Senpai, This Can't Be Love! – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Summary

Kaneda is a new hire at a CG design company. His mentor is Yanase, a friendly colleague in charge of training him. Yanase is eager to help the younger employee adjust to the office environment. However, he's a pretty touchy-feely guy, and his tactile behaviour makes Kaneda uncomfortable. The other coworkers have noticed their incompatibility.

The company begins working on a new project for the famous superhero movie, Red Honey. Yanase's boss wants him to lead the task due to his overseas experience. Imaizumi also suggests removing Yanase's mentorship responsibilities. At a staff orientation party, Kaneda gives a passionate speech. He reveals that Yanase is his role model who inspired him to work in this industry. Hearing this compliment makes Yanase blush with pride.

Despite his aloof demeanour, Kaneda secret harbours a crush on Yanase. He seems unfriendly around his role model because of shyness and nerves. In reality, Kaneda is smitten with his coworker and even dedicates a shrine to him. His real feelings for Yanase differ from how everyone else perceives their relationship. After the party, Kaneda is heavily intoxicated. He confesses his love for Yanase, who seems pleasantly surprised. The episode ends with Yanase initiating a kiss with his coworker.

Episode 1 Review

I like the clever storytelling twist in the premiere. The series introduces Kaneda as a character who seems unfriendly and uncomfortable around Yanase. Then, we find out about his secret crush, which explains his nervous behaviour. This revelation overturns the viewer's expectations, making us reassess the characters and their dynamics. Kaneda appears aloof from Yanase's POV, yet he's actually giddy and gushing over his senpai. The contrast between perception and reality is amusing to me.

Yanase needs to keep his damn grubby paws to himself. Kaneda shouldn't have to speak up twice about his discomfort with the body contact. Where's the HR department in this company!? They gotta intervene and teach Mr. Handsy about workplace harassment. After Kaneda's first warning, Yanase disregards the boundary issues by touching his coworker again. Shockingly, the episode ends with him initiating a kiss with his intoxicated colleague. Dude, back off! While I don't believe Yanase has malicious intentions, he deserves to get reprimanded for inappropriate behaviour.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Summary

Episode 2 begins after the first kiss between the leads. Kaneda feels embarrassed and runs away without addressing what happened. He's worried about facing his senpai the next day. Kaneda wishes to clarify the situation with a mature discussion. However, they never find an opportunity to chat during a busy day at work. Nonetheless, their relationship improves. A flashback reveals that Yanase already informed his boss he wants to keep mentoring Kaneda.

The entire company is excited as they start working on the new Red Honey movie, one of Kaneda's personal favourites. The work day gets busier when Yanase receives an urgent assignment. He has a tight deadline to complete the project and must sacrifice quality in exchange for speed. Yanase stays behind after work hours to complete the project, but Kaneda volunteers to accompany him and provide assistance. The two designers work through the night, spending quality time together. 

Yanase finishes the project in the morning, even though Kaneda falls asleep at his desk. After waking up, Kaneda feels terrible and apologizes for being a lousy assistant. However, Yanase isn't mad. He's grateful for Kaneda's help throughout the night. His kind words bring the younger employee to tears. The episode ends with Kaneda hearing an alarm bell ringing. It addresses an earlier reference to Red Honey's superhero ability since she hears an alarm noise after falling in love. Senpai, This Can't Be Love implies Kaneda has developed romantic feelings for Yanase.

Episode 2 Review

I absolutely love the idea of Red Honey. Imagine a superhero who falls in love with her enemies, and an internal alarm rings every time she gets horny. The character sounds hilariously messy lmao. I would watch a movie with Red Honey for sure. 🦸🏻‍♀️

Do you know who really needs an alarm? A siren should ring whenever Yanase comes close to intruding on his coworker's personal space. In this episode, he tried justifying his kiss by saying that's how they greet people in western countries… Okay, what country has a culture where you "greet" a drunken colleague with a kiss on his mouth!? The more Yanase talks, the more he incriminates himself.

