Ongoing 7/10
lilykitty
6 people found this review helpful
Nov 24, 2021
7 of 10 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10

Don't miss this drama!

Sometimes Japanese BLs are a hit or a miss. This is a definite HIT!!! Even though this drama isn't over you HAVE TO watch it!! It's so darn adorable. I'm so in love with Aoki's quirky personality. They way he wants to help his friends and the way he treats Ida is so cute. There are 2 story lines and sometimes we like the second couple more but not in this drama. You will definitely stay for the main couple. The second couple is is adorable too but not as much as the main one. You root for the girl who has had a secret crush for years and can't seem to find the courage to confess (some of us have been there....lol ) The guy of course is oblivious (duh) Happy watching <3

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Ongoing 9/10
Jzaday
3 people found this review helpful
Feb 10, 2022
9 of 10 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 10

Beautiful

I usually like BL dramas with a lot of drama, spice, tension etc because it makes them interesting to watch. This story doesn't have all that...but it doesnt need it! Its just so good to watch as it is. I was worried id find it boring but not at all! Despite the lack of skinship the chemistry of all the characters is brilliant and the acting is so good, especially Ida! He is a very lowkey actor but his expressions hold a lot of emotion. This is in a great conteast to Aoki but it works so well. Also the comedy really hits the mark for me. Ovrrall its so comforting and a favourite for me now!

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Completed
asianblreviews
3 people found this review helpful
Dec 24, 2021
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

Revisiting the magic of high school crushes

Kieta Hatuskoi’s premise is simple but highly original. There is no real ‘problem’ in this whole series except for typical high schooler anxieties. Which may be a nice distraction from the dreadfulness of adulthood, or cringey and immature, depending on how you look at it.

But to give Kieta Hatuskoi some credit, my guess is that that’s exactly what the show sets out to do: revisit the magic of high school crushes, friendship and getting into a relationship for the first time.

As far as young loves go, it provides an observant retelling of what it’s like to have a crush on someone in high school.

It retains a quaint charm because parts of the storyline are just so relatable to anyone who has ever been young and in love. Like overthinking about whether your crush likes you back, wondering if they’re teasing you only because you’re a joke to them and panicking when their face gets too close.

Overall, it's a wholesome, fluffy and mildly humorous BL about high school crushes but probably won’t be fulfilling if you’re looking for something to connect to on a visceral level.

Read my full review at: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2021/12/21/kieta-hatsukoi-vanishing-my-first-love-2021/

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Completed
jea
3 people found this review helpful
Dec 19, 2021
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

IT'S A PERFECTION until I watched the 2 final episodes

YO! I read the manga and the drama is exactly the "living version" of the manga EXCEPT for the latter ep. I know reading the ongoing manga first before watching the actual drama version could make a biased perspective at some point but because this is what we called LIVE ACTION I can't help but compare the drama with the manga.
Ok, soooo...
I'm surprised at how the drama could copy the manga PERFECTLY (especially in the first 3 or 4 episodes). Like bruhhh this is it! It's what you called LIVE ACTION! This is how live action should be done. I really enjoyed it and am just so excited to see what I had read before become alive and their voice match perfectly with the characters. The actors are surely capable of acting. They could bring the exact same vibes from the manga to life which is a hard thing to do for actors. I also loved the soundtrack very much, they all sooo good periodt.
And now my disappointment about this drama...
The 9th and the final episode feel...empty and boring. Those eps definitely lack in the storyline and are not that exciting to watch. The storyline is not the same as the manga and unfortunately the replacement story (drama) is not as good as the original (manga). And when it ended I was like, "Is that all? Just like that?!?!". It could have been wrapped more beautifully even if it's not the same as the manga, but they can't do that and I'm a bit disappointed because THIS DRAMA IS SO GOOD. Such a pity for the final episode but believe me, WATCH THIS DRAMA AND YOU'LL HAVE A BRIGHT-FLOWERY DAYS.
...
I wish I could watch the *scene from chapter 29 but well the manga is still ongoing and I know there'd be a 2nd season. I JUST KNOW.

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Completed
Devynn Stoddard
4 people found this review helpful
Jan 13, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 4.5
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

I could literally not even tell you what just happened, but I'll try for the sake of a review.

