DESCRIPTION

CAST

MANGA ComedyKono Kaisha ni Suki na Hito ga Imasu

REVIEWS

• 

  HomuraDesu

  70/100
  The standard for every vanilla romance. (pls make more of this. PLEASE)

  This review contains SPOILERS for I Have a Crush at Work
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  In a season devoid of major romcoms, no one expected an ordinary office romance to pop off this hard, but it did. Wotakoi fans rejoice. Romance fans rejoice. Those specific ass people who can't get through generic love stories in a high school setting anymore ... Rejoice! Because what we have here is a clear-cut representation of a mature and healthy relationship, without the need of any bullshit drama.

  Overview

  KonoSuki is a simple story about two lovers secretly dating at their job. When the papers are piled up and their eyes just happen to meet during the busy hours, all they do is fight. However, when the lights shut off and the sheets cover up, they're unable to resist embracing one another's souls. It can't be helped. This is just how the other workers are used to seeing them, so it makes sense to hide their true feelings by acting as they always have. If you hate witnessing them annoying romcom tropes, I doubt you'd have any problems with this one, since the premise can't really be called far-fetched.

  

  Y'all probably forgot what a healthy rel is ngl

  Lemme provide you a breath of fresh air, different from the exaggerated shit you endured when watching those school romcoms. It's better to explain afterwards, so I'll just give an example rn:

  

  Masugu wanted to surprise Yui by buying her a gift and taking her to a fancy restaraunt for their 6-month anniversary. Yui happened to see him wandering around after he had reluctantly lied to her about staying home in order to set up the preparations. This was an issue because Masugu and Yui never ever lied to each other. Yui not wanting to doubt his partner, tried to figure out what was going on with him. She trusted him so much that it felt unusual when he started hiding something. Yui being the wife-material she is, directly confronted Masugu and urged him to explain the situation (she waited a few days too). Masugu was hesitant at first, but his priority immmmeeeeediately changed after the secret began to visibly hurt Yui... So, the fancy restaraunt ended up being fully booked and the gift got revealed before the date. And then they fucked

  

  Like, seriously, when was the last time you saw the main couple of a romance have intercourse within the first two episodes. DOMESTIC GIRLFRIEND WAS YOUR LAST TIME, RIGHT? This must be because of the Seinen demograph cuz ain't no way. They made it romantic as shit too. I ain't see no fan service, no nothing. Just two heartfelt individuals embracing each other's physical bodies and souls. (aight I'm not getting into this)

  Yeah, I'm not done

  Here's what I absolutely adore about this show the most. The two set realistic goals for themselves to accomplish. They supported each other's work projects to the fullest, whilst also making time for their own. Heck, they even made a bet for motivational purposes. When Yui was stressed out and quite obviously frustrated due to the lack of progress in her project, Masugu let her know that even though he may not be able to physically help her complete it, he would be there. Sometimes, that's all you gotta do. Stay by their side and believe that everything will work out. I see why so many women are into this man. This absolute chad of a male constantly notices the emotions his partner is feeling and acts accordingly- without hesitation. Admit it. Y'all like it when the male lead ain't an incel, right? Of course, you do.

  

  These two are able to set boundaries. They're able to distinguish between their love life and their jobs, which is where the premise comes in handy too. A healthy, grown-up couple striving for self-improvement, supporting each other's objectives, providing each other's needs. A good-looking thoughtful dude and a realistically-proportioned gorgeous woman, expressing their romantic desires in a hidden manner, simultaneously being the biggest green flags in existence. What more do you need from a slice-of-life romance? SOL enjoyers. Look me dead in the eyes and tell me ts wasn't gas. I dare you.

  Soooooo

  I did not expect this type of casual romance anime to be as good as it is. Going as far as getting into my Top 15 favourite romance anime oat. Cmon. If you read my review and watched the show, you understand why I'm favouring it this much. Ever since I acknowledged the quality of this show (around ep 4-5), everytime a new episode came out, I couldn't help but imagine what my own relationship as a working adult would be like. Aye, maybe I could learn a thing or two from this show (abt productivity and a healthy rel). As for the rating, ig somewhere between a 7 to an 8 will suffice.

  Btw: I don't know if it was always like that or was it because of the adaptation, but the romance between Somei and Hayakawa could've been better executed. I think there were people who preferred to watch their progress over the main leads', so it's quite unfortunate. Maybe it's better (more well-paced and more is shown) in the manga though. There probably won't be a 2nd season anyways, so why not move on to the source material?

