Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
With a long title like ‘After Moving Seats, The Boy Behind Me Has A Crush On Me’, one doesn’t even need to do any research on the plot!
Based on a novel by Mashiroito, the eight-episode Japanese series stars Konishi Eito (Takara’s Treasure, Therapy Game) as protagonist Mayama Hare, a shy, introverted student with no friends, whose world changes when the popular Asamiya Kosei (actor Gennosuke) passes him a note declaring that he likes him. This happens after a change of seats in class lands Asamiya right behind Mayama.
Like most ‘loner x popular’ romantic comedies go, Mayama wonders if Asamiya is pulling some sort of prank on him, especially because he has trauma from a similar joke once played on him by students he considered friends. However, Asamiya’s feelings seem earnest, and he starts including Mayama in his friend group, which includes the extroverted Sakaki Toma (Hiramoto Ken) and Hikaru (Iijima Hayate). Their friendship is reminiscent of the drama School Trip: Joined A Group I’m Not Close To, which deals with similar themes. In fact, if you enjoy shows like School Trip, you’ll probably enjoy this too.
The pace and rhythm of After Moving Seats… are leisurely and cute, essentially following Mayama and Asamiya as they move from strangers to friends to lovers. They start hanging out, doing team activities, and get to know each other more so Mayama can decide if they should date. Gennosuke is highly likable as the straightforward Asamiya, who doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to his feelings and affection for his crush. The show does throw in a little twist where he takes a step back, though, just to add some conflict and comedy.
While Konishi Eito seemed miscast in Takara’s Treasure and I wasn’t a fan of his performance there, he is a lot more memorable and endearing as Mayama in ‘After Moving Seats, The Boy Behind Me Has A Crush On Me‘. He is kind, hard-working, considerate, even though he tends to lives in his own head. The onscreen chemistry between Gennosuke and Konishi Eito is sweet, soft and wholesome. (Gennosuke’s pairing with Keitatsu Izumi in the silly romance Dangerously Sweet is way more adorable though.)
I think my favorite scene in the series comes somewhere in the second half. The evening after the leads finally confirm their feelings for each other, they meet again the next morning, and Asamiya waits for Mayama outside his house and greets him with, “Hi, I am your boyfriend.” It’s sweet, flirty and reassuring, especially since an under-confident lead like Mayama could easily start spiralling in confusion over, “What are we now?!!!” Small gestures like these put all that anxiety to rest for youngsters navigating their first relationship.
Overall, ‘After Moving Seats, The Boy Behind Me Has A Crush On Me‘ is a cutesy comfort watch, even though it doesn’t have the high energy of teen romantic comedies like My Love Mix-Up! or the angst and intensity of shows like Contrast or Our Youth. Watch it if you don’t mind some formulaic but comforting teen romance.
‘After Moving Seats, The Boy Behind Me Has A Crush On Me’ is on Viki/GagaOolala.
Looking for more BLs to watch? Check out quick reviews of three romcoms below.
