Gabriel DropOut

Episode 4

Gabriel DropOut tries its hand at slightly longer-form storytelling this week, as the girls enjoy a comedy-filled summer vacation. Now that the four main characters have more or less gotten to know one another, episode 4 opts to focus on them as a group instead of fragmented pairs. For the most part, the group dynamic works well, but the show might benefit from a few less jokes focused on tormenting Satania. I'm not opposed to her occupying the perpetual victim role, but if things continue at the current rate, this bit runs the risk of getting stale.

In this week's first segment, the girls kick off summer vacation with a daytrip to a nearby beach. Not surprisingly, taking these characters out of their usual surroundings doesn't do much to change their behavior. Gabriel moans about having to spend time outdoors, Raphiel has fun at Satania's expense, and Vigne acts as the group mother and does her best to hold everything together. As usual, the gags are solid, if a little predictable, with many of them revolving around Satania being injured or humiliated. Again, there's nothing particularly offensive about this; I just hope it doesn't become the show's go-to.

Being at the beach provides many opportunities for the girls to showcase their individual quirks, although Raphiel's love of pranking Satania takes center stage. Even the hopelessly game-addicted Gabriel puts away her laptop in favor of taking part in all the anti-Satania fun. I was actually surprised to see her exercise a little restraint during the watermelon-bashing game, especially since we saw her beat Satania to a bloody pulp just last week.

The second segment, which begins after the end credits, chronicles Gabriel and Vigne's first meeting through a flashback relayed on the last day of summer vacation. As Gabriel and Satania scramble to get their summer homework finished, Vigne acts as storyteller. The story finds Vigne getting lost while trying to find her apartment shortly after coming to Earth and encountering an unsullied Gabriel, who gladly helps the good-natured demon locate her new domicile and requests to become her friend. We don't get to see Vigne's initial reaction to Gabriel's NEET persona, but we're left with the impression that the story will possibly continue in a future episode.

It was nice to get another glimpse of the pre-corrupted Gabriel, but Vigne's extended flashback appeared to serve as the setup to a punchline that was never delivered. The big payoff will presumably come when the girls meet for a second time and Vigne sees the complete 180 Gabriel's personality has undergone in such a short period. I can appreciate wanting to keep the audience guessing to a point, but I would have preferred to get the full story, even if it meant cutting the first segment a little short—especially since I'm not positive the rest of the story will be told.

While not as fast-paced as previous installments, episode 4 gives the stories and characters a bit of breathing room. Seeing all four girls interact and build off one another's jokes was fun, especially since the groupings have been somewhat fragmented in the past. Had the second segment done more showing and less teasing, I may have awarded the episode a higher grade.

Rating: B-

Gabriel DropOut is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Amy is an author who has loved anime for over two decades.