Yuri Manga: Otome Kikan Gretel, Volume 1

April 1st, 2009

My sincere apologies for my recent silence. This week has just been like that. I’ll probably have to resort to guest reviews for the next few days but, I’m going to pound at least one review out this week, so I don’t feel as if I’ve abandoned you all.

Of the series currently running in Yuri Hime S, there are about two I really like. “Really like” as defined by “I will spend money on this series.” One of them is “Otome-iro Stay Tuned,” by Fujieda Miyabi. No surprise there. The second, for no real reason that I can pinpoint, is Otome Kikan Gretel (オトメキカングレーテル).

As Volume 1 opens, it is the near future. Because of an infestation/invasion by the Formica, horrible little bugs that turn into great big beasties, sugar is forbidden. At a girl’s school this is far worse than a curfew. Still, Mikoshima Yuu looks forward to her beautiful school days at St. Millefeuille Girl’s School. I presume the name is meant to be ironic.

And irony is exactly what awaits poor Yuu, as she is scooped up by beautiful Nagi, then almost immediately seduced into a kiss. Yuu is not objecting, mind you, it’s just all going very quickly – when they are attacked by a Formica. Yuu surprises everyone, not least herself, when she drops the gargantuan attacker like it’s a fruit fly.

And so, Yuu’s dream beautiful days of life and possibly love at school become a comedic nightmare.

Not only is she paired with highly sexualized Nagi, she has been teamed with truculent Mari, whose powers are really pretty impressive, but she’s too passive-agressive to really be likable. Yuu faces trials and tribulations designed to bond the three of them as a team, explore the scope of her power and throw her into endless service-filled situations. Like, in order to activate Yuu’s power, she has to deep kiss Nagi or Mari and in order to bond them together, Yuu, Mari and Nagi share a futon. zOMG.

It’s not like this book is genius or anything. It’s stupid, when you think about it. And it’s full of the usual service – big breasts perched uncertainly in bras and clothes too small for them, panty shots, sloppy kisses, etc., etc. But, I dunno, for some reason I like this one.

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Yuri – 7
Service – 7

Overall – 8

No rhyme or reason to my likes and dislikes, is there? How maddening for you. lol

9 Responses

  1. DezoPenguin says:

    I think my favorite part of Gretel, in addition to the way it glories in the sheer absurdity of it all, is how Yuu enjoys being the object of all the fanservicey scenes so much, whether it’s a nosebleed at the sight of Nagi’s bare breasts or demanding a kiss as payment when Mariya sneaks their homemade pudding. Besides, you have to admit it’s a perfect manga to review on April Fool’s Day!

  2. Mara says:

    “No rhyme or reason to my likes and dislikes, is there? How maddening for you. lol”

    Hardly, especially with such a fun series as this.

    The valentines day chapter will be bonkers though…

  3. Anonymous says:

    It’s as Dezo said. The fact that Yuu is very into all the Yuri stuff that’s happening to her is what makes it great. ^_^

  4. George R says:

    “Of the series currently running in Yuri Hime S,…is `Ame-iro Kouchakan Kandan,'”

    Now I’m confused. I thought it was running in plain Yuri Hime not Yuri Hime S. Regardless, I quite enjoy the quiet adventures of Sarasa and Seriho.

    This was definitely a fun review for April 1.

  5. @George – You correct. the mistake was mine. I meant “Otome-iro Stay Tuned”. I have corrected the text, as well. Thanks for catching that.

  6. Motormind says:

    Haha, this is one silly series indeed, but I love its cheerful zaniness. Especially all those girls going “kyaaaa!” whenever Mari and Yuu kiss cracks me up every time. It beats angst-ridden Yuri any time.

  7. Katherine says:

    I like this series a lot too. ^^;; It is a silly action series with a ridiculous plot, but that’s what makes it fun. XD (Plus, the Yuri is win.)

  8. Anonymous says:

    I have to disagree… I think Mariya is a likable character. I’m actually hoping that her and Yuu become an item.

  9. For some reason, when they shout out their attack names, it echoes in my head.

    “CYCLOOOONNNE PUNISHERRR!”

    Something like that.

    No worries. It’s kinda crap, but it knows it’s crap and it happens to be very fun crap as well.

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