English Dub Review: Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation

Based on the Japanese anime and manga series written and illustrated by Shō Harusono, the story continues after season one as Shūmei Sasaki and Yoshikazu Miyano begin the next chapter of their relationship. Having finally confessed their feelings and officially started dating, the two now find themselves balancing the joys of young love with the realities of high school life, especially with Sasaki’s graduation and university entrance exams rapidly approaching. As their time together in school grows shorter, Sasaki struggles to focus on studying while constantly thinking about Miyano, and both begin to question what their future holds. Alongside exams and holidays, they also face the emotional complexity of sharing their relationship with friends and family, knowing that being open could invite both support and potential scrutiny…

 This anime film was produced and animated by Studio Deen (Gravitation, Magic Maker, Yakuza Fiancé, Sakura Trick, and Tekken: The Motion Picture) and distributed by Kadokawa, features the return of the key creative team from the original series: Shinji Ishihira as director, Yoshiko Nakamura handling the screenplay, Maki Fujii designing the characters, and Kana Shibue composing the music. The film retains much of the original cast and staff, with Miracle Chimpanzee performing the new theme song “March,” having previously contributed the series’ opening theme “Mabataki (Blink),” while the ending theme of the show was “Ichigo Sunset (Strawberry Sunset),” performed by Yusuke Shirai and Soma Saito’s japanese voices respectively.

As someone who’s recently binge-watched this show for research, I’m happy to report that anyone who has liked the first season will find everything they loved carried over here, and manga readers who are fully caught up will be pleased to see their expectations met. The film adheres closely to the source material, even including a brief segment featuring Hirano and Kagiura that rewards dedicated followers. In essence, Gradation feels like a well-crafted continuation rather than a standalone feature, ensuring that everything that worked in Season 1 remains intact.

Strictly speaking, calling Graduation a “movie” is generous. At just under an hour (including credits and the Hirano/Kagiura short), it functions more like an extended final episode with the same vignette-based pacing and visual quality as the TV series. The central premise of Sasaki’s impending graduation drives the narrative, but rather than imbuing each scene with anxiety or finality, the film treats their senior year as a natural evolution of everyday life.

Instead of following a single, cohesive plotline, Gradation is structured as a series of character-focused vignettes that underscore how Sasaki and Miyano’s relationship grows stronger as they both navigate new boundaries. This individual slice-of-life story, together with supportive side plots, such as Miyano coming out to his mother, who immediately invites Sasaki to dinner, offers a cozy, heartwarming portrait of young love rather than dwelling on high-stakes drama. Notably, the inclusion of the Hirano and Kagiura short at the beginning offers a refreshing palate cleanser, introducing fans to a spin-off couple whose dynamic contrasts nicely with Sasaki and Miyano’s, though it feels more like a teaser for future content than a standalone story.

The animation and music retain the signature style of the series, enhancing the film’s intimate atmosphere. The production doesn’t push into blockbuster territory but excels in its eye for evocative framing and expressive body language. Countless scenes convey emotions—soft affection, nervous passion, and attraction—without relying heavily on dialogue. The visuals are detailed, capturing everything from subtle glances to intimate moments, while the soundtrack complements the mood perfectly, conveying both tender and humorous scenes with a decent balance of warmth.

Overall, Sasaki to Miyano: Graduation is a heartfelt extension of the TV series that gives devoted fans exactly what they want. Although it plays more like a deluxe episode than a standalone theatrical release, its familiar pacing, gentle humor, and touching vignettes combine to create a comforting, nostalgic experience. For existing fans, it’s a warm return to beloved characters that feels like visiting an old friend. But viewers new to the franchise will find much to appreciate if they start from season one, if they wish to connect the narrative dots for a proper payoff. At its core, it’s not a spectacle, but respectable representation of what healthy relationships should aspire to be, which are built on intimacy, trust, and the small moments that further define relationships as a whole.