Smells Like Green Spirit – Series Review & Episode Guide

Mishima is a teenager living in a small town during the 90s. His father, a former gang leader, passed away shortly after he was born. Mishima now lives with his single mother, who leads a simple life running a farm and caring for her son. She has a laidback parenting style, allowing Mishima to do what makes him happy. Despite her easygoing nature, it's clear she loves him deeply and only wants the best for him.

Mishima takes pride in his long hair, which he finds beautiful. He enjoys how it makes him look like the prettiest teenager in school. At night, Mishima sneaks into his mom's bedroom to use her cosmetics. He applies lipstick and experiments with cross-dressing. While Mishima still identifies as a boy, he enjoys dressing up. His mother notices her missing items but doesn't pry, respecting his freedom.

At school, Mishima is relentlessly ridiculed for his long hair, which defies traditional ideas of masculinity. His classmates call him names, saying he looks like a girl or must be gay. A group of boys, led by Kirino and Yumeno, bullies him mercilessly. They tie him up with rope, cut his hair, and even try to drown his head in a bucket of water. Despite their cruelty, Mishima never fights back. He endures the abuse silently as if it's just a natural part of life.

One day, Mishima loses his mom's lipstick and goes to the school rooftop, where he discovers Kirino secretly using it. Kirino soon admits that he enjoys putting on makeup, just like Mishima. Kirino apologizes for the bullying and compares meeting Mishima to opening Pandora's box, like a part of himself he has always kept locked away. Mishima is thrilled to find a like-minded friend. They meet on the rooftop, where Mishima encourages Kirino to act like his true self. Together, they giggle about makeup and daydream about men, especially the PE teacher.

After becoming friends, Kirino and his group stop bullying Mishima. Kirino begins to open up about his struggles. He reveals that his father abandoned their family to live with his mistress. Due to his mom's pain, Kirino feels he can't come out and risk hurting her further. Kirino and Mishima agree their future involves settling down with a woman. They also talk about Yumeno, whom Kirino suspects has a crush on Mishima. They feel uncertain about Yanagida, the new teacher who seems unusually interested in Mishima.

The creators of Smells Like Green Spirit had one hell of a mission. They planned to make a series that can be classified as BL, but the actual story is the absolute antithesis of BL. This highly unusual teen drama overturns every narrative trope in the genre. The romance has a strange twist, the characters come with eccentric quirks, and the plot is as chaotic as possible. Smells Like Green Spirit feels drastically different from the norm, which you may find intriguing or polarizing. For me, it's a bit of both.

The story occurs in the countryside during the 90s. Small-town boys like Mishima are at risk for exploring their gender or sexuality. Mishima endures horrific abuse, starting with an entire first episode dedicated to his bullying. As Mishima is tied up, beaten, and drowned in water, the cruelty is so intense that it feels like torture. Later, the plot takes a darker turn when a rapist attacks Mishima. I'm disturbed by the excessive trauma, which includes physical and sexual violence. Although I can handle the gruesome scenes, this series clashes with the gentler narratives I enjoy in BL dramas.

Smells Like Green Spirit shines when it shows a softer side. I enjoy Mishima and Kirino's cozy friendship, whether they giggle over makeup or reveal their insecurities. They chat candidly about LGBTQ+ issues, and Kirino shares a vivid analogy comparing his gender identity to opening Pandora's box. These two teenagers don't have all the answers, but their heartfelt discussions strike an emotional chord. The series balances its sentimentality with lots of quirkiness, including cheeky jokes with dark humour. It finds comedy in the strangest places, even during serious situations.

The romance between the bully and his victim is absurd. Shifting from an abusive dynamic to an intimate relationship demands proper development, but the series skips over the couple's growth. As it jumps erratically from one extreme plot to the next, the storytelling feels jarring. I also have reservations about how it portrays LGBTQ+ themes. Smells Like Green Spirit dramatizes many negative experiences to the point that it feels over the top. For instance, the repressed gay man who becomes a high school rapist is both a harmful and unrealistic narrative.

I love how Smells Like Green Spirit is filmed, from the intimate shots to the interesting scene compositions. The rural scenery looks visually captivating with rich, vibrant colours. This artistry complements the performances, capturing each actor's emotions beautifully. Some cast members, like the actress portraying Mishima's mom, bring so much sincerity to their roles. Mishima's lead (Towa Araki) also plays his character with a delicate sensitivity. However, a few others sometimes overact, exaggerating in ways that don't always match the story's vibe.

Smells Like Green Spirit finishes strongly, and the last two episodes are the best of the series. The story delivers a powerful burst of emotions, from heartfelt chats with the parents to sad farewells between friends. The finale makes it seem like you've just finished an epic coming-of-age tale. Despite the satisfying conclusion, my opinion about this drama swings back and forth. Some parts of the story are too exaggerated to resonate with me deeply. Nonetheless, I still appreciate Smells Like Green Spirit for being a unique, unconventional, and fascinating teen drama.