Devagar quase parando
Não tem estória. Parece absurdo, mas é basicamente isso. Amigos de infância que se mudam juntos. Um sai com os amigos, enquanto o outro fica no apartamento cozinhando. Fim. Me senti enganada pelas reviews que estavam dando notas altas. Não senti a vibe cozy, e muito menos o romance que tanto mencionam.O maior problema para mim foi que não parece ser uma série BL de 2024. Não sei de quando é o manga, porém se me dissessem que a série fosse de 2010 eu acreditaria. É aquelas séries BL que parece ter medo de ser BL.
Apesar de eu até ter gostado da atuação de um dos protagonistas (Ryuga Sato), não foi desenvolvido nenhuma química, ou cenas interessantes para os personagens, que apesar de morarem juntos, quase nunca estavam juntos. E tempo é o que não faltava para os desenvolver melhor ou ter plots interessantes, já que em TODOS os episódios NADA acontece.
P.S: Eu literalmente caí no sono algumas vezes de tão devagar que a série se rasteja.
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um pouco decepcionante
quando o Bl estreou eu fiquei muito animado com a história, sou um grande fã de friends to lovers e vi um grande potencial mas acabei ficando desanimado no meio da história. não que ela tem ficado ruim ou coisa do tipo mas ela parecia andar em passos quase lentos demais. você conseguia ver que ela estava se encaminhando para algo mas esse algo nunca chegava. fiquei feliz que o último episódio as coisas se acertaram e ainda deu para vibrar um pouco com o casal. mas eu sinto que eles poderiam ter feito a história caminhar para um lado mais romântico e interessante de se acompanharWas this review helpful to you?
Is it how it all ends???
The story was very good. The acting was also very impressive by the young actors.But even so, many things are left open. Nobody knows they're together. The sisters love Tanaka and so is his ex-girlfriend Yoshida. But how would they take the relationship between those two?
I don't like open ending in a drama, especially when they created those questions on purpose.
I LOVE Japanese BL because it's always very down to earth, but this one was, to me, very rushed. I would have wish they would have done more like the manga.
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Slow-burning love and a tangible chemistry that goes beyond the screen
Legend has it that thousands of years ago humans were made up of two people. That being had two heads as well as two pairs of arms and legs. His wisdom was delirious, his reasoning was precise, and in his body two hearts beat with harmony and fullness. The person was happy because he lived in love with his counterpart, but one day he defied the gods and received the most severe punishment: being separated from his other half. He was condemned to search for the one who was taken from him in order to feel whole again.From that moment on we wander the world looking for the ideal person, the perfect partner who will complement us.
What if love is not in that stranger but in someone very close? What if your childhood friend, the one who accompanied you since you were a child in childhood games and pranks, or who was a little older in high school or university, could be the perfect match? Couldn't the love of your life be that friend who has been there all the time, by your side, the one who listens to you, the one who knows you well, the one who gives you advice, a hug in the moment of triumph or a shoulder in the moment of pain and sadness? It may seem strange, but if he has been there for so many years to support us, maybe he is also there to love.
If there is a recurring trope in film and television, it is the movies and series of best friends who fall in love, something that is also very common in real life.
With this premise, Ayaka Kato, the director of the Japanese BL series 'My Personal Weatherman' and 'Zenra Meshi', called on the screenwriter Takeshi Miyamoto ('Perfect Propose') to work together, as they did in 'Old Fashion Cupcake' , to adapt and give life, in real action, to the characters and events of 'Kare no Iru Seikatsu' ('Living With Him'), the popular original manga by Toworu Miyata. Koji Nomura also joined in writing the scripts. Together they created a drama that exposes the complexities of love, painting a vivid picture of a relationship that evolves over just over a decade.
NBC Universal Entertainment Japan's romantic comedy-drama tells the story of two childhood friends who reunite after a few years apart and realize they have feelings for each other. As they navigate the challenges of early youth and the expectations of their respective social circles, they must decide if they are brave enough to risk everything for a chance at love.
The narrative, as the title suggests, offers snapshots of a life together, weaving together the shared experiences of Kazuhito and Ryo. Over the course of 10 half-hour episodes, the series encapsulates the bittersweet exploration of young adulthood, highlighting fleeting but impactful moments that shape their relationship.
