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Completed
Eien no Kino
30 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Dec 12, 2022
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

A melancholically beautiful, heartbreaking and heartwarming tearjerker! + Underrated!

This series needs to be higher rated! The series is beautiful in terms of story and values despite its melancholic approach. It's a heart-breaking yet heart-warming series that teach us the values of life and grief. What's more, it makes us believe in eternal love even though the time of the couple is painfully short.
In terms of character development, the series shows a complete picture how love develops a person silently yet does not change that person. Koichi is still Koichi, Micchan is still Micchan but they become better versions of themselves - love and being loved.
Regarding casting, Komiya Rio and Inoue Sora excellently and vividly depict Koichi and Micchan. It's not exaggerating to say withouth Rio and Sora, the series wouldn't have been that successful and tearjerking. Chemistry overflowers and very good acting skills.
The director/ screen writer also did their best in telling us a story that is not just heartbreaking but heartfelt.
Please don't miss it!

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Completed
Aki wa Haru to Gohan wo Tabetai
7 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Nov 15, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

A stomach-full and heartfelt Food BL with a lightweight and slow pace slice of life story.

The movie is very subtle, lightweight and to our heart's content. Beside A LOT of food, the movie captures stories of two college students with their struggles about living tgt, study, career and life. It’s a very soft and peaceful movie with just a little bit of angst. Some people may regard it Bromance. and it's understandable because they stay bros 95% of movie. But there's a confession. Aki didn’t let Haru finish it but we all know what it is. At the end, they promised to live together "in any cases" and "drink plum wine together every year". Doesn’t it sound like a proposal? And I think they leave the romance for Sequel! Yes, there is a sequel!
If you like What Did You Eat Yesterday series or She loves to cook, She loves to eat, you will like this one because it takes a similar approach – telling stories on the dining table. You hardly hear any confession, but their bonding is very strong “no place for anyone else".
What I don’t like about it is the "legendary" yellow color we see everywhere in JBL. Everything else is good and enjoyable. However, average BL watchers may expect the story to speed up and spice up (more drama) a little
I think it's up to you whether you like it or not, just like some people like light foods, others like spicy ones.

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Completed
Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2
5 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Sep 21, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

It's a cute show, but that is it. Weak writing and a repetitive plot.

Score: 7.5/10, (+0.5 for chemistry and cuteness)

The greatest strengths of this show are chemistry among the cast and cuteness. Both Sho - Takuya, Tomoya-Inaba passed chemistry classes. Their interactions are very natural and there are a lot of heartfelt moments in the show. Acting skills are good as well, and I've seen an improvement in Takuya's acting.
Now let's talk about its weaknesses. I'm holding a lot of grudge with the writing of this show. "Are we going back to square 1?". And well, we definitely did. Compared to season 1, season 2 barely added anything new, it's like one step forward, one step back, and for ep 11, it's three steps back. Their love definitely sparked on the beach scene in ep 12 season 1, but season 2 flipped the show all over. I did expected more development in their love story or at least some character development, not just copying the same format of season 1 and pasting to another 12 eps. It's a season 1 ver 2.0.
But ofc that's not what i hate most. It's character development. The writer turned Shin - a well-mannered boy who's holding his affection towards his crush for 10 years, into a toxic pushy boyfriend with control behaviors. He left Minato's no personal space or time to think. He kept pushing forward to the point it feels so awkward and exaggerated. He behaved badly with teacher and he hates everyone coming close to Minato. Shin in ss1 was my fav but Shin in ss2 , idk him, it's not him at all.
Then there's the "selective memory loss trope" when all the logics went home. Where's Shin's phone? Why Shin is living with "a kind uncle" who keeps visiting him at the hosiptal? They have the same logical problem with Jack Frost and Minato did the same thing as Fumiya - hiding the truth no matter what and made others to help him hide it. He thinks it's good for Shin bc Shin may feel weird to forget his bf but he didn't think about what if Shin knows he is the only one who doesn't know anything. Well, adding selective memory loss trope is obsolete, unlogical, and unneccessary here. We know Shin will finally retrieve his memory but at what cost.
Overall, it's a cute show, but that is it. So much potential is wasted due to weak writing and a repetitive plot.

