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historyhermann · 1 year ago

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Yuri Is My Job! Spoiler-Filled Review

Yuri Is My Job!, also known as Schwestern in Liebe! or Watashi no Yuri wa Oshigoto Desu!, is a yuri comedic anime based on an ongoing manga by Miman. 12 volumes of the manga have been printed, 11 of which have been translated into English. Passione and Studio Lings produced this series. It is directed by Hijiri Sanpei.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and Wayback Machine. This was the thirty-seventh article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on Jun. 28, 2023.

The plot of this series is in line with many yuri manga: a high school girl named Hime Shiraki (voiced by Yui Ogura) cares about her outward image as a sweet and helpful person. In actuality, she is very self-centered. One day, she trips and accidentally injures the manager of Cafe Liebe, Mai Koshiba (voiced by Yukari Tamura). She is guilted into covering shifts at the cafe to keep her image alive. As such, Hime works at an establishment where waitresses pretend they are students at an all-girls boarding school. Each has their own persona. She is drawn to another waitress, Mitsuki Yano (voiced by Sumire Uesaka) who gives her devotion and love. In private, Yano seems to hate her, hence the title of the anime, "yuri is my job!"

The fakery that the waitresses exemplify is shown though characters like Sumika Chibana (voiced by Makoto Koichi). She is calm and collected as a waitress but a gyaru outside work. Kanoko Mamiya (voiced by Minami Tanaka) contrasts this. A shy girl, she is Hime's good friend and knows Hime's true personality. She occasionally helps Hime during their work in the cafe. This fakery is also depicted through Hime, Mai, and Yano, each in a different way.

Show director Hijiri Sanpei is known, in part, as assistant director, storyboarder, and unit director of Citrus, a problematic anime due to sexual assault, non-consensual conduct, and toxicity between the two female protagonists. Apart from a few scenes, and some fan service of Yano, this does not translate over into Yuri Is My Job! In fact, the series has more allusions to other anime. For instance, the first episode alludes to Maria Watches Over Us. The latter series is said to be sweet, witty, unique, difficult, romantic, and have strong characters.

Yuri Is My Job! has similarities in terms of appealing animation, drama, and emotional scenes. The homoerotic themes are also treated respectfully, especially when paired with self-acceptance and self-discovery. Another series that Yuri Is My Job! may be referencing is a classic 2006 anime, Strawberry Panic! It is in the Class S genre, which focuses on romantic or close relationships between girls. While Strawberry Panic! is a romantic yuri based on illustrated short stories, and set at an all-girls school, Yuri Is My Job! takes place primarily at a cafe inside a high school.

The first episode pulls in the viewer, with a poppy and bubbly opening sequence, providing viewers with a sense of the characters. As noted earlier, yuri themes are there from the get-go, in terms of Hime's attraction to Yano, and an in-canon book entitled A Maiden's Heart, which resembles the plot of Maria Watches Over Us. This includes an older "sister" (Yano) putting a cross, on a necklace, around the neck of their younger "sister" (Hime). Adding to the confusion, Sumika appears to flirt with Yano.

At first, Hime appears to be a "gold-digger" only out for herself. As the story goes on, she becomes a more sympathetic character. This is clear from the close friendship between Kanoko and Hime. The latter even results in Kanoko working at the cafe after she follows Hime there. It is easy to be drawn to Hime's side when Yano is harsh against her, especially since Yano can see through Hime's cuteness facade.

Kanoko's character seems unhelpful, possessive, and annoying in earlier episodes. However, her character grows over the course of Yuri Is My Job!. For one, she supports Hime unconditionally. She even wonders why Hime cares about Yano. Kanoko's character might be lampooning the oft-trope, especially in yuri anime (and elsewhere), of the "deranged" cuckoo lesbian who has unrequited love for another woman. She may even be a yandere character.

I liked how the backstory of Hime and Yano provided insights into both characters. From that, it is easy to see both of their perspectives and how each of them could see the other as a "traitor". This all comes to a head when it is revealed, in the fourth episode, that Yano at the cafe is the same as the one she met when she was a young schoolgirl, when they played piano together. Over time, they get over their differences and clear up their misunderstanding.

