Smells Like Green Spirit
Mishima Futoshi, a junior high school student in the countryside, is bullied by his classmates. The reason is that he is seemingly gay. In reality, Mishima does like guys, so he does not resist their bullying, and instead,…
Set in rural Japan during the 1990s, *Smells Like Green Spirit* follows Mishima Futoshi, a gentle high school boy with long hair and a soft demeanor who becomes the target of relentless bullying for being perceived as gay. Rather than fighting back, Mishima quietly endures the abuse, already aware of his own sexuality. His life takes an unexpected turn when he forms a secret friendship with one of his former bullies, Kirino—a handsome classmate hiding his own deep struggles with gender identity. Together on the school rooftop, they share stolen moments of makeup, bento lunches, and the fragile comfort of being seen. As Kirino’s dreams of living authentically clash with his mother’s expectations, another bully, Yumeno, begins to question his own feelings and homophobia, gradually transforming from tormentor to protector. This poignant, beautifully acted coming-of-age story explores the harsh realities of queer youth in a conservative society, celebrating small acts of courage, the power of acceptance—both from loved ones and from oneself—and the bittersweet paths that lead to growing up.
