The Gakuen Choujo-tai [OVA (1 ep.)]

The Gakuen Choujo-tai: A Hidden 90s Gem That Deserves More Love

Let’s be real—most of us have stumbled on those random 90s OVAs while scrolling through old anime lists, right? The ones with weird titles and even weirder art styles that you click on just because you’re bored. Well, The Gakuen Choujo-tai (The Academy Super Girl Team) isn’t just another forgotten relic. This 1991 one-shot OVA is a silly, action-packed blast that feels like a love letter to shoujo superpower stories—and honestly, it’s way more fun than it has any right to be.

First off, let’s get the basics straight. Produced by Studio Pierrot (yes, the same folks behind Sailor Moon and Naruto—who knew?), this OVA drops us into Yamashiro Academy, where three average high schoolers are hiding a big secret: they’re the Gakuen Choujo-tai, a trio of psychic heroines keeping their school safe. Yumi’s got telekinesis (think moving lockers with her mind—iconic), Keiko’s a telepath who can hear your deepest, most embarrassing thoughts (yikes, but useful), and Mai? She’s basically the group’s muscle, with super strength that lets her punch through walls like it’s nothing. They’re not exactly pros at this hero stuff—their powers are clunky, they argue over silly things, and half the time they’re just trying to avoid getting caught skipping class. But that’s what makes them so relatable!

The plot kicks off when Yumi has a terrifying premonition about their school being in danger. Turns out, there’s this sketchy “Psychic Power Research Society” popping up, led by a mysterious guy who’s way too interested in the girls’ abilities. What starts as a simple investigation into a weird club quickly spirals into a full-on showdown with demons (yes, demons!) and a plot to take over the academy. It’s over-the-top, it’s cheesy, and it’s perfect. The pacing is tight—no filler here—and the action scenes are surprisingly dynamic, with Yumi flinging desks at bad guys and Mai suplexing a demon like it’s a Tuesday.

Now, let’s talk about the vibes. This OVA oozes 90s nostalgia: the big hair, the neon color palette, the synth-heavy soundtrack that sounds like it was ripped straight from a retro arcade game. The character designs are classic shoujo—soft features, huge eyes, and outfits that are equal parts cute and functional (Mai’s track suit is a fashion statement, fight me). And yeah, there’s some fanservice—like when the girls accidentally activate their powers and their uniforms get torn (classic 90s anime move). But it never feels gross; it’s more playful than anything, like the creators were winking at the audience and saying, “We know this is silly, but let’s roll with it.”

What really makes The Gakuen Choujo-tai stand out, though, is its heart. The friendship between Yumi, Keiko, and Mai is the core of the story. They bicker, they tease each other, but when push comes to shove, they’ve got each other’s backs. There’s a scene where Yumi freezes up during a fight, and Keiko and Mai step in to protect her—no questions asked. It’s the kind of “found family” energy that makes shoujo stories so endearing, even when the plot is about demon-fighting high schoolers.

Now, let’s get real about the flaws. The animation is definitely dated—this is a 30-year-old OVA, after all. Some of the background art is rough, and the character movements can be stiff at times. The dialogue is cheesy as hell (“We’re the Gakuen Choujo-tai! We’ll protect this school!”—cue epic pose), and the villain’s motivation is pretty generic (he wants power, shocker). But here’s the thing: those flaws are part of its charm. This isn’t trying to be a deep, philosophical masterpiece. It’s trying to be fun, and it nails that.

If you’re into 90s anime, shoujo with a side of action, or just want something light and entertaining to watch on a lazy afternoon, The Gakuen Choujo-tai is a must-see. It’s a hidden gem that deserves more love than it gets—seriously, why didn’t this get a full series? As one fan put it, “I would love to watch a whole series of it with each episode having a different villain threatening the academy.” Same, friend. Same.

So next time you’re scrolling through old anime lists, skip the overhyped classics for a second and give this OVA a chance. It’s silly, it’s sweet, and it’s proof that sometimes the best anime are the ones no one talks about. The Gakuen Choujo-tai might not be perfect, but it’s exactly the kind of nostalgic fun we all need right now.

Final Verdict: 8/10. A cheesy, action-packed joyride that’ll make you wish you had psychic powers (or at least a squad of friends to fight demons with). Don’t sleep on this one!