Dou kyu sei – Classmates

Rihito Sajo is the archetype of a straight A student who rarely steps outside the library, while Hikaru Kusakabe moves through school with a guitar case and a steady stream of fans. Their lives would stay in parallel if not for a chorus festival preps that pulls them into the same rehearsal room. They start talking during practice, trading short remarks about tempo and tone, and soon they meet after classes to refine each other's singing. As they listen to one another, their awareness shifts from technical critique to something warmer and more personal. Duets become confidences and small, shared jokes replace the awkward distance that once separated them. A single vocal moment quietly changes everything. Their friendship proves a safe space to test feelings, even as class schedules pull them in different directions.

Released in 2016, the film was directed by Shoko Nakamura and adapts Asumiko Nakamura's manga Doukyuusei, known in English as Classmates. The project brings a discreet BL romance to the screen with restrained, character focused storytelling.

For fans of BL narratives, Classmates stands out for centering emotion on voice and harmony rather than explicit drama. Its quiet approach has helped broaden audience sympathy for two earnest young men who confront expectations about gender, sexuality, and what it means to grow up.

Critics generally praised the film for its intimate focus and patient pacing, using music as a bridge between minds and hearts. The themes revolve around self acceptance, the courage to pursue one's authentic feelings, and the way small acts of collaboration can redefine a relationship.

Animation production details are not widely documented in public databases, but the feature is an adaptation of Asumiko Nakamura's Doukyuusei. Shoko Nakamura directs, with Kenji Nojima voicing Rihito and Hiroshi Kamiya voicing Hikaru Kusakabe, bringing the characters' vocal warmth to life.