Review: Oshiete! Galko-chan

This series is one of my favourite this year thus far but I did not place it in my top 10 because I don’t like mixing short series with those of normal length. Because of their length they aim for something completely different and I don’t feel it’s appropriate to compare. That first line probably says a lot about what this review will be like so lets get on with it shall we?

There is no real overarching story to this series, its basically 3 girls Galko, Ojou and Otako in the classroom, sometimes out, discussing all sorts of things from girls problems, boys, age old myths and just about everything you can think of. I really cannot overstate that they do talk about everything as throughout the 12 episodes they constantly come up with new topics from what your lips say about your sexual activity, the size of your areolas in relation to your breasts or Ojou mistakenly talking about condoms. It is really funny, even the weaker jokes of which are few and far between muster at least a chuckle or smile.

There wasn’t an episode that went by that I was laughing at what I was seeing or hearing, in anime that almost never happens for me but it does here because the topics are so ‘out there’ compared to most, they are refreshing yet still funny, fascinating and on occasions a bit perverted. When the girls discuss what tanning does to nipples, what Galko gets up to with guys and even plays on the size of some of the girls busts such as Galko having to wear mens shirts it’s not been done to death and will make you laugh. Even the more cliché jokes (of which there are few) get a spin to freshen them up.

The 3 main girls in this series are Galko, a gyaru type who basically does what she wants, Otako who is the class otaku as it were and Ojou a daughter of a very wealthy family. They’re together discussing things most of the time which is nice, 3 completely different perspectives all chiming into the conversation which is rare for schools. Most people stick to their clique so to speak and never veer off in free time. They do kind of fit into their stereotypes as Ojou is a bit of an airhead, usually chiming into the conversation at the wrong moment, Otako is usually head down in her manga and Galko is basically behaving however she wants because that’s what gyarus do.

There are a lot of side characters that pop up throughout, not all are named (they are in the manga though) but they add to the series so much in their interactions with other students and some even get their own focus which expands on the wide variety of personalities you get in a classroom, something that is not always shown in school anime / manga, I mean they may be there and shown but rarely touched upon outside of the main cast. This goes the opposite way and its stronger because of it as we see, mainly through Galkos interactions with them. Through this we learn more about them and her.

The support characters add little things as well, when the camera is panning across the room ready to focus in on Galko and you hear their conversations ranging from boys talking about boobs, a girl discussing what is and isn’t death metal, boys discussing the latest anime episode and so on. These little things add to the series and make it feel more alive, like an actual classroom which is rare for anime from what I have seen.

Visually it looks superb. Bold, bright colours constantly filling up the screen, it really is lovely. The sound effects, thought bubbles and the like really give it a manga-esque look and it is all the stronger for it. It makes it stand out a lot from the rest of the pack with ease. Animation is smooth when it needs to be, both in the classroom and away it all looks fluid.

The character designs are nice and varied. Galko is big busted and looks like a gyaru would, Ojou is a bit plain and skinnier whereas Otako wears glasses, is short and has the sort of untidy look as if she was up all night gaming. No one character in the classroom is the same. Like I mentioned above this does make the classroom feel more alive. Too often in anime a classroom will be filled with nondescript students and maybe one out of the ordinary but here most that are given even a glance show something different. Sure not every student is given focus and some do fit into this mould but they are in the minority.

There is fan service here as you’d expect for a comedy based on what teenagers talk about and get up to. From imagining what Galko did the night before, going to the pool and their imaginations running wild when discussing slightly dirty topics. Nothing explicit is shown though which is a good move as it doesn’t really need that. It is Galko that is the centre of most fan service, be it her rather revealing bikini, the way she dresses or even a glimpse at her funny and even more voluptuous sister. Mostly though the lewdness comes from the topics of conversation.

The soundtrack deserves a mention as well, usually in shows like these its forgettable but here it only helps to raise the episodes enjoyment level. From upbeat music to the abundance of sound effects it is pleasant and easy on the ears. Take for example when Galko is walking or strutting through the classroom and you get ‘gyaru’ repeated with every step. Likewise when one of the characters strikes a pose it happens again. The OP YPMA☆GIRLS as well sung by the 3 main seiyuu is a cheerful fast tempo song with the 3 distinct voices making it unskippable. So much so I had to go and order the CD in addition to the BDs.

I’m getting near the end of this review and have yet to pick up on anything I didn’t like, sure there is the odd weak joke but none fell completely flat. If there was one complaint it would be that there are only 12 episodes. I know that is a cheap way to wiggle out of it but for the life of me I cannot think of anything I didn’t enjoy. It has the right mix to it, didn’t drag nor did it not feel long enough each episode.

Short series have to really raise their game to stand and out keep it in your memory and I am pleased to say Oshiete! Galko-chan does just that. From incredibly varied and hilarious conversations to more subtle humour this series has it. It will make you want to read the manga as you’ll be thirsty for more.

Studio: Feel

Aired: Winter 2016

Available: Streaming, Amazon, CD Japan

Episodes: 12

10/10