The Novelist (2018)

I gave relatively low ratings (at least for my standard) to this one not because it wasn't good, but because it was too short and it was originally going to be longer, which was a disappointment to me.

The story is not your typical BL: it's not bright and funny, nor about teenage boys looking for answers.
It's kinda mature in a sense (the kisses are definitely worth watching), but it doesn't give porno vibes.
Classy in its own way, I wish they could've given us a better ending.
The acting is so so good and all the darkness suits the story very well in my opinion.

I know i may sounds redundant, but the ending and the overall shortness guttered me.
It could've been a masterpiece in my book.

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It was okay!

I felt like the storyline within this drama was pretty good but left a bit to be desired. Especially with the ending. In general it was a compelling drama, with some very cringe worthy bits ( I had to pause and take a breath because second-hand embarassment lol) and a developing relationship. However, it did feel very hot and cold at some points and to be honest was very manipulative.

The cast was very good and played their roles excellently and left nothing to be desired!!

However, to circle back to the ending - it was very disappointing as the build up of the relationship was very good and then 'bam' open ending - it really leaves a lot to be desired, and I know that there is a second series but to be frank I am skeptic about watching it. So I might come back to this series later.

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Amazed

I have been avoiding this series for a long time because of the rating and also I don't really like R18 bls that much, but it is actually pretty good. The acting,plot and sex scenes were all done pretty well. I thought the plot would be just sex and no plot but it is actually not that and something more. I loved the mystery of 'the pornographer'. He seemed such a red flag but after we dive into the plot we come to know that he is just a lonely person who has lost his ability to write and with the help of the mc he finds it again. The acting is done very well. It was really splendid. The sex was just wow although they always do it with the lights down so it was bummer but it was overall very good. Amazing.

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Certainly better than I expected

This is a work that escapes the expected. Unlike many other programs I criticize, I had no specific expectations. I wanted the couple to have chemistry and the story to be minimally thought-provoking, obviously I also expected some sex scenes - taking into account the name. Here's my surprise when I get that and more.

My biggest fear was the kind of "sexual sample" I would have, since many Japanese works in various forms portray sex in a rather crude and expository way, a little too grotesque or with unnecessary things, like: "What kind of human being makes that noise when he has sex?". However, I honestly thought that there was a lack of sex scenes between the main couple - since with other characters we have some even a little more experienced. That was a bit comical for me.

POSITIVE POINTS of this work are:
The light and at the same time sexy way that the interaction of the two is built, the whole part where the two get to know each other little by little thanks to the accident and the teacher's frame - which was a very good idea, by the way - during the writing of their books, or better rewrites hahaha. I could feel a very comical, sexy and engaging setting and script. All that at the same time! The fact that they gradually show that the teacher is emotionally unstable, but at the same time not making it clear what happened to him is also intriguing. Since I was in doubt about what he was really feeling and if what he showed was true, like: "Is this really what he thinks? Was it all a lie, a delusion?" Well, he calls himself a great liar and so he went all the way.... Even among his various truths, he managed to bring a bittersweet taste about his lies and the relationship he forced with Kuzumi.

This feeling is a mixture of sensations, I felt the same as I was when I was younger. When I discovered some perverse things that I didn't know if I could discover hahaha.

NEGATIVE POINTS are:
Basically a controversy. Many love, others hate the ending. I stick with the second argument, but I think hate is too strong a word. I can say - as I saw someone else comment - that I was a bit disappointed. Not only because it leaves an agonizing aftertaste of wanting more, but also because I felt the characters deserved more. I thought it was a heartbreaking ending. However, we can justify this "tragic end".
The two needed to build themselves. One had to form his own life, finish his studies and find himself outside the dependence that was created and the other needed to find himself within himself to return to writing the works he loves so much. I believe that staying together at that moment they would not be able to make it work.

Writing this review I discovered that there are continuations and short hahaha. So I have a lot to watch yet about this universe. I hope not to be disappointed anymore. For now I leave the review of the series of 6 episodes, dated 2018.

If you liked this review, I invite you to read my other reviews here. I always update my account, every time I watch something new. You can help me by liking and following me here on MyDramaList.
I thank you for reading this far <3

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A series that pretends to be very deep but isn't.

It was very promising at the beginning. You like the student immediately. sweet, harmonious, cute, he reacts exactly like a real person, everything is good. I can't say the same for the author. I didn't like his acting, something annoying kept bothering me from the back of my mind and I still tried to like him, or at least understand him. Then, did our student suddenly fall in love? What happened, why did it happen? Is it just because he writes +18 articles, hey, when writing, especially when writing what you are told without thinking, you have to focus at least 50% on writing (grammar, etc.). I eagerly waited for that love to be woven into the loops. it was a disappointment for me.
The author failed to depict the character effectively. What I mean is, even if a character is grumpy, annoying, or even foolish, if portrayed well, you can grow to love them. It's like loving an irritating sibling, it somehow happens.
At the end of the day, the score given on the site is really deserved.
I don't want to talk about it too much. I will forget it soon.

