The charm levels were pretty much off the charts in Senpai ga Uzai Kouhai no Hanashi this week. I know some viewers struggle with series that don’t have conflict, but if you want a sweet and cheeky story about a bunch of basically nice people interacting with each other, I really think this show is a winner. I do, and it is – at least for me. While as Woody said “the world would be a wonderful place if it weren’t for certain people”, in my experience most are basically decent when push comes to shove. Maybe I’m just lucky, and I certainly have dealt with more than my share of A-holes, but this office plays as pretty true to life for me.
The anime cold is an absolute staple for this sort of series, but happily it wasn’t exploited for any false drama here. You get sick, you feel like crap, you get better – that’s what things were like most of the time before COVID. And yes, it does suck getting sick when you live alone – especially the first time it happens. But it doesn’t suck as much now as it used to, because we’re so connected even when we’re alone. That doesn’t mean you can’t freak out a little as Futaba did here, but in the end we’re not nearly as alone as we used to be.
The thing about Takeda-san is, he’s just such a bro. There’s no artifice to this guy – no delicacy either, but that’s fine because it’s just who he is. He’s a big, strong mensch who likes to take care of people. And he takes the sacred senpai role very seriously, as witness his pilgrimage to Futaba’s lair when he finds out she’s sick. Of course he finds out after everyone else in the office because he doesn’t have a smartphone – instead, the office’s aughts-era museum piece (and this will come up again, natch).
I don’t think Takeda-kuma has any ulterior motives here – he’s just taking care of his junior. He shows up with Pocari and ingredients for udon (he’s thoughtfully remembered it’s her favorite). Still, Futaba does have to beg him to stay and cook, though he proves quite competent at the task when tasked. He also gets a look at Futaba’s photo wall and stuffed animal collection while there, much to her chagrin. One recovered she promises to return the favor if ever Takeda takes ill (which makes it a given to happen), and volunteers to help him pick out a smartphone (unlike him she does have ulterior motives, but hardly sinister ones).
It’s fitting that Takeda hardly ever gets sick, and that when he does it’s because he was undergoing Takigyo (waterfall meditation) as part of his judo training. Naturally Futaba protests vociferously that she’s not going to go visit him, and naturally she does. His apartment is rendered in lovely detail – his weights, his giant oven mitts (unused), and his new tie hanging prominently with his suit (which Futaba notices, much to her joy). She cooks rice porridge (the traditional anime cold food) for him, and can’t help feeling up his stubble after he falls asleep. It’s getting harder and harder even for Takeda to miss the point here.
I’m perfectly fine with this relationship moving forward in slow-motion, because it’s fine as is. It’s a big step for these two, who are much less naturally compatible than the B-pairing in this series, and things are developing in a way that feels very natural. There are some more layers still to be added to the story (including one important side character yet to be introduced), but at heart Senpai ga Uzai Kouhai no Hanashi is a very simple and direct proposition. I’m totally buying what it’s selling, so that’s just fine with me.