In a total departure from his role in the 'Kamen Rider' franchise, Sato Ryuga, in his first leading role, plays Kazuhito Tanaka, a young man with a sparkling aura, good personality and physical appearance. This young man has had feelings for his friend Ryota for many years. There was a past between the two when he was a member of the baseball club, which could be the key to their union and attraction.
For his part, Sakai Sho, a Japanese social media influencer who turned to acting by participating in the film 'Tokyo, I Love You' and the series 'Jeanne no Sabaki' and 'Takara-kun to Amagi-kun' , the latter also from the BL genre, plays Ryota Natsukawa, a housewife-type boy who is good at household chores, such as cooking and washing clothes, with an honest and expressive personality.
They are both best friends since childhood and total opposites. Ryo, who in high school was part of the "normal" group, today longs to be independent from his parents and living in his own house while studying at university will give him the desired freedom. Meanwhile, Kazuhito, the one from the "popular" group "As he goes through high school, he is in need of a place to sleep. The turning point of this story begins when the two friends meet again.
Upon reconnecting, Ryota recognizes that, despite his perfect appearance and pleasant personality, Kazuhito does not have a girlfriend. Curious to know why he hasn't found his better half, he tries to point out his flaws from a girlfriend's point of view. But you can't see any imperfections.
This is how he proposes to have a date, with the pretext of finding him an ideal girl. However, Ryota finds his heart fluttering at Kazuhito's kind words and actions. As the two deepen their relationship and Ryota gets to know more about the young man with whom he shares a roof, he wonders if he is in love or if it is just a deep feeling of friendship.
As they share time together and the old friendship seems to have been rekindled, the spark will fan their hearts. Little by little they are getting closer. Kazuhito is the one who takes the first step, declaring his old and undying love to Ryo. He suddenly finds himself in the middle of a crossroads: not knowing whether or not to love his friend, or whether he is right or wrong. How can you find the answer to this great enigma?
As they deepen their friendship, love simmers. They will need time for everything to develop. The series shows us how little by little two souls recognize each other and a beautiful feeling is created in their hearts. Will they be ready to take the next step?
The interplay of love and memories of the past drive their individual and shared narratives. The uncomfortable initial encounter matures into meaningful dialogues, fostering the expected physical interactions on the part of the audience. Lovers of the BL genre will gladly receive this story about best friends who fall in love, for the innocence and development of their characters and for the dramatic and even fun situations that are generated when they discover that they are in love.
Kazuhito and Ryo are the clear example that shows that opposites attract, and that they can be very happy together. The reunion and living together under the same roof shakes the lives of the two young people. These events trigger a story marked by the complexity of human bonds, an aspect that, although typical of the romantic genre, in this work delves into love, friendship, discovery, acceptance, family relationships and reflection on complexities of being an LGBT person today.
The audience will obtain a lot of information about the hidden feelings and thoughts of the two, mainly those of Ryo, which will be revealed through the conversations of the protagonists and the evocation of the moments lived long ago since they met until their lives He set them on different paths. The viewer will find it nice to see the two of them together. The way their lives are told is actually very enjoyable and seems authentic. The flashbacks will help you travel to the past to learn that there was always something special between them.
The stories of the secondary characters offer the viewer even more information about their love story. The plot arc develops throughout the drama: the friends will meet again to become lovers and will have a very romantic ending.
There's something undeniably touching about watching two best friends fall in love. However, everything can be unpredictable when this happens. Will things work out because they know each other and have a deep enough connection to embark on the journey of love? Or, on the contrary, will one of them, or both, not take the step for fear of breaking the friendship? This is precisely a dilemma in which we can all be at some point.
Sato Ryuga is the star of the show. As Kamen Rider Geats, his transition into a romantic role as the young college student who falls in love with his best friend is believable. He has a strong screen presence and those romantic scenes can delight the audience.
The dramatization presents a peculiarity in its conception: it is a look at homosexual youth in a conservative society with strong patriarchal and heteronormative traditions in which discrimination against LGTB+ people persists and gay marriage or equal marriage is not recognized.
In order to bring together current generations and members of the LGBT community who are increasingly interested, some in understanding relationships between people of the same sex in a changing society and others in seeing themselves reflected in various audiovisual content and formats, the director He guided the production under certain influences from cinema and serial products of the moment. The creative photographic work, the use of lights and the unique transition curtains show a relationship with the plot.
