Despite the fact that Kaneda was introverted to the point of appearing to be challenged, I had hopes that Yanase could bring out his personality.

Kanda confesses to Yanase and Yanase asks him to wait for a year while he works in Canada.

The whole subplot with Benji is creepy. Benji appears to be much older than Yanase, makes my skin crawl and I cannot understand why Yanase would have had a relationship with him. Then, we have the situation where Benji wants a contract to give work to Max Pictures ONLY if they give him his lover, Yanase, back. It's just disgusting slavery.

Surprisingly, Benji allows Yanase to return to Japan, Max Pictures and Kaneda. I lost interest once it was revealed that despite computers, cell phones, email, text messages or just the use of old fashioned paper and pen letters, neither Yanase or Kaneda kept in touch. Yanase returns and isn't aware of changes in the workplace or changes with Kaneda. Despite the potential for an adult relationship with Yanase, Kaneda is still acting like a child with his hero worship and altar devoted to Yanase. He takes Yanase back to his apartment yet doesn't bother to prepare by straightening up the place and hiding his altar and other evidence of hero worship. Kaneda responds by panicking and shouting. He failed to use the year apart to grow up.

Yanase (and the viewers) deserve better. I have no idea why he was attracted to Kaneda.