First Impressions / Hajimete no Gal

「はじめてのカラオケ」 (Hajimete no Karaoke)
“My First Karaoke”

I’m on holiday in France with poor internet so this is going to have to be short and sweet, just like Junichi’s fantasies. Enjoy, you damn degenerates!

Nakama Power

I know a lot of people said they really disliked Junichi’s friends, if they can even be called that. But I really like the comedy they add to the series. It’s a silly sort of dynamic that reminds me of manga series like Grand Blue, a comedy manga set in a university diving club that’s full of petty betrayals – leading to hilarious moments. That said, something new I dislike is how the anime is making the fat friend a lolicon. I don’t remember this from the manga at all, and I understand they want to create memorable and distinct characters. But from my perspective, it’s just plain ass dumb. That’s another character on top of Nene who was shafted for the sake of this adaptation.

Conversely, an anime original addition that I’m warming up to is the discourse that takes place between the different aspects of Junichi’s personality. I think the self-introspection is helpful for conveying Junichi’s inner thought processes, and while it makes him seem pathetic, you begin to realise that he’s a dysfunctional person that has self-esteem and trust issues. Hopefully people won’t judge him for it, and just wait to see how he improves across the course of the series.

Karaoke

Translation Note: Keikaku means plan. Though I believe there’s a pretty stark difference between delivering judgement by killing off criminals, and plotting to bang your girlfriend in a rented karaoke room.

Contrary to this inconsiderate and impulsive fantasising, we see a very considerate side of Yame. She says that none of her gal friends are up for karaoke, despite receiving an invitation to do so from Ranko previously, showing that she had really been looking forwards to spending time with Junichi. She is very sensitive to Junichi’s needs, singing anime songs herself to make him come out of his shell and not feel left out. Seeing the two have such a good time together makes me really happy, because though many people think he’s really not worth her while, I personally want to see them succeed. Hopefully, Yame’s demure reaction to Junichi’s attempted kiss also goes to show that she’s not as slutty as some may think.

Concluding Thoughts

Our couple take a step forwards! And would it really be far-fetched to expect a real first kiss sometime down the line? But a wild Ranko appears, looking pretty upset. To be fair, Yame put her mister before the sister. If I had a thing or two to say on the matter, she’ll definitely be trying to stir up trouble soon.

End Card

21 Comments

    4. Grand Blue the anime? Sign me up. My pick of a studio would be TNK, for their hand in Highschool DxD and the Seven Mortal Sins. Azusa and Nanaka? Hnnng xxx

      If not, second choice would go to JC Staff. After their adaptation of Prison School, I trust how they can handle this type of humour, on top of their experience with fanservice too.

      Zaiden
      Reply

  3. After reading a couple chapters of the manga, I feel like the anime is doing a more effective job at making Junichi a little more redeemable. Where it doesn’t feel like he’s actively pushing her away yet wanting her at the same time.

    The good thing is that even with his friends’ terrible influence, the karaoke date went alright.

    Choya
    Reply

    1. Thanks for chiming in, Choya! I never disliked Junichi. Guys are way behind girls in terms of the maturity curve but by reckoning, he’s slowly getting there with some help and thoughtful introspection.

      Zaiden
      Reply

  4. https://randomc.net/image/Hajimete%20no%20Gal/Hajimete%20no%20Gal%20-%2002%20-%20Large%2026.jpg
    And I thought gyarus were too trendy to like anime. Granted, Yukana did it so that Junichi won’t feel left out, but it’s amusing to see that she’s familiar with anime theme songs.

    https://randomc.net/image/Hajimete%20no%20Gal/Hajimete%20no%20Gal%20-%2002%20-%20Large%2029.jpg
    Was that Show Hayami voicing the “Cool Junichi”, or was that Shintaro Asanuma doing his best Show Hayami impression?

    https://randomc.net/image/Hajimete%20no%20Gal/Hajimete%20no%20Gal%20-%2002%20-%20Large%2036.jpg
    Hmm…I wonder if Ranko’s plan to stir up trouble involves trying to “steal” Junichi, and then dumping him if she succeeds? (And yes, that was inspired by the M.O. of Haiyore! Nyarko-san‘s Ato-ko Shirogane.)

    Incognito
    Reply

  8. I’m having real trouble wrapping my head around the Antag- … Stre… I Stuttered… Protagonist. He’s not evil but I don’t like him. And I like to like my protagonists. And like was stated in this article, the friends are crap if you can even call them friends. I’ll give it more time.

    Igniteous
    Reply

  10. Do they ever move beyond his “friends” because this show is WAY different from what I was expecting and they aren’t helping. I figured it would be a Galko-chan but with more service, a male lead and some romance. But where Galko takes the “gals are sluts” joke and quickly subverts it this show REALLY sticks to it and drags it out.

    qwert
    Reply

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