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After School in the Teacher's Lounge / Houkago no Shokuinshitsu

After School in the Teacher's Lounge / Houkago no Shokuinshitsu

Episodes: 2

My Rating: 1.5/10

MyAnimeList Rating: 5.23/10

Summary: When Mitsuro Kawase starts a new job as an art teacher at a middle school, he is faced with an unexpected situation – the open and pushy advances of fellow teacher Toshiaki Kazama. Unsure about Toshiaki’s motives and his own feelings about their relationship, Mitsuro finds himself battling feelings of shame and confusion. But with the appearance of a woman intent on marrying Toshiaki - and Toshiaki’s growing frustration with Mitsuro’s indecisiveness - can Mitsuro accept Toshiaki’s feelings and come to terms with his own, before it’s too late?

*JUMP TO FINAL VERDICT*

My sassy plot summary: [MINOR SPOILERS]

If I’m to be honest, the only reason I stuck through this anime was for the sake of a review. It’s cringe-worthy. Art atrocities aside (like seriously, how are their shoulders SO GODDAMN BIG), this anime has next to no plot. Filled with random scene switches and ill-fitting music, this generic yaoi features the persistent Seme (Kazama) and the oblivious Uke (Kawase), both teachers, casually upping and leaving in the middle of the school year to go to a bed and breakfast run by (surprise surprise) the Uke’s mother and overly curious and overprotective brother. Grumpy Kazama is grumpy that Kawase has not fallen completely in love with him in the time space of a few days, Kawase is having a mental breakdown, they stare at the moon together for a bit, they kiss and an overprotective baby bro interrupts.

And then we get to the second episode. I can clearly recall my first thoughts being “Okay, what the actual f*** is this?”. The opening five minutes is some creepy scene where Kazama turns into an emotionally manipulative asshole and literally threatens to kill Kawase. In fact, as I typed this, this was the point where I decided to drop my initial rating of a 3/10 to a 1.5/10. And then bamn, suddenly there is a golf course and a woman in the picture, which obviously equals even more chaos for the plot. I keep watching, regardless of the fact I’m still hung up on trying to decide whether Kawase’s legs are skinnier than golf clubs.

Apparently grumpy Kazama becomes greedy Kazama in this episode, and innocent Kawase becomes stalker Kawase. Also, apparently Kawase found some hair dye and he is no longer blonde but a ginger/light brunette? This may have taken me a little too long to realize, considering I spent the first half of the episode wondering who on earth this new character was… Oops? Greedy Kazama looks a little too happy with his latest girl (yes the one from the golf course and yes the one who looks like a serial killer with Kawase next on her list), and Kawase goes into full hissy-fit “why won’t you notice me Senpai?!” mode. Kawase makes some stupid decisions, serial-killer girl saves his ass and then kisses him. Trust me, I have no idea what’s happening at this point either. From here on, scenes jump about faster than the easter bunny with five minutes left to spare. There’s a repeat of the murder threat scene. Kawase dumps Kazama. The girl tells Kazama she’s serious about his and her relationship. Kazama heavily rejects her. Kawase apologizes to Kazama. They kiss. The End.

Long story short, nothing much happens in this. In fact, so little happens that I have quite literally told you the entire plot. Don't waste your time.

Characters & Corresponding Voice Actors:

Kazama Toshiaki (voiced by Yanada, Kiyoyuki)

Kawase Mitsuro (voiced by Midorikawa, Hikaru)

Animation/Art style:

Okay, first things first - if ‘old’ anime is not your thing, steer clear! As this anime was aired in 1994-1995, I’m sure you all can imagine what I’m harping on about. Our yaoi boys bodies are significantly out of proportion. You’ll see what I mean at around 2:36 minutes into the very first episode…well, that was when I lost it! Like, you know how Seme’s always have crazily large hands, long legs, broad chests and teeny tiny waists? Yeah, imagine that on steroids and then multiply it by 5. Like, even if you’re not considering watching this anime, I would recommend you skip to that time point for the absolute clicheness of it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those Fujoshi’s who hate everything made before 2012 (please don’t hate me I do appreciate old anime too!), but this was truly something else.

I mean seriously. Look.

Look it it. How. Why. How did the animators even let this slide through. Why.

WHY?! Please explain how on earth this passed for even remotely anatomically correct. Please. Anyone?

Putting that aside, animation also seems to go from pretty darn realistic to very obviously unrealistic. For example;

to

I mean, huh? Really? I know recycling old animation is common practice, but… why…

Final Verdict:

If you want the quick review, my verdict is don’t waste your time. If you’re really, REALLY craving some yaoi and you’ve watched everything there is to watch (and multiple times too) then maaaaaybe you could consider it. But, in my opinion, it’s hardly worth it. The quality of the art is poor, characters aren’t developed and there is next to no plot. Pretty ‘meh’ about this anime. Nothing particularly charming at all.

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