Super Gals! Vol. 5: It's Okay to Have a Change of Heart 2001 ADV Films Official Japanese Website Buy It Now

The Gals are back once again, more than ready to raise a little chaos in Shibuya, and the rest of Japan in possible, and as you know, they have their ironclad rules that any Gal MUST live by. So, what is it this time? Well, "It's Okay to Have a Change of Heart," and that's a rule that any Gal, no matter if she's a native of Japan or born and bred here in the United States adheres to. But, we're talking about Super Gals here, and they take precedence over all.

As usual, things are going to get a little bit crazy, especially when you're dealing with the occasional trip to the brink of insanity that is ever present around Ran Kotoboki.  She's made her peace with Mami, of course, that was all due to their climactic battle that resulted in Ran being able to finally claim Shibuya as hers. But, will they get along? You've got to keep in mind Ran's overly competitive spirit, and then Mami's rich background where she has been raised to be number one, no matter what the situation. So, while they may occasionally get along, and even team up from time to time, it's in their nature to outdo one another, be it with watermelon smashing, volleyball, or even para-para.

But, where is the change of heart? It's not what you might think. If you thought that Ran finally saw the light and decided that maybe it was better to start dating Yuya instead of Tatsuki, you're completely wrong. There's another relationship that's been blossoming, somewhat, for a while now, and that would be between Rei and Aya. Rei is finally the one that sees the light, and decides that maybe the cute and shy Aya isn't that bad. It's not like he ever really thought that, but was concerned about possibly hurting her. Love knows no limits though, and it looks as if finally, the two are going to be a couple.

Super Gals as you probably know has a ton of cultural references that most of us Westerners just aren't going to get at all, and that's true once again. Luckily, I've got my resident Japanese native on hand (my wife) to clue me in here and there (although she hasn't been too shy about the fact that she doesn't like this series in the least.) While it is covered in the extras, the Sports Festival that is seen in this volume really is a part of school life in Japan, and while I thought it might have been just for the anime, they actually do have announcers present. I was also a bit curious about how summer breaks work in Japan, and they get one month out of school as opposed to our three months here, and that brought up the comment, "Well, that's why our products in Japan are better than yours." I can't really argue that one. So, outside of some of the more crazy antics, just about everything that you see in the anime actually is (somewhat) true to life, at least if you are living in Japan.

The extras unfortunately aren't nearly as entertaining as the episodes themselves. You probably already know, but there is the usual clean open and closing included, and that's to be expected. Also, there's another installment of The Super Gals Explain It all. Well, but it's not one of the gals this time, but you get the idea. Also, there is another poster complete with plenty of cultural notes on the reverse side, that way, you can get a little more hip to the lingo of the gals.

Sure, this is a series that tends to be a slightly quirky at times and definitely isn't your normal anime style, but that's fine. The Super Gals have it going on, and the show is a pleasure not just because of the content, but also the fact that it becomes somewhat of a learning experience in some ways for those that want to get a little closer to real life in Japan, at least as it relates to the teenage crowd. All you need to go out and buy it, otherwise, I have it on pretty good authority that Ran will be uber-pissed, and that's one thing you don't want to see.

Episode 19 - The Sun ♥ Sun Sun ~ Summer Girl!

Ran and her friends decide to spend a little time relaxing and enjoying the beach. Yuya thinks that he might finally have the chance to win Ran over, but that's going to have to wait. And, Ran and Mami team up in a volleyball competition that finds them working together (somewhat) and going head-to-head as well, at least as far as their egos are concerned.

Episode 20 - Dreamy-Eyed ♥ Mami ~ Her First Love

Mami's love from many years back is returning to Japan, and she can hardly wait. But, when he says that he wants to visit Shibuya, Mami tries her best to avoid contact with Ran, and a ritzy hotel seems to be the answer. Her plan goes horribly wrong though when Ran and her friends arrive, and Mami does everything she can to avoid contact with her.

Episode 21 - It's Certain Victory ♥ Go! Go! ~ Sports Fest

The annual school Sports Festival has come, and Ran's class has always lost each and every year. However, when Ran sees how important it is to Naka-teach to finally win, just once, she motivates the entire class as only she can, and their goal is to be the best, at least for once.

Episode 22 - High School Culture Fest ♥ Para Para ~ Meisho Queen!

With the Sports Festival behind them, now is the time to enjoy the annual Culture Fest, and Ran and her friends can hardly wait. Little do they know that they have the two young detectives hot on their trail to keep an eye on them, that is, until they discover a film festival with their favorite television detective. Aya has finally decided that it's time to come clean with Rei, but the biggest fear is if it will be a repeat of before. Rei however, might very well surprise her

-mike-