I like Yanase & Kaneda's interactions in this episode, highlighting the mentorship dynamic effectively. When Kaneda told Yanase, "…but I know you care about the quality", that line made an impact because his observation felt intimate and personal. Kaneda saw through the facade and understood his senpai better than Yanase knew about himself. I also enjoyed the final scene where Yanase comforted the crying Kaneda. He exuded warmth and sincerity. Yanase comes across as a kind-hearted character, giving gentle encouragement to somebody in distress.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Summary

Yanase and his coworker Tomoyo plan on visiting a temple as part of a work trip. The purpose is to take photos and collect research for a scene they will be designing. During a casual chat, Tomoyo notices Kaneda's interest in Japanese temple architecture. She offers him the opportunity to go on this trip instead. Yanase and Kaneda have an enjoyable time at the temple together.

Meanwhile, Kaneda's friend Iguchi is struggling at work. Iguchi is also a new hire who joined the company around the same time. His mentor is Ichikawa, a stern employee with a no-nonsense personality. Ichikawa is often annoyed with Iguchi's rookie mistakes. Also, everyone in the office likes Kaneda for his work ethic, making his friend look worse by comparison. Recently, Iguchi messed up again and forgot to take photos with a special camera, which is currently in Kaneda's possession. Iguchi asks his friend to help him take the pictures on his behalf.

Kaneda agrees to help Iguchi with his photography project, but the assignment is weird. It involves using the camera to take pictures of the male physique. Later in the day, the leads rest at their lodgings. As they get settled in their room, Kaneda has a surprise request. He will take off his clothes and asks Yanase to snap images of his body. Kaneda looks awkward as he unbuttons his shirt, but his colleague stops him. After understanding the project instructions, Yanase strips and becomes Kaneda's shirtless model instead.

Episode 3 Review

That shirtless photography scene was so ridiculously over-the-top. When I first heard about Iguchi's assignment, I thought his request was weird. Taking pictures of your shirtless coworker is an unrealistic scenario only conceivable in BL. Although Kaneda accepts the task, he uses the worst possible approach. He provides zero context before telling Yanase, "I'm taking off my clothes. Can you snap pictures of me?" His lack of etiquette shocked me so much that I burst out laughing inappropriately. WTF!? 😆

At first, I thought Kaneda was joking and made a socially clumsy remark. But then, he starts unbuttoning his clothes in front of Yanase. The scene stopped being funny and turned tense instead. I was like, "Wait, is he actually undressing!?" My mouth was agape because I couldn't comprehend Kaneda's eccentric actions. However, Kaneda looked so tormented as he stripped that I returned to giggling nervously again. Why is he doing this!? Nobody is forcing him to take off his clothes! I felt amused by Kaneda's earnestness under such bizarre circumstances. 

Just when I thought the scene couldn't get any stranger, Yanase suddenly volunteers to undress. I don't know how others reacted, but I was cracking up at the comically absurd events. Logically, I know everything that happened was stupid and outrageous. Yet, the characters treated the situation so seriously. Their sincerity amplified the inappropriate humour. As Kaneda snapped the pictures, he suddenly said, "Can you bend over?" OMG, I gagged at that line. Senpai, This Can't Be Love successfully made me wheeze in laughter with this hilarious BL scenario.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Summary

The shirtless photography session continues in Episode 4. As the leads make eye contact, Yanase suddenly feels embarrassed about the situation. Just then, a temple priest walks in on them intertwined in a compromising position. Despite the humiliating circumstances, Kaneda finishes Iguchi's assignment. Later, Yanase seems impressed by Kaneda's willingness to help his friend. The two men are comfortable enough to joke about the earlier incident, putting the awkwardness behind them.

Unfortunately, Iguchi's work situation worsens. Kaneda gets credit for the photography assignment, making Iguchi feel inferior and envious. The disgruntled employee finally gets fed up and threatens to quit his job. However, Kaneda gives a persuasive argument and talks his friend out of this decision. Iguchi chooses to stay at the company. He apologizes to Ichikawa and patches up the relationship with his mentor, who forgives him. Kaneda is delighted to see his friend happier in the workplace.

Meanwhile, a new business executive arrives at the company. Benjamin is the VFX supervisor overseeing the Red Honey movie. He'll stay in Japan to manage the project. Benjamin and Yanase are well-acquainted. Previously, Kaneda saw an intimate photo of the pair that suggests they shared a romantic past. Kaneda follows them to a bar and overhears an unpleasant chat. Benjamin accuses Yanase of stalling in his career, and his work suffered in quality. Kaneda is upset over hearing these criticisms. The episode ends with Kaneda confronting Benjamin angrily.

