Good Luck Girl!
13 Episodes
2012
Alternate Title
Binbōgami Ga!
Genre
Comedy; Supernatural; Action; Drama
Synopsis
Ichiko Sakura is easily the most fortunate person on the planet; she’s pretty, loaded, athletic and academic – not to mention she has a huge rack! There’s a reason for this extravagant level of so-called ‘Happiness Energy’, though: she’s unintentionally draining it from others, causing misfortune for those close to her. Not that our stuck-up heroine has anyone close to her, besides her butler! However, her perfect life is threatened when sadistic Poverty God Momiji and her masochistic minion show up with the mission to restore the energy balance. Unfortunately for Ichiko, the only person ready to join forces with her is a perverted monk. Can she grow a heart in time and learn to share her happiness or will Momiji leave her with the dreadful future she promises?
Content Advisory
This is not a comprehensive list of every individual use of strong content, merely a guide to show you how extreme it gets and how strong it tends to be. Also, the tags I’ve given each segment (e.g. Very Strong Language) is based on my own system and does not necessarily reflect the tags the BBFC (or other national equivalent) use. According to my system, the ‘Mild’, ‘Moderate’, ‘Strong’ and ‘Very Strong’ adjectives are based on strength, not on volume. Now, obviously, the strength of any type of content is subjective; what I consider strong might just be a relaxing weekend for you. Hence, I have added an explanation for my decision to allow you to make your own informed decision.
Please also note that the ‘colourful’ language I am referring to here is based on FUNimation’s English Dub. The Japanese Dub may (and probably does) differ.
One Use of Strong Language
One use of the word ‘Shit’ in the preview for an episode.
Generally Mild Language, though some references to stronger language exist (e.g. Momiji’s line of ‘Effed in the A with a whole bag of Ds’)
Moderate Sex References
Lots of references to/depictions of perversion and BDSM (Bondage Domination Sadism Masochism). All are depicted with the intention of comedy.
Two characters sing a song about breasts in a late episode.
Moderate Violence
A few (subjectively) epic fight scenes are scattered throughout the series. There is very little blood, most of which is played for comic effect.
Mild Sexualised Nudity
A fair share of male and female nudity. However, no genitalia or nipple detail is depicted. The show occasionally shows side-boob or buttocks, but no further detail is ever present. Most of it is played off for comedy.
Mild Horror
Some scenes of zombie samurai and a few scenes depicting Momiji’s spooky entrances. These are either used comically or offset immediately by comedy.
Suicide Themes
One brief scene in the first episode depicts a goddess hanging from the ceiling by a noose. However, it should be noted that this is merely her shocking entrance and that she does not die or even suffer from this. This scene is referenced again at the end of the series.
Reasons to Watch
This is the difficult part. I don’t want you to see this entry as an oversized ‘DON’T WATCH THIS’ post. Equally, I don’t want to influence your opinion with a biased review – there’s a reason this website is called ‘Anime Insights’ and not ‘Anime Reviews’! In this section, I’m going to try to convey to you some of the reasons (in no particular order) that I’ve seen this series’ fans give for enjoying it!
Director Yoichi Fujita displays a (subjectively) good balance between comedy and drama. Perhaps learned from his work on the multi-hundred-episode series ‘Gintama’, which was also praised for its balance!
A heroine with praised character development as she learns to become less stuck-up.
For veteran fans or fans of more mainstream anime, there are lots of parodies of popular anime featured throughout. For new fans, this show may become funnier as you watch more anime, so it might get better with each re-watch.
Barrier of Entry
May be too high energy for some viewers.
While it isn’t crucial that you understand the parody (it’s usually just quotes, outfits and artstyles), not understanding them may be more confusing to watch.
The deliberate initial unlikableness of Ichiko may put some viewers off.
Music
Opening Themes
Make My Day by Piko (Ep. 1-12)
Love Riot by HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Ep. 13)
Ending Themes
Love Riot by HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Ep. 1-12)
Make My Day by Piko (Ep. 13)
Hardcopy Notes
It can be hard to find a UK version of this series (and I’m not even sure it exists in UK Blu-Ray) but the American combo-pack is a fine substitute for Blu-Ray buyers (i.e. the American version is region A | B, so it can play on UK Blu-Ray players).
For the DVD buyers, as long as you have a multi-region DVD player or a player that can play region 1 NTSC, you’ll be fine with the combo-pack, too. If you have a computer with a DVD drive, it doesn’t take much to find legitimate free software that will let you play region 1 NTSC.
Special Features are available on both the DVD and Blu-Ray, including three English Dub commentaries (one of which is a video commentary).
Staff List
Animation Production: SUNRISE
Director: Yōichi Fujita
ADR Director: Joel McDonald
Series Composition: Kento Shimoyama
ADR Script: Jamie Marchi (Ep. 1-13), Leah Clark (Ep. 3, 8, 11) & Samuel Wooley (Ep. 7, 10)
Music: Masashi Hamauzu
Original Creator & Original Character Design: Yoshiaki Sukeno
Animation Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Kenji Tanabe
Art Director: Yukihiro Shibutani
Lead Voice Actors
Kana Hanazawa as Ichiko Sakura
Yumi Uchiyama as Momiji
Lead Voice Actors (FUNimation)
Brina Palencia as Ichiko Sakura
Colleen Clinkenbeard as Momiji