Back Street Girls: Gokudolls

How familiar are you with the grueling realities that real-life idols have to deal with? Many people used to think that it was an effortless and fun job. Still, media portrayals of this complicated occupation have enlightened audiences about the harsher realities their beloved idols face. As a result, most of us can see them as human beings just like us, working hard to meet their needs and achieve their goals in life. So, let’s look at an idol anime that essentially went under the radar today.

“Back Street Girls: Gokudolls,” also known as “Back Street Girls: Washira Idol Hajimemashita” or simply “Gokudols,” is a 10-episode TV anime series that aired from the 4th of July until the 5th of September in the summer of 2018. Toei Video and Kodansha collaborated on its creation, and Studio J.C. Staff brought it to life.

The central staff behind it includes Matsuo Kousuke as producer, Kon Chiaki as director and on storyboard, Aketagawa Jin as sound director, and Yamakawa Susumu on script and series composition. It features the genres of comedy and ecchi alongside the themes of sex shift, organized crime, and the workplace. This series of 24-minute episodes was targeted at the Seinen demographic and earned a rating of R-17+ for its violence and profanity.

The anime is based on the source manga of the same name, which ran for 12 volumes from March 9th, 2015, until September 15th, 2018. From August 14, 2018, to July 30, 2019, Kodansha Comics USA published it digitally in English as a serial in Young Magazine (Weekly). The series is the work of author and artist Jasmine Gyuh.

The story is centered around three Yakuza members named Kentarou, Ryou, and Kazuhiko. These men have failed their Boss, Inugane Kimanjirou, for the final time and are now faced with a grueling choice: either have their organs harvested and sold OR take a life-changing trip to Thailand to undergo sex reassignment surgery and become Pop Idols! Choosing to live, even if not as their original selves, the three men endure a whole year of excruciating training and return changed entirely in physical terms, at least.

The three thugs are reborn as Airi Yamamoto, Chika Sugihara, and Mari Tachibana and even debut as an amateur idol group called “The Goku Dolls.” They must now strive to become Top Idols together, undergoing hours upon hours of forced feminization brainwashing but still somehow managing to keep their Yakuza spirits alive at heart.

To fix this fatal flaw in his idols, their Yakuza boss hires a legendary manager named Mandarin Kinoshita, a man who had never let an idol group fail under his watch. Their lives are on the line yet again; the three men reluctantly work with their new manager to unleash their inner “cuteness” and become the successful Top Idols that even their tyrannical boss can be proud of!

The plot kicks off when the three Yazuka disobey their boss, Inugane, for the last time, and he demands that they undergo a sex change to become idols. After this point, the whole series changes into something entirely, and Mangaka Jasmine Gyuh expertly executes it. This show stands out among countless other idol anime for using weird ideas Japan is unafraid to use, whether or not the rest of the world takes them well.

The tale is very faithful to the manga, featuring over-the-top and overboard characters who are actually three trans women. This sketch comedy with a decent story would entertain most audiences. Comedy is a huge part of all of this, so expect no small amount of skits that have an odd sense of interconnectivity and good execution. Even the numerous other characters that appear early on serve the purpose of the central joke, all while having their own agendas and acceptable reasons for existing in this series.

The tale is mainly about how these thugs transform into cute idol girls, their trials and tribulations on this path, and what goes down behind the scenes. One noticeable issue is the lack of a proper conclusion to the season, but given the nature of the show, this isn’t a series-ruining factor. Bear in mind that the comedy is highly subjective, having the potential to be a huge hit or miss depending on your own mindset. If you are going to watch this, it’s best to digest it as a chill show and not let the jokes bother you much.

In the character department, the three Yakuza idols are likable overall; they feel like real people with comprehensive pasts, even though I occasionally mixed them up. Each has unique backstories and personality traits; the show even leaves room for their development.

The Gokudolls have a noticeable impact on all the supporting characters, but depending on your preferences, they may or may not be effective. Honorable mentions to the idols’ manager and Yazuka boss, though; they are irreplaceable components of the show that make it more enjoyable.

The remainder of the cast is primarily forgettable and average at best. But allow me to warn you about the eyesores: the Gokudolls fans! These people are constantly drooling over the Idols whom the Yazuka trio uses to impress everyone else. Meanwhile, one sad thing about Inugane is how he is kept at the mercy of his wife Natsuko's ideals, doing all sorts of things to bring down the Gokudolls. These characters embody wackiness and certain vulgarities, but that’s what the show wanted to do and succeeded in doing so.

The art and animation department could be better. There are way too many still shots and hordes of loud people almost everywhere. The animation is atrocious to the point that it was all intentional, from the excessively shaky camera use to the slideshow-like movement.

The art itself can be viewed as highly controversial, and whether you like the designs and artwork will heavily depend on how much you like the show itself. They did an excellent job with the main cast’s facial expressions on different occasions, which just goes well with the show's themes. Overall, the prominent aesthetics used here are an acquired taste, so you’ll either love or hate them.

The Sounds and Music department is reasonably good. The OSTs aren’t out of this world but are appropriate and fitting for this show. The opening themes are "Gokudoll Music" by Gokudolls Niji Gumi, performed by Airi, Mari, and Rika themselves, and "Gokudoll Music" by Gokudolls Kan Gumi, performed by Kentarou, Ryou, and Kazuhiko, both of which have excellent presentations.

The ending themes are "Hoshi no Katachi" by Gokudolls Niji Gumi, performed by Airi, Mari, and Rika, and "Hoshi no Katachi" by Gokudolls Kan Gumi, performed by Kentarou, Ryou, and Kazuhiko, both of which have a very Idol-ish vibe.

There are many insert songs made by the Gokudolls, courtesy of Inugane, that come off as overall weird but are strangely interesting, catchy, and funny in their own way. Once again, whether you’ll like these songs will significantly depend on your preferences. The voice acting is stellar, which is to be expected from the expert cast involved in this series.

So before I deliver my verdict, please consider the genres and themes of this series before even starting to watch it. Aside from that, the fan service is excessive; it appears to have no regard for its surroundings; those who are into that will enjoy it.

The comedy is a mixed bag, mainly revolving around the core concepts, which either make you chuckle or hate the whole series. There are some transphobic lines here and there as well, but it won’t ruin the experience if you can look past them. This show features idols, trans people, and Yakuza uniquely, and I applaud the creators for trying something so daring. But prepare for a bucketload of clichés that act as selling points, too!

Depending on your tastes, this anime could have you rolling on the floor laughing or utterly disgusted by its existence. If you have this twisted sense of humor, it’ll be like an underrated classic with a unique premise.

If I had to name shows similar to this, I'd point to Prison School and Detroit Metal City because these are just hilarious torture comedies. I totally understand how the sheer weirdness of this show will throw many off and even anger them. So, if you feel utterly irritated after watching around two episodes, it’s best to drop it then and there.

Back Street Girls: Gokudolls is a highly polarizing show that will always have its own dedicated fans and haters locked in a never-ending argument. On these grounds, I neither recommend nor condone this show. I will say this: if this type of comedy is okay with you, this will be an entertaining watch!