This review may contain spoilers
An Endearing Sapphic Romance Indeed
“Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko!” (Ayaka-chan wa Hiroko-senpai ni Koishiteru) is an office romance between Ayaka (Kato Shiho) and her superior Hiroko (Mori Kanna). It starts off with Ayaka’s attempts to woo Hiroko and to get her to notice Ayaka’s feelings. Her initial attempts end up in comic failures because Hiroko presumes Ayaka is straight and her gestures don’t have any meaning behind them. As the show proceeds, we find that Hiroko’s supposed obliviousness is actually a defence mechanism of wilful ignorance that she puts up to shield herself.Read the complete article here-
https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/09/24/ayaka-is-in-love-with-hiroko-series-review-ep-3-to-8/
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Sweet and chaotic
I'm so pleasantly surprised by this, it was a simple and uncomplicated love story made so complicated and funny because of how chaotic the leads were.And not just that, they avoided so many tropes I thought would definitely crop up, there was no love triangle, no exes popping up without reason, and while there was plenty of miscommunication and misunderstandings, it was most definitely part of the story's charm.
Though it got frustrating at times, Hiroko and Ayaka made it worth the watch. The charming mix of hopelessly crushing on each other inadvertently turning into panic in both of them was amazing to watch, and the tight script that made time for not just this but delved into their backstories, friendships and workplace histories meant that there wasn't a lot of time being spent on one storyline to the extent of it becoming boring and repetitive.
Hiroko was definitely the more frustrating lead, at least for me, because despite the fact that I could see where she was coming from and what she meant to express through her confusing actions, the lack of communication on her end sometimes made me genuinely angry.
They had a good balance though, Ayaka definitely knew what she wanted and went for it, and her positive, sunshine attitude was so refreshing to watch.
Even the supporting characters were exceptional, though we didn't get to see much of them, their presence in the story was irreplaceable and just made me more invested in them and the leads.
There was just so much to this series that I enjoyed and I highly recommend.
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Japanese dramas have a special way of portraying love stories, and Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko is a perfect example of how a well-crafted GL drama can capture the essence of romance, comedy, and warmth. This drama stole my heart with its cute, funny, and lovely storytelling, making it my absolute favorite GL drama from Japan.
Plot & Storytelling
Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko tells the beautiful story of Ayaka, a cheerful and kind-hearted woman, who unexpectedly falls in love with Hiroko, a reserved yet endearing character. Their journey is filled with adorable moments and amusing situations, making it a delightful watch from start to finish. The pacing is perfect, ensuring that every moment is impactful without feeling rushed.
Characters & Chemistry
The lead characters are wonderfully written, each with their own unique personalities that complement each other perfectly. Ayaka’s bubbly nature and Hiroko’s quiet charm create an irresistible dynamic, making every interaction between them feel natural and deeply touching. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their romantic progression is beautifully developed.
Humor & Sweet Moments
One of the strongest points of this drama is its humor. The witty dialogues and funny situations make it impossible not to smile while watching. At the same time, the romantic moments are beautifully executed, filled with genuine emotions that make your heart flutter.
Final Thoughts
Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko is a must-watch for anyone who loves GL dramas. It’s cute, funny, and lovely, with lovable characters and a storyline that keeps you engaged until the very end. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it! You’re in for a beautiful ride filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable moments.
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Pure fluff. A simple sweet romance
This is my 1st GL. i think it's not bad..its good. No major misunderstanding. It was a really calm watch. I like how they showed both worlds one where homo sexuality was not acceptable and one where it was seen as something normal. Ayaka was cute while sempai was kinda cool😅... i was expecting them to immediately start dating once they got to know about their feelings for each other. Never expected that twist. Overall a good watchWas this review helpful to you?
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Pretty cute!
This is a pretty adorable GL. It was pretty funny at times, as well. Around the 3rd episode, I wondered how long they could drag out Ayaka completely dodging all of Hiroko's very, VERY obvious cues. The back and forth between her deciding to date Hiroko and then taking it back made it feel just a bit longer than was entirely enjoyable, so it wasn't a slam dunk for me. Also the first kiss was not super great...I did like that this show discussed fear of discrimination at work - though I don't exactly understand why Hiroko's response to hearing about what happened to Ayaka's boss was confessing in front of all their coworkers.
Overall, one of the better GLs I've seen, so it's a tentative recommend.
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A pleasant moment
The plot itself is not original, but there are many stories about romance in the workplace. What I particularly like is that Hiroko has no authority over her employees, including Ayaka, so you sometimes forget that she's their superior. I really liked this aspect. I really love the way they are handling the way lesbian can't be out the fear of coming out. the fear to be seen by the other it was really well done.The originality really lies in the humor; I found the story particularly entertaining.
The performance was remarkable, and I have no criticism to make; the actresses demonstrated excellent chemistry.
I wish it had lasted longer, but the conclusion is satisfying; it's true that you can't have everything in life.
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office romance bobinho
que gl fofinho e refrescante, fazia tempo que não via algo bobinho e tão viciante assim, devorei os episódios e ficou aquele gostinho de quero mais, provavelmente vou acabar revendo depois de um tempo.já tenho um fraco por office romances (gap foi meu primeiro gl e sempre gostei de romances assim), mas não tinha tanta familiaridade com gls japoneses, cheguei a conclusão que provavelmente vou pesquisar mais sobre.
em questão de atuação, achei boas performances das meninas, mas a risa foi bem memorável, a dor dela era palpável falando com a ayaka.
gostei das osts, bem upbeat, escutaria novamente.
overall, boa série, nada muito profundo mas alguns tópicos sensíveis, só oito episódios fica bem curtinho, senti falta de mais desenvolvimento, mas definitivamente vou reassistir.
