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Given the last english translator (as of 25/09/21) has given up on scanlating the sad remains of this once very promising manga, it should speak volumes on the state of the manga and the mentality of the author (hint:all the author cares about is sweet sweet MONEY)

Minor spoilers following:

Hajimete no Gal started with a relatively unique premise, with the MC getting the girl almost immediately (which most series try to tease and cash grab for as many volumes as possible, looking at u rent-a-gf); the sky was the limit for how potentially successful Hajimete could be. With the first 60-80ish chapters being effectively world/harem building, ... the beginning to middle of the manga was essentially lewd SOL chapters with occasional character development, which were actually really fun; nothing ground breaking but entertaining enough. However, the demise of this poor poor manga begins with the introduction of the last character within the high school arc, with her being introduced around chapter 90.

Direction for the series becomes much slower and more pointless with as much melo-drama as possible to fill chapters up with poor writing, and with this, the release of chapters also slows down. Worse yet, in the 100ish chapter range the author builds up this dozen chapter climax regarding yukanas and MCs relationship, hinting that the series will finally be put down like a sad cow with numerous diseases, only to rug pull and resolve the drama as several misunderstandings, forcing the sad cow to continue to be milked of its money. With this, the author goes on to start the new arc which is just a few chapters deep (as of the present) and looks to probably be at least 50 chapters if its to be similar to the first arc. The only benefit that can be seen from the start of the series to the present is the art has greatly improved, but sadly in the manga' state that matters minimally.

To conclude, instead of wasting your time reading the gradual fall from grace this manga is, go watch the anime instead which at least gives you some sort of conclusion, plus, you get to watch the absolute comedy that one of MCs friends is which has an anime exclusive personality for some reason.

Minor Spoliers reviewing plot structure ahead

Alright, just watched S01 of Bakemonogatari and I have been ruminating on it for an hour or so. To start off with, I can definitely see why there's so much hype surrounding it. Had I not known it was made 10 years ago, I would've thought it was from a couple of years ago, the art and animation style are incredibly unique and it definitely reminds me of Madoka Magica in the collage/live action shots within it. I guess ill go with a pros and cons list to best visualize my thoughts.

Pros : Like I said, art is very ... unique, the whole labeling of scenes (the transition slides) are the first ive seen of its kind. Characters are well developed and rounded, obviously by giving each girl their own arch within this introductory season gives the watcher a sense of what the girls are like.

It also has fairly witty humour which I can actually enjoy, so thats always a plus when they have a good script.

Its also nice how they dont completely put MC and Purple girls relationship to the side and that the show basically consists 1/2 of purple girl hurling insults and MC and the other half being solving people's issues.

Cons: Whilst building these characters up as real life people with real emotions and feelings, by completely ridding the world they live in of general people (what they replace with card board cut outs), vehicles and buildings (all of which are c+p of the same drawing e.g. bikes and cars are all identical), the lack of reality breaks any immersion.

Also, in the way the game death stranding is made out to be a walking simulator, this god damn anime is a talking simulator. I like dialogue considering what I watch is mostly rom coms anyway, but the amount of dry talking that goes on within this show is unbearable. Within 15 epsiodes, I can count on one hand how many times there is action/conflict of any kind. Even for me, this show at times was more of a chore to watch than a pleasure.

I really dont like how first girl wins (at least so far) and Hanekawa (glasses) is so obviously best girl.

I think referring back to the whole balance between their relationship (MCs and P.G) and solving ppls issues, bunny girl does it better but thats a bit nit picky i guess

When I mentioned that the show was witty, one of the biggest factors of that was Oshino. Honestly Oshino was the Joker of monogatari, every1 else was so fucking serious the entire time (albeit the couple of times Araragai and Purple hair were alone). Now knowing that hes gone, I imagine there will be a significantly large void of humour in future seasons.

So far 7/10