Episode 4 Review

I like the storyline with Kaneda's friend. Both are new employees, but Kaneda thrives while Iguchi struggles to adapt to the workplace. The viewers can compare their different experiences. Since Iguchi gets stuck with a cranky senpai, we appreciate Yanase more because of his friendliness. Also, the dynamic between Kaneda and Iguchi is intriguing. They're almost like friendly rivals. You can sense Iguchi's insecurity toward the praise Kaneda receives. I wish the series had explored this subplot more deeply, because there's potential for engaging drama.

I'm not fond of Benjamin, who gets introduced in this episode. This series already flirts dangerously with workplace harassment and problematic power dynamics. The last thing we need is a new character who blurs the line between personal and work life. Benjamin shows inappropriate misconduct, playing grab-ass with Yanase in the company lobby. Dude, back off! Worst of all, Yanase can't reject his advances without fear of retaliation. Benjamin is an important client for the company who has control over Yanase's career. Their romantic entanglement is iffy.

In this episode, Benjamin insults his ex for not making career progress, causing Kaneda to confront him. While Benjamin could've softened his choice of words, I don't think his criticism is meant to hurt Yanase. Instead, I see Benjamin as a senpai, giving honest feedback about his junior's professional development. A previous episode hinted Yanase was willing to compromise quality to get the job done. Benjamin's observation echoes the idea that Yanase suffers from burnout at work.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Summary

Kaneda defends Yanase's design skills during the argument with his new boss. Nonetheless, Benjamin insists Yanase has lost his ambition since returning to Japan. Kaneda feels embarrassed when the conversation turns to his keen interest in his coworker. He leaves awkwardly, but Yanase chases after him. It's raining in the middle of the night. Yanase invites the younger employee to stay overnight at his apartment nearby. 

Kaneda is nervous yet excited about visiting his crush's home. He picks up Yanase's everyday habits, including his oil diffuser, shampoo scents, and unique way of eating snacks. Yanase reveals that he loves sweets and desserts. Kaneda informs him about a new parfait shop and asks if they could visit together. The two men prepare for sleep, with Yanase resting on the sofa. The next morning, Yanase cooks him a delicious breakfast.

The leads grow closer at work. Although Yanase is busy with the project, he leaves cute little notes on Kaneda's desk to motivate him. After work, they find time to visit the parfait shop. Both enjoy the sweets, and Kaneda admits he likes spending time with Yanase. However, the episode ends ominously. The final scene shows Benjamin planning to offer Yanase a job overseas.

Episode 5 Review

Yanase is so dreamy in this episode. The character's attractiveness doesn't only come from his looks, but he's also appealing because of his winning personality. Yanase does cute random acts of kindness, like giving supportive notes to motivate his coworkers. It's a small gesture that nonetheless highlights his thoughtful nature. Plus, the actor (Shuichiro Naito) succeeds in coming across as warm, genuine, and relaxed. His performance is charming and charismatic. I feel at ease watching him on screen.

Who else thought Yanase looked adorable as he nibbled on his Pocky stick? 😙 I like how Kaneda watches Yanase eat food with riveted interest. Oh my god, he eats the chocolate part first and the biscuit later! Kaneda reacts to the tiniest gesture like it's a momentous revelation. His observations are funny and lighthearted, but they also successfully depict his crush. We see Kaneda marvelling at his love interest with every new discovery. He comes across as smitten and fascinated with Yanase.

Episode 6

Episode 6 Summary

Yanase hears about the job offer from his boss. This work arrangement will last a year. Although the company won't force him to relocate, Imaizumi encourages him to improve his skills and develop his career overseas. Yanase turns down the proposal. He isn't ready to leave his comfortable lifestyle in Japan and work elsewhere.

Kaneda and Yanase work on an assignment together. Kaneda brings up an issue with the client's instructions. Yanase doesn't want to cause trouble and plans on following the brief, even if it's factually wrong. However, Yanase senses his colleague's hesitation and feels lousy about his decision. Kaneda tries cheering him up with compliments, but Yanase believes he's a fraud and struggles with self-esteem. Later, Kanase boldly challenges Benjamin on the design error and receives praise. Yanase is inspired by his courage.

