Mask Danshi – Anime Review & Summary

Sayama is an ordinary high school student who grapples with low confidence. He feels self-conscious about his looks. When Sayama goes out, he always wears a face mask to hide his appearance. He never unmasks in front of others. At school, Sayama steers clear of group activities. He prefers to keep a low profile, avoiding any form of attention.

Sayama is in the same class as Saikawa. Unlike his quiet classmate, Saikawa exudes confidence. This outgoing student is a popular campus figure with many friends. One fateful day, their paths collide when Saikawa accidentally stumbles on the stairs. He crashes into Sayama, who falls and passes out. Following the incident, Saikawa visits the school infirmary to apologize for the mishap.

During the conversation, Saikawa's curiosity gets the better of him. He impulsively removes Sayama's mask without asking for his permission. An offended Sayama immediately reacts, chastising him for the thoughtless reaction. Surprisingly, Sayama's fiery response amuses Saikawa. He never expected his classmate to have a feisty temper.

Subsequently, Saikawa develops a genuine interest in Sayama. He consistently initiates conversations with his introverted classmate around campus. Annoyed by his companionship, Sayama tries to ignore him. One day, Sayama receives a dismal score on a test. He worries his parents will confiscate his gaming consoles due to poor academic grades. Saikawa notices his concerns and offers to tutor him. After Sayama agrees, the two students spend one-on-one time together.

Mask Danshi is a story about two opposites. The shy protagonist wears a mask to hide his low self-esteem. In contrast, his outgoing love interest exudes confidence. Their personality clash produces sassy exchanges and playful relationship moments. The couple maintains an engaging rapport as they banter or tease each other. Adrenaline builds in the romance until the sexual tension unleashes in exciting climaxes. Mask Danshi delivers an enjoyable BL experience with lots of charming flirtation.

Although Mask Danshi is brisk and coherent, the story's simplicity underwhelms me. It feels rushed, stripping down the details and minimizing the plot through condensed explanations. The twenty-minute anime needs extra time to enrich the characters, expand their relationship, or explore complex themes. Sayama claims most of the development in his narrative arc, whereas Saikawa doesn't receive focus. Saikawa's flat personality never evolves beyond the popular student archetype. A romance is more compelling if both partners are well-defined.

Sayama and Saikawa's relationship lacks depth. The leads don't have compatible personalities or share much in common. It's hard to understand what they see in each other. The story never elaborates on how the couple overcomes their drastic differences. It pairs them together and assumes sparks will fly according to the rules of the BL universe. Their feelings resemble a superficial physical attraction rather than a meaningful emotional connection. I'm startled when they exchange "I love you" since their bond seems so shallow. You hardly know one another!

Despite the couple's underdeveloped feelings, Mask Danshi emphasizes their lustful passion. Sayama and Saikawa are physically intimate on multiple occasions. Each memorable encounter thrives on juicy sexual tension. While there's no explicit content, this saucy anime has a naughty side. It displays suggestive visuals and alludes to mature activities. You may feel scandalized by the boldness of a seemingly wholesome high school romance. Notably, Mask Danshi showcases excessive amounts of saliva. Drool flows out of the characters' mouths like rapid waterfalls.

Mask Danshi looks pleasant, matching the familiar aesthetic of a high school anime. Yet, the visuals fall on the plain side. The backdrops and character designs lack vivid details, not standing out compared to polished productions. The art quality is also inconsistent, making some scenes less appealing than others. Saikawa's image fluctuates between handsomeness and blandness. With that said, Mask Danshi captures his charm during the romantic moments. My favourite shot is when Saikawa uses his thumb to wipe his lips after the first kiss. Ooh, what a suave move!

Mask Danshi has a happy ending where Sayama overcomes his self-esteem issues. The iconic moment when he removes his mask epitomizes Sayama's newfound courage. While his character growth isn't profound, I appreciate the positive sentiments about conquering insecurities. This sweet conclusion wraps up the love story satisfyingly, leaving a decent final impression. Even if the lightweight plot doesn't wow me, Mask Danshi is a solid anime special that checks many boxes. I enjoy the amusing banter, charming flirtation, and the healthy dose of passion.