Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!? Review: Cute Cast, Thin Plot

Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!?

We all have different forms of media we love more than others, regardless of the consensus. It can be something super popular that everyone is hyped about, something so niche that few know it exists, something widely disliked, and so on. Regardless, it is normal to want to find others who share your mindset and maybe even offer some much-needed reassurance, while also hearing differing opinions, because fandoms aren’t meant to be lonely.

“Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!?” also known as “Otaku ni Yasashii Gal wa Inai!?” or simply “OtaGal,” is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired from Apr 8 until Jun 24 in spring 2026. It was produced by TV Asahi, Half H.P Studio, Coamix, ADK Emotions, and BS Asahi and brought to life by studio TMS Entertainment. The main staff behind it includes Matsui Yuuko, Kanokoda Yuuya, Sawada Airi, and Nishimura Masayuki as producers. Featuring the genres of comedy and romance, alongside the themes of otaku culture and school, the series is targeted at the Seinen demographic. Each episode is 23 minutes long, has earned a PG-13 rating for viewers 13 years or older, and airs on TV Asahi’s IMAnimation W block.

The anime is based on the manga series of the same title, created by author Norishiro-chan and artist Uozumi Sakana. It began publication on Aug 25, 2021, and is still ongoing, getting serialized in Comic Zenon. It has even been published in English via Yen Press since Nov 4, 2025.

The story centers around Takuya Seo, a high school student who considers himself far above the average everyday Otaku. Why? Because he is an unyielding connoisseur of a series titled “Glittermon,” a very niche anime that typically targets young audiences. Having experienced bullying in the past for his unconventional interests, he chooses to conceal it from ordinary folk who would not understand. Still, this decision doesn’t mean he can stop himself from raving about the things that excite him before he manages to catch himself. One fateful day, a minor misunderstanding leads Seo to mention Glittermon in front of Kotoko Ijichi, a female gyaru classmate, and it unexpectedly catches the attention of her best friend, Kei Amane, who seems familiar with the series. Seo is expected to be dismissed on the spot, but Amane somehow drags Ijichi into the conversation and keeps it going to his pleasant surprise. Now that he has found a special connection with two of his classmates, Seo is left utterly flabbergasted, as he never even dreamed that girls like them would be kind to someone like him…

The story department is as simple as the synopsis makes it sound, focusing the screen time on the main trio’s misadventures across school, homes, or anywhere outdoors each day. There is real effort put into offering a colorful range of fun activities to keep audiences entertained, like group karaoke sessions, slumber parties, school events and festivals, and, of course, the obligatory beach episode serving up a plate of fan service. The main objective of these events is for the main cast to bond and build their entertaining dynamic. Their personalities are very different, so opportunities like these are essential for them to really connect and develop together.

The series is a lighthearted tale focused more on humor, so don’t expect complex relationships, big dramatic moments, or tear-jerkers, since none of the characters have tragic or dark backstories. But the lack of a proper plotline or overarching story makes it difficult to stay with this series at first, and it uses several concepts that are saturating the industry these days. Takuya, on his own, is not a particularly remarkable MC; in fact, you can find hundreds of high schoolers with “hidden” interests like his who struggle to fit in in anime. While he floats around in his dreamworld, the two girls genuinely try to be his friends without any ulterior motives. Once together, though, these three are exceptionally entertaining to watch, and it becomes clear they can become something more. But like most male MCs, this man is as dense as liquid mercury, effectively blocking the proper buildup of a love triangle…

I’ve already touched upon the character department, but not expanding on Ijichi and Amane is a crime. While Takuya remains extremely awkward, at times to the point of irritation, Kei Amane and Kotoko Ijichi represent polar-opposite personalities who get along absurdly well. While Amane is the quiet, reserved, and mature type, Ichiji is the cheerful extrovert who does not hesitate to speak exactly what’s on her mind. I honestly loved how they show that being closet otakus brings such different people together. Of course, not everyone knows this secret, but it fuels their chemistry and connections. These two girls are clearly out of Takuya’s league, but we see how they naturally grow fond of him as the series slowly tries to enter RomCom territory and doesn’t get far. As for the supporting cast, there are only a handful, and they do a decent job of facilitating the situations the main trio ends up in, but the only ones worth bringing up are Amane and Ijichi’s siblings.

The art and animation department is surprisingly strong overall; I didn’t expect animation of this level from a high school RomCom series that focuses mostly on slice-of-life elements. What stood out to me is the use of visual storytelling and character development, especially during the first few episodes. There are an astounding number of visual metaphors, lighting, camera angles, and compositions used to convey various emotions, moods, auras, and atmospheres without having to spell them out for the audience through dialogue. It also gets creative with visual framing, making some scenes look and feel like panels extracted straight from the Manga without diminishing the animation’s value. Sadly, after around episode 3, this visual identity is reigned in heavily, as if the higher-ups suddenly began forcing rules and restrictions on the creators. It fails to experiment and relies on the same tired visual tactics we have seen countless times. The change meant that scenes that could’ve easily been impactful, unique, memorable, and meaningful lost their luster.

The sounds and music, like the visuals, start strong but finish poorly. By the final episode, it was grating on the ears almost as if the whole team had given up too. The OSTs are decent enough on their own and matched the atmosphere just fine, but the real and only highlight here is the opening theme: “HIDE AND SEEK” by i-dle. This is one chic banger theme accompanied by vibrant visuals of the two girls just vibing and dancing, worth every second with a high chance of making it into your playlist, so I highly recommend checking it out. The ending themes are “Isshou Nakako” by sunsoogirl and “Plastic Love” by Kotoko Ijichi, which Yuu Serizawa sings; neither is particularly special, aside from being slow exits from each episode. The voice acting is great for the main trio, really showcasing their fun dynamics and the bonds they develop from the start to the middle, while everyone else is just okay.

Overall, “Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!?” gets a rather mediocre score from me. It is basic, and there’s no real story here, but the characters and their interactions are great to watch, especially in terms of development. Of course, if you’re feeling a bit worn out after a long day, it’s pretty entertaining to watch this trio of goofballs do their otaku things, and that’s all the show is. The romance element is weak (“More than a Married Couple” offers a stronger romance story), and the comedy is just okay, so it’s all about letting yourself have fun with this watch and letting the characters squeeze into your heart with their unique charms. I do not strongly recommend it, but it’s a pretty decent watch if you take it at surface value.

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