Kyoko Hori is a bright, capable honor student at school. But at home, she has a plainer side, busy with housework. Meanwhile, Izumi Miyamura, gloomy and unremarkable at school, turns out to be a surprisingly handsome guy covered in piercings and tattoos outside of it.
By chance, the two learn each other's "side they never show at school." Sharing that secret, Hori and Miyamura gradually grow closer.
Airing from January 2021, produced by CloverWorks. A smash hit that resonated widely as a coming-of-age ensemble depicting not just romance but the sparkle of friendship and everyday life. 💕
📝 Highlights & Appeal Light spoilers
01① A Sweet Bond Born from a Shared Secret
Watching the two grow close after learning each other's surprising "true self" is precious. Their tantalizingly sweet bond keeps you grinning.
02② A Rom-Com That Actually Moves Forward
Hori and Miyamura's relationship genuinely progresses, so it never feels frustrating. The vibe of a true-to-life couple is the best.
03③ Characters Packed with Delightful Gaps
Many characters have a gap between their school face and true self, and they're all charming. You'll fall for the surprises between looks and personality.
04④ More Than Romance: A Youth Ensemble
Beyond the lead couple, friendships and other budding romances are drawn with care. Each classmate's story warms the heart.
05⑤ CloverWorks' Beautiful, Delicate Animation
Delicate depictions of expressions and gestures convey the characters' emotions vividly. The sparkle of everyday life is beautifully animated.
06⑥ Funny, Sweet, and Sometimes Tear-Jerking
The balance between light comedy and sudden pangs of poignancy is superb. Miyamura's backstory episodes will make you cry.
07⑦ Relatable, True-to-Life High School
The realistic, familiar daily life of high schoolers who don't try too hard is endlessly relatable. The bittersweet itch of youth is lovable.
08⑧ Theme Songs by Yoh Kamiyama & Frederic
The OP "Iro Kousui" and ED "Yakusoku" beautifully color the show's bittersweetness. Youth savored with great songs stays with you.
💡 Key Points & Predictions Some spoilers
Ahead, Hori and Miyamura's relationship progresses slowly but surely — from sharing a secret, to friends, to lovers. Beyond the two of them, the friendships and romances of classmates like Ishikawa, Yoshikawa, Sengoku, and Remi are drawn with care, deepening its ensemble drama. Miyamura's past and his gradual "change" are deeply moving. Even without flashy incidents, you can't look away from the sparkling daily life of true-to-life high schoolers and where their bittersweet romance leads. 💕
🧾 Story So Far Contains spoilers
Kyoko Hori, a bright and capable honor student at school, is one day helped while looking after her little brother by Izumi Miyamura, a plain and unremarkable classmate. In truth, outside of school Miyamura is a surprisingly handsome guy covered in piercings and tattoos. Having learned each other's "true self they never show at school," the two naturally grow closer. From a special bond of shared secrets, Hori gradually finds herself drawn to Miyamura, and Miyamura, too, slowly becomes brighter by her side. Woven with the friendships and romances of the classmates around them, a sweet and bittersweet youth begins to move.
✅ Recommended Viewing Points
Highly recommended for anyone who wants a sweet, not-too-frustrating, true-to-life youth rom-com. Since the relationship genuinely progresses, you get to enjoy a mutually-in-love couple's flirting and the story beyond it. Fans of true-to-life romance like Tsuki ga Kirei, or rom-coms like Kaguya-sama, will be especially hooked. Not just the leads, but the surrounding characters' friendships and romances are drawn with care, giving great ensemble satisfaction. A bittersweet gem perfect for when you want to grin. 💕
👀 Trivia & Fun Facts
💫 Unresolved Foreshadowing Contains spoilers
- The loneliness Miyamura carried in the past, and what sparks his gradual "change."
- How Hori and Miyamura's relationship progresses from friends to lovers.
- Where the bittersweet one-sided loves of Ishikawa, Sakura Kono, and others will lead.
- The meaning behind Miyamura's piercings and tattoos, and the feelings he put into them.
💌 Predicted Viral Quotes for Next Season
— Hori's line, after learning Miyamura's true self, that sets their relationship in motion.
"Being next to you, Hori, feels comfortable."
— A line where the changing Miyamura's honest feelings show through.
"Your school face isn't the only real you."
— A line symbolizing this work's theme of affirming the "other side" everyone carries.