Watched BL Shows: Japan
I have realized I LOVE Japanese BL's, there as unique as Thai BL's and Korean BL's. All three countries have distinctive styles that I enjoy for different reasons.
What do I look for in a BL? 1. Couples chemistry 2. Plot/tropes I enjoy 3. Spicy time 4. Side couples or great friend group/side characters 5. Humor
Anything 7 or above was a series I enjoyed! Anything lower than that I either didn't enjoy or it only had one or two small redeeming qualities.
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1. Taikan Yoho
Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
I love this couple; I love their dynamic. I never wanted this show to end! I love how Mizuki is a bit on the crazy "You're mine" side. I wasn't a fan of all the miscommunication, but the rest was so good, I can let that go.
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2. Jack o' Frost
Japanese Drama - 2023, 6 episodes
Such a unique idea, amnesia trope, starting over, rediscovering feelings. The long history, established couple. The heartbreak in the beginning. This felt raw and realistic. It was such a unique story and left you feeling full. Even threw some jealousy in there for taste.
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3. Utsukushii Kare Season 2
Japanese Drama - 2023, 4 episodes
Oh poor Hira, but I loved this! Our two main leads are so fantastic and unique, like nothing we have seen before. The chemistry and cuteness between them, while creepy (haha), is fantastic. It feels raw and real. I really feel like these two could last forever.
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4. Takara-kun to Amagi-kun
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
Popular guy dates unpopular guy trope. Cold male lead, bubbly male lead. A first romance story. It was very cute, Amagi was adorable and Takara had a great charm to him. He was stone faced but when he smiled it was great. The story had depth for such a short one, and it showed the hardships of understanding a new relationship. The friends were also involved and a great addition to the show. The kiss scenes were very intimate and impactful. I loved both ML's, and I loved the backstory of how someone felt about the other for awhile now.
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5. Utsukushii Kare
Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
At first I wasn't sure, but on a rewatch I realized how beautiful this actually is. You have to get used to the style and appreciate it for what it is. The relationship is so different and unique. The end really helps solidify the couple, the feelings, and the series as a whole. This is a couple I could watch again and again.
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6. 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii
Japanese Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
This was such a cute show! I loved the idea of reading others minds when you touched them. I loved that he found out someone already had a long-time crush on him! The chemistry between characters was really cute and I really believed Kurosawa's feelings! It was really fun to see Adachi dealing with these awkward moments and feelings. Both ML did a great job acting! There was no spicy time but there were lots of adorable moments between the two! Remember not all BL's need spice when intimacy and chemistry is there!
I wasn't a huge fan of the side couple, mainly because the way Tsuge was written, he was way to dramatic and cringe. Waytaya was really cute! I loved the age gap and the relationship, if only Tsuge wasn't written so extreme.
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7. Fukou-kun wa Kiss Suru Shikanai!
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
Japanese BL's are such a fun time! Unlucky ML with a super lucky ML, they start dating because of a misunderstanding. I enjoyed both ML, although Kota was a bit extra at times, Naoya was really sweet . The plot was really good and I loved how things were revealed and resolved. The chemistry between them was good, it took a bit but it ended satisfying. The ending was ADORABLE! The friends were really not a big part of this but the small snippets were good.
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8. Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo
Japanese Drama - 2023, 5 episodes
This was simple & cute, not much to it but the couple was nice together.
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9. Minato Shouji Coin Laundry
Japanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
I don't think I've watched a show with these tropes before, younger guy pursuing older man. High schooler and older guy taboo. I found it very interesting. I loved awkward Minato and straightforward Shin, how Shin could make Minato feel so awkward and shy. The side characters added to the story, although the teacher could have been done away with. I liked Asuka a lot! I didn't care for the guy he liked but hey, who am I to judge?
I wasn't a fan of the old love interest and how long that dragged on, also how long Minato took to realize his own feelings.
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10. Bokura no Micro na Shuumatsu
Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
I think we all can agree, we hate Ritsu. I think we can all agree what probably happened at the end. Would Ritsu actually change? Masumi deserved so much better, but it did seem a bit of a stretch that he had nothing going on after Ritsu. I didn't feel like this was an end of the world show, we only had 1 or 2 things happen that felt end of the worldy. Otherwise it was mostly driving around. WHO DRIVES AROUND that much with only 7 days to live? I wouldn't be wasting my time doing that. The emotions of their relationship was interesting and the development felt realistic, but it would make more sense if there was more steamy scenes then driving scenes. Who would rather drive then bang before the big bang? Amiright? So although this was entertaining, I do think it missed the mark of it's entire theme. But for strictly a romance, it was good.
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11. Kieta Hatsukoi
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
The idea behind this show is hilarious and fun! Ida thinking Aoki had a crush on him because of an eraser was hilarious! Both ML had great friendships with their friends. The side couple was cute. Some moments Aoki was awesome and showed some attitude which I loved!
"put your abs away! Don't strip in front of me!"
This was a bit to long for the content it had. Aoki was also WAY over dramatic and overacted constantly to the point it was cringy and hard to watch. The chemistry wasn't very good, Ida was written so emotionless we had no idea what was going on. They did make a cute couple though! I just don't know if I can say this one was worth the watch, but I'd love to see these actors in something else!