Review of My First Girlfriend is a Gal

Hajimete no Gal is a 2017 anime that delivers exactly what you'd expect from an ecchi rom-com: lots of fanservice, a predictable plot, and some decent laughs along the way. The story follows Junichi Hashiba, your typical high school guy, who ends up dating Yukana Yame, a flashy, popular gyaru, thanks to a dare gone right. Cue the awkward, funny, and sometimes sweet moments that follow. This show isn't here to revolutionize the genre, and it doesn't try to. It's a fanservice bonanza, with plenty of eye candy and suggestive scenes to keep things spicy. Despite its basic plot, it's enjoyable, largely thanks to the setof characters. Yukana is the star of the show with her bold yet surprisingly caring nature. If you're a fan of gyaru characters, you'll probably find her delightful. Junichi's struggles and growth add a bit of depth, but let's be real, you're here for the fun, not the profound storytelling.

Animation-wise, it's decent. Nothing spectacular, but it gets the job done. The audio design is on point, blending well with the overall aesthetic. The love triangle trope is also alive and well, with the childhood friend, Nene, vying for Junichi's affection alongside Yukana. It's a well-trodden path but executed competently enough to be engaging. However, some side characters can be annoying, especially the one male character obsessed with making "loli" jokes about Nene because of her unnaturally large breasts and short stature. He is constantly referred to by Junichi's friend group as a "degenerate lolicon." It's cringy and detracts from the overall enjoyment.

The humor is where "Hajimete no Gal" shines. The dubbed version, in particular, is the best way to watch it. The gyaru characters are given these Kardashian-esque valley girl accents, sprinkled in Gen-Z/modern slang, making the dialogue more entertaining and authentic. Hearing Yukana say something like, "OMG, that's totes amazing!" keeps things fresh and funny as they also include the obligatory funny meme that was viral on the internet at the time.

Hajimete no Gal is a fun watch for those into ecchi rom-coms, especially if you like gyaru characters. It's not groundbreaking, but its enjoyable plot, decent animation, and solid humor make it worth your time. Just be prepared for the occasional cringe from some side characters.