Search - Super Gals - GALS Gotta Have Heart (Vol. 1) - with Series Box on DVD

No Kodocha anime anytime soon? Try GALS!

Andrea Lee | Montgomery, Alabama United States | 07/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Super GALS! is based on the manga GALS! that ran in Ribon, the same mag Kodocha ran in. GALS! may not be as hyper and silly as Kodocha, but it has crazy moments just like Kodocha and should soothe your cravings for Kodocha until it arrives on these shores.GALS! is the story of a group of kogals (trendy girls) living in Shibuya. Ran Kotobuki is their "leader." While she considers herself to be a good kogal, she's going against her parent's wishes to become a police officer like the rest of the family. Ran rebels against their pressure and vows to be a gal as long as she lives. Miyu Yamazaki used to be in a gang and she got into fights frequently. But after falling in love after being taken into a police station, she straightened up and became a good gal. Aya Hoshino, not being able to have a part time job, turned to doing escort services as many bad gals do; but after crossing Ran's path, she learned that she doesn't need to do bad things and becomes a good gal.Ran, Miyu, and Aya rule Shibuya defending it from crime and other gals who wanna take over. But no one will be greated than the #1 kogal in Japan: Kotobuki Ran.If you're just waiting on the edge of your seat for some Kodocha, try some GALS! It's hyper shoujo for the fashionable!"

Ran rules Shibuya

Mark E. Summers | Altoona, PA USA | 01/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit I hesitated over started this series for a while until there was nothing else out there that I really wanted and decided to give this a shot. Now, I have to wonder what I was hesitating for because this is one wild, funny, and at times, thought provoking anime.
I don't think I've laughed as much at any one time as I did when I first sat down to watch the first five episodes of this series. Just watching Ran do her thing and try to live her life as a gal, as her family tries to convince her to follow in the tradition of the family and become a police officer, is a real hoot. Ran also demonstrates a serious side as she tries to convice a fellow classmate not to sell herself short or to sell her body, that it's all right not to have much money and that you can still have fun.
All five episodes maintain an almost frantic pace except for the last one where things get a little serious and it seems like the group is going to be split up. However, Ran is never one to back off from a challenge or to give up on her friends without a fight.
All the characters in this show are great, from Ran, the terminal gal, her best friend, Miyu who's in love with Ran's police officer brother, to Aya, their new friend, who is the class brain and the last person anyone thought would be selling herself. The male characters are funny too, especially Yuya, whom Ran dubs as second place since he came in second place in a teen idol popularity contest. Rei, his best friend, is also hilarious, especially when he tried to caution Yuya away from Ran, whom he dubs as being trouble.
This anime is rated 15+, mainly for some violence and a bit of vulgar language. If you fall in the proper age group, this is one anime that I can highly recommend. You won't find any giant robots or attacking aliens here but just some good old fashioned crazy fun. I highly recommend it."

More than just silly fun

Nicole | Minnesota | 01/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yeah I admit, I was a little embarressed to be buying this anime. But it also looked so cute I just couldn't help myself. After watching the first DVD I was impressed. Not only is the Super Gals alot of fun but you also see a different side of the "Kogal" lifestyle. In reading the manga "Peach Girl" I was given a brief understanding of Kogals; they were stupid tanned bimbos who were easy and might sell themselves to you. In Super Gals I saw in Ran that not all Kogals are like that. She shows it's possible to have fun being a Kogal while also keeping her dignity. I also really enjoyed the fact that there are cultural notes on the backside of the poster. Something I have not seen many anime distributors do except for fansubbers and I always thought there should be more of instead of just trying to "Americanize" it for us. So yeah, all and all I really enjoyed Super Gals because not only is it fun but it actually provides some pop culture education about one side of Japan."