Gals!
Encyclopedia
Gals! is a shōjo
manga
written and illustrated by Mihona Fujii
. The manga
was serialized in Ribon
and published in the U.S. by CMX
.
An anime
adaptation, , aired in Japan on TV Tokyo
between 2001 and 2003, running a length of 52 episodes. The anime series was produced by Studio Pierrot
, and the first season (episodes 1-26) has been licensed and dubbed for North America
n distribution by ADV Films under the name Super Gals!. Distributor The Right Stuf International
announced that they have licensed the second season (episodes 27-52) at Anime Expo
2006 and released a subtitled boxset containing all 26 episodes on January 10, 2007.
(generally known as gyaru
, or "gal") subculture
in Japan. The title character, Kotobuki Ran is the self-proclaimed "world's greatest gal
." As a teenager in Shibuya
, she's 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.
Gals! doesn't always showcase Ran's point of view. It really consists of teenagers who live the same life as regular students and kogals
in Japan. There's romance, troubles, drama and insecurities, especially Miyu and Aya's (since they take their relationships much more seriously than Ran).
As a result of its reference to this lifestyle, ADV has given the series a 15+ rating, since many Americans unfamiliar with Japanese culture might see the lifestyle, especially the opening chapter involves "enjo kōsai
" as nothing more than prostitution
, which is illegal in Japan.
. The Japanese order name (family, given) is used in the first nine volumes of CMX's manga release (save for volume 10), while the Western order name used in ADV's release.
girls who enjoy bugging Ran. They are identified mainly by color (Red, Yellow, Blue). They spend much of their time in "sun-salos"
.
gals introduce the various gal-terminology throughout the series.
is the opening theme song of the anime, while "Dakishimetai" by Jungle Smile
is the closing theme song.
Shojo
The term refers to manga marketed to a female audience roughly between the ages of 10-18. The name romanizes the Japanese 少女 , literally: "little female". Shōjo manga covers many subjects in a variety of narrative and graphic styles, from historical drama to science fiction — often with a strong...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
written and illustrated by Mihona Fujii
Mihona Fujii
is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. Her debut work was Mujaki na mama de, published in the 1990 autumn issue of Ribon Original. Her works have been published in Ribon and, recently, Margaret, where her latest series, Tokyo Angels runs....
. The manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
was serialized in Ribon
Ribon
is a monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Shueisha. First issued in August 1955, its rivals are Nakayoshi and Ciao. Its target audience is young girls roughly 9–13 years old. In 2009, the magazine's circulation was 274,167, down from the previous year's circulation numbers of 330,000...
and published in the U.S. by CMX
CMX (comics)
CMX was a division of Wildstorm Productions, an imprint of DC Comics which in turn is owned by Time Warner. It was DC's line of manga translations....
.
An anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
adaptation, , aired in Japan on TV Tokyo
TV Tokyo
is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
between 2001 and 2003, running a length of 52 episodes. The anime series was produced by Studio Pierrot
Studio Pierrot
is a Japanese animation/animation studio, founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production. Its headquarters is located in Mitaka, Tokyo.The company has a simple logo of the face of a clown...
, and the first season (episodes 1-26) has been licensed and dubbed for North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n distribution by ADV Films under the name Super Gals!. Distributor The Right Stuf International
The Right Stuf International
The Right Stuf International, Inc. is an American retailer based in Grimes, Iowa that markets and distributes anime and manga-related products throughout the United States and internationally...
announced that they have licensed the second season (episodes 27-52) at Anime Expo
Anime Expo
Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation . With rare exceptions, the convention is traditionally held on the July 4th weekend and lasts for four days...
2006 and released a subtitled boxset containing all 26 episodes on January 10, 2007.
Plot
The series revolves around the kogalKogal
The kogal fashion involves wearing an outfit based on a Japanese school uniform, but with a shortened skirt, loose socks, and often dyed hair and a scarf as well. The phenomenon was prominent in the 1990s, but has since declined. The word "kogal" is anglicized from kogyaru, a contraction of kôkôsei...
