And You Thought There is Never a Girl Online? – A Unique Take on Gamer Culture
Overview of the Anime
Title: And You Thought There is Never a Girl Online?
Genre: Online Game, Comedy, Romance, Ecchi, School
Episodes: 12
Release Date: May 5, 2018 (Australia)
Languages Available: English 5.1, Japanese 2.0
Subtitles: English subtitles
Format: DVD and Blu-ray (2 discs each)
Total Runtime: Approximately 300 minutes (24 minutes per episode)
Distributor: Madman Entertainment
Special Features Include:
- Episode commentaries
- Promo videos
- Music video for “1st Love Story”
- Textless opening and closing songs (Blu-ray only)
Plot Summary
In the MMORPG Legendary Age, we follow Hideki Nishimura—known as Rusian in-game—who receives an unexpected marriage proposal from his guild mate Ako. As part of the Alley Cats guild alongside players Schwein and Apricot, Hideki navigates both virtual adventures and real-life challenges. In reality, he’s a high school student who embraces his otaku lifestyle but struggles with trust issues stemming from past experiences in gaming.
The Characters
Hideki Nishimura
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Japanese); Dallas Reid (English)
Hideki is our main protagonist—a first-year high school student who plays as Rusian in Legendary Age. His reluctance to trust girls stems from a previous rejection by Nekohime—a character he proposed to who turned out to be male. Despite his social awkwardness around women, he openly discusses his gaming life with friends.
Ako Tamaki
Voiced by: Rina Hidaka (Japanese); Trina Nishimura (English)
Ako is Hideki’s in-game wife and classmate who struggles with her addiction to gaming. Her inability to separate game life from reality leads her into humorous yet troubling situations at school.
Akane Segawa
Voiced by: Inori Minase (Japanese); Jad Saxton (English)
Akane appears as an anti-otaku but secretly enjoys gaming under the alias Schwein. Her duality adds depth to her character as she balances popularity at school with her passion for games.
Kyō Goshōin
Voiced by: M·A·O (Japanese); Mallorie Rodak (English)
The student council president and leader of the Alley Cats guild; Kyō uses her wealth wisely within the game while struggling socially outside it due to family pressures.
Themes Explored
And You Thought There is Never a Girl Online? delves into themes such as friendship through gaming and personal growth amidst challenges faced both online and offline. While it starts strong with character development focused on Ako’s anxiety issues related to social interactions, these themes often take a backseat as plotlines shift towards gameplay rather than personal resolution.
Strengths of the Series
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Character Depth: The characters are relatable with their flaws that resonate well within gamer culture.
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Humor & Fan Service: The series successfully blends comedy with light-hearted fan service that keeps viewers entertained.
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Positive Representation: Unlike many portrayals of gamers being isolated or socially inept loners, this anime showcases characters engaging actively both online and offline.
Areas for Improvement
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Underdeveloped Character Arcs: Many character issues are resolved too quickly or ignored entirely throughout episodes.
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Pacing Issues: A longer series could have allowed deeper exploration into each character’s journey beyond just their roles in-game.
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Focus Shift Problems: The narrative often shifts focus away from personal growth towards gameplay mechanics which detracts from emotional engagement.
### Conclusion
And You Thought There is Never a Girl Online? stands out among anime centered around gamer culture due to its unique blend of humor, romance, and relatable characters navigating their lives through video games while also dealing with real-world challenges like anxiety and trust issues among peers.
While it has its flaws—particularly regarding pacing and depth—it remains an enjoyable watch that offers positive insights into gamer lifestyles without resorting solely to stereotypes or clichés prevalent in other media representations today.
For those looking for an entertaining mix of comedy intertwined with heartfelt moments about friendship forged through shared interests like gaming—this anime deserves your attention!