Here is a deep dive into the relationships and romantic storylines that define the world of Perman . The Central Heart: Mitsuo and Michiko

The show never explicitly labels Perko’s feelings (it was the 1960s-80s), but the subtext is deafening. It’s a queer-coded childhood crush handled with surprising gentleness, adding a layer of repressed longing that modern re-watches highlight beautifully. Meanwhile, Sumire herself harbors a secret crush on (the civilian), creating a four-way circuit of pain.