'Kare no Iru Seikatsu' also surprises with one of the most original presentation designs of the latest JBL dramas, where even a minimal detail denotes intention, insight, while revealing identity elements of the work. Music, an essential complement in fiction, also fits like a perfect piece in the scenes, especially the romantic ones.
However, the true essence of the series lies in the tangible chemistry between the two characters. His portrayal of Ryo and Kazuhito's quiet, fun, and tender relationship transcends the screen, filled with raw emotions, chaos, and affection.
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So Cute!!
If you are looking for a BL series to make you feel good, this is the one. This series was very cute and fluffy. Yet another good example that you don’t need a lot of episodes to tell a great story. The script was very well written and had a nice even pace. The cast was awesome and did a great job with their characters. It had just the right number of characters for an 8-episode series. You get just enough of everyone’s backstory without taking too much screentime. It was very refreshing to see an ex-girlfriend not placed in the crazy/evil stereotypical role. The only minor negative aspect for me was it had some shaky camera work at times.Random Note:
The timing on the English subtitles on GagaOOLala were too fast at times. I had to pause many times.
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Nothing much going on but maybe that was the point?
Living With Him comes across as chaste and unspectacular at certain points, but overall, it’s a feel-good watch that you’re bound to breeze through without too much difficulty.Unlike some BLs that cram a lot of (unnecessary) conflict in the plot, Living With Him is the total opposite. Largely, Natsukawa spends his time wading in confusion while Kazuhito patiently waits for Natsukawa to realise his feelings. That’s the only real tension of the show.
Perhaps best described as a “slice of life BL” – a common hallmark of Japanese series – this is best watched if you aren’t in the mood for much stimuli and just want a chill show.
I personally would have preferred it if they had zoomed in more on the tension between the characters and their micro-interactions. A slower pacing, with long-drawn-out scenes showing their daily life as they navigate an ambiguous relationship, might have made this show a little more interesting.
Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/07/02/living-with-him-2024-bl-review/
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This review may contain spoilers
And they were friends
*happy ending*I’ve read and reread the manga countless times long before the live-action came out. But it actually took me quite a while to continue after episode one. I already knew the story — cute, fluffy, but maybe a bit too normal. Nothing particularly new or special, I thought.
Then a few episodes in, I found myself giggling. I was glad they stayed faithful to the manga. The camping scenes weren’t in the original, but it was a nice touch. Overall, the story was exactly what I loved about the source — sweet, light, and true to its roots. They really did the OG justice.
However, Tanaka’s casting felt like a bit of a hit or miss for me. He looked good — he definitely pulled off that baseball uniform — but manga Tanaka was a bit taller and bulkier. Still, I could’ve brushed that off if the acting sold the romance. Unfortunately, it didn’t. He just didn’t look in love. And for a character who’s been pining since fifth grade, that lack of emotion really showed.
He did well in the angry scenes, though — I’ll give him that. But overall, his performance made the series feel more like a slice-of-life about cohabiting friends rather than a romance. It leaned too far into the shounen ai category that I couldn’t even see the “ai” (love) in his eyes.
Ryota, on the other hand, was a delight. He was adorable, expressive, and honestly felt like his manga counterpart. At first, I didn’t quite see the resemblance, but he grew on me. When I reread the manga after finishing the series, I realized just how on-point his acting was. His crying face was so cute, and he looked way more in love than Tanaka ever did.
A reviewer mentioned that Haruna’s actor was more handsome than Tanaka’s, and I couldn’t unsee it after that. I kept comparing them, and then I noticed Haruna’s actor has this habit of raising his eyebrows whenever he speaks — a small quirk, but once you notice it, it’s hard to ignore.
Now, onto the kissing scenes. At first, I thought this was going to be one of those BLs that rely purely on camera angles instead of real kisses — and I was a bit mad about it. But after rereading the manga, I realized... he really did kiss that way 🤣 A sort of floating, cheek-hover kind of kiss. The first one was clearly a camera trick, but the second one was so accurate to the manga that I couldn’t even complain. And that third kiss? When it actually landed on their lips? I screamed. 😂
Anyway, this series is a must-watch if you’re looking for something sweet and easy to enjoy. It’s definitely not groundbreaking, but it’s cute, comforting, and heartwarming — the kind of show you can safely watch on TV with your family around. And as someone who’s loved the manga for a long time, that’s something I really, really appreciate.
