"Ueno-san wa Bukiyou" (Ueno-san wa Bukiyou) is a manga by tugeneko that was serialized in the biannual manga magazine "Young Animal." It was adapted into an anime series in January 2019 and is scheduled to air primarily on TOKYO MX. The story centers around a middle school student named Ueno. Ueno tries various ways to confess her feelings to Tanaka, the boy she has a crush on, but always fails. This time, we'll introduce our own ranking of the best scenes from "Ueno-san wa Bukiyou."
10th Place: Yamashita Playing with Ueno's Panties?
Source: Miss Ueno ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno Production Committee
When Ueno developed a protective cloth that absorbs all impacts despite being about the same thickness as regular cloth, Ueno told Tanaka to try and locate the cloth by hitting it, since she was already wearing it. If Tanaka guessed correctly, she would receive the item as a gift on the spot. As for the crucial piece of fabric, Ueno had used it to make a bra-shaped protective suit, which she wore on her chest. She began this experiment with the intention of getting Tanaka, an adolescent boy, to focus on her breasts. However, despite Ueno's thoughts, Tanaka said, "Ah, I get it," and slapped Ueno's buttocks. "Wait a minute!" Ueno cried, but Tanaka replied, "I knew it was here!" and slapped Ueno's buttocks again. Mistakenly believing he'd hit the right spot, Tanaka seemed pleased that he'd hit her, and followed Ueno tentatively, trying to slap her. "I told you it wasn't here!" Ueno exclaimed, frantically running away, but Tanaka eventually slapped her on the buttocks and she fell. To add insult to injury, Tanaka grabbed Ueno's arm and continued smacking her, saying with glee, "I won't let go until you admit it. Come on, admit it already. This is the right spot, isn't it?" Because Ueno was continuing to slap her, Ueno reluctantly told him it was the right spot and was finally released. Having completely lost his fighting spirit, Ueno prepares to leave when Tanaka holds out his hand, saying, "You said you'd give it to me if I hit the target." Having lied and said that he was wearing it on his butt, Ueno doesn't want to be hit again, so he takes off his regular pants and hands them to Tanaka. Tanaka plays with them, stretching and twisting them, saying, "They look like regular pants." After playing with them for a while, he says, "Well, I don't have any use for these, so I'll give them back." This scene really shows Tanaka's character.
9th Place: Tanaka, Uninfluenced by the Atmosphere
Source: Miss Ueno is Awkward ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno is Awkward Production Committee
Episode 1. Ueno invents the ultimate portable filtration device, "Rokka-kun." Rocca-kun is said to be able to purify even the most dire of sewer waters, which would rot your eyes just by looking at them, down to the level of a spring gushing forth from an ice cave. So, what Ueno filtered was his own urine. Tanaka seemed to brush him off, saying, "Just put that away, you're so good." However, Ueno offered Tanaka the filtered water and ordered him to drink it. Tanaka continued to refuse, but Ueno persisted, continuing to beg him to drink it. Ueno was in love with Tanaka, and this was a rather unusual expression of affection. However, Tanaka, being insensitive, didn't notice Tanaka's feelings and continued to reject him. Ueno finally burst into tears at Tanaka's reaction. Yamashita, a first-year middle school student and a junior in the science club, responded, "I'm sure you really want to be honest with me, even though you're the club president. But more than anything, you're worried. If you tell me your feelings honestly, what if it doesn't work out? That's why I think you took this approach." He then adds, "But boss, it's okay. Tanaka-senpai will accept it." "So senpai, this is how I feel right now. It's up to you to decide what to do," perfectly setting the tone for the drinks. Just when it seems they're finally going to drink, Tanaka, unfazed by the atmosphere, says, "No, I'm not going to drink." This is a great scene that clearly shows how Tanaka's consistent attitude continues to trouble Ueno.
