Yuri is My Job is a charmingly self-aware romance with a pretty clever twist. It gleefully makes fun of tropes, cliches, and stereotypes associated with the girls' love genre—then subverts each one. The satire seems to have flown over the vast majority of viewers' heads, unfortunately. Upon first impressions, it appears to be a one-note comedy, so I initially dropped it, but humor is not its main strength.

I.e., fine comedy, great drama.

People seem to have missed the point that the Café Liebe, where most of the anime takes place, imitates the traditional girls' love genre known as "Class S" (Maria-sama ga Miteru, Oniisama e…). The characters are merely actors in this themed cafe putting on a show for those enticed by melodrama and queer longing. Quite literally, the anime mocks viewers of the genre in a toying manner so as not to condescend and with passion for the genre's pedigree. It's a genius idea to juxtapose a parodied version of typical girls' love with the drama that plays off-stage, classic queer romance themes with a modern twist…

…And no, it is not queerbait.

There's plenty of explicitly lesbian love to go around, none of that beating around the bush are they/aren't they BS. It's not some crushing depiction of homosexuality, either. For every heartbreak, there is levity—you can always see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Themes fittingly revolve around hiding one's true self. Each of the four main characters, Sumika, Kanoko, and Mitsuki, but primarily led by Hime, have a persona they choose to show the world and one they hide. Throughout the series, their true identities become apparent, challenging their ability to balance life acting in the cafe with turmoil in the real world. Flashbacks to before the characters met at the cafe do not come off as heavy-handed and provide a relatable glimpse into their pasts as well as round out their present personas. Their motives and character arcs flow naturally without over-relying on narration or exposition.

Don't expect tons of animation because the production is lightweight, but the direction is solid. It is nicely storyboarded, frequently employing the traditional shoujo flower frames during cafe scenes for an over-the-top effect. Adding to that extravagance is the abundant expressive character animation. One thing I really admire about Passione and Studio Lings' work is how even though there are a lot of faces to draw in the cafe, the artists never resort to 3D models. It simply wouldn't have fit the cafe's aesthetic. Drawing each patron adds to the immersion, showing their excitement and shock as they watch Class S madness unfold. I liked how the understated piano enhanced dramatic moments, and swelling strings punctuated the more pivotal scenes.

Shoujo and Girls' Love anime tend to be known for melodrama, and Yuri is My Job has a healthy dose of exaggerated emotions. Placing Class S situations into a workplace environment just feels right. The stress of juggling customer service makes the conflict between coworkers all the more intense. The stress reaches a fever pitch when Hime and Mitsuki squabbles outside of work impact their schwestern (little sister) act in the restaurant. Every minor element of body language or suggestive language evokes extreme reactions. However, the writer never relies on contrivances to fuel melodrama. If Shinkai and Okada come to mind when you think of melodrama in anime, this will feel different. Although lacking in bombastic set pieces, stunning animation, or over-the-top climaxes, the drama in Yuri is My Job won't leave you feeling cheated by cheap tricks.

Though the satire doesn't go nearly as far as the superb Yuri Kuma Arashi, it handles drama remarkably. It would've found an audience here if it wasn't mismarketed as a gag comedy. I'm glad I gave it another chance because it's worth a second look. Yuri is My Job presents a fine balance of comedy and great drama, exploring themes of identity and the challenges of balancing personal and professional lives. With its solid direction, expressive character animation, and fitting classical score, the anime delivers a satisfying showcase of explicitly queer romance. Although casual viewers may feel out of the loop, fans of drama and girls' love will see its merit.