Yanase changes his mind and accepts the job offer. His colleague Tanimoto overhears the gossip and spreads it around the office. Kaneda is upset that Yanase will be leaving. Tanimoto feels awful for causing a rift in the men's relationship. Secretly, Tanimoto and Tomoyo are fujoshis who ship the leads together. Near the end of the episode, Kaneda encourages Yanase and gives a motivational speech. Yanase thanks Kaneda for reinvigorating the passion in his job. The episode ends with them sharing a kiss over the CG background of the temple.

Episode 6 Review

In theory, I like the storyline exploring Yanase's insecurities about his career growth. Kaneda puts his senpai on a pedestal and considers him a role model. However, Yanase sees himself differently, like a fading star who can't live up to his former glory. Art is a creative field that requires you to be innovative and disruptive. Yet, Yanase seems complacent, unwilling to leave his comfort zone or challenge the client's mistakes. His character is in a rut until Kaneda's passion inspires him to be ambitious about self-improvement.

Unfortunately, Yanase's storyline is clunky in execution. He awkwardly transitions from having self-esteem issues to finding the confidence to work overseas. Yanase makes a significant life decision, yet his introspective journey feels rushed. The series could do a better job fleshing out Yanase's thought processes. We only get a few scenes conveying Yanase's job disengagement, barely scratching the surface of his psychological state. Instead, let's dedicate more time to building up the plot's momentum. 

Senpai, This Can't Be Love has two kissing scenes. The first encounter is in Episode 1, a drunken encounter before the characters knew each other well. The second exchange is in Episode 6, where the leads kiss in front of the 3D design project they worked on together. Their intimacy is well-timed, but the CG backdrop doesn't look good visually. I appreciate how the production team tried to create a beautiful display. Sadly, they fell short and diminished the special moment. I wish Kaneda and Yanase simply kissed with an ordinary background instead of a green screen.

Episode 7

Episode 7 Summary

Episode 7 begins a year after Yanase departed for his overseas work exchange program. It's 2023, and he has returned to Japan. Yanase is excited to return to the office and see Kaneda again. He has compiled a top 10 wishlist of activities that he wants to do with Kaneda upon their reunion. Some ideas include embracing him, praising his work, and going home together. His plans never come to fruition. Their initial meeting is awkward, like they don't know what to say to each other.

Kaneda now mentors a new employee, Furukawa, who sits at Yanase's old desk. Yanase has a job promotion as the team leader with more responsibilities. Yet, Yanase feels bothered that he doesn't work side-by-side with Kaneda anymore. Kaneda and Furukawa seem chummy together. Yanase spies on their interactions with envy. Yanase wants to meet up with Kaneda after work. However, their busy schedules clash, so they miss each other on multiple days. Finally, Kaneda stays behind after work to wait for Yanase. Kaneda seems tense, but he brings Yanase to his home.

Yanase is curious and examines Kaneda's room closely. He unknowingly stumbles upon some embarrassing mementoes, making Kaneda self-conscious. Before they could chat, Furukawa calls his senpai at night for something to do with work. Kaneda lies about being alone, but Furukawa asks to come over for a visit. Kaneda compromises by agreeing to visit his apartment instead. Yanase is shocked about their close relationship. The episode ends with Kaneda leaving to meet Furukawa, abandoning Yanase alone in his room.

Episode 7 Review

Senpai, This Can't Be Love asks us to make two assumptions with this time skip. Firstly, we must believe that Kaneda & Yanase didn't stay in touch online. No emails, no social media, no phone calls. Secondly, the leads don't reconnect right away after Yanase returns to Japan. They act awkwardly around each other for a couple of days. Despite some skepticism, I guess I could believe both scenarios happening.

Realistically, they should've talked throughout the past year. However, I can imagine the leads not maintaining contact during their absence. Kaneda's shy personality, Yanase's focus on his new job, and their time difference explain why they might alienate. Plus, the characters weren't a couple before the time skip. They left each other as colleagues with a brief office flirtation. It may be possible they aren't close anymore after a year apart.

I like that Kaneda is now mentoring a new employee after the time skip. It shows his character's growth, like how the young grasshopper is now the senpai. The love triangle drama with Furukawa is a tired trope, but it adds suspense and tension to spice up the plot. It also brings out the insecurities in Yanase, who focused too much on work and neglected his love life. He got complacent, taking Kaneda's feelings for granted. Oh, Kaneda will wait for me~ Now, the stakes are higher, and there's doubt about where their relationship stands.