(generally known as gyaru
Gyaru
is a Japanese transliteration of the English word gal, that of girl being . The name originated from a 1970s brand of jeans called "gals", with the advertising slogan: "I can't live without men", and was applied to fashion- and peer-conscious girls in their teens and early twenties. Its usage...
, or "gal") subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
in Japan. The title character, Kotobuki Ran is the self-proclaimed "world's greatest gal
Kogal
The kogal fashion involves wearing an outfit based on a Japanese school uniform, but with a shortened skirt, loose socks, and often dyed hair and a scarf as well. The phenomenon was prominent in the 1990s, but has since declined. The word "kogal" is anglicized from kogyaru, a contraction of kôkôsei...
." As a teenager in Shibuya
Shibuya, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
, she's 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.
Gals! doesn't always showcase Ran's point of view. It really consists of teenagers who live the same life as regular students and kogals
Kogal
The kogal fashion involves wearing an outfit based on a Japanese school uniform, but with a shortened skirt, loose socks, and often dyed hair and a scarf as well. The phenomenon was prominent in the 1990s, but has since declined. The word "kogal" is anglicized from kogyaru, a contraction of kôkôsei...
in Japan. There's romance, troubles, drama and insecurities, especially Miyu and Aya's (since they take their relationships much more seriously than Ran).
As a result of its reference to this lifestyle, ADV has given the series a 15+ rating, since many Americans unfamiliar with Japanese culture might see the lifestyle, especially the opening chapter involves "enjo kōsai
Enjo kosai
means "compensated dating" and is a practice which originated in Japan where older men give money and/or luxury gifts to attractive women for their companionship and, possibly, for sexual favors. The female participants range from primarily school-aged girls to housewives. A common misconception is...
" as nothing more than prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, which is illegal in Japan.
Characters
Names are in Western order, with the surnameSurname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
. The Japanese order name (family, given) is used in the first nine volumes of CMX's manga release (save for volume 10), while the Western order name used in ADV's release.
Ran Kotobuki
- is the titular character of the series and its main protagonist. She is a very strong-willed, athletic, and attractive galKogalThe kogal fashion involves wearing an outfit based on a Japanese school uniform, but with a shortened skirt, loose socks, and often dyed hair and a scarf as well. The phenomenon was prominent in the 1990s, but has since declined. The word "kogal" is anglicized from kogyaru, a contraction of kôkôsei...
who rules the streets of ShibuyaShibuya, Tokyois one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
. Although she comes from a long line of police officers, she is ditzy and absent-minded when it comes to school and the only subject she gets good grades on is physical educationPhysical educationPhysical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
and her poorest subjects are mathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and literatureLiteratureLiterature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and has trouble even solving problems from lower grade levels. When she was in elementary school, she was actually enthusiastic to become a police officer, but quit the ambition after learning that if she becomes one, she won't be able to wear her favorite accessories or dye her hair. She is usually obsessed with anything that is trendy or catches her eye, usually brown-nosing guys who find her cute to buy them, and is also quite gluttonGluttonGlutton may refer to:* One who over-indulges in and over-consumes food, drink, or intoxicants to the point of waste. See Gluttony* Another name for the wolverine*Glutton , upcoming film...
ous. But inside her heart, she has a strong sense of justice that runs in her blood and is extremely intimidating and tough when she's in combat mode. She is a role model to the junior students at Hounan High for her social status as a magnificent gal for justice and her very understanding nature for teens who are learning to copeCopeThe cope is a liturgical vestment, a very long mantle or cloak, open in front and fastened at the breast with a band or clasp. It may be of any liturgical colour....
