High School Kimengumi 2026 [Season 1 Episode 1]

High School Kimengumi 2026: Episode 1 Review – A Chaotic Blast from the Past

Let’s cut straight to the chase: High School Kimengumi 2026’s first episode is like finding a time capsule labeled “1980s chaos” and cracking it open with a sledgehammer. For anyone who grew up on the original manga or its 1985 anime adaptation, this reboot hits with a wave of nostalgia—even if it’s wrapped in modern animation and a few new gags. For new fans? It’s a wild, unapologetic ride that might leave you either cackling or confused… but probably cackling.

First off, the setup is classic Kimengumi: five misfit high schoolers—Rei Ichidou, Gou Reietsu, Kiyoshi Shusse, Jin Daima, and Dai Monohoshi—form the “Funny-Face Club” (Kimengumi) and spend their days causing havoc with absurd pranks, over-the-top reactions, and enough slapstick to power a small country. The episode wastes no time diving into the chaos: within minutes, we get a Mad Max-inspired cafeteria brawl, a teacher getting glued to a chalkboard, and a running joke about Rei’s “limit” (a catchphrase from the original that’s sadly toned down here, per some fans).

The animation, handled by Slow Curve and Fuji TV, is bright and energetic—think modern Gintama meets vintage Dr. Slump. It’s not the most polished work out there (some fans noted it feels “cheaper” than the 1985 version), but that rough edge adds to the charm. The voice cast? A home run. New seiyuu step into the roles of the Kimengumi, and they nail the original characters’ quirks—Rei’s deadpan confidence, Gou’s hyperactive yelling—without sounding like cheap imitations. The opening theme by BREIMEN feat. TOMOO is a bop, too; it’s got that retro-futuristic vibe that fits the show’s mix of old and new.

Now, let’s talk fan reactions, because that’s where the real tea is. Longtime fans are split: some love the reboot’s faithfulness to the source material (“The new VAs are perfect—none of them sound off!” gushed one MyAnimeList user), while others miss the original’s heart. “They deleted the core spirit of using humor to face backlash for their ‘ugliness’,” one critic wrote, referring to the original’s subtle themes about self-acceptance. The rushed character introductions also rubbed some the wrong way—shoving all five club members into 22 minutes means we don’t get much depth beyond their gags.

New viewers? They’re mostly here for the chaos. “This felt like gag manga on crack,” one first-timer joked. Another called it “mindless fun and chaos”—and honestly, that’s the best way to describe it. If you’re looking for a deep plot or complex characters, this isn’t your show. But if you want to turn off your brain and laugh at a guy getting hit in the face with a rubber chicken? You’re in heaven.

The biggest issue right now? Subtitles. The show isn’t licensed by major streamers like Crunchyroll or Netflix, so fans are relying on fansubs (or, in one desperate case, Google Gemini 3.0 Pro to cobble together subs from German and French translations). “I got impatient and made my own slop,” a user admitted on MyAnimeList, sharing a Pastebin link to their DIY subtitles. It’s a hassle, but it’s worth it if you can’t wait for official releases.

Is High School Kimengumi 2026 Episode 1 a masterpiece? No. Is it a fun, nostalgic trip that’ll make you snort-laugh at least once? Absolutely. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s just trying to make you smile. And for most viewers, that’s enough.

Final verdict: If you’re a fan of classic gag anime or need a break from dark, edgy series, give this a watch. Just be prepared to hunt for subs (or brush up on your Japanese). The Kimengumi is back, and they’re here to remind us that sometimes, the best comedy is just five idiots being idiots.

Rating: 7/10 – Chaotic, charming, and just a little rough around the edges. Bring on Episode 2.