Fundamentally, Yuri is My Job! has one theme throughout: miscommunication. Characters have different ways of seeing the world. Yano is coded as autistic. Hime is driven by being approved by everyone, thanks to her facade of being "cute". All the while, there is commentary about the yuri and class-s genres, with this series exploring expectations built into existing social interactions.

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The 5th and 6th episodes of Yuri is My Job! focus on Yano and Hime being drawn to each other. They also criticize ship wars among yuri fans. In the sixth episode, some "fans" claim that Yano forced Hime to be her "sister". As rumors continue swirling, some even see Yano as a villain. Hime and Yano end up embracing one another in a very emotional scene, leading everyone to believe they are on better terms. In the process, Hime begins catching feelings for Yano. All of this reminds me of a song in The Proud Family about beating rumors, although only tangentially.

Sumika has an even more prominent role, after she learns, at the end of the sixth episode, that Kanoko is obsessed with Hime. As would be expected, Kanoko becomes suspicious of Sumika. She declares that no one will get in her way, even deeming Sumika "dangerous". While they begin to connect, this smashes apart when Sumika states that Kanoko must drop Hime or the cafe will fall apart.

Sumika's statement, cheered on by those who dislike Kanoko, seems harsh. However, it is rooted within interesting in-canon history. First of all, the person Sumika loved, Nene, was taken away by then-waitress Youko Gotou (voiced by Shizuka Itō), who she deems a seductress. Sumika is right to warn Kanoko that if she is too possessive, then Hime will dislike her. Even so, she is still interfering in their lives, almost as bad as the meddler in the 2015 comedy-drama film of the same name. Sumika's thought that romance will destroy the whole cafe is naive. For one, she is totally oblivious to Yano's feelings for Hime.

It is clear, by the eighth episode, of Yuri is My Job!, that Sumika is playing the long game. For instance, she agrees to Kanoko's request to become her sister, in the cafe. She doesn't realize, until later, that Kanoko is possessive of Hime because she is afraid of losing her. Kanoko is socially introverted, unlike Hime, and relies on her to ensure she can navigate social interactions. This is abundantly clear by the 10th episode.

In the apt flashback, in the ninth episode, Hime protects Kanoko from classroom bullies, the students that she deems "good kids". Hime comforted her after classmates were nasty to her, and defended her in class. Is it any shock that Kanoko fell for Hime, her "special person", then and there? Furthermore, Kanoko states she is the only person who knows the "true" Hime, without the facade. Her statement is incorrect, as Yano also knows the "true" Hime.

Apart from the plotlines involving Kanoko's relationship to Hime, one of the best storylines in this anime is the Blume election. The person awarded the most votes is crowned Blume-Sama. This reminds me of the elections for the student council in Maria Watches Over Us and the Etoile election in Strawberry Panic! Like the rest of the series, jealousy and emotions run high, as does blushing. The competition between the waitresses is fierce. It is later revealed that Sumika got the most votes, with Mitsuki in second, Hime in third, and Kanoko in fourth.

The final episodes of Yuri is My Job! wrap up many loose ends. Sumika reveals to Kanoko how Nene fell in love with Youko. All the while, her belief that Kanoko will "destroy" the cafe quickly dissipates. Although Kanoko's plan for the Blume election fails, Sumika's beliefs are fundamentally challenged by Nene. She says that Sumika comes from a place of compassion, but that she shouldn't dictate the love of others. This statement stands against people who position themselves as meddlers. Due to her conversation with Nene, Sumika rethinks how she should approach Kanoko.

By the 11th episode, Kanoko's actions, which might have seemed toxic or obsessive, make more sense. Sumika learns why Kanoko is drawn to Hime. She tells Kanoko that she is hiding too much of herself after she reveals that she will never confess to Hime. This conversation indicates the character development of Kanoko since she reveals all of this to Sumika, a person who understands her concerns. She even cries on her shoulder. Following the announcement that Sumika has been elected the Blume der Liebe, Kanoko even becomes the "sister". This appears surprising, at first. However, considering their mutual support for one another, it makes sense.

