Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. Let’s talk about Hokkaido. The northernmost prefecture of Japan doesn’t get come up in a lot of discussions when people talk about visiting the country. A real shame, because despite its cold climate Hokkaido is in fact a beautiful area. It has excellent scenery, good food, nice people, great history and they got gals who are super adorable. Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable also known as just Hokkaido Gals is a romcom manga written by Kai Ikada from 2019-2024 on the Shonen Jump+ app. Often compared to My Dress-Up Darling, the series had a quiet run during its publication. Nobody said anything negative about it. It was tame, predictable at times, cute, and ended on a good note. At the start of 2024 Silver Link (Baka and Test) teamed up with the small studio Blade to make an anime based off the manga. This was the first anime I watched in 2024 and enjoyed it, so let’s see if it still holds up a year later. Let’s take a tour up north. This is Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable.
Opening and Ending Theme
I’ve talked about the opening and ending in my top 11 lists a few weeks ago, so you can get my full thoughts on them there. Overall, I think both songs were great and worth checking out. I still listen them when I go to the gym or when I’m just chilling at home.
Episodes 1-4
So the anime starts with our main character Tsubasa (who looks like the plainest MC ever) voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki (Shido from Date A Live) who has just arrived in Hokkaido and will be living with his dad who got transferred there in the middle of winter (not sure if he’s the bravest or dumbest man in Japan). Hoping to take in the sites and believing he’s not that far from his house, Tsubasa stupidly gets out of his taxi and instantly regrets it (It’s Hokkaido in the winter! It can get as low as -22 degrees out there. Not only that but the cities are very far apart from each other. Hokkaido is the biggest prefecture in Japan. It’s so big that they had to create subprefectures just to make sure everything is running properly). As he walks through the snow he comes across a gal named Fuyuki voiced by Ayane Sakura (Fiona from Spy x Family) waiting at the bus stop. The two hit it off right away (scene here: https://youtu.be/wyQaT-NlLgo?si=i-IwWPdSFwo_76XB, good. Good) and the next day in class they meet again and become classmates sitting by each other (shockingly, he’s not in the protag seat). After school, Tsubasa walks Fuyuki to the train stop and she invites him over to her house the next day (either this girl is very innocent or she knows what she’s doing). Tsubasa accepts the offer and goes to her house the next day where her parents are out and when her normal clothes get messy so she changes into looser clothing that shows a lot of skin and leaves her defenseless (scene here: https://youtu.be/qhN94twbIZQ?si=hPLkPb3f6Y3BQl56. Yeah, she knows what she’s doing. (Corbin): Can I use your restroom? (Nitsuj): Hell no! Never again. Last time you used my restroom the place was covered in snow and other stuff I don’t want to think about). They watch a movie where Fuyuki falls asleep and Tsubasa thinks the reason she lets her defenses down around him is because she doesn’t see him as a man. Once he takes his leave Fuyuki feels bad about what she did and chases after him to apologize and treat him to a snack at the supermarket.
In the first half of episode 2 Tsubasa hears about a snow festival and gets invited to go with Fuyuki (oh wow, usually it’s the guy asking the girl out. I guess the rules are different in Hokkaido). They have a good time and Tsubasa even saves Fuyuki from a fall (scene here: https://youtu.be/Nas06-ccEHE?si=qzwLX1DqZ4TrktOC. Good on ya kid! If she hasn’t fallen for you yet she has now). In the second half Fuyuki talks Tsubasa into allowing her to visit his home (I mean it only seems fair, she invited you to her house). On their way to his house they run into his grandma where at first Tsubasa is scared that granny will reject Fuyuki (oh please, what grandparent would reject her?) but Fuyuki manages to earn her favor by showing them a faster way home and pretty much seals the deal when granny sees how happy she makes Tsubasa.
