Written by Daniel
A nerd from day one, who will talk about his love for fiction and printed stories for hours!
Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games Will Be the Next Comedy and Girls Love Hit!
A few weeks ago, Pride Month was getting closer. For me, this month means not only celebrating and educating myself, but also engaging more with LGBTQIA+-focused stories. Whether it's a manga, a comic, or even a video game – give me a great story and I’m sold!
To my surprise, when I started looking for manga to read this month, I realized how little I knew about the Girls Love genre. I had to change that – and the timing was perfect! Just a few days earlier, a new anime trailer had been released…
This anime focuses on young women who play hardcore fighting games – how awesome is that? I’m all in for breaking stereotypes about women and gaming, and I love fighting games!
But waiting isn’t my thing. So I went straight to the manga!
Dear reader, I present to you my new obsession: Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games!
What is Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games about?
Aya is new at Kuromi Girls’ Academy, one of the finest and most elegant schools there is.
The school has strict and high expectations for its students, who are expected to display the most perfect behavior possible. While most of the other students are used to these high standards, Aya got into the school through a scholarship and isn’t used to this level of expectation. Nonetheless, Aya wants to fit in and sees Shirayuri – a popular fellow student who seems just perfect – as her idol in becoming a perfect young lady.
However, one day after school, Aya finds out that Shirayuri is hiding a dark secret: she’s a gamer. BOM BOM BOOOOOM!
Not only does she stomp her opponents with incredibly fast combos, but she also trash-talks them afterwards – she is the ultimate personification of the rage a fighting game brings out, and the complete opposite of what Aya thought she was!
Now that Aya knows Shirayuri’s secret, a bond begins to form.
Will this bond break the conservative views the school instills in its students?
And will it perhaps lead to more than just gaming buddies?
You can find all the answers to these questions in the 7 published volumes – with more on the way – right here:
- Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Vol. 1
- Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Vol. 2
- Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Vol. 3
- Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Vol. 4
- Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Vol. 5
- Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Vol. 6
- Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Vol. 7
Breaking Stereotypes with Combos and Comedy!
This manga is really something special in so many ways. It took my heart by storm in just a few chapters, and I think it could do the same for many other readers. Heck, I’ll just go ahead and say it: with the anime release coming soon, this manga could be the next big comedy hit! Let me combo you with some arguments!
Reason #1: It Is Incredibly Funny!
This over-the-top comedy manga is one of the funniest stories I have ever read. It's full of silly jokes and unexpected moments, and it constantly breaks immersion by shattering expectations. Oh, you want to hear a tragic backstory about why a character had to give up gaming? Nope – time to fight!
Reason #2: The story is a satire that still manages to show how wrong some stereotypes and expectations are
Although the story primarily focuses on funny moments, the comedy serves a purpose that can be overlooked if one isn't paying attention. It's a strong critique of the expectations young women still face today. Even though media and real life increasingly show us independent and powerful women, there are still moments that remind us emancipation is not yet complete.
For some people, there is still an expectation that women must be quiet, calm, composed, smart, and always nice. Traits like rage, passion, and strength are often reserved for those associated with the male gender. As a result, it's socially accepted when a man rages with passion over a video game, but it might shock some if a woman did the same. And although some may argue that the traits associated with women are positively connoted, they are still stereotypes – whether positive or negative!
That’s where the two main characters of this manga come into play (no pun intended). They rage, they curse, and they go wild on their controllers. This portrayal provokes a reaction in those who still think in stereotypes, while also empowering women to show real passion – regardless of whether it fits some people’s view of how women should be.
And although this is impressive and deep storytelling on its own, the story doesn’t shy away from addressing issues like gaming addiction as well.
Reason #3: The gaming world is really well written!
If a story wants to focus on a specific hobby, the reader must feel immersed. People who have never experienced that hobby need to be able to follow, and veterans need to feel seen.
Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games does both really well, in my opinion. I’ve been a gamer since day one, so my perception might be a bit biased, but I feel like this story represents the world of competitive gaming well – for both noobs and veterans.
While I don’t rage like the main characters, I do know that gaming can bring up a lot of emotions – so in that regard, I think the gaming community is portrayed accurately.
Also, whenever we see a character play a game, it feels like the real deal – with a bit of typical exaggerated manga flair for speed and power. This story really is how a manga about the competitive gaming scene is supposed to be.
Reason #4: It’s a really cute love story about two people who fall in love by sharing a passion
This story gives you your typical slow-burn romance tropes and definitely plays with the readers’ hearts a bit. But I’m all in for cheesy and wholesome moments – they just make a love story more exciting to me.
It’s also quite wholesome how the mangaka shows some stages of exploring one’s sexuality. The story starts with Aya wanting to be just like Shirayuri, which then turns into a full-on love story. Just your typical stages of growing up as a queer person and realizing you have a crush on someone, instead of wanting to be them. But I digress.
Comedy is even better if it challenges us to become better!
All in all, I think Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games is not only an immersive and funny read for a cozy evening, but also offers great satire of existing problems in our society. For me, this is the perfect type of comedy – I can laugh while also reflecting on my own possible stereotypes. And I don’t think I’m alone in that.
The love story is also very fitting and quite wholesome to follow.
With the upcoming anime that adapts the manga using Street Fighter 6 as the core game, I assume it will become a popular show among both fighting game fans and comedy lovers. I also think it could be an introduction to Girls' Love for many people – just like it was for me – which I find wonderful!
Now, if you’ll excuse me… I have to finish off this article!
FINISH HIM!!!!
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A
FATALITY! Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games WINS!
