Meet Me After School Review: A Good Show Promoting The Wrong Message

The Japanese drama Meet Me After School is a love story between a teacher and her student. It explores the depths of a taboo romance, examining how far two people in love are willing to go to be together.

The Japanese entertainment industry clearly seems to have a fascination with teacher–student romances, which explains the sheer number of shows built around this theme. Personally, I disapprove of this love angle and sincerely hope this controversial idea never finds its way into Indian storytelling. 

So why did I watch the show, you ask? Curiosity! In my review for ‘A Story To Read When You First Fall In Love’ (which also deals with teacher-student romance), I mentioned that while it’s understandable for a student to develop a crush on a teacher, I find it deeply unsettling when the teacher reciprocates those feelings. In Meet Me After School, the teacher falls hard for her student, and boundaries are undeniably crossed. By all logic, this is a drama I should have hated. And yet, surprisingly, I didn’t. 

So, did I like the show? I have mixed feelings and here is a deeper look at why.     

Meet Me After School (Chugakusei Nikki) (2018) (11 Episodes)

Hijiri Suenaga (Kasumi Arimura) is a 25-year-old woman who aspires to become a capable teacher, one her students can admire and rely on. She strives to create a warm, enjoyable classroom environment, often joking with her students and brushing off their harmless pranks.

Her cheerful disposition catches the attention of her 15-year-old student, Akira Kuroiwa (Kenshi Okada), who gradually develops a crush on his homeroom teacher. Initially confused by his growing feelings, Akira attempts to suppress them. However, the kinder Hijiri is to him, despite his cold and distant behaviour, the deeper his affection for her grows.

I enjoyed watching ‘Meet Me After School’ because…

…the cast was simply the best. Let’s begin with the female lead, Kasumi Arimura. Her character, Hijiri Suenaga, comes from a middle-class family and is in a relationship with a career-driven and successful boyfriend. This dynamic fuels Hijiri’s desire to excel professionally, as she wants to feel worthy of marrying him.

However, managing a classroom full of hormonal teenagers is no easy task, and the pressure weighs heavily on Hijiri, who is visibly anxious about her teaching stint. I’m not sure whether this reflects the real Japanese education system or is merely dramatised for the show, but as a homeroom teacher, Hijiri is expected to be responsible for everything her students do, including their behavior outside school.

As a result, she goes out of her way to be friendly and approachable, often refraining from disciplining students even when they misbehave. She makes a conscious effort to give personal attention to each student and even offers support with their personal problems.

Most of her students remain distant, except for Akira Kuroiwa, who gradually becomes drawn to her. His genuine interest in her subject endears him to Hijiri and gives her the confidence to perform better as a teacher.

Actress Kasumi Arimura delivers a compelling performance as the underconfident Hijiri. In her attempt to be taken seriously by colleagues and students alike, Hijiri maintains a stoic exterior, but her emotions frequently slip through, and Arimura captures this internal conflict beautifully. Her gentle smile makes Hijiri an endearing character, even when you disagree with her choices. The pain and confusion on her face whenever she crosses a moral line are striking. Hijiri may not be the ideal teacher, but Kasumi Arimura’s nuanced portrayal makes her real and memorable.

Actor Kenshi Okada may be young, but he does not seem inexperienced when it comes to portraying a difficult character like Akira. Akira Kuroiwa is a teenage boy who shares a strained relationship with his mother. He is a diligent student but an introvert who falls hard for his teacher, Hijiri.

Initially, Akira is fully aware that a relationship between a teacher and a student is impossible. He tries hard to push Hijiri out of his mind and even distances himself from her in class. However, Hijiri’s persistent attempts to connect with him to make him open up about his thoughts and future only deepen his emotional attachment.

Her warmth encourages Akira to pursue her more seriously. Although he senses her discomfort and reluctance, and even attempts to change himself and control his feelings, he ultimately fails.

This was my first time watching Kenshi Okada, and his performance left a strong impression. Akira is a quiet, introspective teenager who barely speaks, making his role heavily dependent on facial expressions and body language, and Okada delivers with remarkable ease.

Despite his young age, Okada displays a maturity that belies his experience. Akira Kuroiwa is a diligent student with a strained relationship with his mother, an introvert who falls deeply and painfully in love with his teacher. He is constantly torn between doing what is right and giving in to emotions he cannot control. Hijiri’s presence often causes him to falter, leading to impulsive actions that hurt both of them.