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Completed
Watashi to Otto to Otto no Kareshi
2 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Apr 14, 2023
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

It's a daring work that goes beyond polyamory

Japanese dramas always give us the weirdest plot which is not for everyone. But if you want to have a look at the philosophy of PolyA relationship, you could watch this. I personally have mix feelings. I can't say I'm happy with it 100% or I hate it 100%. But there are some points they did well and there are some points that make me believe it shouldn't exist.
1. The story was daring
Rather than solely featuring polyA relationship, it expands to what's considered "normal" and "not normal" as social norms. Therefore, there are a lot to say about its content, and it's up to each person's belief. My advice is that before you watch this series, form your own belief first and follow the story and then either adjust/ or stay firm to your belief, because if we do not have our own opinions, we would be swayed by them and feel lost in our own thoughts.
2. The second half was really heavy. I could watch Ep 1-5 in one go but I had to space out ep 6-10. The atmosphere in Misaki's apt is always very heavy, it makes us really feel that everyone in that apt is not happy. And this contrasts to a house full of laughters when Misaki is with Maki and Daiichi.
They also feature the patriarchal dad of Yuuki who brought a lot of tensions with his oppressive and obsolete mindset - which is very relevant in some families.
3. The first half is more about Shuhei - the homewrecker - came to Yuuki and Misaki life and stir it up, but the second half is more about Yuuki and Misaki dealing with their own problems. They all grow in some ways and find away to cope with it, although I believe after ep 10, they will have a lot of challenges coming up.
4. The series successfully whitewash Shuhei. It's really hard for us to hate him in series. No one in the series is to blame. They all need sympathy in some ways.
5. With the ending: [Misaki and Yuuki filed divorce but three of them continue to live together and try to figure out a life of 3 with multiple forms of "like"], I would say it is an Open Ending. They are somewhat happy but the fact that three of them wake up in the middle of the night also hints that there will be more challenges and problems await. But I would be more mad, if they end up letting Shuhei have physical rela with Misaki or Misaki falls in love with Shuhei. Ofc each persons would have their own ideal ending. Next, what they could do better is improving the chemistry between Yuuki and Shuhei. My gosh! I was waiting to see a "couple feeling" in the second half, but well still none. They really don't look like they love eo at all though I still feel chemistry in Yuuki - Misaki and Shuhei - Misaki. This is the point which I'm dissatisfied most.
Oh and the reason why it shouldn't exist is that, basically, this kind of mess starts from cheating, and I'm not comfortable with cheating. PolyA is fine but only if people in polyA consent to it and acknowledge it.

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Completed
Jack o' Frost
3 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Apr 3, 2023
6 of 6 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

A love story of adults with a beautiful winter theme that warms our heart but needs more depth

I enjoyed it alot. There are many positives about this first original of Tunku Shower. It’s a love story of adults with a beautiful winter theme that warms our heart at some points. Acting are excellent, especially Kosuke Suzuki (Fumiya) - he expressed his feelings by not only words, but also facial expressions, eye movements, tiny gestures,... For Kyoya Honda, he fulfilled what his role required. The chemistry between them is another plus point. Their chemistry is very natural and emits a real couple feeling , like they actually a couple who lives together for years.
However, besides positives, this series needs a lot more improvements, especially the finale. First, the biggest problem lies in the story. They opened the story with a problem but that problem was not solved properly in the finale. I still feel it's a cliff-hanger. Character development, thus, is lacking as well. The story is a journey back and forth between the past and present of the main characters but during that journey, there is very little character development added. I bet even after the finale is over, they are still themselves and continue to fight and amend. Plotholes are another biggest minus. A lot of things that just don't make sense. I can forgive the fact that Ritsu lost his memory temporarily due to a bike acciddent but I can't let go the fact that Ritsu lost his reasoning as well *face palm*. Other plot holes related to the way Fumiya hid things that would trigger memories. And finally, the lighting in this drama is not very great. They had beautiful scenes but at some points these scenes were very dark and we barely could see anything. They should have added a little more lighting and reflectors for a more satisfying viewer experience

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Completed
Bokura no Shokutaku
2 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Jun 15, 2023
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

The series is wholesome but a bit lacking in chemistry as a BL

The series is wholesome. It's actually most awaited once. It creates a homely heartfelt feeling of a family meal. The story is heartwarming and healing. Minoru's family is so warm.
The drama fills up some plot holes in the manga in some parts, but uneccesary in some parts.

