I wonder what you’d call this feeling...? Friendly, confident, amazing at his job…All words applicable to veteran CG designer Yanase, now the mentor of the industrious new hire Kaneda. Yanase is eager to get along with his trainee, but he begins to lose heart in the face of Kaneda’s frosty indifference. However, on the inside, Kaneda’s been struggling to play it cool whenever Yanase so much as pats him on the back! Is this a simple case of hero worship, or is there something more to Kaneda’s feelings…?
By Shinta Harekawa
Series Senpai, This Can’t Be Love!
Volume 1 of -
Release Date 18.06.2024
Genre Yaoi
Age Rating 18+
Publisher Yen Press
CW None
Rating ★★★☆☆
My Review
The story follows Kaneda, a 25-year-old with a shy and introverted personality, who has just landed his dream job at the same company as his CG idol, Yanase. Yanase, a famous creator in the field, is the person who inspired Kaneda to pursue a career in CG in the first place. But despite his admiration, Kaneda is determined to keep his fanboy side in check, leading to an awkward dynamic. Yanase, who becomes Kaneda’s mentor, is left confused by his cold and distant behavior.
The art is nice and detailed, especially in its depiction of the CG industry. The technical aspects of Kaneda’s job are seemingly done well and add an interesting layer to the story.
However, the plot is filled with classic BL tropes: the drunken confessions, late nights spent working overtime together, and the looming threat of one character moving away. While these are familiar elements that can be fun, they don’t bring much originality to the table and to be honest, feel kind of predictable.
The main drawback is the lack of depth and development between the characters and their relationship. Despite the potential for a strong emotional connection, the chemistry between Kaneda and Yanase feels underdeveloped. Their interactions feel rushed, and the fast pacing of the first volume leaves little room for a slow-burn romance. In this way, it reminded me of Turns Out My Online Friend is My Real-Life Boss! Vol. 2 where they find themselves living together—cute but lacking in emotional buildup.
It’ll be interesting to see how future volumes handle the pacing, especially since Volume 1 moves so quickly. There’s potential for more drama if an ex or past coworker who stirs up trouble, but for now, the story had me thinking "meh".
Overall, it’s a okay read for fans of the genre, but don’t expect too much in terms of emotional complexity or developed romance. Also they added a smut scene at the end which to be honest, could have been postpoend. Hopefully, future installments will flesh out the relationship between Kaneda and Yanase and explore their connection in a more meaningful way.