, but there were some who looked upon her with jealousy and anger. Despite being an underachiever (barely being able to graduate in the manga), Ran is actually pretty smart and has a good memory on what she is interested in (like shopping). There is a running gag in the manga that some of her friends say, "If only she used that (memory, concentration, etc.) on studying...". Her boyfriend is Tatsuki Kuroi, who is as ditzy and dumb as she is. Their love life is complicated (but strangely comedic at times), since Ran gets embarrassed by intimacy and thus studiously avoids it, not even saying 'I love you' or kissing because of the how flustered she gets- but she does like her boyfriend, and holds hands with him, and once hugged and kissed him on the cheek (only in the manga's final volume). Also, she has a foreign friend, Vivian Lin, a TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
ese celebrity who looks amazingly like her, whom she met during a school trip to TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
(only shown in two stories of the manga). After the series was over, Ran eventually did become a police officer and had three kids with Tatsuki (As was shown in Mihona Fujii's page in the KochiKameKochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo, full title , is a long-running comedy manga by Osamu Akimoto. It has been continuously serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since September 1976, with over 1700 chapters published, making it the longest-running manga series in history...
Anniversary Book). Random fact: Ran wishes that she has soft hair but, according to Rui-kun (Otahata Rei's cousin) is damaged and dry, due to the amount of bleach she pours on it.
Miyu Yamazaki
- is an independent, headstrong, and very kind classmate of Ran and one of her closest friends. However, behind her romantic and cute cover lies a dark past. When she was in third grade, her parents divorced (her father is currently remarried) and she lived with her mother, who paid more attention to looking for a new man rather than to see Miyu grow up (she despised Miyu because she reminded her of her divorced husband). She once was the leader of a street gang called the "Resistance", often wreaking mayhem and irritation during middle school and had a rough-mannered and threatening personality that Ran despised. One day, Yamato (by then a rookie cop) saved her from a tough situation, and his dedication to helping with Miyu's problems made her fall in love with him. Because of that, she left the life of crime and became a much more polite girl after Yamato told her his wish for her to be good and eventually became great friends with Ran. However, she remains an incredible fighter and can get back to her previous violent self when someone completely upsets her and when she becomes uncharacteristically furious. In conversation, she has a habit of referring to herself in the third person, as many 'cutesy' characters tend to do. Ran often remarks how Miyu is "lovey-dovey" with her older brother and there is a running gag on both series when they are interrupted when they are trying to kiss, usually by Ran. When her mom eventually moved out, she moved into a new apartment and married Yamato in HawaiiHawaiiHawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
in the manga.
Aya Hoshino
- is one of the top students in Ran's class, but she was secretly doing enjo kōsaiEnjo kosaimeans "compensated dating" and is a practice which originated in Japan where older men give money and/or luxury gifts to attractive women for their companionship and, possibly, for sexual favors. The female participants range from primarily school-aged girls to housewives. A common misconception is...
to earn money according to the first chapter/episode, since her parents were very strict about her being in number one in academics and wouldn't let her do any part-time jobs or go out. Ran found out and confronted her about it, making her realize that she was doing the wrong thing fortunately before Aya "did it" with somebody. Since then, Aya became good friends with Ran and Miyu. She is a shy but honest and studious individual who enjoys academics while also longing for excitement every now and then, which is thankfully provided by Ran. Aya strengthens and changes during course of the series. She's usually a crybaby when it comes to sad or happy moments, but she grows braver and learns to stand on her own. As the series progresses, she develops a huge crush on the popular but cold Rei and has a difficult and awkward time at attempting to confess her feelings to him. She and Rei go through a bumpy road in their relationship. At first, Rei had a secret, well-hidden crush on Ran. However, Ran was never aware of his feelings for her and does not reciprocate his feelings. She asked him to date Aya because she knew Aya liked him. To make Ran happy and out of pity for Aya, he starts to go out with Aya. Rei becomes annoyed with Aya when she wanted to go wherever he would go, telling her to be more decisive for herself and quit following what others want. Aya grows suspicious that Rei is dating her out of pity and that he might like Ran instead, and both suspicions are confirmed when Aya asks Rei about his true feelings. However, near the end of the series when Aya becomes stronger, Rei's feelings for Ran disappears and he falls for Aya. This starts to show in volume 8 of the manga and the last episode of the anime. At the end of both the anime and manga, she is dating Rei (now that he is truly in love with her), and succeeds in going to the same college with him in the manga.
