Ganbare Doukichan, Episode 3: Tastes Like Chocolate Regret

Episode 3 – “The Junior Who Gives Chocolate on Valentine’s Day at Work”

Hmm.

Ganbare Doukichan presents us with a familiar scene for people who are shy about romantic feelings. Being friendly and collegial in public is no problem. But to share feelings of attraction with someone is a private matter. That means those two people need to share a moment alone. The longer it takes that moment to happen, the greater the emotional investment becomes. Young people, I say this with love, tell your crush how you feel. Tomorrow! Sharing an embarrassing moment is a bonding experience too.

In contrast, Ganbare Doukichan shows us how easy it is for Kouhaichan to leap into Doukikun’s personal space. You might think she has natural advantages, like a plump chest, beauty marks in the right places, and an extraverted disposition. But look closely. A girl like Kouhaichan develops a personality like that because she receives constant attention from horny boys. At the Sync Agency, she’s the one pursuing Doukikun. Well, her flirtation could also be how she expresses friendship with the opposite sex. Doukikun might be savvy enough not to read anything more into Kouhaichan’s behavior.

It’s clear by now that Doukikun feels protective of Doukichan. Is he holding himself back because he’s not sure how she feels? Is he playing by the rules of the company by not dating a coworker? It’s too early to find out because the Ganbare Doukichan season is long, and Doukichan will have new roadblocks, er, colleagues competing for Doukikun’s attention.

Heh.

Oh, no. Doukichan is one of those girls who wants to create a special moment to give her Valentine’s Day chocolate to Doukikun. Did that ever work for her in junior high? High school? College? If not, how could it work in an office setting? Ha! Kouhaichan, the open, flirty, and friendly coworker, knows how to make a scene. Doukichan’s despair face is meme-worthy.

Hoho. The Sync Agency is the setting for Ganbare Doukichan. 同期 (どうき, douki) also means “same time” in Japanese, and you can find it any word that includes “synchronization” in its context. Kouhaichan doesn’t hide her intentions at all. She wants to spend Valentine’s Day with her senpai Doukikun! She aced Doukichan out of making a private moment to give her homemade chocolate to him. Poor Doukikun. She needs to be pushier. Okay, confident sounds less aggressive.

Ahahaha! Doukichan is an accidental stalker! Also, Kouhaichan chose a restaurant way too close to their office. Nice. Ganbare Doukichan does not disappoint with the pantyhose shots. Oh! Doukikun noticed Doukichan in the corner! Did Kouhaichan catch him spotting her?

Ack! Kouhaichan took Doukikun away to do “this and that.” At least, that’s what Doukichan imagines happening in her drunk, dirty mind. Aw. She’s crying into sake. Whoa! Ganbare Doukichan plot twist and cliffhanger! “To be continued…”

Nishizawa 5-miri, who famously outed herself as an expert on the problems girls with hefty bosoms face, illustrated the bouncy Kouhaichan in the end card. She also has a figure based on her original character for sale in the J-List store!

Ganbare Doukichan streams weekly in multiple subtitles on Crunchyroll and VRV.