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The 11th episode of Yuri is My Job! begins, in earnest, the romantic feelings between Sumika and Kanoko. Obviously both characters had feelings, to some extent, before that episode. Even so, it wasn't until that episode that they began their "sister"/Schwestern relationship. This sisterhood is even embraced by Hime. She is glad to hear that Kanoko has another friend, causing Kanoko to blush. This connection is reinforced by the fact that Kanoko and Sumika know something about the other that no one else knows. In the case of Kanoko, she had not said aloud that she loved Hime, until she told Sumika exactly that.

I haven't read the manga, but I have the implication, from the 11th episode, that Hime might be asexual. Kanoko specifically states that Hime has no interest in romance. She adds that Hime never genuinely loves anyone. In fact, she also calls herself Hime's only real friend. If Kanoko's read is correct, it would mean that Hime is possible grey ace. Also known as grey asexuality, it refers to people who are "flexible in their sexual preferences".

Grey asexuality can roughly fall into three categories: those who are sex-repulsed, sex-neutral, or sex-positive. It encompasses a broad spectrum of identities, including demisexuality, and other terms, like semisexual. Grey ace individuals might be rarely attracted to others, only romantically attracted on rare occasions, or be sexually attracted only to certain individuals.

To take this a step further, grey ace people may have any possible romantic orientation. The latter refers to romantic attractions someone has toward other people. A person's romantic identity is not necessarily connected to their sexual desires (i.e. sexual orientation). This can manifest in asexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, gay identity, lesbian identity, heterosexuality, or any of the other sexual orientations out there.

This nuance is not, necessarily, depicted in this series. Even so, Hime appears to be asexual-coded. I'm not sure about the manga, but it might be the same, from the panels I've read. She is not alone in this. Seiji Maki in Bloom Into You has been described as an aromantic asexual. The same is said about Shōko Tanimoto in The Case Files of Jeweler Richard. In Western animation, Andy Billups in Star Trek: Lower Decks is a coded asexual character.

Other characters have been confirmed as asexual outside of their respective series. The latter includes Lilith Clawthorne in the recently ended The Owl House, SpongeBob SquarePants in the series of the same name, Peridot in Steven Universe, Alastor in Hazbin Hotel, Percival "Percy" King in Epithet Erased, and Perry the Platypus in Phineas and Ferb. Additionally, there are three asexual characters in Bojack Horseman: Todd Chavez, Yolanda Buenaventura, and Maude. Many others appear in other media, such as film, literature, live-action series, video games, comics, podcasts, and elsewhere.

More than anything, Yuri Is My Job! parodies yuri tropes and the Class S genre. The characters perform an idealized girlhood, playing on tropes of affection and intimacy for an eager audience. This is capped off by a strongly ambitious and tricky female protagonist. Unlike other protagonists, she isn't likable in a traditional way.

In the series finale, the characters wear summer uniforms, with the change of seasons. After Yano's uniform is shown to be "too sexy", Hime is embarrassed to tell her the truth, while people are drawn to her breasts. This may be parodying fan service throughout anime, especially yuri anime. Hilariously, the other waitresses suggest Yano wear a cover to solve her "problem". In the cafe, Hime defends Yano, stating she is not being lewd, but mature. She even does tasks for her, to protect her from the prying eyes of patrons. Later, to the expected blushing of Yano, Hime admits that she is jealous of Yano's body, and says that she shouldn't be ashamed of anything. Unsurprisingly, she subsequently chastises Hime for saying something she "doesn't mean", confusing Hime even more.

A growing "sisterly" relationship between Kanoko and Sumika is alluded to in the series finale of Yuri Is My Job!. At one point, Kanoko blushes when Sumika describes the beauty of Kanoko when talking about the tea they recommend for customers. Later, Sumika even encourages Hime to call the Kanoko cute, resulting her in blushing yet again. There is predictable fan service. For instance, Yano brings Hime to her chest, and buries Hime's face in Yano's breasts to keep her quiet. She does this throughout the series. Predictably, this makes Hime fall even more in love with her.

One of the better parts of the episode is how Hime doesn't get her recommendation for tea correct, unlike the other workers. As a result, she leans on Yano. She teases Yano about it, even asking at one point "you must really love me, right, Onee-Sama?". Although Yano denies that she loves Hime romantically, this is clearly a lie. She is blushing while she says she "doesn't" love her.

