I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me 1 is a decent manga. However, the unique viewpoint of a professional girl gamer training the boy leaves possibilities for unforeseen storytelling.
I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me 1 is ecchi as all get out. However, there is a story underneath panels of cleavage and cheek blush. In fact, it’s a story about a boy receiving lessons on gaming from a girl who is a pro gamer. Using familiar game terminology helps the story capture the attention of readers. While it’s too heavy on fanservice and needs to focus more on building a compelling story, I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me 1 starts with a promising premise that hopefully does not devolve into ecchi harem manga.
Created by Geshumaro, the manga begins with loner Raito Sasaki narrating his passion for gaming. Translated by Ko Ransom and lettered by Ivo Marques, the Yen Press manga demonstrates that girls game, too. Not only do they game, but their skills rival that of boys. But often, the assumption is that professional players are men and boys. Hence, Raito does not expect his coach, Rion Suzuki, to be a girl. So begins his gaming lessons.
I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me 1 Has Realistic Coaching Lessons
Using phrases like “br” (battle royale) and “third-party,” the manga paints a realistic portrayal of the game types and struggles that gamers face. Third-party situations are frustrating for many players in free-for-all battle royale games. As Rion teaches Raito, identifying and playing to his strengths is the key. Still, as a hetero teenage boy, having a girl in his room who is as stunning as Rion means it takes some time for him to settle down and focus on the lesson. I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me 1 paints a realistic picture of gaming lessons and the toxic gaming world.
Toxic Gamers Who Hate Girls Who Game
As many believe games, especially FPS (first-person shooters), are specific to gender, Rion is not welcome because she is a girl. Often, win or lose a match; it does not matter. If a girl loses, it’s because she’s a girl. But if she wins, it’s also because she’s a girl. The series introduces this experience by showing an insulting message Rion receives from a teammate in her match.
As I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me 1 takes pains to show this at the outset; hopefully, they take time to give this aspect more attention in the future. They can showcase how Rion navigates it and how Raito does. However, it’s possible the story only brought it up so Raito could demonstrate the cliched “I’m not like other guys” attitude. If it’s just to endear Raito to readers, it’s a missed opportunity to expand beyond standard fanservice harems.
I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me 1 is a decent manga. However, the unique viewpoint of a professional girl gamer training the boy leaves possibilities for unforeseen storytelling. The issue with the ecchi moments is most feel present without purpose. On the other hand, an engaging story goes further because the rest is typical for almost every other manga. Despite the premise’s potential, I Want a Gal Gamer to Praise Me 1 bogs itself down in pandering.
