Gabriel DropOut

 

Gabriel DropOut is one of those shows to make your brain go to standby mode. The stories are pretty self-contained and you could watch every episode in any order you like. You have a beach episode, a new year episode, a few school episodes, some dedicated to a particular character and so on, take your pick

Gabriel is an angel that goes to Earth but instead of learning more about humans get lost in an endless session of gaming, slacking and eating crap. Vignette, a very nice demon tries to help her in anyway she can but Gabu is quite a slacker. Satania just wants to beat every angel she meets and acts as the more comedic part of the group. Raphiel is just there to see the world burn and enjoys every second of it.

It's interesting to notice how there are quite a few shows where you have a slacker, hopeless character that is actually very well adjusted. Same happens on Himouto!. You have a character that cares about nothing but ramen and gaming, and yet has friends, a job and goes pretty well in school. Of course this is entertainment and not a critical assessment of anything, but I like how the industry want to depict NEETs and hikikomori people but don't want to follow any of the consequences. Nothing wrong with that though, serious. It's all fantasy, besides, one should NOT be thinking about this, it's a show to make your brain stantby.

It's fun, colorful, silly. I really enjoyed all the characters and most of the situations they find themselves in. Endearing and soothing. 大西さん does a great job playing Vignette here, easily my favorite character. The manga is still ongoing, I might check that out, too.