Rei Otohata
- is a student at Meisho Daichi High School (Champion High School in ADV's dub). He is also known as "#1", because he was featured in a magazine as being the coolest and most handsome teenage guy in the area. He rides a motorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
and is good friends with Yuya. He has a cold and detached demeanor, and is constantly annoyed by Ran. He has trouble expressing his feelings towards others (especially Aya). Aya develops a strong crush on him. At first he was sympathetic towards her, dating her out of pity because Ran asked him to after she noticed Aya's feelings for him. Aya eventually suspected that he didn't truly love her and that he may love Ran instead, finding both of her suspicions to be true when she confronts Rei about his true feelings. However, near the end of the series, his feelings for Ran fade away and he starts to fall for Aya in volume 8, and these feelings start to show in the final episode of the anime. They even almost kiss in volume 9, which Rei initiates, much to Aya's surprise, after she confesses her love for him again. This is, however, interrupted by Naoki, who at the time has a crush on Aya. Rei affirms to a crestfallen Naoki that he was going to kiss Aya because she was his girlfriend, which leaves Aya blushing until the end of the chapter. In volume 10, he even gives Aya the second button of his Gakuran, which is significant for their relationship, as in Japanese culture, a boy who graduates from high school would give the second button on his Gakuran to the girl he is in love with, in a way confessing his feelings for her, as the second button on his Gakuran is the closest to his heart. Also, later in volume 10, when some alumni from his and Yuya's school hit on Aya, Rei tells them to go find their own girlfriends. He is also seen smiling as he teaches Aya how to bodyboard.
Yuya Aso
- is also a student at Meisho Daichi High School, and he is known as "#2" or "Second Place", as he was the runner-up to Rei in a popularity magazine poll. He and Rei are friends. Early in the series, he develops a crush on Ran, even role-playing what it would be nice to romance her, but she is oblivious to the fact. The crush gets worse when Tatsuki joins in and confesses successfully to Ran. In the anime, he helps Mami Honda out to the point that Mami starts falling for him, even though he still has a crush on Ran. Near the end of the series, he gives up that crush, and dates Mami and it turns out they enjoy each other's company after all.
Tatsuki Kuroi
- (also nicknamed Tatsukichi by Ran) is a wild and kind student at Machida West High School, and he calls himself "the paraparaPara Parais a synchronized group dance that originated in Japan. Unlike most club dancing and rave dancing there are specific synchronized movements for each song much like line dancing...
king of Machida" (also known as "Machida Black", since the "kuro" in his last name means "black"). In the manga he is also called Blackwell (the literal translation of his surname). He is often nicknamed "Monkey Boy" since his personality is very similar to that of a monkey. He becomes Ran's boyfriend, although she studiously avoids anything remotely approaching intimacy other than hugging or holding hands. Because of this, at times Tatsuki wonders if he is 'okay' as Ran's boyfriend and wonders whether she truly likes him the way he does her; when he wants to leave Shibuya because of his doubts Ran confronts him, demanding who he is to say what she should and shouldn't have in her life and that she gets embarrassed saying things like 'I love you' and he is not 'okay', but 'great' as her boyfriend, thus calming his doubts. He likes to use English words and phrases in his conversations. Sometimes he says a phrase in English then he will say then same phrase in Japanese, or he will say a phrase that the first part is in Japanese, and then the second part in English, and then he will say the same phrase again, but switch what is in Japanese and what is in English (example: "Black nichiyōbi", "Black Sunday", and then "Kuroi Sunday"). He also likes to call Yuya "brother" in English.
Yamato Kotobuki
- is Ran and Sayo's older brother (Ran by nine years and Sayo by eleven years) and unlike Ran, he has a sensitive and passionate personality that shows through his job as a cop, and is usually on duty at the ShibuyaShibuya, Tokyois one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
"kobanKoban (police box)A is a small neighborhood police station found in Japan. Kōban also refers to the smallest organizational unit in today's Japanese police system. In addition to central police stations, Japanese uniformed police work is done from small buildings located within the community, a form of community...