Yanase's visit to Kaneda's home is a hilarious scene. I enjoy his spiralling about where to sit or whether it's appropriate to hang the laundry. I also like Yanase discovering Kaneda's mementoes, like the temple and calendars, showing continuity with the past episodes. Plus, Kaneda's over-the-top reactions are cute and funny. Poor Yanase did nothing wrong except look at the two calendars on the wall. Yet, Kaneda freaked out, made a mad dash, and almost tackled him to hide the embarrassing items. 😅

Episode 8

Happy ending

Senpai, This Can't Be Love has a happy ending where the leads become boyfriends. The characters drifted apart after Yanase returned from his overseas work trip. They haven't been in touch for a year. Yanase assumes Kaneda's feelings for him have cooled off, especially since they couldn't catch up at work. Yanase becomes upset by Kaneda's bond with the new coworker, Furukawa. After some spiralling, Kaneda and Yanase reconnect during an emotionally honest chat. Both reveal they still feel the same way about each other.

Earlier, Kaneda didn't return home for the night after visiting Furukawa. He also forgot to bring his phone with him. Yanase is disappointed to see Kaneda changed his phone's wallpaper, removing a picture of his senpai. Yanase meets Kaneda's mom in the morning, who drops by for a surprise visit. She tells him pleasant childhood stories about her son. At work, Kaneda apologizes for leaving Yanase alone overnight. Yanase isn't mad, but he feels insecure about Kaneda's relationship with Furukawa. 

Ending explained

Kaneda and Yanase finally have a chance to chat after a work meeting. Yanase confesses his love through a video call, even if these feelings aren't reciprocated. As they talk in person, Kaneda also admits he likes Yanase. His behaviour seems standoffish because of his bashfulness. Kaneda adds that Yanase inspired him to become an ace mentor to Furukawa, but their relationship is platonic. Yanase goes in for a kiss, although Kaneda stops him. He's shy about office intimacy and suggests taking their romance elsewhere.

The leads go on an outdoor date where they play baseball. Kaneda teaches Yanase how to pitch the ball, reversing their previous mentorship dynamic. After the game, Kaneda spontaneously suggests taking a selfie photo together. Yanase discovers Kaneda hasn't changed his phone's wallpaper picture after all. He was only being more discreet about it. Then, they enjoy a delicious homemade meal in the privacy of Yanase's apartment. Yanase used the recipes he learned from Kaneda's mom.

After the meal, the two characters are on the floor and gaze into each other's eyes. The music plays as they slowly draw their faces together until their lips almost touch. The final scene references the top 10 list that Yanase compiled since the last episode. Yanase put together a list of activities he wanted to do with Kaneda. The running gag is that Yanase fails to fulfill the first nine wishes because something unexpected would disrupt his original plans, However, we learn Yanase's last wish has come true. He got to spend a lovely one-on-one weekend with Kaneda.

Ending review

I enjoy Yanase's top 10 list as a storytelling device. It contrasts his ideal relationship fantasies with the more pragmatic version of events. In his imagination, Yanase sees himself as a smooth talker who reunites with his lover confidently. In reality, he feels awkward, jittery, and insecure. This checklist helps us understand Yanase's expectations and sympathize with his disappointment. I love how the series ends with him fulfilling the last wish on his list. As he had hoped for, Yanase finally gets to spend a weekend with his boyfriend. So sweet!

I really like the baseball scene because it reverses the mentorship dynamic. Kaneda coaches Yanase, becoming his senpai in this sport. In the past, Kaneda idolized his love interest, similar to how a student may admire a teacher. In this ending, they're like equals who can teach and learn from each other. Kaneda also shows growth in other areas. He initiates the selfie in this episode, compared to his nervousness about taking pictures in Episode 3. It shows he's more comfortable around Yanase now.

This ending is missing a kiss. The series concludes with the leads on the floor as their lips almost touch. The shot looks artistic, but it doesn't resemble a real kiss. Maybe I'm antsy because the two past encounters weren't that great. Their Episode 1 smooch happened under uneasy conditions, while the Episode 6 scene was a green screen dud. I hoped they could make up for it with a proper intimate moment in the last episode. Unfortunately, the series shies away from an epic finale kiss, a slight disappointment to an ending I otherwise enjoyed.