About ...........♥
FAQs and other related information to the FL.

(1) What is a "Fanlisting"?

To quote from the TAFL website: "A fanlisting is a web clique that lists fans of a particular subject. Unlike most web cliques, a person does not need a web site in order to join. Fans from around the world submit their information to their approved fanlisting and they are then listed to show their love for the subject." Everyone can join a fanlisting.

And in case you want to apply for your own fanlisting(s), you might want to check out The Fanlistings and The Anime Fanlistings websites.

(2) About the characters.

Kotobuki Ran and Honda Mami are characters from the series, GALS! (manga) and Super Gals! Kotobuki Ran (anime), by Fujii Mihona.

Ran came from a family of police officers, and their dream is for her to continue in their footsteps. However, Ran has other important things to accomplish, such as having fun everyday with her friends, Yamazaki Miyu and Hoshino Aya, and being "the world's greatest gal". She considers Shibuya as her territory.

Mami, on the other hand, came from a rich and well-respected family. They expect her to be the best in everything ("everything" includes all manner of sports to hitting the watermelon game ._.). However, when all her "duties as a Honda" are done for the day, she heads for Ikebukuro (her territory) and hangs out with her friend, Kudoh Harue. She considers herself as the "world's greatest gal" and challenges anyone who thinks otherwise.

Both girls think that they are better than the other. They are always having a competition to judge whose better than whom (Mami is usually the one who starts). Their competitions range from Para Para dance-a-thon to all manners of physical combat.

Ran is voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi in the Japanese version. Mami's voice is by Aya Ishizu.

The following info are spoilers, but I'm including them here anyway :D

♥ By volume 5 (around episode 48 for the anime), Ran and Mami's rivalry status shifted into a friendly rivalry of sorts. Both girls agreed to accept each other as their "equal".
♥ By episode 29 of the anime, Mami falls in love with Asou Yuya. However, Yuya has feelings for Ran, and doesn't reciprocate Mami's feelings until episode 48. (Mami was aware of Yuya's feelings for Ran, and this made her jealous everytime. This was the cause for many of their rivalry matches.)
♥ Ran's boyfriend is Kuroi Tatsuki, and they make a cute "bakapple" ("baka couple") :3

(3) Why is this fanlisting named "better than you"?

Because Ran and Mami are always fighting over who is better than whom at something or everything XD

(4) What is "GALS!/Super Gals! Kotobuki Ran" all about? Is there a difference between the manga and the anime?

"Kogal" (also known as "gal") is a subculture in Japan. The main character of the series is Kotobuki Ran, the "world's greatest gal". She is always seen maintaining peace and order in Shibuya (her "territory") and living out her gal lifestyle. However, her parents have other plans for her -- they want Ran to continue their family tradition (they're all police officers). Both the anime and manga deals with the adventures of Ran and her friends.

As for the comparison between the anime and its manga -- there's not much difference, as far as I can tell. Episodes 1-9 followed closely the stories in volumes 1 and 2. However, as I only have two volumes of the manga at the moment, I cannot make a full comparison yet.

There are other informative sites out there who can enlighten you about this matter:

- The Anime News Network entries on GALS! and Super Gals! Kotobuki Ran has complete information on its seiyuu, publishing companies, news, episode titles, etc~.
- You can also read the Wikipedia entry. It pretty much covers almost everything there is to know about the series.

Much credit goes to the above sites. I cross-checked most of what I know with their entries for accuracy.

(5) Are there any differences between the original manga and CMX Manga's version?

Again, unfortunately, I am in no position (yet) to compare them. For one thing, I haven't bought any copy of the original Japanese publication. Another is that, I only have two volumes of the English-translated version. Once I have a copy of each, I will edit this section and write notes about its similarities and differences.

(6) How can I have my own copy of the series?

(Manga) The English-translated version of the manga is licensed by CMX Manga. There are 10 volumes for the series. According to their release calendar, Volume 9 will be available in stores on February 21, 2007.

You can also visit other online sources, such as JPQueen and AnimeNation.

(Anime) The first season (episodes 1-26) has been licensed by ADV Films. The second season (episodes 27-52) has been licensed by The Right Stuf International. During the Anime Expo 2006, they announced that they will release a boxset of the second season on December 1, 2006.


Disclaimers ...........♥

Lay out and content © 2006-2009 by Fall Yuy. Listed at TAFL since 28 August 2006. GALS!/Super GALS! Kotobuki Ran is © Fujii Mihona, Shueisha, Studio Pierrot, CMX Manga, ADV Films, The Right Stuf International, and associates. This is a non-profit fan site.

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