  And now, here's a vibe of an ED from a new artist by the name of pachae . His voice is so vibey and majestic that I thought he was the singer for Comedy (Spy X Family Ed 1) at first. Show some love.

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• 

  MundaneSoudane

  75/100
  A refreshing take on office-themed romance

  There's a saying that you shouldn't HOOKUP where you XLOOKUP, don't get your honey where you make your money, and so on. But given how much time people spend at work, it's no surprise that office romance happens. Unfortunately, not many of them openly admit that they’re currently in one. Whether due to workplace policy or to prevent gossip among coworkers, some individuals choose to keep their relationships private. Winter 2025 Anime Kono Kaisha ni Suki na Hito ga Imasu (I Have a Crush at Work) revolves around this issue in the form of cute little series of two coworkers in love.

  Yui Mitsuya and Masugu Tateishi are just your usual white-collar workers. Despite working in the same office, they don't seem to be in a good term. Every time they meet, Yui always acts tough and takes cold shots at Masugu in front of everyone. The same goes for him, who often gives it back to her. Their colleagues are somewhat worried and tell them to get along, but little do they know that all of the bickering is just an act. In fact, these two fell head over heels for each other since the first episode. However, they decided to date discreetly to avoid being the center of attention. Until they find the right time to tell, they’ll pretend to be at each other’s throats. The question is, can they keep a secret?

  Navigating workplace romance can be tricky, especially when you have to hide it. From commuting with different trains to showing no signs of affection while on the clock, Yui and Masugu make sure to keep their relationship low while maintaining professionalism at work. There are times where the two do things for the thrill, like holding hands when they're being squished in a cramped elevator. Once their 9-5 is over, they finally take their mask off and jump into being lovey-dovey. You can expect them to talk about their day and have intimacy like actual adults in a relationship. Speaking of intimacy, these two don’t hold back to go further when they’re in the mood. Lip kisses, sharing a bath, and sleeping together happen naturally as part of their daily life. They surely still have childish whims here and there but hey, at least it didn’t take them an entire season to just call each other’s given name.

  Besides our main pair, I also root for Shizuno Hayakawa and Keisuke Somei. Since two of them are introverted, both are a little shy when it comes to opening up. And with their boss-employee relationship, it makes things even more complicated. Still, watching them slowly bring down their walls is such a delight. A combo of a reliable alcoholic onee-san and low-energy kouhai sounds chaotic on paper, but they make such a great dynamic so it works. They're so natural and comfortable when they're together, to the point the 8-year age gap they have no longer matters. Although Shizuno and Keisuke get little screen time compared to Yui-Masugu, their relationship is also something worth looking forward to.

  For a romcom which takes place at an office, the office portion feels real. The work isn't merely background noise; they go more in-depth by showing the actual process of it, as well as social and politics of corporate life. This series also explores the struggle of working adults to make a career for themselves. Pulling an all-nighter, pursuing job-related certifications, moving to a new department, all of these are so relatable. Akamaru Enomoto as the author does a great job of utilizing the workplace setting nicely and not leaving it behind as a backdrop.

  When it comes to production value, KonoSuki has vibrant art style and appealing character designs. The animation is serviceable with great drawing where it’s needed, such as detailed shots of pastry products. On the aural side of things, I think all seiyuus did wonderfully. While the soundtrack isn’t that remarkable, it manages to build a proper mood for the most part. Kinda surprised to learn that Polkadot Stingray performs the opening theme Ano ne – it sounds very anisong-y coming from a band with bangers like Jet and Telecaster Stripes. As for ED theme, pachae’s Futarijime has a slow and laid-back vibe. It’s a song you’d tune in while leisurely walking home from work or having an intimate date with your partner.

  To sum up, I really enjoyed I Have a Crush at Work. There aren’t many office romance getting adaptation these days, and this one feels pretty mature with a good balance between work life and love life. Too bad this show isn't licensed for the West market yet, since it’s only available on [Ani-One Asia YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@AniOneAsia/) which isn’t globally available.

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• 

  AquaLucas2

  90/100
  Put simply, PEAK FICTION

  This review is spoiler free

  Before we begin it must be stated that "I have a Crush at Work" NEGS ALL FICTION! Dante's inferno? Low diff. The Lord of the Rings? High diff. One Piece? Atomic bomb vs coughing baby. This anime is proof that we've evolved as a species beyond the confines of biology to a higher plane of existence, and frankly I would bow down and kiss the feet of Akamaru Enomoto, as well as do anything she asks of me, no matter how humiliating, in reverence of her ability to create this magnificent work of art. As well as send all my life savings to Studio BLADE for their adaptation of her masterpiece. Thank you, for everyone who worked on this, for making the most absolute of absolute cinema...

