This review may contain spoilers
again cuteness overload...
That was a nice conclusion, but I'm a bit pissed they said two episodes and not two half episodes...Also the steamy hot scene was in the first half and the second half lacked that. So while it was nice to watch the pacing was reversed. They should have done the serious talk first and then the hot steamy scene last.
So I feel they tuned it down and after the "first" episode I would have expected more. But overall this is a small disappointment but the overall vibe and seriousness was a highlight. It gave the whole special more meaning compared to so many other specials which only serve as fanservice.
Overall it's not perfect, so it gets some deduction, but compared to most special episodes this is a very good one.
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Dare I say, better than the series
It was so sweet, also very funny, the first part of the first ep at least, and we got to see jealous Watarai, yeay!... I really didn't want it to end it was so cute~However it was very short, but still as beautiful as the series, we get to see the growth of their relationship, and how comfortable they become with each other, of course Hioki still as shy and adorable and we all got off guard by the hot kissing, but it was a nice surprise.
It's only 2 episodes, very short 2 episodes, heavily focused on the two main characters, but we got to see a glimpse of the rest of the group.
It really has what everyone wish to see in a special ~~
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1This review may contain spoilers
A very lovely ending, though I wish these episodes are incorporated in the drama itself
Ep 1 - 7.5Ep 2 - 8.5
Average - 8.0
There really is no good reason for breaking up these special episodes into such short ones, except for creating and prolonging the hype. And because it’s broken up, I’ll have to evaluate the episodes separately.
I was disappointed in the first episode and was concerned that it might undo the happy vibes and positive reviews I’ve had for the drama. Was it a bad episode? Not necessarily. Was it great to see a longer, more close up kiss? Definitely. But the episode of the game has no substance. The focus is on the latter part when the make out session happens. Yes, I like a longer kiss, but it was not a pretty kiss. It’s forceful yet not passionate. Therefore, I was worried it ended on a vibe that’s different from what the series gave me.
However, episode 2 restored my faith and what I like about the drama. It was cute and fluffy, the personalities of the leads are still there. Most importantly, the honest and open communication of feelings. It feels that they have really grown as a couple and are more comfortable with each other. It’s nice to finally see Hioki hear Watarai’s side of the story, even though as viewers, we already know. Additionally, we got a little more skinship that feels romantic and passionate. Well, still a somewhat disappointing kiss to me. But this episode is so much better than the first one.
I wish the drama had incorporated these special episodes into the drama itself. If ep 2 was the ending of the whole drama, then I would say the drama ended on a high note. Instead, episode 10 ended on an OK note.
Completed: 1/6/2026 Review #658
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Short, sweet, and simply cute
For me, this special was just really cute, and honestly, that’s enough. Yes, it was very short and the pacing could have been better, but what mattered to me was getting to see more soft, sweet moments between them. Watching their relationship feel more natural, more comfortable, and more affectionate was exactly what I wanted from a special.The jealous moments, the shy reactions, and even the unexpected kisses all added to that feeling of intimacy between them. It didn’t try to be overly dramatic or groundbreaking, it simply gave us more of them, and I was happy with that. Not perfect, but warm, light, and full of cute scenes, and for me, that’s what made it worth watching.
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Le point final...
En temps normal, les épisodes spéciaux ne m'intéressent pas. Pourtant, ceux de School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To After Story sont une vraie plus-value. Il ne s'agit pas de simples moments destinés à rallonger inutilement l'histoire. Au contraire, ils se concentrent réellement sur les personnages et leur relation, et comblent également le petit manquement du drame original.C'est court, mais suffisant pour amener le point final qui manquait. J'aime les JBL, mais parfois, les romances sont sacrifiées. C'est agréable de voir son contraire sur ces bonus. Se concentrer exclusivement sur Hioki et Watarai était la chose à faire, sans aucun doute.
En bref, les épisodes spéciaux de School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To After Story sont agréables, et une bonne façon d'apposer le point final de ce JBL simple, mais adorable.
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