". The only thing that annoys him is when Ran causes trouble in Shibuya and he has to bring her to the police station. His love interest is Ran's best friend, the much-younger Miyu Yamazaki, whom he first met when he was a rookie cop and when Miyu was a troubled and violent gangster. It was he that helped her to be good, since he was the only one who believed in her. In the end, he helped Miyu move into her new apartment and married her after high school graduation (the marriage was only seen in the manga).
Sayo Kotobuki
- is Ran's younger sister. She dreams of being a detective like the hero of her favorite television show, Detective Kudou of Odaiba Cop. Sayo and her boyfriend Masato often roleplay as conspicuous detectives, drawing the attention of onlookers and inciting frustration from Ran who is bothered by their antics. She is very energetic and enthusiatic about everything she does- however, she is slightly accident prone and often falls face down when she tries to run away or exit in a dramatic fashion. She tends to add the phrase "You bet" (or datchu だっちゅ in the Japanese version) into her statements. In the end of the series she is still with Masato and they both go the same high school that Ran goes to.
Taizo Kotobuki
- Voiced by: Ginzō MatsuoGinzo Matsuowas a Japanese voice actor who was born in Nakatsu, Oita, Japan as . He was part of Aoni Production, but he established in 1997. He was most known for the roles of Hemu-Hemu and Ginnosuke Nohara ....
, Fumihiko TachikiFumihiko Tachikiis a Japanese voice actor and narrator.-Career:Formerly a blues singer and known for his low voice, Tachiki is best known as the narrator for the pre-fight movies for Pride Fighting Championships and currently for Dream...
(Japanese), John GremillionJohn GremillionJohn Michael Gremillion is an American actor and voice actor who works for Funimation Entertainment, ADV Films, Seraphim Digital, and OkraTron 5000. He has provided voices for a number of English language versions of Japanese anime films and television series.-Anime:* 009-1 - Ivan Godunov John...
(English) - is Ran's father. He is the local Chief of Detectives. He disapproves of his daughter's lifestyle. He tries his best to make Ran say that she wants to be a police officer, and often tries various tactics to get her to do various jobs helping the people (like not giving her money). He is also famous for employing a technique called "Taizo's Giant Swing of Fury" on Ran when he loses patience with her and once on Sayo.
Kiyoka Kotobuki
- is Ran's mother. She is also a police officer. It is a running gag throughout the series about her mysterious age, as she appears to be much younger than her husband. She is much more patient with Ran and the entire family in general- she never seems upset by Ran's choice to be a Gal as is very supportive of her children. Towards the end of the manga, she tells Miyu "I already think of you as my daughter", showing just how nurturing she can be.
Mami Honda
- is a rival of Ran, known as the "Queen of IkebukuroIkebukurois a commercial and entertainment district in Toshima, Tokyo, Japan. Toshima ward offices, Ikebukuro station, and several shops, restaurants, and enormous department stores are located within city limits....
". Later on in the series, Mami falls in love with Yuya. She also develops a truce with Ran in Volume 5 of GALS!; It's okay to have a change of heart. In the anime, she comes from a very rich family. She seems to have a split personality, as in one of the episodes she is at a tea party when she gets a call gossiping that Ran has a boyfriend.
Harue Kudou
- is Mami's best friend. She was once a member of a "teamGangA gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
" called the "Eagles", which was broken up by Miyu (when she was still part of "Resistance"). She once sent in a nasty email about Miyu and her past. Her name means "owl" in Japanese.
Masato Iwai
- is Sayo's boyfriend ever since the beginning of junior high. He fell in love with her as "the cute girl who always wore a hat" (she actually wore hats to school because she cut her bangs too short). From then on, they were a steady couple. He's a bit fun-loving and kind of weird like Sayo and imitates as a junior cop with her, but very just and gallant, especially to Sayo. At the end of the series, he goes to the same high school as Sayo, and they are still a couple.
