Anime: Girls Bravo: First Season

Notice: This review covers both seasons, since they have little to no difference between them.

Animated by AIC Spirits, a specially formed studio just for ecchis. Hm, I guess it was given to the proper people. It is also the first anime that was directed by Aoki Ei, and remains up to now as his worst job. Luckily, he never bothered with this sort of shows again and went to direct some goodies. Which ones? Garden of Sinners and Fate/Zero are the most famous, although many will still remember Gai-Rei: Zero and Wandering Son. He is cool; I like him. So basically we have the proper studio and a worthy director cooperating to make a harem show. It should work, right? … Yes, but only superficially.

This is yet another fine example of what a mediocre harem is all about. Just take the list of clichés and keep checking them until you have it all completed. And make sure you don’t change something along the way because the recipe is perfect for what it is. And indeed, the final product may be a fine cake but it lacks all those pretty extras that can make it better than any other mass-produced cake out there.

So, let’s see how they kept this thing as safe as possible. First, they establish that the lead character has an allergy to women, and thus is afraid of them. Then, they throw in alien girls, who seek males because they are very rare on their planet. And thus we get a show where the girls are madly in love with him because he is male and they desperately need to get laid, while at the same time he gets all sick of seeing them. Presto! Harem premise, which is sexy and safe to show on television at the same time… with a few pints of steam to hide all those nasty scenes little kids are not supposed to see.

Now before I say anything more, I must clarify that the premise tried to excuse the whole thing a little bit more than the average of its kind. The harem lead is not just a scared wuss without a reason and the girls have a good excuse to be all over him. At the same time, this whole thing collapses on your face in just one episode. After that he is back on his planet and the girls come over one after another to his place. Why would they stick so much to him if there are around 3 billion other males WITHOUT allergies on the same planet? It was very fun when he was chased around on their homeworld but after that, it just makes no sense and it’s BS as usual.

There isn’t even the slightest sex scene in a show whose main goal is exactly that. Talk about lame or what? Not much of a plot either, other than poor excuses for the harem lead to bump on them naked and be beaten to a pulp ten times per episode. Although some events feel a bit more interesting and dangerous than others, just the fact that he has the usual infinite stamina gimmick makes all threats pointless after awhile. Even beyond that, the lead chick Miharu has this Deus ex magical power which offers an easy way out of any situation. LAAAME!

So aside from the whole excuse of a story, what else is there? Bananas! I mean, woah, they really went out with that symbolism. The stuff Miharu does with them is really something. Other than that… meh, nothing, the characters are all tired archetypes we have seen a thousand times already. As for the humour, the biggest mistake is that it headed just for sleazy softporn and neglected to have some sort of focus on the characters or a few twists in the story. It gets really tired if it doesn’t lead anywhere and the heroes aren’t learning or at least changing a little bit. This is exactly what makes other harems like Love Hina to be on the top of the softporn comedy hill.

The production values are not bad in any way but they do feel standard for their time and don’t have anything particular for you to remember. Even that alien planet full of chicks is hardly seen for the most part and gets erased from your brain. Colouring and soundtrack are so typical; they fail to be memorable for any reason as well. As always, keep away from the censored tv version which steams away all the juicy parts.

So, is there something worthy of your time in here? Not if you have seen more than a few good ecchi and harem shows. There isn’t a single element in it that hasn’t been reused elsewhere. Literally, there are other harems with a guy allergic to women (Hanaukyo Maid Team) and horny alien chicks coming to Earth for males (Boobshells in the Sky). So no, it is a very passable and forgettable title. The only thing I clearly remember about it is Miharu naked in the bathtub, covered in steam, yelling for bananas. Hardly quality material.

And now for some excused scorings.
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Age Advisory: 16+
Plenty of nudity from start to finish, as well as some CP (to an extent) so generally unsuitable for younger audiences.

Before I start, I want to make it clear that I watched the dubbed version of this anime, simply because the dub of this anime is far superior to the sub, and increases the entertainment value tenfold. I'll explain why this is so throughout my review.

At a glance, Girls Bravo doesn't look that appealing to most. The whole premise seems overdone - a typical teenage guy is thrown into a barbaric situation where he is suddenly surrounded by girls, and a mixture of comedy, romance and drama ensues. However, Girls Bravo isn't as typical as you may think. It maintains a lot less focus on the romance/drama department, and instead seeks to predominately entertain the viewer.

Art/Animation --> 7/10
Don't expect anything stunning here. The art is just as good as it needs to be - the same goes for the animation. Though that's not to say it's bad. The art in particular is quite detailed and nice to look at. A lot of effort has obviously gone into making the girls as moe as possible, with emphasis on the outline of boobs under clothing, and the overall structure of the female bodies. But hey, it is an ecchi, so you've gotta give it credit for suiting the requirements of an ecchi show. The animation could be a bit smoother in parts, however it's certainly watchable.

Sound --> 9/10
I found the sound to be excellent, and it even led me to download the soundtrack. The OP was good; your typical j-rock tune which suited the show well. I personally loved the ED, which is a very calming song to wind you down after the energetic episodes.
The background music is where Girls Bravo really shines. An excellent array of songs and tunes to match every possible situation that the show could come up with. Taking a look at the songs in the soundtrack, there are titles like "Panic! Panic! Panic!", and "Trauma"; each situation has it's own perfectly-suited tune. To add to that, each character has their own individual song.
The English voice acting has its ups and downs, but a majority of which are ups. At first some of the voices (female characters in particular) seem annoying and over-dramatic, however this becomes unnoticeable as you get into the show. The main character's (Yukinari) voice actor does an excellent job, particularly when it comes to sounds, as opposed to speaking (for example when he is brutally beaten by another character, Kirie). But the BEST voice acting is evident in Liam O'Brien, who unleashes some of the most amazing acting I've ever heard, under the role of Fukuyama. I never new someone could sound so perverted, and could make so many varied, utterly hilarious noises.

Story --> 6/10
The story isn't all that original or clever. It's pretty simple - a guy in High School (Yukinari) develops a rash every time he is touched by a girl. To add to this, he is small for his age, and a wimp. However one day he falls into the bathtub and is magically transported to another world, Seiren, where he pops up in the bathtub of an alien (yet human-looking) girl, Miharu. Strangely though, whenever he touches her, he isn't affected by his rash. I know, pretty simple and cliched right. Miharu comes to live with Yukinari (who lives by himself as expected with these kinds of shows), comedy ensues, and slowly more characters are introduced to complete the 'cast' of Girls Bravo.
Save for the first few episodes, the show is episodic, with most episodes actually containing surprisingly interesting stories. The problem is that the first few episodes aren't nearly as good as those that follow, so most people are turned off by this.
Another thing, the second season of Girls Bravo is basically a continuation of this first season - don't go expecting closure until the second season.

Characters --> 8/10
On the whole, the characters in Girls Bravo are all interesting and unique. The conflicting personalities of all of them allow for some excellent comedy and interesting situations. The characters aren't anything new though; the wimpy main male character, the dumb main female character, the girl who is constantly pissed off with the main dude, yet secretly has feelings for him, etc.
However, Fukuyama stands out as being a unique breed. He's a pervert, but on a whole new level, and with a completely unique personality. You can't help but love him, and laugh at everything he does. Because really, he is (in my eyes) the star of the show. Every episode I'm just waiting for him to make his dramatic entrance at which point any seriousness that may have existed suddenly vanishes completely.
It is definitely the characters that make Girls Bravo. They all get the right amount of screen time, and they all have more positive than negative aspects.

Value --> 10/10
Probably one of the best shows I've seen in terms of value. Since the episodes are episodic, you can go back and watch any episode at any time. Plus, I often find myself skipping through certain episodes to favorite moments (usually involving Fukuyama). I seriously can't see any negative aspects in regards to value, since it's just one of those shows where re-watching it never gets boring, and the comedic situations never lose their touch.

Enjoyment --> 8/10
I'd like to give this section a 9, however it does take a while to get going, and hence the first few episodes aren't all that interesting. It really picks up in the second half though as the characters settle into their roles, and the episodic phase of the show begins.
The dub is necessary for this show to reach its full enjoyment level. If you strictly avoid dubs no matter what, then don't watch this show. However you'll be missing out on one of the best English voice actors in his prime, so just give the dub a try - it's only 11 episodes.


Quick Rec - if you don't mind ecchi to the point of nudity, and you love a good comedy, well what are you waiting for?

Plot? What Plot? That should be the description for this anime. The entire first season merely serves to put the characters in situations in which bouncing boobs, naked girls, and panties can be shown.

The introduction of Seiren (a place where, of course, 90% of the population is women who are, of course, desperate for men) and the plethora of girls with boobs out of proportion to their body should give you an early indicator that this anime serves mainly as fan service. There is, quite literally, NO plot. None. Every episode is merely a "what can we do to get the girls to strip or do something sexual?" and when that fails: "lets introduce a new girl we can then strip!".

The whole plot device of Yukinari's rash from touching women is incredibly stupid. Not only is it completely unrealistic, but it is never explained why Miharu doesn't give him a reaction.

As to the characters; every character is pretty cliche harem-anime fodder: the kind Miharu, the meek and weak boy Yukinari, the violent girl, the lolita girl, the meek girl, the aggressively sexual girl, etc.

