The Servant Prince

An Emotional Story About Losing Everything and Finding What Truly Matters

The Servant Prince is the usual eight episode Japanese BL airing weekly on GagaOOLala. I have to admit, episode one almost made me drop the series. Naoya is described as someone as handsome as a prince, but I personally did not find him attractive. What turned me off the most was his selfish and abusive behaviour toward Takaaki. After he accidentally spilled a drink on him, Naoya demanded that Takaaki lick his bare foot clean. The hardest part to watch was that Takaaki actually did it without resisting. That scene was incredibly uncomfortable because it showed just how much Naoya abused his power and manipulated Takaaki, making it difficult to continue watching after the very first episode.

Thankfully, I decided to continue, and I am so glad I did. Ten years later, their lives completely reverse. Naoya, who once had everything, loses his status and becomes an unemployed man working as a waiter, while Takaaki becomes the successful CEO of a large company. Despite now having wealth, power, and the ability to have anything he wants, Takaaki still chooses to stay by Naoya's side. Their master servant relationship may seem unhealthy at first, but as the story unfolds, you realise it is built on years of unspoken love, codependency, and genuine devotion. Their reunion after so many years completely changed how I viewed both characters.

The most heartbreaking part of the series was not Naoya losing his wealth or his social status, but the way his own father and brother publicly humiliated him for working as a waiter. There is absolutely nothing wrong with honest work, no matter what the job is. This series reminds us that family is not always better than outsiders. While his own blood relatives looked down on him, his colleagues accepted and supported him without judgment. That message hit me harder than anything else.

What I loved most is how this story shows that money and status cannot buy happiness or love. Takaaki may now be a powerful CEO, but the only person he truly wants is Naoya. Their relationship is awkward, emotional, and unique, making every episode more meaningful as they slowly heal old wounds together.

Japanese BLs continue to impress me with their realistic storytelling and powerful character development. Even though the first episode was difficult to watch and almost made me drop the series, I am so glad I kept going because the emotional payoff was worth it. This story is about much more than romance. It explores pride, forgiveness, second chances, family, self worth, and proves that genuine love can survive even after everything else has been lost.

This is not a fluffy BL filled with sweet romance and fan service. Instead, it delivers a mature, realistic, and emotionally powerful story with excellent writing and believable characters whose struggles feel genuine. The unique plot, meaningful life lessons, and emotional depth are what make this series so memorable. Once again, Japanese BL has shown why it continues to stand out with some of the most realistic and powerful storytelling in the genre.

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From bully to lover...

That was an unusual JBL. While we know how bullies are, our protagonist (Naoya) is not the bully in a normal way. Of course the victim (Takaaki) is also unusual because he has fallen for him since before we see. It's not a violent bullying btw, but they did not show us how it all started.

The reason of course was his dominant father. Over time their relationsship changes. Our bully recognizes his faults and changes for the better, improving himself and his life while the victim who would like to keep him in a golden cage recognizes that a strong partner is not bad either.

As usual the finale disappoints. It felt rushed, the "revenge" arc was handled in 2 minutes by just telling what happened and that left me a bit disappointed. This series would have needed two more episodes to make that struggle more visible and while there were flashbacks to explain their relationship, there was none which showed how it all began. This is a let down in my book. To let change the dad in his final scene was of course a fairy tale, because someone like him would not change in a heartbeat. At least we will get a special but that's of course just a nice end for this show.

Highlight of the show was the strong companionship in the restaurant where everyone supports everyone, that was a nice touch. And of course the development of the main couple which gradually changed in a mature way without pressure or drama. Naoya also manages to encourage his brother Yuma who looked very weak in the beginning and grew up during the show. Of course this series is not a fluffy feel-well series, it started with a strange couple but over time it is easy to understand their motivations. A show worth watching imho.

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The beauty of growth

You can watch it GagaOOLala: https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/8140/the-servant-prince-2026

I wasn't a fan of the start at first, but it definitely grew on me, and I'm happy I continued watching it.
Overall I really enjoyed this series. It was different from what I expected but still good nonetheless.
I wish it had a bit more moments focused specifically on romance between Takaaki and Naoya like them going on dates, etc.
But even then I still had fun watching this series.

Things I liked:
1. The ending. All's well that ends well, everyone got what they deserved.
2. The growth. Both main leads did a lot of work to change for the best and be able to achieve everything they have now.
3. Acting.
4. Soundtrack.
5. Great supportive coworkers.
6. Yuma. He had his flaws, but he definitely changed for the best, and i was happy to see him have a better relationship with Naoya.
7. I liked the way they styled Seto Toshiki for this series. Dark hair and glasses are a great look on him.
8. Main leads navigating their new relationship after changing their dynamic. And the way it was shown in the series.
9. Mori-san. He is a great figure and incredibly supportive character.
10. I liked all of the differences between the main leads, their aesthetics, their way of talking, and everything else.

Things I disliked:
1. Unhealthy/toxic love dynamic. Specifically from Takaaki's side.
2. Naoya's father. For obvious reasons.

