English Dub Review: Kenka Bancho Otome -Girl Beats Boys “Fight in the Rain”

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Kenka Bancho Otome -Girl Beats Boys episode “The Supremely Stoic Punk” culminated with Konparu, a stoic punk, finally issuing a challenge to fight Hinako. In the previous episode, Hinako saved Konparu’s younger brother. However, “Fight in the Rain” reveals that Konparu didn’t exactly issue the challenge. Instead, it’s a twist where the two have been set up.

A group of fellow students kidnapped Konparu’s younger sibling, framing Hinako for the deed. As such, Konparu is livid. But while Hinako and Konparu battle, Totomaru saves the brother and proves that Hinako was not involved in the kidnapping.

I enjoyed the quick pace and the way Hinako and Totomaru collaborated to prove Hinako’s innocence in the kidnapping affair. Additionally, the continued narrative structure of story arc with interview-style segments is really neat. It’s the first time I’ve seen a such a dynamic in an anime series.

However, the stinted episode length really provides a disadvantage. It’s tough to gain much momentum with a mere 8 minutes. Plus, the music is rather overpowering in its metal-tinged abrasiveness. At times the story progresses too quickly. Konparu goes from fighting Hinako to proclaiming her head of the first years in a matter of seconds. This lends a rushed, disjointed feeling.

Still, I like the addition of Konparu to the series and look forward to his character’s evolution. Additionally, Konparu’s younger brother keeps calling Hinako the “cute boy” so I wonder if it’s he who will out Hinako as a female. Overall, an engaging, albeit rough around the edges, episode.