Episode 3 sees Tsubasa and his class go skiing. Since he’s a noob his teacher allows him to self-study along with another student named Sayuri, a cool beauty who often does things by herself and doesn’t speak much to anyone else. Fuyuki would like to be friends with her but can’t seem to break Sayuri’s shell. Tsubasa on the other hand, has better luck. After accidentally seeing her wipe sweat from her body (Baron: Name your price for that towel. (Nitsuj): Good God, man) she opens to him. She reveals that she sweats easily and was embarrassed by what others would say so she would sit out during PE and this caused everyone to think she was a loner and wouldn’t approach her. In truth, the real Sayuri is a gamer and likes to talk to people (a girl after my own heart). After having lunch and playing games (scene here: https://youtu.be/ItJ0LFl6af0?si=fDdATXdmCxJhJk-z) the two go back out to ski where Tsubasa safely skis down a hill but Sayuri has trouble as she never learned how to stop. Luckily, Fuyuki is there and teaches her how to fall safely without hurting herself and this opens the door for the two to become friends.
Nothing much happens in episode 4. A blizzard has hit Hokkaido (this is pretty much their equivalent of a thunderstorm) and Tsubasa stupidly tries to go to school by walking (any sane person would stay at home or find a ride). Luckily, he gets saved by Fuyuki and her mom who drives them to school. The mom just like Fuyuki is a gyaru (doesn’t get much better than that) and even encourages Fuyuki’s relationship with Tsubasa (scene here: https://youtu.be/vYFmgiXaaxM?si=nYncHzEcwhF9OxtT). After school, Tsubasa goes to the mall with Fuyuki and Sayuri, and then at night when he calls up Fuyuki to ask her a question about homework, she decides to flirt with him while taking a bath (scene here: https://youtu.be/D1nqgztzWuw?si=PBSA86H29slNfU0r. Like I said, she knows what she’s doing).
Episodes 5-8
In episode 5 exams are right around the corner but the one thing on everyone’s mind is Valentine’s Day. Fuyuki usually goes all out and creates delicious treats for everyone and even Sayuri makes some chocolates as well for her two favorite people in the world. Tragedy strikes however when Fuyuki accidentally knocks over a carton of milk and ruins all of her treats. It’s too late to make more and Fuyuki has no choice but to buy the cheap store brand chocolate that nobody wants. Fuyuki tries to mask her sadness but she finally breaks in front of Tsubasa. He manages to cheer her up by playing a rendition of her favorite song on the piano (you can play the piano? Why haven’t you been using this talent more? Scene here: https://youtu.be/FR__rlJlQEw?si=WfT9nvZpVUk1Omzz) and then Sayuri comes to give them both chocolate.
It’s exam time in episode 6. In order to prepare for the exam Fuyuki invites Tsubasa and Sayuri to her house to study (just the three of them. Alone, in a house. With no adult supervision. I know I said this before, but she knows what she’s doing. By God there’s only so much a boy can take). They study late which causes Tsubasa to arrive home late upsetting his grandma. In the second half of the episode we meet Rena an upperclassman who is half-Japanese and takes an interest in Tsubasa despite her rather odd personality (scene here: https://youtu.be/D4Hj2COMr1I?si=nYDmiDvgwaGWlxG8, the boy is a magnet for gyarus). Tsubasa’s grandma feels that Tsubasa has been lacking focus as of lately (can you blame him?) and demands that he score in the top 10 on exams of she’ll send him back to Tokyo.
There’s not much to say about episodes 7-8 but some good things do happen. Tsubasa gets tutoring from Rena who is apparently the smartest girl in school. With her help Tsubasa scores in the top 3 of his grade (in your face granny! He lacks focus. You lack observation!) and has to go on a date with Rena in order to repay her (man, she joined the game late but is making all kinds of plays. In one episode she’s made more progress than Fuyuki and Sayuri combined). As the two walk the streets (Corbin: They do make a nice couple) Fuyuki’s mom sees them and tells Fuyuki what’s going (mama being the perfect wingwoman and trying to get that son-in-law. Scene here: https://youtu.be/tQHVRU2zZP0?si=vesiJJAGqLb3SsrQ). As Tsubasa and Rena go on their date, Fuyuki and Sayuri spy on them, where surprisingly Fuyuki isn’t really all that jealous. I mean she’s jealous but jealous over the fact that Tsubasa is so close to Rena. Rena opens up to Tsubasa about her worries about people recognizing all the effort she puts in and he assures her people see it because he’s one of them. Fuyuki and Sayuri get discovered where they too recognize all the hard work Rena does and they all become friends (scene here: https://youtu.be/pIFSm9R9-ok?si=YQMLYQIFjfTZmNUS). Fuyuki’s mom shows up and treats them all to a meal and when they head home Fuyuki makes Tsubasa promise to take her on a date exclusively.