I'm seeing a lot of 10 ratings on this, and along with just needing to get some thoughts off my chest, I've decided to write this.

First, I was looking forward to the premise because it was unique and original, and I trust Japanese dramas to not let me down. However, I feel like the show was just a convoluted mess.

Let's start at the beginning. So a guy accidentally falls into the situation with another guy because said guy thinks that the first guy has a crush on him because of the eraser loaned to him by his friend who happens to be a woman. Even though the show was only 10 episodes, at 22 minutes per episode, I couldn't tell you how many times the two male leads went back and forth over some feelings that didn't even seem realistic in the first place because A) there was no relationship development and B) they had little chemistry to begin with. Then he decides that he really has fallen for him (after the second episode? what?) which leads to even more hijinks because now there's misunderstandings about if the feelings were ever real and then the second lead finds out the first never really had feelings for him but now he supposedly does and now here we are in a twisted ass mess because nobody can get their story straight.

If it sounds like it doesn't make sense, it's because it doesn't. The rest of the show after is him finally confessing (again), them deciding they're going to try "dating" and as much more drama as they can pack into 6 more episodes because they have to fill the rest of the show with something.

By the end I was just straight upset because it felt like there truly was no resolution whatsoever, let alone satisfaction. I mean they're supposed to be "together" at the end and all of it was supposed to be worth it, but you spent so much time watching them discuss metaphoric feelings and go in and out of a relationship that was barely even there (I mean the most "romantic " interaction they ever even had was holding hands,. *insert eye roll*), that it just felt like you were on an episode of pranked.

I cannot stress enough that this is so not worth anyone's time. But do as you will if you feel like being confused and frustrated.

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Completed
Melinda
2 people found this review helpful
Dec 31, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Very Good BL, But Left Me Wanting More...

I watched this without knowing it was a BL series. I love Ren Meguro and when I saw it after watching, “Silent,” I was intrigued. This story was really cute, enough for me to start reading the Manga series, which is also good! The initial chemistry with Ida and Aoki was great at the beginning, but it wasn't as convincing as the series kept going. I didn't feel the chemistry as much between the two characters. Also, the ending was sweet, but I was hoping for a really big bang. Something really fantastic. I hope if there's a Season 2, they pick-up with even greater chemistry.

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Completed
Fondueforkharpoon
2 people found this review helpful
Jan 3, 2024
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Nothing can erase my love for this show

The show starts off by informing the viewer they're about to watch a "slightly silly love story about good natured, hard-working high school kids" and I think that's probably when I fell head-over-heels into crazy, stupid love, because boy oh boy does the series ever live up to its promise!
Everything about it is excellent, from the writing, to the acting, to music... it's all spot-on.
The humour is genuinely clever, often a lot subtler than you'd expect, and had me gleefully cackling more times than I'd care to admit. The plot may be nothing new but it depicts young love in general and young queer love specifically with such care and respect I was genuinely blown away by it.
And that's the magic of this drama, I think, the sheer amount of love so obviously put into it.
Not only are the characters deeply lovable, but their relationships to one another - romantic, platonic, or otherwise - are also incredibly healthy and there is huge focus placed on the importance of open communication and being honest about your feelings both with yourself and with others.
This portrayal of deeply earnest kids learning who they are, what they want in life, and how to speak to the people they love is hugely impactful in its simplicity and, quite frankly, offers some valuable life lessons which are important and relevant to audiences of all ages.
Furthermore, the show skillfully addresses more serious topics and issues facing young queer people every day such as prejudices, outward pressures to conform, and even internalised homophobia. None of these things are used for shock value, nor do they skew the lighthearted tone of the show towards the me angsty, but they aren't trivialised either, far from it.
This story may be very tame and PG but you can tell the show-runners wanted to create something truly worth while - a genuinely good piece of queer media for young people to watch and feel seen by - and they absolutely outdid themselves in every single aspect of that endeavour.
This show is an absolute triumph and a beloved classic for a reason. It will always be very near and dear to my heart and, I suspect, once you've seen it it will quickly claim a spot in your heart as well - just go watch it already.

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Completed
dani
2 people found this review helpful
Jun 16, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Cute and Sweet!