However, the biggest problem is the chemistry between Yutaka and Minoru as well as Yutaka and Tane. It feels much off compared to the manga. It it is a bit lacking in terms of "couple feeling". I think the drama lacks a bit of chemistry because I've seen better chemistry between Hiroki and Shono in even a short 50-minute SP drama. Hiroki and Kuuga did their job perfectly: 10/10. I could see Hiroki was striving to lift up the chemistry with Inuka and Kuuga, despite his young age, has a knit for acting.
Inukai's performance was erratic, sometimes it's natural, but sometimes I feel it's lacking something and a bit forced. He wasn't at his peak. The atmosphere between Minoru and Yukata is often times awkward - it's so forced.
One important detail is that ironically, in the manga the kid is much closer and more clingy to Yukata than his brother, but in the drama, the kid did try. Interaction between Tane and Minoru is not that close as we could feel from the manga, let the dry interaction off-show.

From the photoshoot, to the promo and actual drama, it’s bitterly dry. Inukai is pretty and Hiroki is handsome, but it’s just it.
The drama is still wholesome overall and is recommended.

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Completed
Seven Days: Monday - Thursday
1 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Dec 29, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

A cute and pure classic school romance with slow pace

I keep gigling kicking my feet watching this school romcom. It's in 2015 so it has that typical slow pace style but I like its chilling vibe. I also love character dynamics: Seryou is so pretty and posh while Yuzuru is so cute and "dense".
The story is so cute, soft and pure. It has two parts: Monday - Thursday and Friday-Sunday. You should watch in this order. They are both very good. I love how the story goes and how they sort their problem: just a little misunderstandings (and Yuzuru's sulking) ?. It gives a very youthful vibe but pls bear in mind it's quite slow compared to modern BL so pls be patient.
Plus point: You can see them doing art archery ?

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Ongoing 5/8
Shigatsu no Tokyo wa...
3 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Jul 19, 2023
5 of 8 episodes seen
Ongoing 1
Overall 7.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

An OK-to-watch, not very excellent, as we may expected but it could be done better.

This drama has an epic source material with very deep story that could shake our souls, but unfortunately it is poorly excuted by the production team. They missed so much and instead of becoming another peak melancholic drama of Tunku Shower, its quality fell in the middle. The acting and chemistry in the first half of the drama is not giving and it could be done better if they cast experienced actors instead of idols or new actors because this drama is so heavy in terms of emotions. Crying scenes are bad and dry. What's more, casting 14-yo children in to sensual scenes makes us feel uncomfortable, let alone their weak acting skills.
In addition, the writing and directing is also not satisfactory as they skipped so much tiny yet important details from the source materials and the story seems rushed in some scenes. Color grading is a crime in this drama, that orangey color compromises the aesthetic values of the film frame and of course, affects cast visuals.
In general, it would be an OK-to-watch, not very excellent, as we may expected but I must say it could be done better.
I recommend you all find the manga because it can't be missed.

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Completed
Fudanshi Bartender no Tashinami
0 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Dec 29, 2023
2 of 2 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 10

The director of this drama must be on sth when they filmed this one bc this cracked me up so bad

Same not-your-regular BL, I think this one is the reverse of Zettai BL where the main lead is a bartender but he is a fudanshi in secret? If you like Zettai BL and/ or you're a fudanshi/ fujoshi, you will like this one. I was cracking up so bad bc of how cringey and exaggerated it is but in a funny way.?
I think this one should have a season 2. All the characters are very cute and the fantasized stories are also interesting.
I praised the main lead for his role. He is not only handsome, but he also has good acting and voice acting.
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Completed
Udagawachou de Matteteyo
0 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Dec 29, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 1.0

The idea of this movie is cute but the way it's executed is problematic and annoying.

