The title of this series illustrates what this series is about. “Young ladies,” or how the Japanese title is used as Ojou-sama more so illustrates girls of the upper class. Fighting games are explanatory. As the former is tied with girls who carry themselves very properly, and anyone who is familiar with fighting games knows that it isn’t considered an elegant hobby to have.
The series centers around Aya Mitsuki, who is an ordinary girl attending Kuromi Girls’ Academy. She is attending the academy more so she didn’t really have something she was passionate about. Of course, girls with high upbringings are at least something to shoot for.
Fighting games, in particular, are a genre where you can get burned out fast. It is easy to play on autopilot and think to yourself, am I actually enjoying it? Adding insult is when the boys she used to play with went into more sports, and obviously gender difference is quite notable here. It is easy to empathize with Aya.
The interesting dynamic between Aya and Mio Yoru or Shirayuri-sama, is that Mio lives in the moment much like how Aya used to. It is clear that playing fighting games takes Aya back to a time she genuinely loved it. This is something they can become friends over, but of course the academy they attend prohibits it, so the contrast between High-Class Ladies and Playing Fighting Games is a fun contrast to play with.
One thing that is clear with the first volume is that Eri Ejima has a solid understanding of fighting games.