Each new anime season brings new surprises — a few hidden gems, and more than a few “drop after a single episode” disappointments. One show that has delighted me is Kono Kaisha ni Suki na Hito ga Imasu (aka I Have a Crush at Work). It’s a fantastic example of a romance anime done right, and it might just be my favorite office romance anime yet. Let’s dive in and see if the show is for you!
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Why I Have a Crush at Work Is the Grown-Up Romance We Needed
Masugu and Yui work in an office at a sweets manufacturing company where gossip runs wild — everyone loves speculating about who’s secretly dating. Little do their co-workers know they’re in a secret relationship, too! How can they manage to build a relationship together while keeping everyone from finding out?
They’ve only been officially dating for two days, so their love is fresh and new. But they have to be extra careful to avoid showing their feelings at work. This leads to many humorous moments, like when Yui acts extra cruel to Masugu over an accounting dispute. Or the time they find themselves crushed together in a crowded elevator, and can hold hands without anyone else noticing.
The anime is based on a popular manga by Akamaru Enomoto, serialized in Kodansha’s Morning comic. The official English title is I Have a Crush at Work, though the anime seems to use Can You Keep A Secret? as its official English name.
The Important Anime Genre of “Office Romance”
I’m a huge fan of romance anime, and I’m always happy to let my heart soar as characters I’ve become emotionally invested in finally find love together. But all too often, the genre takes place in a school setting, with characters 1/3 my age experiencing the joy of love for the first time, while I recently became a grandfather. So whenever a good “romance anime for grown-ups” comes along, I’m happy to support it. After all, most of us go to work every day, file our taxes, and do all that other grown-up stuff.
Why is Ao no Hako such a compelling romance anime? Read my blog post here!
Kono Kaisha ni Suki na Hito ga Imasu isn’t your usual romance anime, with characters obsessing over whether sharing a drink would constitute an “indirect kiss,” or the endless will-they-won’t-they when it comes to going all the way. Masugu and Yui are actual lovers, having actual sex. They also have to deal with issues like, what happens when you stay overnight at your boyfriend’s house and have to wear the same clothes to work the next day?
You’ll Love The Characters in I Have a Crush at Work
The main characters in an anime will obviously affect how we feel about the story, and I’m happy to say that Yui and Masugu are both very likable. Yui is a professional at work, but the moment she’s done for the day, she transforms into a total dere-dere (lovey-dovey) girlfriend. Masugu is a down-to-earth guy who wants to enjoy everything that comes with having a new girlfriend — though I must say, he’s more of a gentleman than I would be in his place.
But the side characters are also great. Like Morizono, the glasses-wearing “work otaku” with a secret passion for the sweets their company produces, though she can’t show that side of herself to anyone at work. Or Hayakawa, the overly social section chief who likes her liquor quite a lot. Or Somei, an awkward younger employee who Hayakawa takes under her wing emotionally.
A Well-Developed Story
As you probably know, I prefer anime based on manga over light novels because they usually have better structure and pacing…and you can’t become a professional manga-ka without having proven your skills over many years. That’s one of the reasons I’m really enjoying I Have a Crush at Work — it follows a more traditional story arc rather than the typical cotton candy episodic approach with no story progress that some other shows would take.
Best of all, the manga is already complete! That means we might get a proper resolution instead of the usual frustrating, “Read the manga/novels to see if they get married!” non-ending.
There’s one more reason you should watch this fun anime: Yui’s reactions. In every episode, it’s great to see the cute faces she makes. I love this girl so much.
Thanks for reading this blog post about the kawaii I Have a Crush at Work anime. Are you going to watch this adorable show? Tell us in the comments below!
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