Okada effectively conveys Akira’s agony, confusion, passion, and resolve. His portrayal is so vulnerable and convincing that you almost stop questioning Akira’s actions altogether. His inner conflict and attempts at self-restraint are palpable, making his pain deeply affecting.

Beyond the central storyline, the drama also explores a parallel romance between Shotaro Kawai and his senior at work, Ritsu Haraguchi. Although Kawai is engaged to Hijiri, that does not stop Ritsu from confessing her feelings for him. Kawai does care for Hijiri, but their long-distance relationship frequently creates distance and misunderstandings. Sensing this emotional gap, the bold and outspoken Ritsu makes her move.

While their relationship initially feels morally uncomfortable, bordering on infidelity, it gradually develops into an oddly charming connection as the story progresses.

…I appreciated the direction and visual aesthetics of the show. Warm tones dominate the visual palette, perfectly complementing the drama’s slow, deliberate pacing. Most scenes are bathed in muted yellow lighting, which plays a significant role in establishing the story’s mellow, introspective mood.

The cinematography is equally impressive. The camera work is thoughtful and precise, with the cinematographer skillfully using varied angles to heighten the emotional intensity of key moments.

Overall, the show is visually captivating, especially for viewers like me who are drawn to poignant dramas that carry a deep sense of passion, whether forbidden or otherwise.

 I did NOT LIKE ‘Meet Me After School’ because…

…I hate the fact that this show tries to normalise a teacher-student romantic relationship. In Japan, teacher–student romance is almost a separate genre of its own, and I can see why it continues to draw attention. The allure of forbidden love is undeniably powerful. However, unlike ‘A Story To Read When You First Fall In Love,’ this drama portrays a far more aggressive student and an overly meek, confused teacher.

Many of the characters’ actions, reactions, and decisions are deeply troubling, not just within the narrative but also in the message they send to viewers. To illustrate what feels fundamentally wrong about the show, here are a few minor spoilers.

[Spoiler]

In the very first episode, Hijiri repeatedly tries to engage Akira in conversation even when he is visibly uncomfortable and clearly uninterested. She tells him he can talk to her about anything, and then goes on to comment on his good looks. Erm… Sensei? Is it really acceptable for a teacher to flirt with a student?   

In response to her compliment, he slaps her. Yes, you read that right. Akira slaps Hijiri, grabs her wrists, pushes her against a wall, and tells her to stop bothering him. The boy is clearly troubled by his crush on a teacher, and when she repeatedly invades his personal space, his reaction turns hostile. While the slap is excessive and inexcusable, it undeniably serves as a powerful hook. The sheer shock value compels you to keep watching.

Under normal circumstances, such an act would have elicited anger and strict disciplinary action from a teacher. Instead, Hijiri neither expresses anger nor reprimands Akira for his behaviour. This response, or lack of one, is deeply problematic, especially for someone who aspires to be a responsible teacher.

[End of Spoiler]

Throughout the series, Akira frequently grabs Hijiri’s wrists, and she barely protests. As a teacher, shouldn’t she correct such inappropriate behaviour? Aren’t teachers meant to set boundaries and hold students accountable when they cross a line? Hijiri does neither. She rarely scolds him and consistently overlooks his disrespectful actions.

At one point, Akira grows exhausted from pursuing Hijiri and decides to let her go. Ironically, this is when Hijiri begins seeking him out. Aware of his excellent academic record, she claims to want to guide him toward the right career path. She repeatedly questions him about his future, despite his clear attempts to distance himself. Yet, she continues to pursue these conversations, ignoring the boundaries he is trying to establish.

 

See, I can understand Akira. He is a young boy, bound to develop crushes and act impulsively at that age. But what exactly is wrong with his teacher, Hijiri? What explains her confusing hot-and-cold behaviour?

It gets worse when Akira starts dating a classmate. Hijiri claims she is happy for him, yet the moment she sees him hugging his girlfriend, she becomes visibly jealous and upset. Sensei, please make up your mind.

[Major Spoiler Ahead]
In one scene, Akira asks Hijiri to meet him alone after the fireworks. Anyone familiar with Japanese dramas knows that fireworks scenes are often symbolic, a moment reserved for confessions of love. Hijiri is fully aware of why Akira wants to meet her, and unsurprisingly, she agrees. She arrives a little late, but she still goes.

