Gals!


Gals! is a manga series written and illustrated by Mihona Fujii. It was published by Shueisha and serialized in Ribon shōjo manga magazine from 1998 to 2002. The manga was also published in the U.S. by CMX. In 2019, Mihona Fujii announced that the series will continue from November 5 on Shueisha's Manga Mee app, taking off from the manga's ending.
An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Pierrot titled Super Gals! Kotobuki Ran aired in Japan on TV Tokyo between April 1, 2001, and March 31, 2002, running a length of 52 episodes. The first 26 episodes had been licensed and dubbed for North American distribution by ADV Films under the name Super Gals! and was distributed on DVD from 2003 to 2004. The [Right Stuf International] announced at Anime Expo 2006 that they had licensed all the episodes, including 27-52 and released a subtitled boxset containing the remaining 26 episodes on January 16, 2007. A box set containing all 52 episodes was also released in 2010.

Plot

The series revolves around the kogal subculture in Japan. The title character, Ran Kotobuki is the self-proclaimed "world's greatest gal". As a teenager in Shibuya, she is determined to live out the gal lifestyle for the rest of her life, and she has gained a reputation as the most respected gal in all of Shibuya. However, she comes from a family of police officers—her grandparents, her parents, and her older brother are all officers, and her younger sister is set on following in their footsteps. Ran has other dreams for her future, but as frequently shown, she has acquired the family's sense of justice and spirit. Her two friends, Miyu and Aya, also have their own problems and circumstances.
The sequel manga follows the original manga's ending storyline. Ran, Miyu, Aya, and their friends still hang out in Shibuya after they graduate. Ran is still deciding on her career, and Miyu is now part of Kotobuki family after she marries Yamato. Miyu decides to search for her missing mother along with her friends, Yamato and his family, so she can tell her that Miyu will always love her and showing her new life. Aya is now a university student alongside Rei as they attend the same campus.

Characters

The first nine volumes of the CMX translation have the family name first.

Supporting

; and

Anime-only

; and

Chapters

;Original
;'''Reprint'''

Theme songs

  • Opening
  1. "H-i-m"
  2. *Lyricist: Kana / Composer: Kana / Arranger: Akio Noyama / Singers: dicot
  • Ending
  1. "I Want a Hug"
  2. *Lyricist: Ikuno Takagi / Composer: Isao Yoshida / Arranger: Isao Yoshida / Singers: Jungle Smile

Episode list

Episodes are numbered as streets, such as "1st street", "2nd street", and so forth. They are also stylized with heart symbols and right arrows. the English titles are generally from the RightStuf version.

Season 2: ''The Heart of Shibuya''

In North America, the episodes were not dubbed into English, but were presented as Japanese with English subtitles.

Video games

Three video games have been created by Konami. The first video game has the same title as the anime and was released on July 26, 2001. The second video game is titled Super GALS! Kotobuki Ran 2 ~Miracle -> Getting~ and was released on February 7, 2002. The third video game is titled Super GALS! Kotobuki Ran Special -> Coolmen Get You Gals Party -> and was released on August 8, 2002.

Other appearances

Several Gals! character make their appearances outside their series in an Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo crossover manga entitled Shin Kochikame.

Reception

T.H.E.M. Anime reviews gave the anime series five stars out of five, calling it one of the "most bright, well-animated titles to come out of fiscally-challenged Pierrot in quite some time". Chris Beveridge gave the complete DVD set an overall positive review, saying it is "ten discs of excellent anime at a fantastic price point that needs to be seen, enjoyed and treasured". Erin Finnegan of Anime News Network recommended the series to anyone who is a fan of hyperactivity or Shibuya street culture. Bamboo Dong of Anime News Network gave the anime the complete DVD set an A for the Japanese voice acting, a B+ for the English voice acting, a B+ for story, a C for Animation, an A− for art and a B for music.