8th Place: Yamashita's Kindness
Source: Miss Ueno is Awkward ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno is Awkward Production Committee
When Ueno created the instant deodorizing device "Dash-tan," this invention irradiates its target with mysterious electromagnetic waves, instantly transporting any odorous substance to heaven. Ueno's subjects were tights, Yamashita's socks, and Tanaka's indoor shoes. Therefore, before conducting the experiment, each person decided to test the scent of a different person's subject. Ueno sniffed Yamashita's socks and commented, "They smell like the socks a girl wears after school." Next, it was Tanaka's turn to sniff Ueno's tights. Ueno grinned as Tanaka subjected him to the humiliation of having to smell a girl's tights in front of her and give his opinion. Tanaka, in shock, simply said, "They stink." Ueno responded, "It wouldn't be a test if they didn't stink," but Tanaka couldn't hide his surprise, saying, "Well, I suppose so, but these... stink." "Wait... eh... is this really how it's supposed to turn out?" Ueno broke out into a cold sweat and froze. Yamashita noticed this and sniffed the tights himself, adding, "No, that's normal. My socks are like this too." However, even though Tanaka smells Yamashita's socks, he says, "No, the chief's tights smell worse," and "The chief's smells like eight pairs of socks." Tanaka then starts to suggest that they should deodorize them, but Yamashita shouts, "I'm not going to deodorize them!" He also insists, "I'm not going to deodorize them because they don't stink!" and "This is a nice smell that's unique to girls!" This is a memorable scene that shows Yamashita's kindness, as he acts in this way, thinking about the awkward situation Ueno has now created.
7th Place: Still Love
Source: Miss Ueno is Awkward ©tugeneko・Hakusensha/Miss Ueno is Awkward Production Committee
When Ueno created the ultimate portable filtration device, "Rokka-kun," she tried to filter Tanaka's urine and ask him to drink it, but Tanaka refused. Ueno keeps asking Tanaka to drink, hoping that he'll accept it, especially since he's the one she likes, but in the end, he refuses. "What's up with Tanaka? Are you still spacing out even after being confessed to?" she asks. To which Tanaka replies, blushing, "No, it's practically been confessed to right now, in the active phase!" Ueno clearly replies, "It's practically been confessed to right now, in the active phase!" Tanaka seems surprised, exclaiming, "What?! To whom?!" After Tanaka leaves, Ueno recalls all the ways she's tried to express her feelings up until now, seemingly exasperated by Tanaka's extreme insensitivity. But then, hiding her blushing face with her hands, she says, "But I love that about you!!" This is a memorable scene that shows Ueno's unwavering love.
#6: Mouth-to-mouth molecular exchange?!
Source: Miss Ueno (Ueno-san wa Bukiyou) ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno (Ueno-san wa Bukiyou) Production Committee
It was the day Ueno consumed "Dorantode S," a futuristic drink containing the futuristic ingredient Dorantode. Drinking "Dorantode S" supposedly neutralizes odor molecules from the drinker for approximately 24 hours. Ueno commands Tanaka to smell the soles of his feet, claiming there's no smell. When Tanaka finally does, he finds no odor at all. However, the odor-free nature of "Druntode S" isn't due to the fact that it doesn't excrete odor molecules from the body; rather, while odorous components are excreted, the odor molecules themselves are unscented. Therefore, if one continues to smell something, the odor molecules will be absorbed into the body of the person sniffing it. Ueno's experiment exploits this effect, adding a twist: he hopes to get Tanaka to absorb his own odor molecules and have them accepted by his body. Ever curious, Tanaka begins sniffing various parts of his body, including his stomach and neck, to see if the odor will disappear. Finally, he wants to check for bad breath, so he opens his mouth wide with Tanaka's mouth close by. Ueno punches Tanaka, who continues sniffing for an extended period of time, and runs away. Ueno crouched down, hiding her face, and said with embarrassment, "I swapped molecules with Tanaka through my mouth." It was a memorable scene of a happy accident.
#5: A chance for a proper indirect kiss?!
