she acts and what not is charming and also the nice one and what not. Satanichia is basically the only real person who in a sense sticks to what she is a demon she usually like people groveling to her feet and what not. (copied and pasted form when i reviewed this earlier they basically act the same form the anime) Shoujo is the blind girl in the anime and well she a has a bright and colorful personality that's about it to be honest.

Enjoyment: Things i liked: Both Ovas were really good both had good comedy in it pretty much the reason you'd watch this to being with the last episode is a little bit of feels with the blind person but otherwise both good OVAs. Things that i didn't like: honestly really noting maybe the comedy was a little eh in the second OVA but was still decent.

Overall: giving this a 8 the comedy was really well done and also the fact that both OVAs were definitely enjoyable to watch both OVAs are definitely worth the watch for sure.

There are 2 episodes in the specials. I found both amazing, with the quality of the main series. I am not good at judging scores, but I can tell that the first episode was full of hilarity of the main series, and the second episode was very heartwarming. I very much felt for these specials.

Very minor spoilers from here on out.

Additionally, in the first episode (which is the classic anime 'hot springs' episode), I found their use of the creative censorship to really add to it. In the second, the characters were well-designed, and the story was incredible. I really hope the main series ... gets a sequel, at some point I want to see a follow up to the second story. Perhaps I should read the manga, although personally I don't like reading manga ahead of the anime.

These are quite well done OVAs.

Story-wise I'd say they're both meh. This is a character-driven narrative so it's completely okay for the story to be meh. The characters are where this series shines. The TV series did a very good job developing and familiarizing us with them. The OVA then put these characters we're very familiar with into unfamiliar situations, and it paid off. Especially in the second one, where the cast of comedic main characters are put in an actual serious situation. It was very refreshing to see how they acted while still maintaining their own personalities. We've also been shown sides of ... characters we've never seen before. For example, Raphiel actually caring for someone is something I could never have imagined, and it just made the story all the more heartwarming.

I wouldn't say I enjoyed this more than actual masterpieces out there, but I did enjoy them quite a bit, since it's quire rare for me to give out 8's to OVAs in general. To give it context, my 8's are given to the likes of Hunter x Hunter. These OVAs are definitely worth watching for people who enjoyed the TV series and want to see more of the characters. Also it's only 15 minutes per episode on average, so why not?