B Gata H Kei (Japanese: B型H系, Hepburn: B-gata H-kei) is a Japanese romantic comedy manga series written and illustrated by Yōko Gushiken. The title translates loosely to “Type B H-Condition,” a play on the Japanese school grading system (type B) and a reference to a colloquial term for a person with strong sexual desire (H = ecchi).
Publication
- The manga was serialized in the shōjo manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from 2003 to 2009.
- Ten tankōbon volumes were released by Shueisha between 2005 and 2009.
Anime adaptation
- An anime television series produced by GONZO aired in Japan from January to March 2009, comprising 12 episodes.
- The series was directed by Makoto Moriwaki and featured music by Kōtarō Nakagawa.
Synopsis
The story follows Yamada Yamada (pronounced “Yamada Yamada”), a high‑school girl who publicly declares her goal of having sexual relations with 100 different partners, believing this will make her a “woman of the world.” Despite her outspoken ambitions, she is inexperienced and often nervous, leading to comedic situations as she navigates friendships, romance, and personal growth.
Main characters
- Yamada Yamada – The protagonist; a student who combines a confident public persona with private insecurity.
- Kurosawa Akiho – Yamada’s classmate and eventual love interest, characterized by his calm demeanor and hidden affection for Yamada.
- Matsukawa Kōji – A friend of Yamada who provides comedic support and occasional romantic rivalry.
Reception
- The manga was noted for its blend of slap‑slap comedy and slice‑of‑life elements, attracting a readership interested in romantic comedy with ecchi themes.
- The anime adaptation received mixed reviews: praise for its character designs and humor, but criticism for pacing and reliance on sexual innuendo.
Cultural impact
- B Gata H Kei contributed to the mid‑2000s trend of manga and anime focusing on high‑school romance with overt sexual themes, influencing later series that explore similar premises.
Availability
- The manga has been licensed in several regions, including an English translation published by Tokyopop (later re‑issued by other publishers).
- The anime has been released on DVD and digital platforms in Japan and internationally, with subtitles in multiple languages.
References
- Gushiken, Yōko. B Gata H Kei (tankōbon volumes 1–10). Shueisha, 2005–2009.
- “B Gata H Kei.” Anime News Network Encyclopedia, https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=9975.
- “B型H系.” Japanese Wikipedia, https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/B型H系.