The Yuri Is My Job! series finale ends happily. Hime notes that employees in the cafe (her and the other protagonists) behave elegantly, like characters from a shojo manga. After that, Yano plays the piano alongside Hime. Understandably, Hime gets the last word, welcoming people to the cafe, standing alongside everyone else.

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One of the strengths of this series is the voice talent. Yui Ogura and Minami Tanaka, who voice Hime and Kanoko respectfully, are talented voice actresses. Ogara prominently voiced Kokoro in The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!, Selena Burke in My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, Sanae Tsukimoto in Teasing Master Takagi-san, Sumika Izumino in Yurikuma Arashi, and Kokona Aoba in Encouragement of Climb.

Tanaka voiced Nako Sunao in Hitori Bocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu, Ran-Ran Oneechan in Dropkick on My Devil!, Shalsha in I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, and Himeno Toyokawa in Let's Make a Mug Too, among others.

Sumuire Uesaka, Makoto Koichi, and Yukari Tamura, who voice Yano, Sumika, and Mai, are known for their variety of voice roles. For Uesaka, this includes characters in Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, Girls und Panzer, Luck & Logic, Boarding School Juliet, Carole & Tuesday, Lapis Re:Lights, and Spy Classroom.

Koichi has voiced characters in Hakumei and Mikochi, Märchen Mädchen, and My Roommate Is a Cat. Tamura provided her voice for characters in R.O.D the TV, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl, Ouran High School Host Club, and Kin-iro Mosaic. It truly shows the voice range of Tamura, that she can voice a cafe manager in this series, a golf star in Birdie Wing: Golf Girls' Story (Mizuho Himekawa) and a lustful protagonist of B Gata H Kei (Tetsuki Yamada).

Asami Seto and Shizuka Neto, who voice Nene and Youko, are well-known for their roles in Wandering Son, Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid, Macross Delta, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, and Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure. Seto is also recognized for voicing Fena Houtman in Fena: Pirate Princess and Aoi Amawashi in Birdie Wing. The latter finished its run on June 24th.

Otherwise, Neto previously voiced Rei Hasekura in Maria Watches Over Us. This makes her voice selection apt, considering Yuri Is My Job! lampoons that series. She voiced Nadie in the yurish El Cazador de la Bruja, Misa Grandwood in Bodacious Space Pirates, Bellows in Gargantia, Minami Toba in Laid-Back Camp, Yoriko Kichijouji in Oshi no Ko, and many characters in other series.

The show's crew is as talented. Apart from aforementioned work of show director Hijiri Sanpei on Citrus, he also worked on Hinako Note, the ever-controversial Interspecies Reviewers, and the adventure fantasy romance Spice and Wolf. Chief episode director Takahiro Majiima, worked on Citrus and Interspecies Reviewers as well, along with other series like BanG Dream!, Princess Principal, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and Your Lie in April.

As for the character designer, Taisuke Iwasaki, he has worked the gamut in the animation industry, from series such as Fairy Tail, Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl, and No. 6, to movies like Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie and Your Name. Show script writer Naoki Hayashi, worked on all 12 episodes of Citrus, along with the last six episodes of Flip Flappers.

Last but not least, is Yuri Is My Job! music composer Megumi Oohashi. She ensured that amazing openings, like the one in this series by Ogura, and the ending by Ogura and Uesaka, are present, making the series that much more enjoyable. Oohashi is known for music in Blue Dragon, Gundam series, and Yumeiro Pâtissière SP Professional, and work on Petite Princess Yucie.

It is unlikely there will be a second season. Four of the last anime series produced by the studio, from 2020 to present, apart from Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou, only had one season. One (Harem in the Labyrinth of Another World) did have two OVAs.

Of the eight series produced before 2020 by the studio, only two had a second cour: Haitai Nanafa and Z/X Code reunion. A possible second season could focus on the growing romantic feelings between Yano and Hime, Kanoko and Sumika, or pairs between any other characters. There are many manga volumes that could be adapted I hope that this series gets a continuation, either in an OVA or a second season, as I'd love to see these characters again in something apart from the manga.

Yuri Is My Job! is currently airing on Crunchyroll and is available for purchase on Prime Video.

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