Japanese BL "School Trip: Joined a Group I'm Not Close To" Review
The Binge Team- February 22, 2026
Because I’ve been hanging around the J-BL scene for a while, I know that Japan has a very specific way of doing high school romances. They are usually either incredibly angsty or so sweet they’ll give you a cavity.
School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To ( 修学旅行で仲良くないグループに入りました) sits firmly in the “sweet” category, but with a surprising amount of heart and a lead couple that actually knows how to communicate.
What immediately works here is the focus on a single main couple. I’m not against series with secondary couples, but giving the story this tight focus allows the emotions between Watarai and Hioki to fully breathe. The plot itself is simple which is probably the most cliché out of clichés, but that simplicity is exactly why it works. It’s not a story that feels deeply personal, yet it hits in a strange, nostalgic way. This is as close to comforting as a lighthearted romance gets. After all, it's as breezy as a teen romance like Countdown to Yes but it avoids all the angst and communication breakdowns. It's not the misunderstanding that's the issue here, its real charm is the healthy dynamics, which feel like a breath of fresh air.
The Leads: A Masterclass in Eye Contact
The performances elevate this straightforward story immensely. Fujimoto Kodai (as Hioki) carries his role with a natural ease that is impressive for his age. He’s shy, sure, but he’s also surprisingly direct. He asks what’s on his mind and isn’t wishy-washy at all, which is so refreshing for a “loner” character. I only wish his scream in that one scene was much, much longer—I was dying!
Then we have Hideyoshi Kan as Watarai. This man’s eyes deserve their own acting credit. The intensity in his gaze, his patience, and the way he looks at Hioki communicate more than a ten-minute monologue ever could. Watarai plays the “cool guy,” but he’s clearly just as shy underneath it all, covering it up with that princely aura. Watching them grow together until Hioki eventually becomes the “leading man” in the finale was just perfect.
The Reality of Teenage Love
Watarai’s characterization isn’t flawless, though. His possessiveness occasionally gave me the “ick,” to be honest. But that imperfection is actually what makes him believable. Teenage love is messy, intense, and often a little too much. The show embraces that rather than sanitizing him into a “perfect boy” stereotype.
I also appreciated the supporting cast. From the “Four Heavenly Kings” to the friends in the background, it added a grounded, lived-in feel to the story. That said, the “Handsome 4” concept was very Boys Over Flowers, but nicer because these boys are actually sweet. I did hate the idea they were pushing—that these guys are so adored by girls that they can’t even be friendly with classmates without a riot breaking out. It reinforces some pretty poor gender stereotypes. Seeing them run away from female classmates as if they were carrying a contagious disease felt a bit stupid and shallow.
That Kissing Scene (Finally!)
We have to talk about the physical intimacy. The skinship. I really wasn’t expecting a proper kiss from a high school J-BL. Usually, we get the “fish kiss” (you know the one—frozen lips, zero movement), which I would’ve almost expected since that’s how the novel describes it.
But man? These two delivered. Watarai’s gentleness in the first kiss was mindful of Hioki’s inexperience, while the second escalated with a passionate intensity that felt like a natural progression. It didn’t even stop there; the seemingly improvised stolen kiss at the end suggested the actors fully understood the emotional beats of the scene. It grounded the romance in something authentic.
Final Verdict: A Heartfelt Escape
Beyond the romance, what really gives this show its heart is the way the “Four Heavenly Kings” end up adopting Hioki. It’s not just Watarai looking out for him; it’s the whole group. There’s something so wholesome about seeing these “elite” guys—who could easily have been arrogant—go out of their way to make Hioki feel like he belongs. Whether it was natural wingman moves like holding hands in the rain to support Watarai or simply including Hioki in their seating arrangements and beach trips, they treated him like the fifth member of their group from day one. For a kid who started the trip feeling isolated and invisible, that sense of belonging was probably just as life-changing as the romance itself. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best part of a “love story” is the friendship that makes you feel safe enough to fall in love in the first place.
Also, the idea that the “Four Heavenly Kings” are actually terrible at talking to women, but Hioki, our nervous and awkward loner, can just speak to women casually and has friends who are girls, was a great flip on the trope.
This isn’t a BL for those who demand tightly plotted, high-prestige narratives. It’s a simple, heartfelt story that reminds you why you fell in love with this genre in the first place. To be reciprocated by someone you don’t expect, after waiting so long, is the best feeling in the world. Sometimes we just need a little escape from reality, and this show provided exactly that.
✦ Watch This If You Loved
I would highly recommend School Trip: Joined a Group I'm Not Close To if you enjoy awkward introverts, popular classmates, innocent crushes, and a sweet, simple romance. The story keeps things light with cute moments and a romance that slowly grows between the characters.
Looking for more dramas like School Trip: Joined a Group I'm Not Close To? Check out these similar picks:
Main Cast
Fujimoto Kodai
Hioki Asahi
Kan Hideyoshi
Watarai Tsukasa
MAB Score
8.5/10
Overall Rating
Story
Acting
Chemistry
Rewatch Value — 6.9/10
Because the BL takes place entirely during a school trip, the localized scenery, hotel shenanigans, sight-seeing, and night-talk moments give it a permanent vacation/youth aesthetic that holds up well for relaxed rewatching.
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