Watching Senpai
I honestly did not like this series. I like slow-burn and all of those types of Bls but for some reason this did not hit the spot. I found the storyline interesting and that is the only reason why i finished it, i just wish it had been executed better. The acting was nothing special. The ending was so boring and i just felt frustrated that they did not give them more fluff ( not kissing or anything like that ) or just some tension could have easily worked. It just meh in conclusion.Was this review helpful to you?
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It kinda stops 100m before the finish line
I liked it more until episode 6, the last two episodes feel somehow different from the rest.The story was cute and simple (in a positive connotation) and I like they were both shy in their relationship. Still don't understand why they didn't keep in touch during the year off, which lead for sure to a jealous Yanase and a confused Kaneda.
When Kaneda called his senpai Jun I collapsed ♡ it was so emotional! They finally talked!
I adore that the final scene is connected with the outro of the episodes ♡
To conclude: I liked it, but I feel like it stopped 100m before the finish line. Everything was good, but when they needed to close, they lacked courage and the ending was softer than we expected. Not necessarily because of the non-kiss.
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Yawn
This is a very disappointing BL series, surprisingly form Japan. Normally, Japanese BL are edgy and provocative and interesting. This is flat, boring and completely lifeless. They acted more like children in love than adults in love. I get that there are cultural and societal differences about how to express love, but honestly at some point, someone has to be grown-up enough to at least hint that the love the other person. It also seemed obvious to me that the actors were either given poor directions or simply were not going to give any hint of a connection with the other. If you are going to play a gay part, then try and pretend at least that you are.Was this review helpful to you?
office romance, object of my affection, boss/employee
Adapted from a manga for the same name, it has a similar creepy worship stalking vibe Secret Crush On You. Look, I admit it, this dynamic (super awkward pining uke, rockstar seme) is one of my least favorites - high cringe factor meets navel gazing obsessive. Japan’s weird hang-up around physical expressions of affection in BL which I expect in their slapstick high school stuff, feels cowardly here. They don't leave out end kisses in their het office romances, time to stop desexualizing the gays, too. For a plot about courage, it’s a bummer that the narrative itself didn’t have any. I can’t imagine ever watching this show again or remembering its existence. When Japan drops the balls they drop all the way to the bottom of the well.Was this review helpful to you?
+ Some scenes are really funny
+ Yanase is such a kind and caring character. His face expressions are top tier and especially in episode 7 I had a lot of fun watching him. Kudos for this inner monologue. It was hilarious.
+ The creditscene was really wholesome. Pay attention! I don't want to spoiler anything, but I was really kinda impressed by it when I realized the little details.
+ At first I was a little annoyed that they include a pair of fujoshis, because I thought it will go in a terrible direction, but actually it was really well done and we get a little important information out of their conversation!
Dislike:
- The beginning (mostly like everything till episode 7 lol) was really hard to watch for me. Some scenes were so awkward and uncomfortable.
- The whole show felt so slow-paced because so little is happening. The flashbacks were way too much, which made it unnecessary repetitive and boring.
- The whole story is..like..just boring. What's the red string here? That Yuki likes him? But doesn't do anything? Geez..
- felt no chemistry at all.. Yanase is carrying the whole show for me, because I like him, but I can't bring myself to like Yuki, although there were a few scenes I didn't cringe that hard about him.
- Imho Yuki is a character who really frustrates me. I don't like overinsecure characters at all. His crush on Yanase was just so awkward for me. Like wtf does he call him god.. x.x
- the ending was so unnecessary dragged. Like.. I already felt like there is no progress at all and than they come up with this. Geez.
I remember a scene with shaky camera and weird angle, but overall I liked the production.
I was often so annoyed, frustrated and awkward with the plot or the characters. For real, Yanase saved it in the last 2 episodes. :'D
I wouldn't recommend the show, but I also wouldn't say "Don't watch it!". It wasn't terrible. If it would be horrible, I would have just dropped it. But there was definitely something that kept me watching. But I also feel like the show gave me nothing but a headache. I think I wouldn't miss something, if I didn't even started the show. ^^'
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Cringey in a cute way
It was super cringey, but also kind of sweet. I think a big miss for me was that the main actors were cast into the wrong roles. I think their dynamic would work better if they had cast them in opposite main roles. Naito Shuichiro seems to suit a younger sweeter character better and Seto Toshiki better suits a more mature and mentor-like character. I'm no better or worse for watching this. Don't go out of your way to watch it, but if you're bored and feel like watching something cute and stupid, it's a decent watch.Was this review helpful to you?
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Senpai... this can be love!
