I Have a Crush at Work

Plot

Masugu Tateishi works in the accounting department of Tsuda Confectionery, a sweets manufacturing company. His relationship with Yui Mitsuya—a coworker who joined the company at the same time but works in the planning department—is particularly hostile, to the point that their frequent clashes earn them the office nickname "mortal enemies". In reality, however, the two are deeply attracted to each other, and after a series of twists and turns, they finally become a couple.

Despite their feelings, Yui worries about workplace gossip and the challenges of office romance. To avoid scrutiny, they agree to keep their relationship a secret. Thus begins their covert life as coworkers-turned-lovers, all while maintaining their carefully crafted façade of mutual dislike in the office.

Characters

Masugu Tateishi (立石 真直, Tateishi Masugu)

Voiced by: Seiichiro Yamashita

A 28-year-old employee at Tsuda Confectionery who is secretly in love with Yui, despite giving the appearance that they do not get along. They decide to keep their relationship a secret from their co-workers to avoid suspicion. He works in accounting, which is where he also first fell in love with her. After spending some time with her, he finally confessed his feelings one night after a work party, and they started dating in secret. He is originally from Yamanashi Prefecture, where his family runs a grape farm. By the end of the story, he marries Yui and has a daughter with her, whom they name Tsumugi.

Yui Mitsuya (三ツ谷 結衣, Mitsuya Yui)

Voiced by: Yume Miyamoto

A employee at Tsuda Confectionery who is the same age as Masugu. Although they joined the company at the same time, they originally did not get along as Yui always thought Masugu was annoying and boring, but she later developed feelings for him as they began spending more time together in private. She initially belonged to the planning department but was later transferred to the PR department. At the end of the story, she marries Masugu.

Shizuno Hayakawa (早川 静乃, Hayakawa Shizuno)

Voiced by: Shizuka Itō

Masugu's boss. She is a heavy drinker and was previously in a failed relationship.

Keisuke Somei (染井 恵介, Somei Keisuke)

Voiced by: Reiō Tsuchida

Maria Morizono (森園 まりあ, Morizono Maria)

Voiced by: Yō Taichi

Chiharu Utō (宇藤 千春, Utō Chiharu)

Production

Like Enomoto's previous work, Fumino-san no Bunguna Nichijō, the series focuses on working adults. The series is based on Enomoto's own experiences as a company employee and a suggestion from the editor in charge to focus the series on a workplace romance.

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Akamaru Enomoto, I Have a Crush at Work was serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Morning from March 7, 2019, to January 26, 2023. Kodansha collected its chapters in fifteen tankōbon volumes, released from July 23, 2019, to March 23, 2023.

The manga has been licensed for English digital release in North America by Kodansha USA.

Anime

In July 2024, it was announced that the manga will receive an anime television series adaptation. It is produced by Blade and directed by Naoko Takeichi, with scripts written by Masahiro Yokotani, characters designed by Mina Ōsawa, and music composed by IM.Lab. The series aired from January 6 to March 24, 2025, on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme song is "Ano ne" (あのね、), performed by Polkadot Stingray, while the ending theme song is "Futari Jime" (ふたりじめ), performed by Pachae. Medialink licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.

Reception

By July 2024, the manga had over 1.1 million copies in circulation (including both physical and digital releases).