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Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!? (TV).


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Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Posts: 3507
PostPosted: Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:37 am Reply with quote


Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!? (TV)

Source: Manga (ongoing @ 12 volumes, written by Norishiro-chan, illustrated by Sakana Uozumi)

Demographic: Seinen

Animation Studio:
6th Studio
TMS Entertainment

Genres: comedy, romance

Themes: otaku, school

Plot Summary: Takuya Seo is a quiet otaku who keeps a low profile at school—until two gals from his class start talking to him. The cool but scatterbrained Kei Amane and the cheerful, energetic Kotoko Ijichi couldn’t be more different, but the three soon bond over anime, games, and shared fandom.

Air Date & Platform:
April 08, 2026 (Wednesday)
Available on: Crunchyroll

Episode Count / Runtime: Pending

Trailer

[EDIT: Fancy opener stuff edited. -TK]
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smurky turkey



Joined: 30 Jan 2022
Posts: 4990
PostPosted: Wed Apr 08, 2026 12:53 pm Reply with quote
1:

Yup, the first episode was exactly what I wanted to see as a fan of the manga. The concept is nothing new or unique but there is tons of charm to it and the anime manages to capture that perfectly. All three of the main characters are charming in their own way and are more than just the box others put them in. They also have great chemistry so fun times are ahead.
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Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 08, 2026 6:40 pm Reply with quote
This was a painless, easy breezy watch. As I mentioned on the I Made Friends With the Second Prettiest Girl in Class thread, I've seen this scenario play out with only minor variations many times - some of them in this very spring 2026 season - and that might have taken a little energy out of my response.

The blonde Gyaru is kind of over the top but so seemingly affectless that it's hard to dislike her.

The Brunette's pseudo tsundere routine over... Glittermon?...wasn't a howler, but it was amusing enough.

The MC was...um, kind of written by the numbers and there to provide the insert-yourself-into-this-otaku-fantasy-here slot as far as I could tell. Speaking of male leads who get all confuzzled when females speak to them... well, at least this guy isn't as bad as Gojo or that (Tsubasa?) dude from Hokkaido Girls Are Adorable. He wasn't obnoxious, and maybe he'll show a bit more depth as the series goes on.
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Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 08, 2026 6:49 pm Reply with quote
I will say the MC's honest delight in his hobby was likable. Didn't want to edit that in.
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DuskyPredator



Joined: 10 Mar 2009
Posts: 15852
Location: Brisbane, Australia
PostPosted: Thu Apr 09, 2026 6:57 am Reply with quote
I have a weakness for gyaru, so I was looking forward to this based on the implication of the name. Although the first episode had me a few times thinking to just treat them like people.

Maybe a weird tangent, but the first lines in the ED were giving me some thoughts, specifically that it sounded like a "not like other girls" sort of line, which was a trend from a good while back. A lot of my familiarity with the trend was that on a lot of the internet it was sort of recognised that some aspect of it was shaming young women for being flashy (and shallow), that it created a counter trend that was all about you shouldn't shame women (people in general) for liking what they do. Which I was thinking was a bit relevant in I think that is an element to the show.

Talking about a property of kid focused creature media, I believe that Pokémon recently had some virality in a Bulbasaur being portrayed as a gyaru.
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Panino Manino



Joined: 28 Jan 2018
Posts: 803
PostPosted: Thu Apr 09, 2026 12:22 pm Reply with quote
Surprising. I think I feel something from Sono Bisque here.
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smurky turkey



Joined: 30 Jan 2022
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2026 2:22 pm Reply with quote
2:

The main draw of the manga is how much fun the three main characters have together and the second episode was perfect in that regard. Seeing Takuya and Amane utterly nerd out while Ijichi enjoys just seeing them do so was great. The former two chatting all day with Amane still trying to deny how much of a fan she is (including a detective bit) was good too. It is hard not to enjoy their interactions, the stellar opening is the cherry on top.

