Delinquent in Drag is a Japanese manga created by Go Nagai in 1974 (the original Completely Different Title is Oira Sukeban, "I'm a Sukeban
").
It is a comedy with several erotic touches, where the protagonist Suke Banji (or Sukeban) has to disguise himself as a girl in order to be able to attend an all-female school.
As Suke Ban is a rebellious boy, this situation creates several comedic troubles.
The manga originally ran in Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1974 to 1976. It was adapted into an OVA in 1992, released in the US by ADV Films. There have also been two live-action films, in 1992 and 2006.
Tropes featured in the manga and anime:
- Covers Always Lie: Ever notice ADV Films' VHS cover for the film? The actual film is a high school comedy, and the VHS cover makes it look like a Darker and Edgier action piece.
- Martial Arts and Crafts: In the anime, Suke Banji winds up getting all sorts of challenges from rivals, including the infamous Pantyhose Brigade.
- Meaningful Name/Punny Name: "Sukeban" is the leader of a gang of female Japanese Delinquents.
- Teen Pregnancy: Banji's mother had him in her early teens, explicitly stated in dialogue.
- What the Fu Are You Doing?: The climactic showdown at the end of the second part of the film shows the consequences of attempting some outlandish martial arts moves with nothing but dirt under your feet. Specifically, one of Suke Banji's opponents suffocates to death while attempting a spinning throw move (apparently, the many rotations involved caused him to dig himself into the ground and bury himself alive), and a grieving relative is shown removing his body from the scene afterwards.
- Wholesome Crossdresser: Suke Banji.
