NLE

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 Takaaki accidentally spilled a drink on him, Naoya demanded that he 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.