Alternative title(s): this is him (can’t be anyone else), Senpai wa Otokonoko
Manga Adaptation by Project No.9
Streaming on Crunchyroll

Premise

Saki Aoi confesses her love to her senpai, Makoto. Turns out the person she was confessing to is a self-described otokonoko. Saki doesn’t give up, and neither does Makoto’s male friend Ryuji, who knows his secret and also has a crush on Makoto. A love triangle of multiple sexualities and gender expressions may sound hard work, but it can be good fun too.

Peter’s verdict: Respectful while still having fun

Quick terminology note: “otokonoko” has some weird baggage outside Japan, and usage is varied inside Japan, and I am not informed enough to go into that. At the very least, our protagonist Makoto uses the term to self-describe, and Crunchyroll choosing not to translate that is probably sensible to avoid arguments and/or if the definition changes over the course of the show. I will say that the word (among other words) is used by some in the West as both a slur and as a way to erase transgender characters, whether described as trans in the text or not, since one of the definitions is “crossdressing man who still identifies as a man”. Anyway, for the review itself, I have decided to maintain the use of “otokonoko” exclusively, as that feels most appropriate.

For a review of the episode itself, I’m not going to waste your time here. We have a love triangle between an otokonoko, a lesbian (although she says “I get to enjoy both the boy and girl version of you” so I understand why some may say bisexual or pansexual), and a gay childhood friend, and if your immediate reaction was “oh no”, I understand the hesitation. Anime hasn’t got a great track record on handling gender and sexuality, especially in comedies. There are some famous exceptions to the rule (Wandering Son and Zombie Land Saga comes to mind) but from episode 1 and the trailers prior to episode 1, plus general reaction to the manga I’ve heard, I think we have a good one, and I have one specific moment to point at that really hit home for me.

Right at the end of episode 1, before going home for the day, our otokonoko protagonist Makoto goes into a storage room by the school gates and changes into the boys uniform while putting the girls uniform away. We see some cute things like a bunny plush and stuff in the locker. Makoto closes the locker and says “goodnight, me”. That was the moment when I went “oh okay. This show actually cares”. Literally locking away your actual self. Subtlety of a brick.

I have high hopes for this show and I am looking forward to more. Go watch episode 1.

Also, with the post-election UK goverment, the member of parliament responsible for one of the funniest moments in UK politics, has been voted out of government. Here’s a reminder of the time a transphobic member of parliament held up a meme featuring Lily from Zombie Land Saga.