  Anyways, I've been checking out almost every seasonal anime for each new season for about a year and a half. It's nice to have something that keeps me from abandoning this medium amidst the humdrum of everyday life, for I find it to continually surprise me despite me having been watching anime for at least 5 years. Not as much as some other people I know, but I find it sad that some people I'm very good friends with don't watch anime at all anymore, despite it being a major part of what made us friends in the first place. It comes and goes for some people, and that's fine, but I don't ever want to stop watching anime. It's what got me through some of the darkest parts of my life, reminded me of what I value, helped me find joy outside it's confines, and overall made me a better human being. I wouldn't be the same without it, so I make sure to keep that flame alive, for it's so easy for it to go out if you don't tend to it properly.

  However the anime I've seen from the last couple years have been a mixed bag. It's not like it bothers me that much anymore, I tend to just drop things that don't keep my attention and keep what I like, but even the best of what I've seen is not up to par with what I was introduced to this medium from. The standards have been lowered, because I'm not asking for these shows to blow my socks off. I like something cozy, something that I can talk to people over, something that makes life a little bit more novel. So it's with elation that I can say that I've found something that genuinely clicks with me and I can wholeheartedly recommend.

  But let's add some partial context, you're a Japanese high schooler, a weeb at that, and you've just graduated. You have you're whole life ahead of you, job prospects, romance, independence, and you even get PAID for the work you do! But life is not how it seems, you got a job at some office with a bunch of other coworkers, they don't seem to talk to you like the people you knew in high school. After work you go drinking with everyone but you still don't seem to like them very much. You go back to your single apartment (because that's all you can afford) and crash. You are now a Japanese salary man, or at least, the gentrified version concocted by international news headlines and statistics.

  I've never been to Japan, I don't speak Japanese, I don't even know anyone who lives there. But the data doesn't lie, and I'm feeling safe to assume that there are millions of people who live a life similar to what I've described above, both in Japan and in other countries. So it's no wonder that escapism is prevalent within this demographic, which is not too different from many of us watching in our own countries. Relevant to my piece here is the general affinity this group has towards high school anime. We've all seen these, the sports festival, after school clubs, a band performance and a teary eyed conclusion, as well as it's various genre specific permutations. Some of these anime are some of my favorite of all time, but it's interesting noting who is watching these shows and why. The details are not too relevant, but if you want to know more, there's a pretty good Yiman video that delves into this very topic. In short, we look back to times like high school for comfort and nostalgia, being reminded of simpler times to bring comfort to our currently chaotic lives.

  The reason why I'm bringing this up is that HIGH SCHOOL FUCKING SUCKS ASS! It did for me at least, but anime like these always felt like some kind of fairy tale fever dream. Who wants to go back to acne, the college rat race, hormonal imbalance, weird social cliques, mandatory 6+ hour attendance (in addition to cram school and homework), as well as generally not knowing who you are and where you're going. I can see why shows like these were important, when I was the age of the characters on screen, for this time is very pivotal in discovering parts of yourself in a system that, for the most part, stamps out creativity and turns you into a good for your job simpleton. It's why most people I've mentioned above leave anime behind after they've gotten what they need from it.

  I'm not going to shame anyone for the escapism they partake in, life is hard enough as is, and fiction does not have to correlate to reality at all, but I think it's kinda sad that, in the mind of the demographic in which works like these are aimed at, high school is supposed to be the height of one's life, a time of simplicity and relaxation, when for most people it's the exact opposite. It feels like the consistent production of anime like this is meant to keep people spinning their wheels, when one season is over, a swath of new works take their place, and the cycle repeats. Amidst my time in said cycle, I end up craving a work that looks past the haze of rosy retrospection, and speaks earnestly to the lives people like us actually lead.

  "I have a Crush at Work" feels like everything I wanted out of a romcom, but also an important message based on the context provided above. It's a reminder to anyone old, tired, or going through their day to day life, that there is still room for growth, fun, exploration, and happiness. People call this "just you're average boring romcom" but unlike everything I've described before, it feels more real, more honest. As previously stated, I'm not asking for anime like these to blow my socks off, but what I got instead was something way better. This anime makes me look towards the future with optimism, it makes me think of all the things I can do on days off, the connections I can make with those in my everyday life, and simply, makes me really, really happy.