Source: Miss Ueno is Clumsy ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno is Clumsy Production Committee
It was the day of the experiment using "Garraku-tan." By speaking to Ginga with a moderate clockwise rotational force, Garaku-tan was able to manifest the perfect amount of water for a relaxing break. Wanting to use the Junk-tan, which resembles a plastic bottle, Ueno applied a moderate amount of clockwise force to the lid. A 500ml bottle of water appeared in an instant. Ueno offered the water to Tanaka, but Tanaka didn't seem to trust it. So Ueno drank it first. Then, it was Tanaka's turn. Ueno placed the half-drunk Junk-tan on the table, but Tanaka started drinking from a new one. Ueno seemed angry at Tanaka's unexpected behavior, exclaiming, "Why did you open a new one without asking me?" However, Tanaka thoughtfully replied, "Well, guys kiss the place I kissed. Girls are more sensitive about that sort of thing, right?" Wanting an indirect kiss, Ueno panicked, saying, "I don't really care about... indirect kisses or anything like that, you know?" Sweating, she tried to cover it up. Furthermore, when Ueno says, "You're being too conscious of weird things, aren't you!?" Tanaka looks annoyed and says, "Then kiss the one I was drinking. It's fine, isn't it?", handing Tanaka the Junk-tan that Tanaka had drunk himself. Ueno tries to drink Tanaka's half-drunk Junk-tan, but in a panic drops it on the floor. Tanaka says, "Don't push yourself," and leaves to get a rag to wipe up the spilled water. Ueno picks up the plastic bottle and tries to take a sip, but when Tanaka returns, he calmly retorts, "Boss, that's the one that dropped it." This is a rare moment when Tanaka, who usually doesn't show any angry faces, looks annoyed, and although it ultimately fails, it is a memorable scene in which Tanaka tries to force an indirect kiss on Ueno.
4th Place: Uncompromising Ueno
Source: Miss Ueno is Clumsy ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno is Clumsy Production Committee
This happened during an experiment on a new type of molester reporting device called "Kanchikan." The Kanchikan is a decorative device that connects a spiritual connection with the mysterious spirit Kanchichi and sounds an alarm to those around it if the Spirit Council determines that a person has been subjected to a shameful act. Wearing the Kanchikan, Ueno orders Tanaka to commit a sexual assault. However, Tanaka appears to refuse, saying he doesn't understand. Ueno then tells Tanaka, "Think of it as a way to help those suffering from sexual assault." Tanaka, seemingly determined, says, "Okay, I'll play the role of the sexual assaulter," but the Kanchikan immediately reacts. The device supposedly reacts when a person is sexually assaulted, but Tanaka has not yet committed a sexual assault. Ueno tries to calm down, but the Kanchikan continues to react. Yamashita then takes Ueno and calms her down. The purpose of the experiment using this device was to have Ueno maintain his composure when Tanaka touches him, gradually escalating his actions. However, Ueno's inability to maintain his composure causes the Kanchikan to immediately react. Yamashita then suggests, "Shall we turn off the device?" Ueno, however, responds with a scientist-like remark, "I can't cross that line." Ueno returns to Tanaka, lying that she reacted because she had a slight cold. However, as soon as the experiment begins, the kanchikan reacts again. Ueno, unable to turn off the device to get closer to Tanaka, bursts into tears, saying, "I hate these uncompromising arms." Tanaka pats Ueno's back and gently says, "Chief, let's get better first. Being healthy is the most important thing." This is a memorable scene that shows Ueno's scientist-like nature, unable to compromise on the experiment, no matter how much she likes Tanaka.
3rd Place: Ueno's Confession of Devotion!
