Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to Be Recognized Episode 1

A Hilarious, Angst-Filled, Bubbly Start to a series that Mirrors Notable BL of 2022

Warning! SPOILERS AHEAD! DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED ON SOME THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE EPISODE!The first episode of KSDSNYSK as stated in the headline is a hilarious, angst-ridden, bubbly start to a series that surprisingly mirrors an earlier 2022 JP BL series that has been very popular, Senpai This Can't Be Love! We're introduced to the first of our two main protagonists, Nekoyashiki Mamoru (or Momocchi) who makes his living as the creator of a popular BL manga series. He has an intense inferiority complex and only feels satisfied when showcasing his works in the coveted wall spot of the comic convention that's apparently a must-see event for lovers of various manga. He's perpetually tired and feels little joy outside of his appearance at the convention. His world gets shaken up when he's unexpectedly reunited with classmate Kazama Issei, one of the popular boys in his old high school who is now a member of the popular idol group Shiny Smile.Now on its face, this show starts off strong. From the depiction of the main characters to the variations in color tone when contrasting Momocchi and Issei and their world, this sets up the tone of opposites attracting. I was thrown off by the fact that nearly halfway through the episode they introduce what may in fact be the opening of the show which is the idol group Shiny Smile's song. It was hilarious though and seeing the stoic Mamoru start to lose his inhibitions as the song performance proceeds in his imagination put a huge smile on my face. We also get a glimpse into Issei's world as an idol after his second meeting with Momocchi where he calls him out in public, setting off a mad dash for his fans as they latch on to him due to his status as a former classmate of Issei. Tsubasa, presumably the leader of their idol group, verbally tears into him for breaking their professional image and basically orders him to leave the group. Here though (as is also seen in the way Issei bounces back from the less than desirable reactions of Momocchi), we see his determination to exhibit a positive outlook despite the criticisms being thrown at him. You feel bad for Issei as the episode moves forward because he is clearly very attached to Mamoru and inspired by him, but Mamoru can't see it. He insists that Issei is arrogant and insensitive and keeps pushing him away. By the end of the episode though, we see that Mamoru's feelings toward the man who has sparked his inferiority complex are far more nuanced than we would suppose by the episode as we learn that in fact, he is head over heels obsessed and possibly in love with Issei. At first, I was thinking that this would be a story of the artist with an inferiority complex getting the attention of an idol obsessed with his work and we do see that in this episode, but by the end of the episode I find myself seeing this show as a fall season mirror to an earlier 2022 hit that follows a similar storyline, 'Senpai, This Can't Be Love!'. Both series deal with protagonists who look down on themselves and harbor serious crushes/obsessions/unrequited love towards their respective counterparts who are famous/popular in their fields of employment. And though their counterparts are equally enamored by them, these protagonists respond to them very coldly, pushing them away from them by any means necessary because they feel like they don't deserve the attention of these icons. I'll be very interested to see if this show continues to mirror the way that Senpai, This Can't Be Love! managed to bring their protagonists together despite the apparent barriers between them. All in all this episode is an excellent start to the series. I fell in love with each of the main characters and even though I had to suspend my irritation with the boy band element of the show (I'm not a fan of JPop or KPop groups), I found myself completely engrossed in the unfolding story. Can't wait to see more!Verdict: Episode 1- 10/10

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