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Cute Visuals But A Bit Too Slow And Boring
Living with Him (2024) is a decent, very lighthearted, and gentle Japanese BL drama that fits perfectly into the slice-of-life and cohabitation genres. While it delivers great comfort, it ultimately suffers from a lack of high stakes and excitement.Story & Pacing (6.5/10):The plot is incredibly simple, following two childhood acquaintances who enter university and unexpectedly become roommates. What follows is a very soft, domestic routine filled with cooking, cleaning, and a very slow-burning realization of feelings. While the atmosphere is cozy and stress-free, the overall narrative is quite predictable and safe. For viewers who prefer high-tension plots, intense rivalries, or deep psychological drama, the pacing here will definitely feel a bit draggy and boring.Acting & Cast (8/10):The main leads are undeniably attractive and have a very cute, endearing visual chemistry. Ryuga Sato and Shojiakira delivered solid, sweet performances, bringing a lot of innocence and warmth to their roles. Their domestic banter and quiet moments are charming to watch, but the romantic tension never reaches that explosive, burning-hot level seen in other top-tier jBLs.Overall:This drama is a solid 7/10 comfort watch that is perfect for a lazy afternoon when you want something mindless and sweet. It boasts a beautiful cast and cozy production value, but it lacks the edge and passion needed to make it truly unforgettable. A reasonable, one-time watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Domesticity - The TV Show
I am a sucker for good, wholesome slice-of-life stories and this show most certainly delivers.It's not exactly a ground-breaking tale but it does what it sets out to do really well - It has charming and likeable characters (very much including the side characters, shout-out to Haruna my deeply beloved), a solid and compelling dynamic between the two leads, and the occasional moment of added depth to elevate the story above mindless fluff.
The romance is slow but sweet and the characters communicate very openly and respectfully with one another. There is little to no unnecessary drama or conflict, just the simple and calm everyday lives of two people who become increasingly irreplaceable to one another.
Sometimes some of the performances can be a little stiff and the ending feels ever so slightly anti-climactic, but all in all there is pretty much nothing to detract from the impeccably lovely and wholesome vibes of this show.
If you're looking for something calm and sweet with solid editing, pacing, and cinematography as well as some truly adorable character colour-coding, then this one is for you.
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Fluffy and wonderful!
This BL has elements that seem very drama and manga-like but it is still very real and you can imagine the story as real occurences. The characters are balanced and the screen time shared between the characters is pretty even.I loved the main couple, they had a lot of chemistry and they look gorgeous together. I do wish there was a little more editing and a little more peaks and valleys in their connection. I feel like it could have somehow been even more fluffy while also being more intimate and romantic.
The soundtrack wasnt my favorite and I was a little bothered by the sound affects for the phone, I heard the ringtone basically every episode lol. The lighting and scenery is very pretty, great job!
Overall this is a great BL that should be somewhere on your watchlist especially if you like softer themes.
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cute story
it was such a cuteand heartwarming story. Although i was expecting the happy ending, i feel that the actual ending was a bit of a letdown even though they got together. I wish they talked about mom’s voiced expectation but the last scene hints that she knew that he was happy?. Not sure if I wanted more episodes because 8 was more than enough: if it had more episodes, i would have dropped it. I couldn’t understand why they dragged Ryoshu’s confession for so long especially after Tanaka had already confessed and his reasonning was crazy.Was this review helpful to you?
Historians will say they were roommates
There is something about JBLs that just take the cake. There’s not much that I don’t like about this drama tbh. I say I’m not a friend of friends to lovers but lowkey it’s growing on me. Maybe I’m just not fond of Hetero friends to lovers lol.Anyways, the vibe you get is that the friend who seems so perfect can’t keep a girlfriend well bc it’s kinda obvious that he doesn’t want too. He swings the other way ya know. And he high key is in love with his roommate/friend and probably for a while now.
They have such a raw, natural and caring friendship which makes it a healthy journey for them both when discovering if they are ready for more than being just friends.
Anyways, the height difference is killing me in a good way and they’re so cute together.
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