Taikan Yoho (2023)

It didn't stick the landing

Boy oh boy but do I have some conflicting feelings about this show!
I went into it with some pretty strong reservations given how viscerally uncomfortable power imbalance and consent issues in relationships (no matter how fictional) make me, but I decided to give it a go anyway because of the screenwriter and directors' involvement in shows like Jack o' Frost and Old Fashion Cupcake, both series that I absolutely adore.
Given that initial hesitancy I have to say I was both positively and negatively surprised by Taikan Yoho.

On the one hand it is technically excellent - the cinematography is brilliant, the editing and pacing are well though-out and cohesive, and the performances are stellar.
There is also the fact that the main characters' relationship, unhealthy and co-dependent as it may start out, seems to improve significantly as the show goes on, so much so that I became genuinely invested and was even sold on the idea that yeah, these two do love each other in their own, confused way don't they.
The intimacy the two share feels natural and believable even when set against the backdrop of so much emotional turmoil and denial.

On the other hand, all that promising build-up pretty much goes out the window with the final episode.
To explain:
I was surprised by how many similarities Taikan Yoho has to Utsukushii Kare, at least where the main characters' dynamic is concerned.
It's clear from the start how terrible both Mizuki and Yoh are at communicating (Yoh being especially guilty of this) and how much of their issues stem from the deep insecurities both of them seem to harbour about their relationship. But instead of making use of this premise and actually developing the characters (rather than just explaining their motivations), the show completely shoots itself in the foot by veering in distinctly the wrong direction, in my opinion.
Because rather than showing the characters taking steps towards a more even footing with one another, which is exactly what makes Utsukushii Kare work so well, they settle even more into their respective roles with Mizuki becoming uncomfortably domineering and essentially none of their misunderstandings cleared up, which makes any progress the two previously made feel completely inconsequential.
And kind of heartbreaking, too, given how Mizuki previously indicates he loves it when Yoh doesn't simply obey blindly but also shows his wants and needs.
Putting that aside, I don't even think the show works properly as a depiction of a healthy D/S dynamic.
Granted, I am not particularly well-versed in the subject so take what I say with a grain of salt (a much more reliable and in-depth analysis on the topic can be found here, should you be interested: https://www.tumblr.com/lutawolf/725726059919736832/my-person-weatherman-or-taikan-yoho?source=share), but I do know that what's most important in such relationships is communication and clearly drawn boundaries. And while Yoh's and Mizuki's relationship does bear many strong resemblances to certain types of D/S relationships, those vital features are clearly missing from their dynamic.

I don't regret having watched the show, nor would I discourage anyone else from watching it, but I do think it's important to be aware of the series' short-comings, especially where delicate but highly important topics like consent and power are concerned.
I also can't help feeling disappointed that the story didn't live up to its potential but rather falls prey to some of the most egregious cliches of the genre, especially with such a talented production team and cast .

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This show was weird…

I dunno what to even say about this BL…
I started out pretty okay I liked the first 3/4 episodes then it started getting weird with the stalking, possessive and toxic relationship.
I wanted it to end so different I really disliked the ending, nothing happened not a lot changed..
I wanted them to become a sweet and happier couple after they understood each other better yet it never happened… I feel so weird about it after seeing the last episode…..
there was a few nice and sweet screen and a few ‘hot’ scenes but it wasn’t enough to make me love this drama… I get that japanese BL’s are a different breed as seen many but this was rather odd if i’m being honest.
I wanted to like it so bad but episode 8 was really weird and not good enough to be the ending it felt empty and uneventful.

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The server and his lover

We have a weird but unique storyline out here. The main couple living in one roof wherein one serves while the other one pays the bill, is quite intriguing. Subjectively speaking, not a big fan of this genre and feel way too questionable but the drama itself is good enough to emphasize the romance and intimacy that the characters have with each other.

The main cast is just okay, nothing extraordinary, or either one of them stood the best. But I found it cute how nerdy yet hotty the side character is, the husband of the girl manga author.

I don’t have much to say in this drama; all I can say is that it is average for me. Not too bad and not too impactful for a show in general. I just wished that somehow, they tried to build a different character development to the weatherman, in a genuine and soft kind of attitude towards the manga artist.

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If Only the ending...