After a brief argument, Akira kisses her. Instead of rebuking him or even appearing shocked, Hijiri allows it. When he leans in for another kiss, she doesn’t stop him. Sensei!! He is 15. This is monumentally inappropriate, and ILLEGAL!!

And if that isn’t disturbing enough, they then head to her house. Initially, I assumed he was simply dropping her home, but no, Akira steps out of the cab, holds her hand, and walks toward her house. Worse, Hijiri looks genuinely happy to take him inside. Eww. Sensei. Just… no!!!

Thankfully, an unexpected visit by their respective loved ones interrupts whatever they might have been planning. Thank God. I don’t think I’m liberal enough to accept a teacher–student love scene. Yikes.
[End of Major Spoiler]

 

By the time you reach the end of the show, it becomes clear that everything leading up to it exists primarily to justify the conclusion (a conclusion that is problematic on multiple levels).

[Spoiler]

In an attempt to make the romance appear less controversial, the story introduces a three-year time leap, conveniently ageing Akira to 18 so he can legally pursue his former sensei.

During these three years, Hijiri finds a new job and relocates to a small town where no one knows her, hoping for a fresh start. She goes to great lengths to conceal her past to avoid judgment. However, her history eventually comes to light, shocking the community when they learn that she was involved with a high-school student while working as a teacher. There is even a scene in which Hijiri publicly admits to the affair in front of her students’ parents.

On one level, it is reassuring to see her confront the truth and free herself from the constant fear of exposure. On another, more troubling level, this moment feels like yet another attempt by the narrative to normalise the affair—to strip it of its taboo and encourage acceptance rather than accountability.

I’m not suggesting that Hijiri should be ostracised forever for her past mistake. If she genuinely regrets her actions, she deserves a chance to move on. However, the show makes it clear that she continues to harbour feelings for her former student, and that is where the discomfort truly lies.   

The only character I truly feel sorry for is Akira’s mother. Already overwhelmed by the pressures of life, she is forced to confront her son’s affair, one that threatens to derail his future. In one powerful scene, she learns that Akira is rushing to stop Hijiri from leaving. Desperate to prevent him from making a life-altering mistake, she blocks his path and physically restrains her teenage son.

The anguish and urgency in her actions are palpable. Her desperation stems not from cruelty, but from a fierce need to protect her troubled child, and that raw maternal instinct makes her one of the most emotionally grounded characters in the show.  

She is undeniably rude to Hijiri and even goes out of her way to create trouble for her. But that reaction is hardly surprising. No mother would be okay with a teacher flirting with her son. One could argue that Hijiri shouldn’t bear the blame alone and that Akira deserves equal accountability. And yes, Akira is not blameless. However, Hijiri is the adult in this situation. She understands the implications far better than an underage boy ever could. It is precisely for this reason that public anger is directed more toward her than toward Akira, and rightly so. 

[End of Spoiler] 

I’m conflicted about how to conclude this post, so I’ll be honest: I enjoyed the show. It hit my emotional wavelength and was undeniably thought-provoking. Watching two unconventional lovers take on the world for the sake of being together can feel deeply moving and, at times, even heartwarming.

I loved the cast and remained fully invested in the characters throughout the drama. There were hardly any dull moments for me. The dorama is well shot and competently executed, and the music is especially soothing, adding to the overall emotional experience.

Here is one of my favourite tracks from this show. This calming track works as a balm for a sore heart.

My only real issue lies with the central premise. Every time I found myself wanting to root for the couple, the fact that she was his “sensei” snapped me back to the reality of their original relationship and instantly broke the illusion.

No amount of justification, be it the teacher’s submissive personality or her lack of confidence, can make me accept the fact that the teacher encourages her pupil’s crush. Likewise, regardless of how troubled a student’s personal life may be, I cannot condone him acting on those feelings or crossing physical boundaries with his teacher. 

 

I won’t be rating this show with numbers. Watch Meet Me After School only if you are comfortable with teacher–student romance. The drama presents several unsettling scenarios that push you to question the nature of love and its implications. There are moments meant to make you swoon, layered with intense emotion and pain. So, if romance is your primary draw, you may find yourself drawn to this story.

However, if you are a student, this is where I draw a firm line. Teacher–student romance is NOT Okay, and what unfolds in this drama is NOT Okay either. I strongly recommend skipping this show for now. Watch it later in life, when you’re older and able to view it critically, without being influenced by its portrayal.    

All Image and Screengrabs: Viki.com, TBS

 

 

Also Read: