Initially skimming the panels and pages, I thought... mehh, it's so so... and it wasn't until my second try actually digesting the panels, was I enlightened. Grand Blue is hands down, first class in the genre of comedy. Admittedly though, there is a little of an adjustment period for people who are introverted because part of the comedy revolves around partying hard with alcohol, chasing after dates, and stereotypical college student goals, which as someone who prefers staying home and playing vidya games, is meh.
When I started the series: "Why are they all naked?"
After reading the series:" "MAN ARRESTED FOR BEING NAKED"
The reactions of other characters who are new to the diving clubs abnormality is hilarious. Reoccurring gags like testing if the water is alcohol (because they play pranks on each other), getting so used to loosening up that you wind up partially nude in public, Grand Blue manages to pack a ton of these "inside jokes" and interweave them well with the story.
At heart, the story is about college students trying to live their lives to the fullest, slowly discovering what is important by way of being sucked into the diving clubs insane kinks and habits.
A problem with "inside jokes" is that you have to be the ones inside to get it, otherwise its just nonsense to the general public, so let go and dive into the club!
Note: The anime fails in capturing the timing and atmosphere of the jokes....
