MEET ME AFTER SCHOOL/ Chugakusei Nikki (2018)

Actors: Arimura Kasumi ( Suenaga Hijiri) , Mizukami Koshi (Kuraiwa Akira ), Machida Keita (Kawai Shoutarou), Yoshida Yoh (Haraguchi Ritsu), Natsukawa Yui (kuraiwa Aiko – Akira’s mother), Ono Rina (Iwasaki Runa- Akira’s classmate), Wakabayashi Jiei (Kokonoe Junichirou- Akira’s classmate & friend), Natsuki Mari (Shioya Michiyo – Headmistress),  Kishitani Goro (Akira’s father), Watanabe Dai (Nogami Kazuki)
Director: Tsukara Ayuko, Tsuboi Toshio, Takemura Kentaro
Producer: Arai Junko
Screenwriter: Kaneko Arisa
Platform: Netflix
Original Network: TBS
Original Language: Japanese
Adapted From:  Manga called Chugakusei Nikki by Kawakami Junko

Rating: 4/5

Meet Me After school also called Chugakusei Nikki is a forbidden romance between an engaged teacher and her underage student.

Relationships between teachers and students are frowned upon, especially when the student is underage. Such relationships are against established societal norms.  Should such a relationship be endorsed? An immature 15 yr old’s infatuation and a 25 yr old teacher’s need to find appreciation. Certainly Not. For then, society would be chaotic and everything and anything would be the norm. 

In spite of this commonly accepted opinion, the makers still manage to validate the 15 yr old Kuraiwa’s feelings and the subsequent reciprocation of 25 yr old Hijiri Suenaga.

What then makes Kuraiwa and Suenaga’s relationship acceptable?

Prima facie, Kuraiwa and Suenaga’s relationship cannot be ratified, though their willingness to work for their relationship, then the extent to which they sacrifice for each other and bear public persecution makes you pause. It is never easy to go against society! Their determination to fight for their relationship and willingness to wait proves the depth of their emotions. Suenaga, especially puts her dreams of being a teacher and career on the line, because she decides this relationship did have conviction in the long run. Most importantly, they choose to not go against Kuraiwa’s mother but rather win her over, first, with subtle arguments and when that failed to convince her; they give the proof of test of time, patiently building themselves as individuals instead (emphasis on Kuraiwa, who not only studies and gets a well-paying job but learns to live and make responsible decisions while willingly giving in to his well meaning mother’s authority ) but remaining steadfast in their feelings for each other.

They only touch base again, when finally Kuraiwa’s mother gives her approval.

Their relationship is not without hardships, and both attempt to forget and move on, sometimes with others but fate plays them a different hand each time, creating circumstances and instances which further their longing for each other.

Akira Kuraiwa

Kuraiwa is dumbstruck by his teacher at the very first meeting, though initially the 15 yr old does not realise it. He is an evolving young adult who battles sexual frustration and tries to come to terms with the budding feelings in his chest every time he sees his sensei. We have the famous slap scene, an extreme expression of his confusion and inner turmoil over his feelings towards Hijiri.

Kuraiwa is academically gifted, though till he meets Hijiri, is not adequately motivated to optimally utilise his skills.

Hijiri Suenaga

Hijiri, is young, compassionate and full of passion to teach. Raring to go but no prior experience to bank on. The school headmistress, Shioya praises the essay she submits on why she wants to be a teacher, but she expresses her doubts when she lays eyes on her the first time. At 25, inexperienced Hijiri appears more a naïve girl than an educationist, as she works the dynamics of being relevant in her teachings. Her inability to be assertive when needed in her attempt to being more accessible and understanding  towards her students instead backfires, leading to her being ridiculed on several occasions.

Kuraiwa’s Mother

Her relationship with Kuraiwa is strained throughout. Determined to protect her son, she restricts her former husband from meeting and writing to him. A young burgeoning adult, kuraiwa feels his mother lacks faith in him and hence, does not trust him with the truth. He questions her need to hide and withhold information. kuraiwa’s mother holds the most objection regarding kuraiwa and Hijiri’s relationship. However, one does get the impression that she does not completely brush their feelings aside. 

Kuraiwa’s mother, herself a victim of a failed marriage and a subsequent failed affair, is not a stranger to fickle feelings. She wishes to save her young and untried son from experiencing the same heartbreak and disappointment which, considering the circumstances, has a very high likelihood of happening.

In the end, when she is convinced of her son’s ability to take up responsibility and is matured enough, kuraiwa’s mother who is perhaps the biggest obstacle in their love herself returns/nullifies the restraining order/agreement that she had coerced Hijiri to sign. 

Ritsu Haraguchi

Kawai’s open minded and career-oriented boss at work. She is openly bisexual and verbalises her attraction to Kawai early on. Surprisingly, she is instrumental in supporting and giving well-founded advice to both Kawai and in another circumstance Suenaga as well. haraguchi has deep insight into people and their feelings, displaying this, early on in her first meeting with Kawai and Suenaga and at other times as well. haraguchi is a well-rounded character, demonstrating the ability to look and accept situations dispassionately, even the ones she is involved in.

Shoutarou Kawai

Kuraiwa’s successful and supportive fiancée. Kawai struggles to understand the breakdown of his relationship with Suenaga and has lingering feelings towards her for a long time. haraguchi calls a pause in her relationship with Kawai, because of this and his inability to move past his ego at apparently being bested by a 15 yr old boy for Suenaga’s affections.

Conclusion

Meet me After School was both a critical as well as commercial success. It is a mature take on a taboo relationship and contrary to the highly suggestive title and subject, it does not condone a lot of fluff scenes. They have instead given a lot of depth to the narration, creating and exploring different situations to present character insights and their subsequent positive growth and evolution. They don’t have steamy sessions or stolen moments exploring carnal pleasures. Rather, the scarce romantic scenes works on furthering the plot ahead. The side plot, which again explores an unconventional relationship between the very liberal Haraguchi and boy next door vibes Kawai, was also tastefully presented. 

I couldn’t help but notice that the main crew are all female, from the producer to the director to the screenwriter.A big shout out to them !! Full marks in handling a topic filled with sensitive and frowned upon relationships.

Every character manages to justify their actions and decisions, situations are not cliche, advancement of the plot is well paced. The topic did not seem to drag at 11 episodes. We don’t have extreme jealousy and villainy portrayed by any character which is otherwise typical of dramas. The outrage expressed at the discovery of their relationship and the action taken seem genuine and not overly dramatic, the consequences are in tune to what one would expect in society with no unrealistic bystanders or friends, hankering in their support giving testimony to their love. 

And it is this tasteful and under-dramatised handling of the topic which makes Meet Me After School, a worthy watch and breath of fresh air from the other B grade dramas with cringe-worthy plotlines!