Episodes 9-12
In episode 9 it’s White Day and Tsubasa gives his harem members some homemade snacks. The next day Tsubasa goes smelt fishing with Matsuo (his only male friend from school. And even then I think he has a bro-crush on Tsubasa). They run into Fuyuki who was fishing with her family and she shares a moment with Tsubasa (would you two just kiss already and date). After the fishing trip, Tsubasa catches a cold and becomes bed-ridden but receives a visit from Fuyuki and even a bottle of water from Rena.
It’s springtime in episode 10 and a new school year has begun. As Tsubasa walks to school with Fuyuki (date already!) she expresses her fears of being in a different class from Tsubasa but he assures her that won’t happen and even if it did he would still go see her (because he loves her). Luckily, they’re both in the same class this year along with Sayuri and even get picked to be the class representatives. Later on in the episode Sayuri and Tsubasa play an Animal Crossing game with a horror theme (Nintendo was too expensive).
In episode 11 Tsubasa and Fuyuki go on a date and have a good time. Just when it seems like Tsubasa is going to confess his feelings, Fuyuki drops the bomb and says she’s going away. Tsubasa inspired her to start thinking about her future seriously and plans to study abroad.
In the final episode Tsubasa and Fuyuki miss their bus back home (I know where this is going). They’re about an hour away so Tsubasa calls his dad who instead buys them a room believing that Tsubasa is hanging out with one of his guy friends (unknowingly became the best wingman in the anime). They don’t do anything and Fuyuki even sneaks out while Tsubasa sleeps. The next few days Tsubasa and Fuyuki don’t speak or see each other, but on the day of her departure, Tsubasa says he has to see her and races to the airport to say goodbye to her only to find out that she’ll be back in 2 weeks (give me back my suspenseful worrying). The anime ends with Fuyuki returning to class and greeting everyone.
Final Thoughts
And that was Hokkaido Gals. While not as good as My Dress-Up Darling I did enjoy watching this romcom. Tsubasa’s character can be bland at times but the girls are cute and the many sights and activities in Hokkaido were fun and beautiful to look at. One thing I do like is how this series makes it clear that Tsubasa and Fuyuki are going to hook up down the line. Yes, there are other girls in Tsubasa’s life who are interested in him and vice-versa but it’s clear as day that the one he wants to be with and holds above the others is Fuyuki and I don’t blame him. She’s cute, funny, caring, and someone you enjoy being around. You can just see the Marin comparison with her. They’re two characters who aren’t defined by stereotypes, enjoy living life to the fullest, and fell in love with bland-looking guys. The rest of the cast is the same. On the surface that seem like their characters are defined by they’re stereotypes, but in truth there’s actually more to their character than we originally thought. I think the main problem with this anime is that it does have some boring moments. They’re not bad but they’re not interesting either and can make the anime drag. The animation is decent. They do a good job showing the harsh climate of Hokkaido but also the beauty of it as well. Aside from the opening and ending theme the music leaves no impact on me.
Final Score
The final score for Hokkaido Gals is a 6/10. Not too big on laughs but still an enjoyable anime that delivers good romance with likable characters. If you like My Dress-Up Darling I think you’ll like this as well. I don’t know if a second season is coming but I am reading the manga and things do progress well for the characters. There is a part where it turns into an unnecessary soap opera but once that’s over it gets back to what everyone wanted to see so check it out when you get a chance. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.