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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- Comedic Focus
Unlike other CGDCT (Cute Girls Doing Cute Things) anime, which provide chuckles and the occasional happy "aww hehe", Gabirel Dropout aims squarely at your funny bone. It's a comedy first and foremost, and its situational/character based humor can hit some really high notes. Whether its a fresh dose of Satania bullying, or Gabu's deadpan delivery, each episode is guarenteed to have you leaving in a much better mood than when you started it.
- Effortlessly Cute
The show does not force its cuteness on you like others in similar genres. The cuteness of the characters shines through their actions and reactions, which feels very genuine. There are obviously some moments of visual cuteness as well, but it's not overdone and is mixed effectively with comedic elements for maximum efficiency! You'll find it hard not fall in love with all of the characters' devilish and angelic ways.
- Lovable Cast
Gabriel Dropout's main draw is its characters. While somewhat trope-y and not horribly deep, they all manage to be lovable and fun to watch in their own way. Attempting to pick a favourite in this show is like picking between favourite children! It is truly the chemistry of these characters that helps the show shine, as they are more than just the sum of their parts. Every interaction between each pair or group of characters is just as satisfying as the last, and you should never feel begrudged to watch any combination of the cast goof around in the human world.
- Effective Aesthetics
The animation and art direction of the show mirrors its other aspects: Simple, but polished to a shine. I don't remember a single instance of a stand-out animation error or mis-step. If you're looking for spectacle or over-the-top animation, this series is not to place to look, however that is also not its goal. It's goal is to provide an enviroment where its characters and their interactions stand out, which is provides perfectly.
- OP/ED
One of the best OP/ED pairs I've ever seen. Shows which incorporate their VAs into the production of their theme songs are a personal favourite of mine, and Gabriel Dropout takes the extra step to make the songs incredibly relevant to the show, whether it be the mood of the melody or the lyrics themselves! Incredibly enjoyable to watch and listen to each episode, and I've played both songs by themselves hundreds of times since watching.
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Negatives
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- Repitition/Lack of Surprises
Many of the show's jokes rely on similar setups, and you can see many of the jokes coming from a mile away. This can be a big positive if you're fully invested in the setup, but if you're not 100% on board already, it's understandable that you might be turned off by how predictable the show can be at times.
- Shallow Depth
There isn't a deep or long plot to Gabriel Dropout. There are a few trials and tribulations along the way, combined with a few setting changes, but overall the show aims to keep things "short story"-esque rather than long novella.
- Originality
Gabriel Dropout is not the most original series. You could probably find an anime counterpart for each of the characters in the show, and the base premise itself is not spectacular. If you seek originality, or a subversion of the genre, you will not find it here.
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Conclusion
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Are you a fan of Cute Girls Doing Cute Things? Do you enjoy light comedy that centres on its characters' core personalities and how they interact with each other? Do you ever dream of having a devil waifu sing you to sleep at night?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, Gabriel Dropout is an anime you can't miss. It may not look like much, but its a show that set out to do a few key things and absolutely nailed the delivery. It is a great example of the power of well-written character interactions transforming a show from a few simple premises into something special that is much greater than the sum of its parts.
The few negatives I could find in this show were not only hard to find, but did not bother me personally at all (I included them for posterity's sake). I enjoyed every second of watching this show, and will continue to in future rewatching sessions.
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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?". Specifically, I like to answer that question for both those familiar with the show's genre(s), and those new or interested in the genre(s). So,
If you are a fan of light comedy, or CGDCT, I would absolutely recommend Gabriel Dropout as one of the best combinations of both.
If you are new to/interested in the above genre(s), Gabriel Dropout is a fantastic introduction into both, and I would still enthusiastically recommend it.
