Back Street Girls: Gokudols
Back Street Girls: Gokudols
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Back Street Girls: Gokudols is an anime series about three men from an organized crime syndicate who perform as an underground female idol group. This adult-oriented anime series containing lots of sexual innuendo, and endless cursing. It also features lots of smoking and drinking, beatings, and abusive behavior. Gender reassignment and sexual orientation are central themes and played for laughs -- it's campy but still inappropriate.
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What's the Story?
Based on a Japanese manga series by Jasmine Gyuh, BACK STREET GIRLS: GOKUDOLS features three men from an organized crime syndicate performing as an underground female idol group. When three failed yakuza (mobsters) manage to mess up an important job, they were given two options: commit suicide or have gender reassignment surgery and train to become J-pop idols. After choosing the latter, to their surprise and dismay, they develop a huge fan base, and now how have to deal with stardom.
Is It Any Good?
This campy anime series features lots of adult-oriented banter as the J-pop band struggles to let go of their past life and embrace their new one. The three, who still consider themselves men within, also struggle with the fact that they can no longer behave according to their original gender. The process isn't easy, which leads to lots of abusive and self-destructive behavior.
Mature anime fans may find humor in the overall story world. However, the way sexual orientation and transgender issues are presented in the series may not appeal to Western values. Meanwhile, the raunchy language and crude innuendo quickly gets tiresome. Some may find Back Street Girls: Gokudols entertaining, but it isn't meant for everyone, and definitely not for young kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the differences between what is considered socially acceptable on TV in different countries. What kinds of things would be considered socially acceptable to feature on TV in the United States that might not be in Japan?
What messages is Back Street Girls: Gokudols sending about gender? Are these message stereotypical?
TV Details
- Premiere date: December 15, 2018
- Cast: Daisuke Ono, Satoshi Himo, Kazuyuki Okitsu
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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