This was a really sweet high school drama! It was quick to get through and very cute to see Aoki and Ida trying to navigate new feelings. While some of the "does Ida actually like Aoki" back-and-forth was kind of tiring after a while, I thoroughly enjoyed my time watching it. It's probably not one I'll revisit, and maybe it won't stick in my mind for too long, but I'm glad I read it.

I think if you're looking for a cute romance about teenagers navigating first love, then I would definitely recommend this one!
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Completed
WeLoveKiss97
2 people found this review helpful
Apr 7, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Cute, light, innocent and hilarious!

I really liked it! I really loved my ass of and had many second hand embarrassment.
The characters great: Aoki is so cute, hilarious and precious, must be protected at all cost. Ida is very handsome, earnest and adorable. Hashimoto is really cute best-girl. I really like her friendship with aoki.

When they thought, they both liked the same guy, she supported aoki and told him they were rivals. Some might have taken their gender to their advantage, but she saw aoki on the equal ground and assured him that he wasn't weird. It's so cute, that they are so similar yet so different from each other and support each other.
Ida is such a great guy! At a confession from another guy, others are usually disgusted or are mean, but he earnestly responded him and gave it a serious thought. It was beautiful to see him develop his feelings for aoki and realising them. He is totally the "I got your back " type of boyfriend.
Aoki is sooo cute and kind and has a very silly side. He was selflessly supporting his crush to get her crush and playing the Cinderella. And he was sooo adorable, when he started to fall for Ida, like who could blame him! Even though he is a little bit of a coward, he is pretty straightforward, like when he confessed to Hashimoto that he liked her crush and couldn't support her wholeheartedly. His silly side makes him so hilarious, but also very precious.
Both Aoki and Ida deserve each other. Even with almost no physical touch, they grmy heart to flatter.
I'm really glad that I gave it a try!

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Completed
jon conn
2 people found this review helpful
May 25, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.5

This is a very likeable BL

This is a very likeable BL. It's easy, pleasant, funny, genuine and well done. Both main characters were very likeable even though they are polar opposites in their personalities. On top of that, I believe that Mecheida and Meguro did great portraying those opposite personalities. I also very much enjoyed Hashimoto's story and its resolution too. I have to say that my best award for the series has to go to Suzuki for his portrayal of Aida. Secondary and support characters were all very good. Again, over all very well done. Good watch value for sure.
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Completed
RiRu
2 people found this review helpful
Apr 7, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

A must watch for those who crave a delightful and fluffy high school drama

Keita Hatsukoi has easily become my comfort
j-drama at the moment. Something about the characters and the lightness of the storyline. The supposedly over the top characters are surprisingly alluring, the crew and cast took every silly scenario and generally annoying trope and made it wholesome.

I know a lot of people commented on the lack of actual "romantic" scenes and I do agree to a certain extent, but even without a single kiss the actors were undisputedly able to deliver the very essence of the quirkiness and tenderness of an adolescent's first love.

I was genuinely happy when characters were, giggled every time a misunderstanding made their pure teenage love life just a tad messier and felt a strange sense of connection to the characters, especially Aoki and Hashimoto.

Overall, this is a fluffy high school rom-com slash slice of life by all means but nonetheless a satisfying watch, would definitely come back for a re-watch whenever I'm in mood for something sweet and light.

Kieta Hatsukoi was a gust of pleasant breeze and always made my day better.

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Completed
_seo
2 people found this review helpful
Jun 2, 2023
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

best bl drama

Kieta Hatsukoi is such a sweet drama, mixing comedy and high school romance perfectly. The chemistry between the characters is top tier. Michieda Shunsuke definitely did an awesome job acting as Aoki in here. The same goes to Riku Fukumoto as Mio Hashimoto (such a sweet girl with awesome, positive energy), Jin Suzuki as Aida (the role of a wonderful best friend) and the one who cannot be left out: Ren Meguro as Ida. Both Michieda and Meguro portrayed the two characters as such a lovely couple, perfectly working around conflicts and love. They have such sweet moments with each other. This drama is definitely a must rewatch - even if i already watched it several times. All the actors definitely did such a good job to bring out the best in each character. The plot was also easy to follow and surely fun to watch.

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Kieta Hatsukoi (2021) poster

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  • Score: 8.3 (scored by 29,978 users)
  • Ranked: #1089
  • Popularity: #258
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