PRIDE2025: Sasaki and Miyano

This was one of the cutest anime I have ever watched, and I’ve seen some cute anime. Sasaki and Miyano may be the most adorable couple ever to grace my screen. The anime focuses on new love and understanding what it means to be with someone you didn’t expect. And all of this starts with a boy love (BL) manga. Seeing someone become interested in what you love is the sweetest thing. I am happy to see you light up. Sasaki plays into this well when you hear his inner monologue on what he thinks of Miyano.

The anime plays on consent and waiting. While Sasaki does confess to Miyano, he doesn’t rush his answer; he wants him to take his time to think about it. And this is, unfortunately, rare to see in anime. We see a world opening to see Miyano has a conflict with this situation. And we see the terms that Miyano had denied his feelings for Sasaki. He shifted from admiring him because he determined Sasaki was just a cool upperclassman. But, in reality, Miyano had not noticed that he was suppressing those feelings.

The anime hits the coming-of-age genre in a way with the mixture of boys’ love awakening. The love story and the plot of friendships really hit the checklist as well. Each friend supports the other, grounding the other as they navigate this new dynamic. We see a lot of allies in this anime and a lot of moments of advice and guidance as well.

Sasaki and Miyano hit a part of you that shows how patient love, one that waits, can grow into something extraordinary. Sasaki respects Miyano and makes sure he keeps boundaries with him when he knows that he wants more. The standard is within these boys and how they give each other time and understanding.

Studio Deen did an excellent job with the animation, the fluid movements, the tint of blush, and the smiles on each character. But it was the background that caught my attention. Each one was keyed to the characters, and the subtle motions of their emotions were displayed on the screen. It was very entertaining and eye-catching how they zoomed within the couple.

The studio also did the animation for the movie Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation, which I recommend watching after the first season. This would be the continuation of the main anime from the end of season one. We do get a small glimpse of another couple in this one. It’s very sweet as well and just as funny as the anime. And the parents in this are just so understanding and accepting. You won’t just have an anime that shows what love can be, but the friendship tied to it, the understanding of wanting to have a choice—the bounds of being patient and giving space when it’s needed.

The plot, the characters, and even the setting of just being the school they go to pull you in. It gives you a moment to enter their minds, especially when they are deep in their inner monologue.