The one character that, in my opinion, was completely overdone was the requisite "rich wanna-be playboy". Fukuyama takes this to a whole new level; he literally rapes girls on screen with no consequences beyond a slap on the face by the girls in question.

The soundtrack is mediocre at best; doesn't detract or add anything to the anime. The animation was pretty good, however.

Despite the technical flaws, I think the anime was rather enjoyable; it was funny at times and doesn't require any investment by the viewer. This is merely a sit-back-and-watch type anime, no thinking is neccessary. Harem fans will enjoy this anime; for a harem anime it is a bit unique.

(Writers note: If you read this review, RATE this review. Authors thrive on feedback, whether it be a simple happy face, or an in-depth critique.)

(edit: After seeing the uncensored version of Girls Bravo, I have raised the enjoyement and value by a couple of points. Not having the white fog everywhere was a big plus, as well as the plethora of nudity :)

Summary/Outline: Yukinari is your standard "Harem anime" wimp. A quick dip in a magically enchanted bathtub, he is brought to Seiren, an alternate reality (I think, since it's not explained clearly) where men comprise only 1/10th of the population. There he meets Miharu, whom, by the end of Episode 1, will spend the rest of the series on Earth, with Yukinari.

Girls Bravo - First Season is about as cliche and standard a Harem anime as I've ever seen. Let me click off the cliches:

Main male character is a super wimp, who gets hives whenever a girl touches him because of some vague childhood mishaps involving something so traumatic as... being picked on by girls.

Male character's best friend, Kirie, is in love with him. She has trouble showing it, so she spends the entire show Love Hina style. In otherwords, she beats the shit out of him every 5 minutes.

Male character's magical new friend, Miharu, has an adorable trait: She LOVES food. Loves it. Eats like an elephant. She also has no shame, happily stripping in the living room for no apparent reason so that Yukinari can scream at her and get embaressed, and so Kirie can barge in on them and knock Yukinari silly.

Little kid from the alternate world who joins the cast... "just because"? Does random cute things, like ending every sentence with the Japanese phrase "Na-no-da!", a colloquial quirk used solely because it sounds cute.

Every harem anime needs a cute animal! This time we get a baby porpoise from Seiren, that... does cute things. Sorry, but nothing can beat Ryo-ohki. I don't know why the other animes even try. Every harem anime should have at least one cameo by Ryo-ohki, in my opinion.

We have the annoying pervert friend/enemy who torments all of the girls with random gropping/peeping.

Every single girl in the series is in love with Yukinari in some way, even though he's a spineless wimp with few positive qualities.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The Good: If you like harem animes, everything I've listed above is a good thing.

The Bad: If you've seen Love Hina or any other harem anime, you're not gonna see anything new here. I found the world of Seiren to be interesting for the short time it was on screen, but nothing is done with it except to explain why Miharu has magical powers (not even good ones. She blows things up in a cloud of pink smoke whenever Yukinari is in "danger"). Keeping Yukinari in Seiren would have been much better, since at least then the animators can give you some eye candy you haven't seen before in creating a new world. Unfortunately, Seiren is barely seen or mentioned after the first Episode.

In harem anime, I prefer annoying perverted chicks, like the teacher in Mahoromatic, than the annoying perverted guy, which is what we have in Girls Bravo. In my opinion, he's given far too much screen time, making him more annoying than he needed to be.

Now, The Ugly: In a lot of ecchi shows, either the broadcaster or the producer will introduce "white steam" to certain shots to cover up nudity. While I don't particuarly like this, I understand why it's necessary for television shows. However, I prefer the way shows like Elfen Lied or Mahoromatic deal with nudity: They don't. If a character is nude, they're nude. If you can't show it, don't draw it. Anyway, that's just a pet peeve. The problem with Girls Bravo is the AMOUNT of white steam used, and the frequency of it, which is something like 3 or 4 times an episode. REALLY gets annoying after awhile. Everyone is getting naked, and everyone is getting covered in clouds of smoke.

If you're a big fan of the guy surrounded by a thousand girls series, I'd recommend this for a once-through. It's cliched, but fun, and with a second season currently being fansubbed by AnimeYuki, it just might start going somewhere. If you don't like harem anime, stay away. Far away.

I grinned when I saw the first episode of this one. I was convinced it'd be a mix of Onegai Teacher and Green Green; and I was right. The only sad thing is that it didn't go as far as it possibly could - though it may be the fact that the second season hasn't aired yet.

Allergic to women?!

That's right. Yukinari is allergic to women! Whenever they get near him, he breaks out in hives. Therefore, living the life of a lonely shrimp, it isn't until he is suddenly transformed into an alternate world (by the ecchiest location possible - the bathtub), and into the arms of the naked Miharu. And he isn't breaking out in hives...