Naoki Kuroi
- is Tatsuki's little brother, who appears starting in season 2. He's a street-smart, outgoing, but good-hearted boy who, like his brother, thinks of himself as a ladies man, but ends up having crushes on every girl he meets, including Ran, Miyu, Sayo, and, at the end of the TV series, he has a crush on Kasumi. In the manga, he was so optimistic that he had crushes on Ran, then Sayo, then Miyu, then Aya! He enjoys riding a skateboardSkateboardA skateboard is typically a specially designed plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability, used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. The first skateboards to reach public notice came out of the surfing craze of the early 1960s,...
. He works at their father's ramenRamenis a Japanese noodle dish. It consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat- or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as , , kamaboko, green onions, and occasionally corn...
shop every now and then, and someday wants to run the business. At first Naoki is upset that Tatsuki will not take over the family business, but Tatsuki tells Naoki that he wants to follow his own path.
Nakanishi
Ran's teacher, who is annoyed whenever Ran arrives late or comes up with a pathetic excuse for not having her homework. Ran calls him "Naka-Teach".Satsuki Iida and Rie Aihara
Satsuki Iida and Rie Aihara are schoolmates of Ran's since elementary school. Satsuki has blonde hair in a short ponytail, and Rie has black hair.Tan Face Trio
A group of ganguroGanguro
Ganguro is an alternative fashion trend of blonde or orange hair and tanned skin among young Japanese women that peaked in popularity around the year 2000. The Shibuya and Ikebukuro districts of Tokyo were the centers of ganguro fashion...
girls who enjoy bugging Ran. They are identified mainly by color (Red, Yellow, Blue). They spend much of their time in "sun-salos"
Sun tanning
Sun tanning or simply tanning is the process whereby skin color is darkened or tanned. The process is most often a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or from artificial sources, such as a tanning bed, but can also be a result of windburn or reflected light...
.
Katase Kazuki
Kazuki is a boy who befriends Aya. He seems to be studious but doesn't like that Aya hangs around such non-academic friends.Kasumi Tsukino
- is a homely glasses girlMeganekkois a Japanese word which translates to "glasses girl"....
who comes on the show around the later part of the first season and is a regular in the second season. At first, she appears to be in Ran's fan club. Her dream is to be the number one gal in Shibuya and overthrow Ran. Her reasons for becoming a gal is because, when she was younger, she was picked on by some guys. A gal (who appears to have been Towa) saves her from being bullied. Her and Ran have a strong rivalry and she tries her hardest to do something that would cause Ran to leave Shibuya and thus pave the way for her to be number 1. This usually involves using a disguise. However all of her plans against Ran usually fail, and either she says who she is, or Ran and her friends figure out her disguise. She also finds out Ran's secret from Towa, although it's never revealed what Ran's secret is. She also has a strong sense of right, when needed. When her and Ran where trying to save up enough money to buy a jacket that each of them want badly. Kasumi sells items at a flea market in order to raise money, but when a boy wants a refund for a toy that does not work, she gives back the money to the boy. In the end she goes to the same High School as Ran. Also, Naoki falls for her when she tells him not to cry.
Towa Himejima
- is a young woman who runs the Palm Tree Cafe. She is friends with Yamato and the actor who plays Detective Kudoh. She has known Ran since Ran was just a little girl, and they used to play together. Towa was one of the first gals in Shibuya, and was the number one gal back in the day, before Towa passed the title to Ran. She overreacts at times, and when Ran upsets her, she says that she will tell her friends her secret (which is never revealed in the show, but according to Kasumi isn't actually very interesting). She also has a black belt in KarateKarateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, and is also kind hearted. When Miyu needs a place to stay, she lives in the empty room at the Palm Tree Cafe. At the end of the series she gives the manager job to the actor who plays "Detective Kudoh", as she quits her job.
Minigal Tan and Minigal White
These chibiChibi
is a Japanese slang word meaning "short person" or "small child". The word has gained currency amongst fans of manga and anime. Its meaning is of someone or some animal that is small. It can be translated as "little", but is not used the same way as chiisana [小さな] but rather cute...
gals introduce the various gal-terminology throughout the series.
Episode list
- The World's Greatest Gal♥Go, Go→Ran Kotobuki
- Shibuya♥Thrilling→Great Dragnet
- A Girl's Feelings♥Heart Pounding→Red Streak
- Have It?♥Don't Have It?→Luck With Guys?