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I love Kuzumi !

I love Kuzumi !
He is cute, earnest, and in my opinion, has a more genuine expression (?)
It's funny how he is 'highly imaginative ><

I would love it better if they give a bit more continuation into the story .. I feel like I have not been given a 'proper closure' with the ending ..
It feels like 6 episodes are too short ><

Compared to its prequel, I would say that the impact of the feels isn't as tough as the prequel ..
But I love this story line !

PS: I just knew that it is a sequel of Mood Indigo when i start watching it ! What a luck !

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Gawd I hate nothing more than asian drama/movie kiss scenes. They're always horrible, cringy and eff up the whole thing for me.
That said, THIS was a pleasent surprise. I did watch this before reading the manga but after watching its sequel (which i liked even better - story- and acting- wise).

The sensei's actor is amazing to watch as he struggles between apparent arrogance, playing with the assistants feelings and trying not to show his real emotions. (Not an english speaker - sorry lame explaination). All the while not being awkward when acting in close proximity or touching each other.

I feel like because i did watch the sequel (that is actually a prequel) before, i had a better understanding how and why sensei came to bw how he is in Pornographer and his scenes with his editor are all the more bittersweet for it.

They skipped the somewhat tacky sex scenes in this - thankfully - so watch it not for the yaoi but for the storyline!

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After watching what can only be described as very tame korean, chinese and taiwanese dramas predominantly, I've only recently started watching japanese and I wasn't sure, purely based on the title - whether I was going to like this one. Worth noting that the english subbed version I watched actually called this 'The Novelist' which I think is a more appropriate name given it's about an erotic novelist and his temporary assistant.

The given title however does suggest that there are some sexual content and scenes that some people might not be comfortable with, but none, I would venture are gratuitous or unnecessary to the story.

The story is simple in that a university student literally bumps into an erotic novelist and breaks his arm. As he can't afford the medical expenses associated with the accident he caused, he offers to help the novelist write his stories over the 2 months that his arm is in plaster. The story told over the remaining 2 and a half hours and 5 episodes is just a telling of how their relationship blossoms and how the somewhat naive student has a sexual awakening driven by the content of the novels he's helping to write. The ending is somewhat underwhelming but not unexpected or unsurprising. It just kind of ends which is ok because there isn't much to resolve.

The actors play their roles well with those of the main characters being able to exhibit all the behaviours and emotions probably relevant to a young, naive, eager to please student and a slightly jaded, isolated but experienced middle-aged novelist who appear to come together out of necessity rather than desire.

The music was probably exactly as it should be; in that it just seemed to blend into the narrative. I must admit that some chinese dramas habitually repeat their incidental music and/or play it too loudly so that you can't actually hear the dialogue. This wasn't the case here and moreover, when there were scenes pertaining to music, I liked the use of jazz and the analogue medium of records to demonstrate the differences between the main characters - both in an age and expectation sense.

I would re-watch this in a heartbeat and the length of this drama lends itself to doing so. I would question whether you actually need to re-watch it though as there's not much to miss or understand with either the story or the characters' motivations so watching it once is probably enough... But it's definitely good enough and short enough to warrant revisiting it once in a while.

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extremely well done

Overall: acting, tension and production were all stellar in this series. 6 episodes about 22 minutes each. Was available on Viki under the title "The Novelist", currently available on  GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/2189/pornographer-2018-e01 

Content Warnings: manipulation, dub con touching/kissing/and more, alcoholism, punch

What I Liked
- tension/chemistry
- some of the best intimate scenes ever (natural noises, facial expressions, body movements)
- acting (the silent screaming scene in episode 5 was amazing)
- production value (cinematography, music, attention to props like Kuzumi's shirt in ep 3)

Note: I normally struggle with manipulative leads in romances, but although Kijima is flawed, I still want him to work through his stuff and end up with Kuzumi. I think that is testament to strong writing and acting. 

Room For Improvement
- the voice over
- could have shortened the story of the student and his teacher in ep 1
- multiple running scenes
- up to 2 minute recaps at the start of episodes
- in episode 6 I've never understood the "though I'm a liar, I'll keep my promise" as he doesn't in the morning, but perhaps it's the promise to do what Kuzumi asked him earlier in the episode

Franchise Watch Order
Pornographer aka The Novelist (2018)
Pornographer: Indigo Mood aka Mood Indigo (2019) (this is a prequel but should be watched after The Novelist)
Pornographer: Spring Life (2021)
Pornographer: Playback (2021)
Pornographer: Continued Spring Life (2021)

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