The anime film Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai is a spin-off of the hit Boys’ Love anime series Sekaiichi Hatsukoi.
This time, though, the film follows Yokozawa Takafumi, the book salesman at the famous Marukawa Publishing House, whose romantic feelings were turned down by Takano Masamune in the original anime series, after Yokozawa had been in love with him for more than a decade.
What is the plot of Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai?
Also known as Sekaiichi Hatsukoi – The World’s Greatest First Love: The Case of Takafumi Yokozawa, the story begins with Yokozawa, a man who finds himself at a strange crossroads in his life after a night of drinking, waking up in a hotel room with Kirishima Zen, the editor-in-chief of the weekly shounen magazine Japun.
Before that day, Kirishima is someone with whom Yokozawa had had minor business dealings with in the past.
Other than that, though, he had never even spoken to him in a personal capacity, let alone considered spending the night with him.
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But suddenly there Yokozawa is, waking up in a hotel room after a drunken night out, with him wearing nothing at all and Kirishima in the bathroom taking a shower.
As Yokozawa struggles to piece together the events of the previous night, he finds himself becoming entangled in a complicated relationship with Kirishima, who uses embarrassing photos to blackmail him into dating him.
Why is Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai a stand-out Boys’ Love anime?
While the BL anime focuses primarily on Kirishima and Yokozawa as their relationship becomes deeper and more complex, it also features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities.
Characters that you quickly find yourself becoming attached to and empathizing with.
Yokozawa, for instance, is a proud and stubborn man who, by the end of film is, forced to confront his feelings for Kirishima while also dealing with his past traumas.
Kirishima Zen, on the other hand, is a charismatic but somewhat manipulative man who hides his own vulnerabilities behind a facade of extreme confidence.
When the two begin to spend time with each other, Yokozawa finds himself continually butting heads with Kirishima due to his manipulations but, maddeningly for him, with Kirishima winning every time.
Meanwhile, Kirishima’s 10-year-old daughter Hiyori adds a touch of innocence and sweetness to the plot as, while obviously not knowing the real nature of the relationship between Yokozawa and her father, she invites the brusque salesman into the Zen household and makes him feel thoroughly welcome.
So much so, Yokozawa, who has spent much of his adult life longing for someone to truly love, finds himself loving and ultimately protecting the young girl as if she was his own daughter.
The supporting characters, such as Takano Masamune and his love interest, Ritsu Onodera, while they don’t appear as much as in the main anime series, also provide additional depth to the story as Yokozawa begins to accept his feelings for Takano will never be reciprocated.
The writing in Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai is a standout aspect of the film as well, as the dialogue is often sharp and witty, while the characters’ interactions are both humorous and emotionally charged.
The film also does a really nice job exploring themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the importance of facing one’s past if there is to be any hope of a more satisfying future.
The soundtrack of the film is another highlight, with a mix of upbeat and melancholic tracks that perfectly complement the story’s tone.
The use of music throughout to help convey the characters’ emotions is particularly effective, and the soundtrack adds an extra layer of incredibly beautiful depth to the film.
You will find many of the quite beautiful Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie tracks on the anime’s Spotify playlist below.
Overall, though, what sets Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai apart from other anime in the Boys’ Love genre is its focus on character development and its emotional depth.
Especially as Yokozawa, one of the most stubborn men alive, begins to accept that he just may be in love with Kirishima. Even if that is something he never expected or, if the truth be known, initially wanted.
In fact, while the film does contain romantic elements, especially towards the end, it spends much more time delving into the characters’ personal struggles and growth, making it a more well-rounded and engaging story. As well as one that quickly grips you and pulls you in.
Something that is especially well done considering the full run-time of the anime film is only 50 minutes.
Overall then, if you are looking for a very well-written Boys’ Love anime, the Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai is one of a handful of anime I always recommend to anyone who asks.
With its engaging plot, well-developed and really quite loveable characters, excellent writing and lovely soundtrack, the film stands out as one of the best in its genre.
Sekaiichi Hatsukoi — The World’s Greatest First Love anime series and film are based on the manga written and illustrated by Shungiku Nakamura.
The film is directed and written by Chiaki Kon, and produced by Studio Deen.
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