Senpai is all about Yanase and Kaneda the story is set in an animation company. What I love about this Bl series is that it's concise and straight to the point. There's also Kaneda's imagination and god worship of Yanase which I find cute and fluffy and funny. Yanase I also love because he's bold and has already delivered his first kiss in the first episode to Kaneda who's not shy as thought! As you watch this Bl series allow your mind to wander with the wonderful imaginations of Keneda and live in the moment that's all senpai requires from you!The beauty of Senpai lies in its point of view which first concentrates on Kaneda and moves to Yanase
However I don't like the ending at all I was tempted to reduce my rating to 9.0 but I simply adore Kaneda and Yanase and cause of the two I will live it at 10! I will always remember Senpai fondly as my first Japanese Bl series that I truly appreciate
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Let down by one of its two lead actors
So I watched this when I realised that I recognised almost the entire cast from one kamen rider series or another. And I thought the acting was great… with the exception of Kaneda’s actor. He has such emotion in his voice but it never seems to translate to his expressions or physicality and for me it let the show down.But so did the writing. The second half plot was just… stop the forced separation trope. Please. Seriously. I am sick of ‘but oh noes now we have to be apart for a year.’ No thanks
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However, Senpai danjite koidewa still has some merit to it. It has a higher production value as all the scenes are well lit- there is no under or overexposed scenes. The sets are be clean as well (their office, Yanase's apartment, etc). The last BLs I watched that seem to have the same production value was Minato Coin Laundry and Kieta Hatsukoi. I do prefer the grit in some jdramas however, it feels refreshing to watch brighter scenes.
Something that is not typical is Naito Shuichiro's character's fashion sense. He looks very different from other Japanese characters i have watched so far. He is also very nice to looka at LOL.
I believe that the story should carry more weight than the production value or the actors' looks. Hence, my rating.
That's it. I hope you find this review helpful. I think this might be my first review.
Typical story and acting. Good production value.
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Light and easy series good for the heart
This was one of the cutest JBL series for the year. I have always admired JBLs for being different from other international JBLs! The world of Computer Graphics is a place where no one might think a BL story could take place, but then boom! The build-up was longer than what people would expect from an eight-episode drama but it made us understand and get to know the characters more. There was also a touch of cliche from the female co-workers but again all for the build-up. The lightness and non-toxic (for the most part) were really amazing. I would recommend more for the side characters and even more character formation for the leads. This series needs a second season!Was this review helpful to you?
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tropes all around
Screenwriter: How many tropes would you like?Producer: YES.
This is a fun, tropey little love story, which has fast become one of my to-go-series if I need a pick-me-up.
What I liked:
* This drama makes heavy use of the one trope I can never get enough of: mutual pining with a side of miscommunication; while still keeping just to this side of frustrating.
* I loved watching the facial expressions of Kaneda -- he's so repressed, and when things overwhelm him, his emotions either explode out of him or he completely shuts down, which the actor portrays really well.
* Both Kaneda and Yanase try to respect the other's boundaries (or what they think the other's boundaries are). This is on one hand really nice to see: I really hate this trope of the pushy "top", who pressures his partner into things (and this is one of the things the drama does better than the oringinal manga). Yanase pulls back after that kiss in the first episode since he thinks "It's not like that", that probably Kaneda is straight and is not interested in anything sexual, he also pulls back any other kind of physical touch, since Kaneda very clearly said he does not want it.
* On the other hand, in later episodes, both believe that there are boundaries where there are none, adding to the miscommunication.
* The first half of the drama makes time for Kaneda's feelings to evolve from professional admiration to hero worship to something more balanced. At times it's a bit too subtle, but if you look at Kaneda's facial expressions and the way he talks to his Senpai, I think you can see it clearly.
* I also like these two last episodes (did I mention that I am a sucker for mutual pining?), I feel they make the relationship more balanced. Both have "leveled up" in their profession, and Kaneda does not only need any help anymore, he even has his own Kouhai! We finally get to see more of Yanase's feelings, and how he also has a hard time to express himself. Now it's him who speaks first, if a bit obliquely, of his feelings.
There are only two things that could have been better:
* Kaneda's hair really does not fit his face, a bit shorter or at least a bit darker would have been better.
* I would have loved to see more of how Yanase's feelings evolved, we only get to see glimpses, which is a bit unfortunate.
All in all, I love this drama, and can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of mutual pining!
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Disappointing
Despite the fact that Kaneda was introverted to the point of appearing to be challenged, I had hopes that Yanase could bring out his personality.Kanda confesses to Yanase and Yanase asks him to wait for a year while he works in Canada.
The whole subplot with Benji is creepy. Benji appears to be much older than Yanase, makes my skin crawl and I cannot understand why Yanase would have had a relationship with him. Then, we have the situation where Benji wants a contract to give work to Max Pictures ONLY if they give him his lover, Yanase, back. It's just disgusting slavery.
Surprisingly, Benji allows Yanase to return to Japan, Max Pictures and Kaneda. I lost interest once it was revealed that despite computers, cell phones, email, text messages or just the use of old fashioned paper and pen letters, neither Yanase or Kaneda kept in touch. Yanase returns and isn't aware of changes in the workplace or changes with Kaneda. Despite the potential for an adult relationship with Yanase, Kaneda is still acting like a child with his hero worship and altar devoted to Yanase. He takes Yanase back to his apartment yet doesn't bother to prepare by straightening up the place and hiding his altar and other evidence of hero worship. Kaneda responds by panicking and shouting. He failed to use the year apart to grow up.
Yanase (and the viewers) deserve better. I have no idea why he was attracted to Kaneda.
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