First Glance: B Gata H Kei

B Gata H Kei (localized as "Yamada's First Time" because it's hard to translate such an intricate pun) is about a sophomore1. Yamada looks good and feels good, and has decided that in high school she is going to sleep with 100 guys. (Why? Affirmation and pleasure! Why not?!) The problem is that she's a virgin and, like so many unfortunately are, she's not comfortable with her own vulva. Inexperienced and ashamed of her own inexperience (you're 15!), she decides that her first time should be with a similarly inexperienced boy. She finds a guy who matches her profile and sets about trying to seduce him. She's comically bad at it, and B Gata H Kei is a comedy of errors in which Yamada and her target flail about like the children they are. Will they ever get past "B" to "C" ?!

If this were a full review, I'd tell you about how cool it is that this is adapted from a semi-autobiographical work. I'd mention that the production team received threats for putting sex-positive content on TV. I might even admit that I'd basically forgotten this show existed until I started hearing socialists praising itβ€”and then I'd explain how I went back to rewatch the whole thing and fell in love.

But this isn't a full review! It's a First Glance and so I am limited to saying things like, "the production isn't particularly great, but there're no eyesores," or, "the comedy is going to be hit or miss." The whole thing errs on the side of silly, with not insignificant amounts of fanservice. Characters are displayed in the opening animation labeled by cup size. The first episode is entertaining, but it certainly walks the line between endearing and cringe-worthy.

Recommend: Sure.

Rewatch Disclaimer: I watched this show when it aired in 2010, but I remembered very little about it.