Like a lot of other reviews have pointed out, this show wasn’t very eventful. Not a lot happened and even though it’s only 8 episodes, I don't feel like it even needed all of those. But my main gripe of the show, isn't even with the uneventful episodes, it's with the last ending.

For anyone who's seen 'My Beautiful Man'(another Japanese BL), I kinda feel like this show was trying to do what they did. MBM, for those who don't know, is a show where the two leads are also in a relationship with a severe power imbalance. And just like in this, one of them is in charge and kinda unlikable throughout a lot of the show. And just like in this, the entire show was set from the pov of our main character aka the ‘underling’ or ‘submissive’ one in the situation. The entire show, except for the second to last episode, which was from the pov of the other lead. And just like in this, they resolved things in the end.

Unlike MBM tho, this show doesn't do a good enough job at explaining and redeeming everything Segasaki did. I understood him more yes, but I still didn't really like him or felt like a lot of his actions were now justified.
Another thing MBM did a lot better is the resolution in the last episode. The conversation they had on the bed very much felt like it was supposed to be them resolving all their gripes in a big meaningful conversation, but to me it kinda missed the mark. Yes, Segasaki clarified his feelings but they didn't really address the biggest point of contention. The ending failed to wrap up and explain to me how they are going to navigate a healthy relationship in the future.

In MBM there is also a power imbalance, maybe even more severe than here. But the entire point of that ending is that they address that and promise to navigate a relationship trying to treat each other like equals.

It's a real pity bc the characters clearly love each other and if only that conversation at the end had been done differently than I strongly believe I would've loved this a lot more. The actors did a wonderful job portraying their characters and I strongly believe that Higuchi Kouhei is the only reason I didn't HATE Segasaki's guts by the end of it.

In summary, I strongly believe that your level of enjoyment of this show will depend on what kind of viewer you are.

If you appreciate sexual scenes and if you are the type that doesn't mind 'toxicity' and enjoyed couples like VegasPete in Kinnporsche, than you'll probably like this show. But if you're like me and find it difficult to watch a show of a couple you're not really rooting for, than this show might not be for you.

It’s filmed beautifully, the characters were interesting and it had potential but I can’t help but be disappointed at the way the ending was handled.

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a unique living room drama with a lot of heart

I went into this show confused, as in I had gotten the false impression that this was a show about a man struggling with depression. And while it's not Not that... it turns out this is not the show that the tumblr gifsets showed me. I was really happy with what this show was though! Circular, slow, and domestic, what I truly loved about this show was how unique and unchanging the characters were. Very little changes about their situation throughout the show, but their understanding and point of view is completely different. Each episode is compelling and complete, despite it's bite-sized run time. It's simple, but it works really well.

-The Full Review-

STORY:
I love this story. The characters are so unique and their problems are unique to them. Several times throughout the course of the series there's the set up for an event that 99% of the world would fine completely mundane (like working with a friend a coffee shop), that the audience knows is going to be a disaster because of these two people's personalities. It's not just very fun, it's great character work. Everything feels hand-tailored to this story and this story alone.
I also truly love how understated the story, and particularly the ending of the story, is. The story fits the characters created by it and the amount of growth they've gone through in the series. It never takes the Romantic, quick fix when it's clear the characters are not ready to admit their true feelings. It's frustrating, but in a satisfying way that gives the conflict depth and truth. And it allows the ending scene to shine so brightly despite it's simplicity.

ACTING:
For the most part, I was really impressed by the acting in this series! It's pretty hard to successfully pull off characters who are so closed off and keep things so close to their chest. Both actors did a wonderful job of letting that armor crack occasionally, and showing what was brewing underneath. They built a very natural, despite the unusual circumstances, chemistry with each other that drove the entire story.
I also really appreciated the humor and energy that Manju added to the story. No part of the story really drags, but her energy and light really carries the show through the sadder and more emotional moments without becoming mired in the sadness. She played well with both leads, revealing sides of their personality that the other had never seen before.

PRODUCTION:
This was a really simple show, but all the elements of production worked together quite nicely. I think the real star of the show here is the lighting, which effortless transforms a basic apartment from something simple, to some stifling and cold, to some warm and homey over and over again as the leads clash and come to understandings. The costume design was also excellent, playing a huge role in softening Segasaki, especially in his younger years.

