English Dub Review: Kenka Bancho Otome -Girl Beats Boys “The Road to Conquering Shishiku”

Let’s conquer this review.

Kenka Bancho Otome -Girl Beats Boys opened with “One Fist.” The intro episode shows Hinako, a girl, disguised as a boy at all male Shishiku Academy. At Shishiku, the opening ceremony is essentially a massive free-for-all fight. A few flashbacks recounted how Hinako ended up at Shishiku. “The Road to Conquering Shishiku” further explains the scenario.

Hinako ran into a boy who looked similar to her, accidentally giving him a compound fracture. So he suggests she go in his stead to the academy. But disguised as him. Moreover, the boy, Hikaru switches and goes to her school. There’s another twist: Hikaru is the second son of the Onigashima family. This means that Hikaru, or in this case Hinako masquerading as Hikaru, is obliged to rise to the top of the Shishiku academy.

I like how Totomaru, the boy Hikaru (er…Hinako) beat in “One Fist” reluctantly praises Hikaru for the victory. He proceeds to admit his respect as well as offer his allegiance as right hand man. “We’re bros now,” Totomaru explains. He seems like an honest, upfront character that’s poised for hilarity.

While I enjoyed “One Fist,” the short run time infused a disjointed feel. However, “The Road to Conquering Shishiku” is evenly paced and quite delightful. I’m excited to learn how Hikaru rises to the top as well as witness the obstacles faced. I suspect many of these challenges will be less in the ring, and more from attempting to conceal identities.