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Fun and silly
I went into this without much preconception other than it was recommended as a jdrama GL I should check out.Overall, I had a lot of fun. This is a pretty silly show, so it is very much a romcom that emphasizes the "com". That aspect is not my usual, but I still found the emotional beats satisfying and many aspects of this show very charming.
The biggest criticism is probably an obvious one, and that is the misunderstandings are dragged out way too long and repeat way too many times. The entire first season is pretty much centered on a bizarre insistence of one lead that the other lead is straight. This is never supported in any way, and drags out to an absurd extent. It is a common situation but just exaggerated for comedy. Accept it early or you won't have much fun, because it is THE centerpiece of S1.
Well the misunderstandings can get annoying, but perhaps the worst part is that what we are left with is the majority of the runtime just watching a single character just thinking to themselves and generating thoughts that are wrong and create problems. Not only is it frustrating that the conflicts are ..just made up by her having dumb ideas, but is it actually enjoyable to watch someone go down anxious thought spirals over and over and over by themselves? Where is the plot? This is actually a similar pattern we saw in Cherry Magic.
Which is sorta relatable, but do I need to live this for someone else? This may just be the line where anxiety "comedy" is not for me.
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Best RomCom GL!!!
GLs are just starting to rise in popularity and this show should be the reason why!! This series feels like if Cherry Magic and Ossan's Love had a lesbian child - the funny over-the-top misinterpretations of an office romance is exactly what we need.This one is pretty interesting since neither character is innocent, but instead, plain ignorant. This makes for a perfect amount of tension. And I have to say that both unique characters are pretty likable with their own charms: Hiroko is a sort of bad girl turned good, while Ayaka is a bit of a good girl turned bad (not perfectly accurate, but this was the best way I could describe their dynamic).
Very few GLs are worthwhile and well-executed at the moment, but this one is the exception. If you want to be ahead of the trend, I 100% recommend it!
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Very cute series!!!
Do you feel like watching something heartwarming? Craving some cuteness? Want a story that avoids toxic characters? A series that guarantees a smile? Then look no further; this is the series you need!The story is quite simple, yet it was done beautifully. I was confused at how Hiroko was so certain that Ayaka was straight, even though it was evident that Ayaka had feelings for her. But sometimes in real life, the lines can blur when it comes to feelings. If someone has a crush on you, their friendly behavior might lead you to believe they’re just being nice. On the flip side, there are also those who are simply kind without any romantic intentions.
I absolutely adored Ayaka; she’s just so adorable! However, I truly hope she embraces a new style for herself, not just to please Hiroko. It’s possible that she always wanted to wear cute outfits but lacked the confidence. When Hiroko expressed her fondness for those styles, it might have given Ayaka the push she needed to explore new fashion choices.
It cracks me up how Hiroko reveals all the juicy details at the bar. She’s so clueless, it’s just too funny!
Ayaka's preparation of a meal for Hiroko was incredibly sweet, and her bubbling excitement for the business trip only amplified her cuteness. Ayaka was exceptionally bold on that business trip; her comments had me giggling nonstop. She was really trying hard.
The chemistry between the actresses was fantastic! I really enjoyed their shopping "date," especially Ayaka with those adorable bunny ears—she was just too cute!
Risa is such a delightful character; I absolutely adore her! I appreciate how she stands by Ayaka's side, unlike in some shows where a character with a crush tries to create drama and disrupt relationships. She truly embodies what it means to be a great friend!
The ending was lovely and heartwarming. While the series was short, it’s often true that a shorter format can be more effective than a lengthy series with over ten episodes that run longer than 45 minutes, especially when several episodes feel like a drag.
I'm really happy I missed the airing of this series because it allowed me to binge-watch it all at once! It's such an adorable show that's perfect for a binge-watching session.
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Kept me laughing out loud – its a winner.
“AYAKA is in LOVE with HIROKO” makes good on it’s promises.Let’s get the things I didn’t like out of the way. First is the 13-year age gap, which is fully in my ick-zone; I am not a fan of age gap romances. I’m good with five years, after ten I tend to get squigged out. Second is the boss/subordinate trope. The two together create a severe power imbalance, which is a problem in romantic relationships. I know they are very popular and hear the “its just fiction” defense, but fiction has the power to normalize behaviors. OK, I’ll step off my soapbox because, all in all, I enjoyed this show.
Official Synopsis: “Ayaka has no problem with getting attention from men, but she has a deep crush on Hiroko, her senior at her company. She tries charming Hiroko, but it doesn’t seem to have much effect. However, Hiroko is trying to keep cool because she has a crush on Ayaka too...”
Ayaka pulls out all the stops as she tries to catch Hiroko’s eye, but Hiroko thinks Ayaka is just a clueless and dangerous straight girl, and she has sworn off dating straight girls. I hear you, girl. Straight girls can be so clueless, sending signals they don’t mean or even know they are sending. The assumption that Ayaka is straight led to so many comedic moments as Hiroko misread her words and actions, keeping me laughing — full, out-loud belly laughs. If you like a good, uncomplicated romcom, this story just might be for you.
Ayaka’s determination to win over Hiroko is something to behold. For someone who is —let’s be nice and call her naive — she certainly has great intuition about some things.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say Ayaka is most likely demisexual since she made it to 23 years old without being attracted to anyone. Feel free to argue the point, but most folks have crushes as teens.
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I want more.
I enjoyed the series. Wishing for Season 2, more updates on their relationship. Hopefully.I enjoyed Ayaka-chan’s bubbly character and Hiroka is cute too. Though I wanted see more on how their relationship progressed. How they would overcome the obstacles of being in a relationship. I hope if there will be season 2, they would attain freedom and comfortability in their relationship.
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