Smells Like Green Spirit

8.5
202425m

Bullied for his sexuality, Mishima copes by secretly cross-dressing—until a surprising discovery by a classmate changes both their lives forever.

Production

Logo for MBS

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Smells Like Green Spirit - Official Trailer

Smells Like Green Spirit - Official Trailer

Seasons

8 Episodes • Premiered 2024

Bullied for his sexuality, Mishima copes by secretly cross-dressing—until a surprising discovery by a classmate changes both their lives forever.

Still image for Smells Like Green Spirit season 1 episode 1: A Boxed-In Beauty

1. A Boxed-In Beauty

7.0

Futoshi Mishima is a high school boy living in an isolated rural town in the Heisei era. Ostracized and bullied by his classmates for having long hair, he never resists. His only solace is secretly wearing his mother’s lipstick and styling his long hair in waves—becoming the "cute" version of himself. One day, bullies cut off his precious hair with scissors. Shocked and devastated, he returns home. But when he sees himself in the mirror… “Whoa... I’m... cute.”

Still image for Smells Like Green Spirit season 1 episode 2: Unexpected Savior

2. Unexpected Savior

7.0

Futoshi is nearly forced into a car by a group of men—only to be rescued by Makoto Kirino, the leader of the very group that bullies him. Though grateful, Futoshi's thanks enrages Kirino when he notices Futoshi is wearing lipstick. Later, on the school rooftop, Futoshi sees Kirino applying the same lipstick to his lips. “A shared kiss? Could it be that Kirino… actually likes me?” A surprising side of Kirino is revealed.

Still image for Smells Like Green Spirit season 1 episode 3: Girls, Gossip, and Glitter

3. Girls, Gossip, and Glitter

7.0

Now aware of Kirino’s true colors, Futoshi spends his days secretly meeting him on the rooftop, sharing love stories and trying makeup. One day, the most popular girl in class, Rinka Fujii (Hiyori Kata), confesses her feelings to Futoshi after school. As he hesitates, Kirino’s words echo in his mind… Futoshi’s first experience dating a girl could change everything.

Still image for Smells Like Green Spirit season 1 episode 4: The Mirror and the Mask

4. The Mirror and the Mask

7.0

Unable to go all the way with Rinka, Futoshi questions his identity even more. Kirino continues to comfort him during their rooftop meetings. “Someday, I hope I can say out loud, ‘This is who I really am.’” Meanwhile, gossip about Futoshi's appearance spreads among the town’s housewives. The reason Kirino hides his true self and the past of social studies teacher Mr. Yanagida (Aran Abe), who keeps a close eye on Futoshi, slowly come to light.

Still image for Smells Like Green Spirit season 1 episode 5: The Teacher’s Truth

5. The Teacher’s Truth

8.0

Mr. Yanagida finally reveals his true colors during a cruel “punishment game” targeting Futoshi. Even Taro Yumeno (Kota Fujimoto), who used to tease Futoshi, begins to worry about him. Kirino, sensing something sinister about Yanagida, tries to warn Futoshi—just as Yanagida’s dangerous intentions start closing in. “No way!” Will Kirino and Yumeno arrive in time to save Futoshi?

Still image for Smells Like Green Spirit season 1 episode 6: The Hidden Heart

6. The Hidden Heart

8.0

Following the attack by Yanagida, Yumeno begins spending his afternoons caring for Futoshi. While Kirino smiles at their closeness, he also senses the difference in identity between himself and Yumeno. Curious, Futoshi finally asks, “Yumeno… did you hate me?” The feelings Yumeno has kept hidden until now are finally revealed.

Still image for Smells Like Green Spirit season 1 episode 7: Whispers of the Heart

7. Whispers of the Heart

Shocked after Yumeno recoils from his touch, Futoshi is comforted by Kirino, deepening their bond. Meanwhile, in the tightly knit rural community, gossip about Futoshi spreads like wildfire—eventually reaching their parents. Futoshi’s mother, Kayo, and Kirino’s mother, Takeko, respond in starkly different ways to their sons’ struggles with identity. “But… I want to get married, have kids… stay here forever.”

Still image for Smells Like Green Spirit season 1 episode 8: Goodbye, My Summer

8. Goodbye, My Summer

In an attempt to escape the constraints of their rural hometown, Futoshi and Kirino ride their bikes toward Tokyo. But Kirino seems distracted—and with good reason. Upon learning of his mother’s worsening health, the two return home. As their summer journey ends, both boys are led toward a choice: to accept or let go of their identities. “It was like a treasure… I was really happy.” The fleeting summer of youth—how will it end?

Cast

Photo of Towa Araki

Towa Araki

Futoshi Mishima

Photo of Shunta Sono

Shunta Sono

Makoto Kirino

Photo of Kodai Fujimoto

Kodai Fujimoto

Taro Yumeno

Photo of Alan Abe

Alan Abe

Yanagida

Photo of Wakana Sakai

Wakana Sakai

Kayo Mishima

Photo of Masaki Kaji

Masaki Kaji

Toshihiko Edokawa

Photo of Miki Kanai

Miki Kanai

Ayako Sawada

Photo of Hiyori Katada

Hiyori Katada

Fujii Rinka

More Like This

Reviews

No reviews available yet.