Source: Miss Ueno ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno Production Committee
Ueno invented the futuristic rescue device "BG Blue Light." This device can illuminate objects with the same hue as a specified color. For example, by designating a specific color as a safety color, it can be quickly detected in the event of a disaster, making it a potentially valuable tool for rescue efforts. This time, they were going to test the functionality of "BG Blue Light," so they started by identifying Ueno's handkerchief. The color they identified from the handkerchief was "Ichikin-zome." "Ichikin-zome" is the name for the pale crimson color achieved by dyeing one piece of silk with one jin (pound) of safflower. During the Heian period, when safflower was expensive, this was the upper limit of crimson, and any darker crimson was forbidden. This is why "Ichikin-zome" is also known as "Yurushiroi" (listening color). For this project, Ueno had used this "Yurushiroi" color to draw a picture of Ueno and Tanaka sharing an umbrella on her innerwear. Ueno showed Tanaka the umbrella and, leaving the final push up to the other person, attempted the Ueno-style "Entrusted Confession" technique. Ueno immediately darkened the room to observe Tanaka's reaction, but when Tanaka looked at Ueno, he turned away, seemingly embarrassed. Just when it seems like it's a success, Yamashita says, "Let's lie down for a moment, for a moment," and takes Ueno to the mirror. Ueno wonders if the message was too strong, and when she looks in the mirror, she sees that the essential words on the shared umbrella are hidden by the tie. Although the plan ends in a complete failure, it is a memorable scene that shows Ueno's progress in trying to clearly convey her feelings through the form of a "confession."
Second Place: Tanaka's Knee Pillow
Source: Miss Ueno is Awkward ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno is Awkward Production Committee
This is the story of when Ueno invented the robot version of Ueno, "Ueno No. 13." "Ueno No. 13" is a fully autonomous gynoid robot, custom-built by Ueno from a prototype currently under development for nursing care, equipped with circuits capable of expressing a young girl's feelings. Ueno's plan is to use Ueno No. 13 to stimulate Tanaka's adolescent tendencies and make him flustered. He immediately puts his plan into action, with the real Ueno watching from hiding. Ueno No. 13 stares intently at Tanaka, but Tanaka seems unconcerned and asks, "What is it?" Ueno No. 13 then offers him some gum, asking, "Tanaka, would you like some gum?" Tanaka simply replies, "Okay then, I'll have some," and begins munching away. Ueno No. 13 then begins repeatedly chanting, "Tanaka, let me rest my head on your lap." Tanaka says, "What's going on today?", but offers Ueno No. 13 a pillow on his lap. Ueno No. 13 then says, "Tanaka, pat me on the head," but Tanaka asks, "Did something bad happen to the captain!?" He then pats Tanaka's head and says, "Captain, I don't know what happened, but if there's something bothering you, please come and talk to me about it. If it's difficult for you to talk to me, you can talk to Yamashita-san too." Ueno No. 13 then suddenly stands up and says, "Tanaka, do you like Ueno?" Ueno, unable to bear the situation, rushes out yelling, and with his face red, he leaves the clubroom with Ueno No. 13, saying, "Eeek, you let me fool you, you idiot! You idiot, you idiot, you stupid fool!" Tanaka, who gives the impression of not being very interested in people, was worried about Ueno, and this is a great scene that shows his kindness.
No. 1: Ueno and Yamashita Walking Home Together in the Rain
Source: Miss Ueno is Clumsy ©tugeneko, Hakusensha / Miss Ueno is Clumsy Production Committee
This was when Ueno invented the "II Umbrella." This device creates an anti-gravity field directed upward, creating a weak gravity wall that deflects targets. This invention allows you to wear it on your head and stay dry in the rain. One day, after demonstrating the "II Umbrella," Ueno was on his way home. It was pouring rain. As he was about to leave, wearing the "II Umbrella," he heard a voice from behind him call out, "Officer!" He turned around to see Tanaka, who said, "I didn't bring my umbrella today. Let me in, please." Ueno replied, "Well, I can't help it, you're special," and stepped into Ueno's sheltered area. Tanaka then pulled Ueno's shoulder. Ueno blushed and said, "Hey!", but Tanaka replied, "But half of my hair is already out." Tanaka asked, "Come a little closer," and Ueno replied, "Okay, so just let go! Seriously!" He looked pleased. This is a heartwarming, memorable moment between the two.
Ranking of Famous Scenes - Summary!
What did you think? This time, we've ranked the best scenes from "Ueno-san wa Bukiyou" ("Ueno-san wa Bukiyou"). The series features a variety of scenes, from moments of friendship to moments of Ueno's unrequited love. There are many other great scenes, so be sure to check them out. Thank you for reading to the end.