INTIMACY:
While the NC scenes were well done and used purposefully, I loved how what really shined in this show was the casual intimacy they clearly lacked in the beginning of the show. The most vulnerable and intimate scenes--the bath scene, Yoh getting drunk and clingy, early morning cuddling before they were both really awake--were both rare and startling in their softness.
I also really loved how many different types of intimacy were portrayed in such a short run time, with very little judgement on any of them. Particularly, the note about sex and misery (despair? can't remember the exact wording?) going hand-in-hand was a breath of fresh air. Each scene of intimacy felt specific, purposeful, and tailored to these specific characters. Very well done.

In all, I had a great time with this series and highly recommend it! They did so much justice to this premise and this script, and clearly put a huge amount of care into the series.

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Elements of power dynamics and dependency

Japanese BL series have a knack for venturing into uncharted territories when it comes to plotlines, and "Taikan Yoho" is no exception. The series presents a unique array of characters, albeit not entirely fleshed out, allowing viewers to gain a sense of their backgrounds. From the very first episode, it plunges into the heart of the main storyline, gradually peeling back the layers of our two central characters.

The narrative revolves around Mizuki, a renowned and attractive weatherman, who shares his apartment with Yoh, an up-and-coming manga artist. Their peculiar connection is defined by a verbal contract, obligating Yoh to obey Mizuki's every command. As the story unfolds, we delve deeper into their relationship, largely through Yoh's introspective monologues and Mizuki's enigmatic backstory. While the initial premise appears distinct, the series eventually treads the familiar ground of miscommunication, misunderstandings, jealousy, and an ambiguous romantic relationship between the protagonists. Predictably, a supportive friend enters the scene to resolve the conflicts.

The series boasts a promising start. It effectively plants the seed of uncertainty regarding Mizuki's true feelings for Yoh. Is it genuine love, or merely a means to fulfill his desires? This lingering doubt could have been an excellent foundation if fully explored. Unfortunately, the plot at times trivializes significant issues, using them as instruments to convey one character's feelings for the other. Themes such as consent, depression, and abuse are woven within romantic contexts, which might give viewers pause and detract from their overall viewing experience.

The actors, Kouhei and Atsuki, perform commendably, given the characters they are tasked with. Mizuki emerges as an enigmatic figure with clear dependency issues, while Yoh embodies a simple, solitary individual who follows Mizuki's whims without protest. A deeper exploration of Yoh's backstory and more comprehensive character development for Mizuki would have been welcomed.

In conclusion, this suffers from shortcomings in character development and the reliance on conventional BL tropes. However, it is worth a watch for the actors' performances and an outstanding original soundtrack that accompanies the series.

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Silent & toxic

And another amazing butterflies inducing and very toxic and unhealthy BL is over. And I want more...

This is a story of two men deeply in love with each other but who never ever talk to each other. Lack of communication leads to misunderstandings and a kind of very toxic master/slave relationship they both seem to be addicted to.

Usually this trope, lack of communication, is something I find really annoying but here I just accepted it since the whole story is based upon that. It brought forward another kind of love story which never got a solution in the end. They admit that they do not speak to each other about anything important, accept the status quo but made sure to show in a non verbal way that they have a strong attachment to each other which is as solid as a diamond and never to be broken. Those silences, those looks gave me butterflies.

Beside the main couple there were barely any other characters worth mentioning except for Yoh's friend and fellow mangaka who watches their relationship from outside and sees more than either of the other two!

The whole drama has very little dialogue but a lot of voiceover which explains the feelings, the situations, the relationships. The acting is excellent but I found Higuchi Kouhei, the actor playing Mizuki, too thin in spite of the abs. And since he wore oversized clothes outside work, he had added fragility so much so I thought he was going to break! Excellent costume designer.

Japan is taking the lead now for the complex and intriguing BL stories : which one is the next? I cannot wait!

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The best

I want everyone to watch this masterpiece, the chemistry between them is so amazing, the story is new and different, the characters and the acting are 10/10 like idk what to say more otherwise it’s so amazing to rewatch this after it’s finished..this series will be my first recommendation for people..everything is just different like personally im attracted to it and attached to them they are really perfect together that I will argue with anyone who hates this show i font usually rate any series a full rate but this one i just couldn’t stop myself from rating it a full one..i dont know what else to say except that its a MUST watch series

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