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need a season 2

Overall: they had a unique and fascinating dynamic. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/8142/the-servant-prince-2026-e01 (not available in Japan)

Content Warnings: dub con kissing, past death, past child emotional abuse

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise
- unique dynamic
- even though a character had difficulties with the other character's changes, he didn't manipulate him or stop him
- caring moments
- supportive coworkers

Room For Improvement
- voice over exposition dumps
- cliche of fever after sex
- too many flashbacks
- hideous hair/wig

Raving about Takaaki
Takaaki is my favorite obsessed (near unhinged) character in a m/m romance. He compared himself to Naoya's dad how when they don't get what they want they get anxious (in the dad's case replace anxious with abusive). Naoya correctly pointed out that Takaaki was nothing like his father. The main differences were that Takaaki was very self-aware of his obsession and second that he wanted Naoya to be happy. Takaaki didn't manipulate other people, the situation or Naoya to get what he wanted although it felt like the urge was definitely there.

Additionally, I find how their relationship changes from Naoya relying completely on Takaaki to him wanting to rely on himself to wanting the freedom to do what he wants including supporting Takaaki. It was fascinating to watch how Takaaki dealt with these changes and wrestled with parts of himself. His brain almost short circuits multiple times, yet he kept up with the changes.

Naoya on his part, saw when Takaaki felt insecure in their relationship and quickly reassures him verbally and/or physically. Naoya went going on a journey and fully intended for Takaaki to be with him by his side. Takaaki was not going to clip Naoya's wings because he wanted him to soar. A relationship that I thought from the title and beginning would have a major power imbalance turned into a very healthy, balanced relationship. This series is a rare example of showing how characters can change, their relationship can change, yet still be a relationship that I root for and think will last a lifetime with both characters compatible and happy.

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Great show but not for me

I watched it because it was interesting. The revelations from both of them before and after reconnecting were different in such a way that Naoya, whichever social status he was at, always held the power. Takaaki was born to do his bidding, which he understood and willingly accepted. The eccentric portrayal by the father grated against the grain but was fully played to the max. The series ran along as expected and didn't go above or below the meter.

A few things put me off:
Naoya always looked disheveled and in need of a good wash. I said looked not was.
The unseemly mullet seemed to be his signature, an extension of himself. His internal growth happened, externally no.
Takaaki's devotion was single minded but came off at creepy at times.
The foot scene. While it was a power dynamic, for me it was the actual dragging of his tongue over it. The angle covers it from showing it really being done but like a dog with its tongue hanging out doing it was too much. The flashback repetition of numerous scenes didn't help.
The ending felt like an assembly line tying up the loose ends. Father. Next. Brother. Next. Restaurant. Next.
Naoya's face. Flash backs made him look like 25 when he should be 18. Now in present day, a struggling druggie. His walk alone was interesting. Was this the director's vision, could be.

It was very watchable and for the most part engaging to keep me to the end. I enjoyed listening to their internal conflicts and the end results. I loved that though they had some selfish thoughts they never let it get the better of them. For example, Takaaki enjoying Naoya's helplessness and his need of him. He put it aside to see Naoya happy and thriving.

I would recommend a watch because I cannot find any fault with their acting. They all can deliver.

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Not really a review - just "the constant repetition of the foot scene" issue...

... ok, so we do not sumble over this more than necessary.

... "who isn’t particularly a fan of foot play" ... i do not think it was a reference to footplay really, i think it was more like this: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-03/pope-prison-holy-thursday-lord-s-supper.html
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/04/13/pope-washes-feet-12-prison-inmates-holy-thursday-mass/ ... What it means: A sign of being a servant to others, not a master.

What makes me believe it was not as shallow as a footplay? Level of intelligence of this story. Am I correct? IDK - go ask the creators. But I believe I am.

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A Unique Type of Love: The Prince Who Is Also a Servant To…

The man he loves.

This story has an interesting premise and the title suits it so well. It’s basically a CEO who is obsessed with his first love (now nobody)

The CEO is highly-respected at work but when around the man he loves, he becomes an obedient “love servant.”

I must say there’s something about this story that just hooks you in. I was unsure how to feel about it when I first watched the first episode, it wasn’t a bad watch, don’t get me wrong, but I just needed one more episode to know what the story is and where it’s going.

After watching the second episode, I can say now that’s it’s not even a bad watch. If you want to start it, START IT.

(I’ll edit as I watch)

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The Servant Prince has an interesting premise: although their social positions have completely reversed, the relationship between the "prince" and his "servant" has not. That's what makes this story so compelling. Seto Toshiki feels perfectly cast as Takaaki, while Ogawa Fuminori leaves me wanting to see a little more before making a judgment. I personally imagined Naoya as someone with an even more striking princely aura, but acting matters more than appearance alone. I also enjoyed the original manga, and I'm looking forward to seeing how faithfully the drama captures the dynamic between these two characters.

Currently available on TOKYO MX (broadcast), TVer and FOD in Japan. International availability may vary.

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