I was hoping for a good adaptation but it it now very high on my list of shows I want to see most each week due to how good it is.
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Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2026 5:26 pm Reply with quote
I usually don't care about autotuned dance music - the opener for Marriagetoxin doesn't really do much for me one way or another, for example - but I enjoyed the OP for this anime. The OPs for A100 scenes of Awajima and Even a Replica Can Fall in Love are the only other two that have really stood out in my memory this season.

I don't like this anime as much as you, Smurky, but I do like it fine. It's a light-hearted, not to be taken seriously or held up to scrutiny in terms of realism or logic kind of anime, so I won't. It's fun, the characters are broad and likable, and it's well drawn.

I'm getting ready to end the trial period and trim the anime fat - no more than three anime per weekday or it gets too ridiculous - but I'll be keeping this one. Afraid Always a Catch is going to be Always A Catch and Release
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Panino Manino



Joined: 28 Jan 2018
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2026 5:54 pm Reply with quote
With episode 2 I realized something.
This isn't about TWO gyaru being nice to ONE otaku.
It's about ONE gyaru being nice to TWO otaku.

I really hope this will take some hints from Sono Bisque and be about their friendship while enjoying their hobbies.
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TJ_Kat



Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Posts: 870
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2026 8:03 pm Reply with quote
I like how self-aware Otaku-kun is, but also not ashamed. He likes what he likes, but he's aware that it's a little weird. He's also aware that 'going full otaku' can be really off-putting for someone who doesn't share your passion.
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Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Posts: 3507
PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 2026 4:40 am Reply with quote
Panino Manino wrote:
With episode 2 I realized something.
This isn't about TWO gyaru being nice to ONE otaku.
It's about ONE gyaru being nice to TWO otaku.

I really hope this will take some hints from Sono Bisque and be about their friendship while enjoying their hobbies.

The thing is, there was only one female per Gojo. This anime has already shown signs of the two female friends starting to compete with each other by episode two, and I'm not crazy about that. Given the overall vibe of the show, things will probably smooth out.
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The Scream Man



Joined: 01 Mar 2020
Posts: 308
Location: Sydney, Australia
PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2026 1:50 am Reply with quote
I think the show is sweet. i like all three characters, and while Amane is clearly a better fit for otaku-kun (Its sad i can't remember his name since thats just what they call him, so thats burned into my head) I like the blonde as well.

also the gag with how she ran past her brothers and they were both suddenly tied up with tape on their mouths made me really laugh Very Happy.
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smurky turkey



Joined: 30 Jan 2022
Posts: 4990
PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2026 2:04 pm Reply with quote
3:

Although the formula of one or multiple attractive gals falling for a relatively plain dude is pure wish fulfillment the show manages to make it feel believable enough. Seo/otaku-kun has good qualities to him and he is a good dude. It also helps that the show had made clear that the gals in question are multifaceted and are more than just the cliche. The little sister is a fun addition to the cast and made painfully clear how much of a Kiramon fan Amane is.
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Edjwald



Joined: 03 Aug 2017
Posts: 3507
PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2026 3:55 pm Reply with quote
Well, the show lost me on the realism front last week when it implied that there was something odd about breaking out glow sticks and yelling commentary while watching anime...

In a way, it feels like this show and I Became Friends With The Second Prettiest Girl in My Class are opposite sides of the same coin. One feels a bit more realistic even if it's not. The other is more bright and shiny and straight up fun. I like em' both.

I give this show some credit for reversing stereotypes with Amane being the secret ditz despite her icy demeanor, and Ijichi? Ijichihou?...being the smarter and more mature of the two despite being bubbly and blonde.

I agree that elementary schooler who is babysitting Amane is a nice cast addition.
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The Scream Man



Joined: 01 Mar 2020
Posts: 308
Location: Sydney, Australia
PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2026 3:58 pm Reply with quote
Amane being so clearly the better partner for Otaku-kun gets more obvious each week. Even the "Dates" this week; With Amane they do things they both enjoy, with Blonde girl (Ichi?) they do things that HE will enjoy because she wants him to be happy.
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