The biggest surprise to me is the fact that this entire season takes place in the real world, not the alternate one. A bit frustrating if you ask me, since I think anyone would be more interested in a world that is mostly women.
This is a forgivable act, of course. I hope the second season reflects more on the alternate world, otherwise this series will be exactly like every other ecchi-comedy-romance that hits the DVD shelf.

The story in effect has no particular meaning so far. It has a bit of love and drama, but practically everything else is filthy, teenage comedy. I feed on this kind of anime, so it's fine with me, but others might find it particularly irritating.

Characters - eh.

Fukuyama is annoying. I didn't like anything about him, and I can only say that his pervertedness wasn't funny or comical. He exists so that the series has something to dump 5-6 episodes of fanservice into, with the other 5-6 creating actual story. The minor characters are practically nonexistent. The series focuses mostly on Yukinari, Miharu, and Kirie. Other characters such as Fukuyama, Risa, Koyomi, and Tomoyo take a close second place, but their personalities are always in reflection to either Yukinari's or Miharu's actions.
Last of all, there was no ending - but this is reasonable since there is a second season coming.

The good stuff.

Though Girl's Bravo doesn't have any particularly special things about it, the animation is entertaining. In the fansub version, from TV, they fog up the ecchi scenes, but on the DVDs, they don't. ^_^
It's hard to put my finger on; as I watched this series, I began to really feel a desire to see the ladies naked. I think ecchi really brings the pervert out over time, going from title to title. Therefore if you want to see Miharu's fantastic drawn boobs, buy it!

It's a pleasant animation, with cuteness as well. Not really any choppiness, but there are a couple goofy faces. It's pretty much the same as any good ecchi-comedy.

Great opening music!

I love the opening song; it's a great J-pop beat. The ending is okay as well, although I wouldn't download it. I would consider the background music very minimal, just there to complete the scene.

The seiyuu aren't half bad, but there isn't anyone particularly special. This is a surprise since one of the goddess voice actresses, Kawasumi Ayako, who is Herikawa from Onegai Teacher, couldn't put out a truly pleasant voice, which was necessary for a character like Miharu. Therefore, I wouldn't vote anymore than a 7 when it comes to sound.

Nice perverted humor. A couple annoyances, but overall an enjoyable show.

If you absolutely despise ecchi, click "animelist" and look at something else. If you are ecchi-curious, grab a couple episodes and enjoy. If you prefer "classy" ecchi, don't count on this one, but you can test to see if it appeals. Then if you are completely perverted, get the DVDs and drool at boobs.

Altogether, I give credit to Girl's Bravo for what it deserves as entertainment. I may not rewatch it anytime soon, but I definitely won't delete it.

Well sport fans welcome back and let the show start.

Girls Bravo - season 1

It’s just one more ecchi comedy - nothing special, nothing new. And yes another ecchi comedy (^-^) . Telling truth stuff like, big eyes, bigger breasts, idiotic stories and "one dude - five girls" scenarios is stuff for which I got attracted to anime. And the evaluation of Girls Bravo is that good because I just like stuff like that (^-^) .

Let me take it a bit more serious now. Story isn't original at all: a girly guy with his own minuses, a bunch of girls with their own characters living with that guy under same roof and a perverted friend who messes everything up. What I mean were wouldn't be enough fingers on my hands and feet to count all animes with scenarios in one way or another similar to this one. The one thing I could exclude is the illnesses, a guy to be sick of the girls and not to be gay, that’s what I never heard before (^-^) .

Sound is not that good, actually I barely noticed it. And I guess the right assumption here would be it sucked if I didn't notice it (-_-) . But again I'm deaf with one ear, so let it be 7. Animation in other hand is done nicely, no big mess-up scenes, it was really enjoyable. The worst thing (I'm reviewing TV episodes) is the fog that covers the "fun" scenes. Sometimes it covers up to 80% of the screen. This was really annoying to watch.

And once again characters weren’t something special. I cannot say much about their development cause it's just first season, but you can see some "char dev" while watching Girls Bravo. In addition they're so similar to other characters from other anime, that most of the time one can guess character reaction to different stuff.

To end this review of mine I'll leave you with a saying which is used by some people in my country: (there might be a proper english proverb, but I couldn’t think of it (-_-) I know it sounds lame so if you know the proper one please message me) "What’s simple is what's brilliant". I did enjoy Girls Bravo.

That’s all folks.

P.S. I apologize for all English mistakes I have made (~_~)
P.S.S. Please check out my other reviews (there's only one *sigh) and if you really didn't like them or if you really enjoyed them please msg me why.
P.S.S.S. last post scriptum doesn’t mean that I will not cry if you be harsh on me (T_T).