The idea of the movie is cute: Momose tried to encourage Yashiro to be confident in crossdressing. Yashiro is very lovely, I tried to finish the whole show bc of him. I believe with the same idea it could be done better. The way this idea was executed in this movie was very problematic. Maybe bc of writing, Momose looked like a manipulative freak, trying to make Yashiro do this do that, and excused by saying: "I don't know how to do it better". And one important thing: he did attempt r*pe Yashiro, this is unforgiveable. I guess the reason why people liked it back then bc it was in 2015 so people's viewpoints might be different than us now and they didn't have many choices at that time.

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Completed
Love Place: Shiawase no Katachi
0 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Dec 29, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

A roller coaster of emotions from cuteness, angst, then hotness and hilarity

I had good time with this one. It's a roller coaster of emotions from cuteness, angst, then hotness and hilarity at the end. Acting and chemistry are on point. I enjoyed the first few minutes of their domestic life the most. There's a misunderstanding which is the main story but they finally sorted it out. The bed scene is hot and natural.
The highlight of the movie is when Souta took revenge for his sister being mistreated by her a-hole fiance. It was funny, but some people may consider it's a bit too much.
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Completed
No Touching At All
0 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Dec 29, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

Old-but gold-office BL has a quiet and sad ambience

I'm always a fan of media that take a realistic approach into queer couple's relationship and this movie is made for me. This old-but gold-office BL has a quiet and sad ambience about how 2 people with their own past heal and love eo.
It's kinda like a sadder and reserve version of Old Fashion Cupcake. Togawa is the boss who cares for his ppl while Shima is the subordinate with a broken heart due to the past with his ex. He feels insecured and he hurts both himself and Togawa. But I'm glad finally they worked it out.
I actually really like this one. The movie is a good adaptation considering its 5-day filming period with only $5 budget. The only problem i have with it is the camera angles, they wasted so many valueable scenes with those far and cornered angles.

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Completed
Itsuka no Kimi e
0 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Dec 29, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

An old-but-gold BL

The story is interesting. The actors' acting and chemistry is also very good. They are just so cute together. It's just so natural and ahead of their time. The plot twist is quite sad but it is easy to predict from our 2023 point of view but i think it's quite interesting back in that time with our own interpretation.
This one is among rare old JBL movies that do not have problematic tropes or sad ending. I really had a good time with it. It's an old movie so the quality of image may be bad but it's worth our time and patience.
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Completed
Seven Days: Friday - Sunday
0 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Dec 29, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

The continuation of a cute and pure love story

This is the continuation of Seven Days: Monday - Thursday. We should see both movies to get the full world view and also see morecute moments between Seryou and Yuzuru.
The story is so cute, soft and pure. I love how the story goes and how they sort their problem. I also love the character dynamics and cast's chemistry.
It has a slow pace but to me I love its chilling vibe.
Overall: This is the show I would rewatch many time and would like to recommend others for such a JBL classic.
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Completed
One Room Angel
0 people found this review helpful
by Olivia
Nov 27, 2023
6 of 6 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

A tearjerker platonic relationship between two broken people who found each other

Highly recommended (TW: Adult-minor but it's rather a platonic relationship, suicide, bullying, violence)
Before the show started, I already read the manga to understand the story better. But to be honest, this is a perfect adaptation of the drama as they made suitable adjustments (Angel's age and A-kun's arc) while keeping the quintessense of the manga. I bawled my eyes out when watching the drama. I cried even more than when reading the manga. It's this year's number 1 tearjerker and I consider this one a sibling of Eternal Yesterday.

The show has perfect directing. They also cast the right actors for each role. The Angel's actor looks like a real angel with that baby face and innocent smile while the Kouki's actor is excellent. Their acting excellently conveyed the heartbreaking story and made me bawl my eyes even though I already know what's coming. The theme songs (OP & ED) are also on point. Please check the Eternal MV of ED song on Youtube. It's another peak and Shuhei is also cast in that MV too.

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