Let’s be real for a second. Most office romance anime are kind of a disaster. They either lean way too hard into weird power dynamics that make you want to call HR, or they’re so sugary sweet they give you a metaphorical cavity within five minutes. Then there’s My Senpai is Annoying (Senpai ga Uzai Kōhai no Hanashi). It’s a series that somehow managed to take a trope as old as time—the "grumpy giant meets tiny spitfire" dynamic—and turn it into something that actually feels like a warm hug after a long shift at a soul-crushing job.
The show isn't just about a short girl getting mad at a tall guy. It's deeper.
Honestly, when I first saw the promotional art for the 2021 adaptation by Doga Kobo, I figured it was going to be another "teasing" anime in the vein of Nagatoro or Uzaki-chan. I was wrong. It’s less about bullying and much more about the slow, agonizing, yet incredibly cozy realization that the person who drives you the most crazy is also the person you trust most in the world.
The Dynamic That Makes the Series Work
Igarashi Futaba is tiny. Harumi Takeda is a literal mountain of a man.
Visually, it's a gag that never really gets old because the animation studio, Doga Kobo, knows exactly how to use that scale for physical comedy without it feeling mean-spirited. Igarashi is a professional. She’s a great salesperson. She works hard. But because she looks like she belongs in middle school, she constantly feels the need to overcompensate. Takeda, her mentor (senpai), sees right through it. He treats her like a kid sometimes—patting her head, buying her food—and that’s exactly what makes My Senpai is Annoying live up to its name.
It’s annoying to be babied when you’re trying to be an adult.
But here’s the thing: Takeda isn't doing it to be a jerk. He’s just a genuinely loud, boisterous, kind-hearted guy who doesn't realize his "help" is sometimes a blow to Igarashi's pride. This isn't a toxic workplace story. It’s a story about two people who are fundamentally good at their jobs but fundamentally bad at expressing how much they care about each other.
Why the Supporting Cast Steals the Show
If we only focused on Igarashi and Takeda, the show might have felt a bit one-note after twelve episodes. Thankfully, the side characters are arguably even more compelling than the leads. Specifically, Sakurai and Kazama.
If Igarashi and Takeda represent the "will-they-won't-they" that moves at the speed of a tectonic plate, Sakurai and Kazama are the "we both know what’s happening but we’re too cool to admit it" couple. Sakurai is the office beauty—everyone loves her—but she only has eyes for Kazama, the quiet, gaming-obsessed guy who thinks he’s not in her league. Their chemistry is electric. It’s a different flavor of romance that balances out the main plot's slapstick energy.
Then you’ve got Natsumi, Igarashi’s childhood friend. She’s the chaos element. Every good slice-of-life needs that one character who exists solely to poke the fire and watch everyone else squirm. Natsumi knows exactly what’s going on between Igarashi and Takeda, and she’s not above using that knowledge for her own entertainment.
Realism in a World of Tropes
You’ve probably noticed that most anime set in offices don’t actually show people working. They’re just... in a room with desks. My Senpai is Annoying actually treats the workplace like a workplace.
They have deadlines. They have clients who are difficult. They have those awkward after-work drinking sessions (nomikai) that are so central to Japanese corporate culture. By grounding the romance in the mundane reality of a sales office, the emotional beats feel earned. When Takeda stands up for Igarashi after a client makes a rude comment about her appearance, it’s not just a "hero" moment. It’s a professional one. It reinforces the idea that a "Senpai" is supposed to be a mentor first and a love interest second.
It’s a subtle distinction. But it matters.
The Animation Style of Doga Kobo
We have to talk about the visuals. Doga Kobo is famous for "moe" shows like New Game! and Gabriel DropOut. They have a specific way of animating characters that makes them feel incredibly expressive and bouncy.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened to Jessica More from Below Deck
In this series, that style works wonders. The contrast between Igarashi’s sharp, frantic movements and Takeda’s slow, deliberate bulk creates a visual rhythm that sells the comedy. The color palette is bright but not neon. It feels like a sunny Tuesday afternoon. It’s comforting.
There’s a specific scene—I think it’s in episode nine—where the lighting shifts during a quiet moment between the two leads. The way the sunset hits the office windows... it captures that specific feeling of "the day is over, and I'm tired, but I'm glad I spent it here." That’s high-level art direction for a series that many people dismissed as "just another rom-com."
Why People Keep Coming Back to the Manga
The anime covered a decent chunk of the source material by Shiromanta, but the manga (which started on Twitter and Pixiv) is where the real depth lies.
Shiromanta’s art style evolved significantly over time. The early chapters are very simple, almost like a four-panel comic strip (yonkoma). But as the series progressed, the detail in the characters' expressions grew. The manga also dives deeper into Takeda’s past. We get glimpses of why he is the way he is—why he feels such a strong need to protect those around him.
If you’ve only watched the show, you’re missing out on some of the later developments where the "annoying" factor starts to melt away into genuine, adult vulnerability. It’s not a fast burn. It’s a glacial burn. But man, when those tiny moments of progress happen, they hit like a freight train.
Dealing With the "Height Difference" Controversy
Some people find the extreme height difference in My Senpai is Annoying a bit weird. I get it. Igarashi is drawn very small.
But if you actually engage with the text, the show isn't infantalizing her. It’s highlighting her struggle to be seen as a peer. Her height is a metaphor for her insecurity. The more she grows as a person—learning to close deals, handling her own mistakes—the less the height difference seems to matter to the people around her. Takeda stops being a giant protector and starts being a partner.
It’s a story about perception versus reality.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Newcomers
If you're looking to dive into this series or want to get the most out of the fandom, here’s how to approach it.
1. Start with the Anime for the Vibes
The Doga Kobo adaptation is the gold standard for "healing" anime (iyashikei). Watch it when you're stressed. The voice acting—especially Shunsuke Takeuchi as Takeda—is perfect. His voice is so deep it literally rattles your speakers, which is exactly how Takeda should sound.
2. Read the Manga for the Full Picture
The anime ends on a great note, but the story continues. If you want to see the actual progression of the Sakurai and Kazama relationship (which is arguably the best part), you need to pick up the volumes. The chapters are short, making it an easy read during a commute.
3. Look for the "Gaps" in Character
Pay attention to the "gap moe." Takeda is a beast of a man who loves cute things. Igarashi is a tiny girl who drinks black coffee and tries to act tough. The series is at its best when these characters are forced out of their "roles" and have to be their true selves.
4. Support the Official Release
The series is available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Funimation (depending on your region). Keeping these shows in the "high viewership" bracket is the only way we ever get second seasons for niche office romances.
5. Don't Expect a Wedding in Season One
This is a slice-of-life. It’s about the journey, not the destination. If you go in expecting a massive confession and a kiss by episode twelve, you’re going to be disappointed. Go in expecting a series of small, meaningful moments that build a foundation of trust.
At the end of the day, My Senpai is Annoying succeeds because it feels human. It captures the small frustrations of office life and the quiet joy of finding someone who actually gives a damn about how your day went. It’s not revolutionary. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It just reminds us that sometimes, the most annoying person in our lives is the one we’d be most lost without.
Focus on the character growth in the later manga chapters if you want a more "adult" resolution to the themes presented in the early episodes. Check out the official Seven Seas Entertainment English releases for the best translation quality that preserves the nuances of the Japanese honorifics, which are actually pretty important for understanding the hierarchy between Igarashi and Takeda.