This review may contain spoilers
Definitely queer, disguised under the protective shield of "Bromance" label
This review is mainly about the interpersonal emotions and messages of the show, but I will have some opinions on the main plot as well later.
SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY
They are written as an "unspoken" romance, their bond is beyond platonic. They have a soul binding, they think of each other when people ask whether they met someone they feel connected to and want to stay forever with, they exchanged necklace and ring (on the ring finger!!) like spouses, they would die for each other, they get flustered at implications of being a couple, they have scenes framed in an extremely romantic way while they look at each other like lovers do. If one of them were a girl this would be widely accepted mutual yearning situationship without any "sibling/bestie" labeling.
I like platonic soulmate dynamics but this is already in romance territory. The characters don't need to confess or acknowledge it to be considered canon. Other characters acknowledge it and the subtext does too (even the OST!!). In my opinion it doesn't need to be stated out loud to be canon because the characters are just written like that, to be stubborn and prideful and shy, unable to admit their own feelings. Some canon ships never get together just like some people irl also never get together despite being in love with each other, due to societal circumstances or not wanting to leave the comfort and safety of being friends in fear of ruining it, or simply because friendship and love can be hard to define, sometimes impossible to define and it doesn't always matter to the people involved whether they call themselves a "couple" or "friends".
The show doesn't treat the audience like idiots, the romance doesn't need to be explained to us, the ones who see it get it.
It is pretty obvious but of course never said word for word and officially labeled as bromance which is a good protective shield for actors still. SkyNani aren't bound to the BL genre which sadly happens to some actors once they go all out on the "BL actor" title, they cannot explore outside their niche cuz even in the year of our lord 2026 BL is considered a genre and not treated the same as hetero romance or other non romantic media in general. It may also be more profitable and marketable to mainstream audiences and homophobic countries.
But to me and many others it is interpreted as intentionally written like a romance.
In canon they are friends, and friendship does not negate romantic feelings. They are friends, platonic soulmates even, yes. But they are also additionally in love.
My thoughts on the overarching plot itself:
Flawed and sometimes confusing or rushed, some under utilized characters (Fei especially) but all in all great premise.
Very unique and carries a beautiful message. I loved how they made a point about anger and demons being valid, natural to humans and not inherently evil. I love this really refreshing take on rage and using it for good instead of fighting the rage and banishing the so-called "evil". They did that at first but came to the conclusion in the end that demons and heaven are the same, neither is inherently good nor inherently evil which is so beautiful.
The antagonists had real goals and even got some sympathy from me with a believable backstory and nuanced motivations for their actions.
Everyone in this was acting their arse off, amazing performances. Relatively well written supporting cast despite being a little under utilized like I mentioned earlier but sometimes it's ok since they're still just supporting and not main cast. "The Wu" is such a good ensemble and play perfectly into the found family themes.
I gave a 8/10 rewatch value because while it is one of the best shows I've ever watched, it did require some emotional/mental capacity and strength which I may not have all the time to rewatch it often. This story really made me feel a lot. Also it's a bit gory which I personally am not affected by but people who are squeamish might wanna brace themselves before watching.
10/10 would recommend to those who can stomach gore and spiritual stuff etc.
SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY
They are written as an "unspoken" romance, their bond is beyond platonic. They have a soul binding, they think of each other when people ask whether they met someone they feel connected to and want to stay forever with, they exchanged necklace and ring (on the ring finger!!) like spouses, they would die for each other, they get flustered at implications of being a couple, they have scenes framed in an extremely romantic way while they look at each other like lovers do. If one of them were a girl this would be widely accepted mutual yearning situationship without any "sibling/bestie" labeling.
I like platonic soulmate dynamics but this is already in romance territory. The characters don't need to confess or acknowledge it to be considered canon. Other characters acknowledge it and the subtext does too (even the OST!!). In my opinion it doesn't need to be stated out loud to be canon because the characters are just written like that, to be stubborn and prideful and shy, unable to admit their own feelings. Some canon ships never get together just like some people irl also never get together despite being in love with each other, due to societal circumstances or not wanting to leave the comfort and safety of being friends in fear of ruining it, or simply because friendship and love can be hard to define, sometimes impossible to define and it doesn't always matter to the people involved whether they call themselves a "couple" or "friends".
The show doesn't treat the audience like idiots, the romance doesn't need to be explained to us, the ones who see it get it.
It is pretty obvious but of course never said word for word and officially labeled as bromance which is a good protective shield for actors still. SkyNani aren't bound to the BL genre which sadly happens to some actors once they go all out on the "BL actor" title, they cannot explore outside their niche cuz even in the year of our lord 2026 BL is considered a genre and not treated the same as hetero romance or other non romantic media in general. It may also be more profitable and marketable to mainstream audiences and homophobic countries.
But to me and many others it is interpreted as intentionally written like a romance.
In canon they are friends, and friendship does not negate romantic feelings. They are friends, platonic soulmates even, yes. But they are also additionally in love.
My thoughts on the overarching plot itself:
Flawed and sometimes confusing or rushed, some under utilized characters (Fei especially) but all in all great premise.
Very unique and carries a beautiful message. I loved how they made a point about anger and demons being valid, natural to humans and not inherently evil. I love this really refreshing take on rage and using it for good instead of fighting the rage and banishing the so-called "evil". They did that at first but came to the conclusion in the end that demons and heaven are the same, neither is inherently good nor inherently evil which is so beautiful.
The antagonists had real goals and even got some sympathy from me with a believable backstory and nuanced motivations for their actions.
Everyone in this was acting their arse off, amazing performances. Relatively well written supporting cast despite being a little under utilized like I mentioned earlier but sometimes it's ok since they're still just supporting and not main cast. "The Wu" is such a good ensemble and play perfectly into the found family themes.
I gave a 8/10 rewatch value because while it is one of the best shows I've ever watched, it did require some emotional/mental capacity and strength which I may not have all the time to rewatch it often. This story really made me feel a lot. Also it's a bit gory which I personally am not affected by but people who are squeamish might wanna brace themselves before watching.
10/10 would recommend to those who can stomach gore and spiritual stuff etc.
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