Call Up Girls

The kind of student who could disappear from class and nobody would notice for a week, Ye Xi isn't bad at anything, not good at anything, just thoroughly, painfully average. That changes when she crosses paths with Li Zhao, a girl who's basically her opposite: driven, talented, and laser-focused on becoming a top fashion designer. Their connection starts through fashion, and what unfolds is a gentle story about finding your place in the world through the people who actually see you. This ONA from A4works, adapted from a web manga, leans into the CGDCT and Girls Love space with a warmth that feels earned rather than forced. The fashion angle gives it something concrete to build around; it's not just cute girls hanging out, there's a real creative ambition running through Li Zhao's character that grounds the whole thing. The slice-of-life moments are lighthearted and a little silly, but the emotional core is about visibility, about what it means to be noticed by someone who matters. If you liked the slow-burn emotional honesty of Kimi ni Todoke or the quiet intimacy of Aoi Hana, this hits a similar frequency. There's also a bit of Sasameki Koto's gentle melancholy in Ye Xi's unassuming presence. The tone stays youthful and wholesome throughout: no melodrama, just the small, real moments of high school friendship turning into something deeper. Worth keeping on your radar for 2026.