- Heart♥In Pieces→Is It Over With Aya!?
- Pool♥Exciting→Junior Detectives!
- Black Shadow♥Creeping Up→Targeted Miyu
- Heart♥Guilty→Miyu's Past
- Memories♥Tearful→Sayo's Been Kidnapped?
- Yuya♥Nervous→A Rival Appears!
- Crossing Shibuya♥Fun-Fun→Grand Prix
- Promise♥Bye-Bye→Kendo Girl
- Super Debutante♥Goody-Goody→Ran Kotobuki
- Maki♥Shiny New→First Year Gal!
- Revenge♥Burning→Snowboard Battle!
- Dappled Sunlight♥Sparkling→Romantic Anniversary
- Feelings of Love♥Wavering→Aya Confesses!?
- Odaiba♥Crackling→Great Final Battle!
- Sun♥Sun-Sun→Summer Girl!
- Mami-rin♥Dreamy-Eyed→Her First Love
- Certain Victory♥Go! Go!→Sports Fest
- School Culture Fest♥Para-Para→Meisho Queen
- Tear It Off♥Rip, Rip→Teacher's Gold Plate Exterior
- Off to Machida♥The Monkey Leaves→Tatsukichi Gets Dumped!?
- Yamato♥Dead Serious→Proposes!?
- Super Cop♥Hard-Working→Ran Kotobuki
- Brother♥Kichi-kichi→Naokichi Appears!
- Yuya♥Crying→Talks About Being a Man
- Mami-rin♥Lovey-Dovey→Falls For Yuya
- Bukuro♥In Circles→Mystery of the Extension
- Welcome♥Exciting→Palm Tree Grand Opening
- Ran-pyon♥Irritated→A New Rival!?
- Kasumi♥Pissed→The Great Plot for Revenge!
- Aya-ppe♥Teary-Eyed→Otohata Syndrome
- Romantic Forecast♥Unclear→Otohata then Katase!?
- Hot Springs♥Viva Viva→The Gal Incident in the Northern Steam Clouds
- Secret♥Revealed→Mami-rin in Danger!
- Heart♥Aching→Otohata's Words
- Christmas Eve♥Jingle-Jingle→Emergency Bell of Love
- Ran-pyon♥Dizzy→Becomes Sayo!?
- Shibuya Soldier♥Mystery→Maru-Q Moon
- Taizo♥Enthusiastic→Police Training Project!
- Pure Love♥Nervous→Rie's Love Tale
- Killed in the Line of Duty♥Weeping→Odaiba Shark's Final Day!
- Signs of Love♥Various→Valentine's Day
- Clash♥Slurp Slurp→Ramen Battle!
- Kasumi♥Toasty Warm→Her Dream Coat
- Gal Battle♥Fierce→Mami-rin Finished!?
- Heartbreak♥Painful→Miyu's Place to Call Home
- Misgivings of the Heart♥Stirring→Cold Spring Breeze
- Friendship♥Smiles→ID Tags of the Heart
- Goodbye♥Ran-ran→The Skies of Shibuya Remain Unchanging
Songs
"A-I-TSU" by DicotDicot (band)
Dicot is a Japanese musical duo. The members, Shino and Kana, both grew up in Fukuoka Prefecture and met at Fukuoka Women's Junior College in 1997 as first-year students...
is the opening theme song of the anime, while "Dakishimetai" by Jungle Smile
Jungle Smile
Jungle Smile , sometimes referred to as simply Junsma , is a Japanese musical duo. It was formed in 1994. They won a music contest sponsored by Yamaha in October 1995 with their song "Cherry Boy". They were signed to Victor Speedstar Records soon after and debuted in November 1996 with the single...
is the closing theme song.
See also
- Para ParaPara Parais a synchronized group dance that originated in Japan. Unlike most club dancing and rave dancing there are specific synchronized movements for each song much like line dancing...
, a dance often seen in this series, is a type of dancing where the dancers perform preset movements, usually unique to the song.