Me, Him, and You – Series Review & Episode Guide

Takumi is unemployed and feels defeated after another job rejection. He stops by a nearby cafe to relax. He's greeted by Souichiro, the owner. Daiya joins their conversation after introducing himself as Souichiro's nephew. As they make chit-chat, a commotion breaks out behind them. Ryoji, a regular customer, is breaking up with his girlfriend Miwa. She becomes upset and storms out of the cafe. Ryoji apologizes for the scene, but the others do not seem to mind.

Takumi soon starts working as a waiter at the café. He feels grateful to Souichiro, his boss, for giving him the opportunity. During one of his shifts, he overhears Daiya and Ryoji talking about renting a house together. Souichiro manages the property and has agreed to let them live there for a low price. However, they're still searching for a third roommate to make the rent more affordable. Takumi volunteers, mentioning that he needs a new place to stay by the end of the month. The timing works out perfectly.

The three roommates move in together. Takumi, an aspiring chef, prepares a delicious dinner to celebrate. Daiya and Ryoji are impressed with his cooking. Takumi shares that he went to culinary school, earned his license, and worked at an Italian restaurant until recently. He reveals his dream of opening his own store one day, and the others show their support. Takumi learns that Daiya is a model and Ryoji is a photographer. Ryoji occasionally helps Daiya by taking professional photos.

Takumi and Ryoji had met once before becoming roommates. After losing his parents, Takumi felt lost. He was uncertain about pursuing his culinary dreams, especially with the financial burden of school and licensing. While reflecting on his future, he met Ryoji, who had been taking photos in the park. Ryoji started a conversation and encouraged Takumi to follow his passion. This seemingly small encounter had a lasting impact, reigniting Takumi's motivation to work hard and chase his dreams.

Ryoji doesn't recognize Takumi when they meet again. However, Takumi still cherishes their past encounter and secretly harbours a crush on him. Daiya, who is openly gay, notices Takumi's longing glances at Ryoji and calls him out on his feelings. Daiya offers relationship advice and even gives Takumi lessons on seduction. Takumi's awkward attempts to win Ryoji over are hilariously unsuccessful, but they bring him and Daiya closer. As their bond grows, Daiya realizes he may have developed feelings for Takumi, who remains smitten with Ryoji.

Me, Him, and You offers a gentle love story with a soothing atmosphere. It focuses on the quieter interactions between the characters, who have heart-to-heart chats and open up emotionally to their partners. Yuho Ishibashi, the director, has worked on BL series like Our Dining Table and Takara's Treasure. She brings her signature style to this project, mixing sweetness and sentimentality with a slice-of-life charm. Me, Him, and You carries a similar vibe that may appeal to fans who enjoy sensitive dramas.

This series revolves around a love triangle with three roommates. Early on, Takumi has a crush on Ryoji. Over time, he also grows close to Daiya. The story develops all the characters and builds each relationship meaningfully, so viewers will speculate which guy Takumi chooses at the end. The answer became obvious after a while, but I was still moderately interested in the outcome. Besides the romantic drama, Me, Him, and You doesn't offer much else. The plot is simple and unfolds like every typical love triangle. It follows a predictable formula that may bore you.

Out of the two love interests, I was rooting for Daiya. As a lively character, he complements Takumi's quieter personality. They share banter and humour, like Daiya's funny lessons on seducing a guy. Their relationship dynamic is more uncertain, so I don't know how they'll respond around each other, which can be exciting. In contrast, Ryoji comes across as vanilla. His interactions with Takumi seem ordinary. With that said, I don't feel too strongly about either couple. The story presents a fair case for Daiya or Ryoji, so I'm unbothered regardless of who Takumi picks.

The series has a cozy atmosphere. Its warm visuals and calm soundtrack should put you at ease. As the love triangle progresses, everything remains pleasant. While Daiya becomes more assertive in expressing his feelings, the tension that he brings is mild. Unlike other romances, Me, Him, and You avoids spiralling into melodrama. Don't expect any angst, theatrics, or catfights from this down-to-earth story. Some viewers may want more emotional intensity and lose interest because the plot is too mellow. However, I respect that the characters handle their feelings maturely.

Hiroki Ijima takes on his third BL role after We're Both Grooms and Our Dining Table, steadily building a resume in this genre. He grows on me with each project. Me, Him, and You is the most impressive performance I've seen of him yet. The smaller cast gives Hiroki more time in the spotlight, where he shines with his natural charisma. From the warmth in his expressions to the tenderness in his eyes, he brings emotional depth to Takumi's character. The more I watch this actor, the more I like him. Meanwhile, his two other co-stars (Satoshi Mitsu & Keisuke Higashi) are just okay.

The ending is calm and gentle, much like the rest of Me, Him, and You. The characters face a conflict that could cause turmoil in other stories, yet they resolve it thoughtfully without tension. Everything stays low-key, which may not appeal to everyone, but the simplicity can also be refreshing. At its core, this series tells a straightforward tale of two guys falling in love. A third person briefly complicates things before the couple ends up together. While Me, Him, and You may not be the most original or ambitious, it's enjoyable enough to leave me with faintly positive feelings.