  But I'm getting ahead of myself, so let's do a quick synopsis for the uninitiated (thank you for reading this far in). Masugu Tateishi is your standard office worker employed to a confectionery company, but he's having trouble with a bratty coworker, Yui Mitsuya. She puts a lot of effort into her job, and puts a hundred and ten percent into the project she works on. Tateishi leaves his work and arrives back home, and Yui is there with him? Turns out they're actually dating, in secret! Can they keep up appearances? Can they keep that oh so important work life balance? Yeah you get it.

  This show isn't hiding anything about this relationship from the audience, which is the core appeal of the work in cutting past all the drama to show the real challenge of keeping a relationship alive. With this in mind, it also keeps the conflicts of each episode rather minor, these people are good for each other, and the connection they share has real impacts on one another's quality of life. Need to pull an all nighter for a certification exam? Encouraging texts and a relaxing vacation await the other side. Need help on creating a new product for the company? Genuine feedback and discussion ensue. It's been a while since I've seen an anime couple that are so well suited for each other.

  Tateishi has a great understanding of other people. He does spend a lot of his time in his head, but it's always towards practical and efficient ways of making his partner happy. He's also one to speak his mind, if he thinks somethings wrong or if Yui is acting strange, he's quick to ask and make sure everything is alright. Yui is equally receptive, although she's more quick to delve into worrisome scenarios. She's more deliberate with her facade at work, which can make her sometimes hard to read for Tateishi, but is more emotionally upfront.

  The notable difference in their relationship is communication, which some people criticize mostly due to the "anime dialogue" sounding less mature for people that age, or being more rushed and less dramatic. I don't understand that critique in the slightest, mainly due to the fact that the content of their words speaks further than what is usually found in anime like this. To me, most people are just children that got old, and we don't always know what we're doing to one another when we act dismissive or more mature to fit appearances. To me at least, I felt it refreshing to see characters that don't stumble through their words and are comfortable being straight forward about their desires, struggles, worries, ect. This is something that can only really come with age, once you feel comfortable enough with yourself, you can talk to people without looking for something in the other that you lack.

  This becomes even more clear in the show's sex scenes. Yes, sex. It's not explicit or on screen, but it's a very clear part of this show, and I don't think I've seen an anime handle the subject matter as tactfully as this show did. It's not glorified, or used for cheap fanservice, it's just a part of their relationship. There's even a point in the show where Yui is clearly flirting with Tateishi, but noting the strange timing and her tendency to hide how she really feels about things, Tateishi denies her advances and asks if everything's alright. It's moments like this that show you that they really care for each other. Which makes the intimate moments all the more satisfying, in displaying people that want the other to feel loved, rather than being done out of self satisfaction or a hormonal impulse.

  In addition, they just do more things that you would expect from people their age. Baseball games, forest retreats, cafe visits, movie nights, fancy restaurant dates, typical things you would expect from a typical romantic relationship, but becomes all the more important noting the context of the freedom afforded to adults. It's that much more sincere that these people choose to do these activities of their own time, rather than being some contrived trope of some forced standardized curriculum. Maybe it's just me, but there wasn't some magical school club that paid for an 800$ retreat to an isolated hot spring, or afforded the freedom to spend a relaxing day off at a cafe. It's simply more true to life.

  It must also be addressed that this show nails it's episodic formula, without being unnatural or diverting away from it's core premise. These plots never felt boring, and gave me the feeling these characters have things going on in their lives, rather than a static mold of adult life. There's goals to work towards that's actually meaningful to the company and the people within it, and once the work is complete, the relaxation that comes afterwards is that much more satisfying. I could even tie this in with the mostly exaggerated honna and tatemae comparison present in this work space, as the presumed appearance that need be kept is only really present within the minds of the characters who worry about said appearances. Contrary to orientalist views on japan, every country has work etiquette and Japan is not special for having to act in accordance with HR or general social norms. In truth, most of the characters don't act that much different inside work than they do outside of it, and this can be seen with Morizono Maria, who after revealing her secret of going out to desert places on her days off, is able to converse more authentically with the others at her work space. This is also true of Mita Itsurou who is a fan of the great outdoors, and even invites his work mates to go on a fun camping trip. This also ties into a side plot with the character Somei Keisuke which I won't reveal for spoilers (but I'm sure it's pretty obvious).

  Any potential faults I can have with the show's production or relatively short run time, pales in comparison with how mature, comforting, and true to life it is as a work place romcom. Maybe I'm being haste, after all I haven't seen Wotakoi, or My Senpai is Annoying, or Aharen-san, or... idfk My Tiny Senpai, but I'm feeling comfortable right now with my assessment. I've had such a good time with this anime while it was airing to give it the distinction of being one of my favorites of all time. With that, I don't think there's anything more to say.

  Thanks for reading.

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