RandomUsagi

Thats such a nice tweet ^^
I've been mostly in the Chinese fandom and seeing lots of negative comments with some good ones in between (as you likely know from my previous comments). So seeing the Japanese appreciate the drama is very hopeful.
However, I think even in the Chinese fandom, the fans are getting more collected now and just nostalgically looking back at the fun times they had.

Official Twitter account from Cherry Magic.
https://twitter.com/tx_cherimaho

T__T The news was about selling more items.

They had just broken up for a while. I can imagine things being a bit awkward at first when meeting Kurosawa and him not immediately hugging Kurosawa is just because he is trying to see if Kurosawa is even willing to get back.
Its respectful distance and taking notice of the other persons potential hesitations, something this series has practised since the first few episodes.

Yeah they were ready to cancel Machida even in the first few episodes over a shrine visit he once made. Its definitely unfortunate to see. I hope the drama creators/actors will be okay despite all that negativity.

This was a post on Weibo basically making the same point that was made here. The drama was made for Japan and not keeping international audiences in mind. Some Chinese fans themselves were surprised by the negative backlash too.
https://weibo.com/5177355043/JA58QtTw5?type=comment

Here's a post that basically shows the flow of opinions that are going around right now. Chinese wondering if Japanese fans hate the drama ending as much as they do and being surprised to find that's not the case.
https://weibo.com/5672150251/JA4O5zzef?type=comment
One of the replies on this one is honestly shocking. Basically someone admitting to going after the screenwriters social media and calling them ''homophobic'' and cursewords.

It seems to be acknowledged that most of the negative response is from China and Japanese fans seem fairly happy with the drama.

I've heard of some Chinese fans even going after Akaso Eiji because they are unhappy about the ending. I don't understand people sometimes.
The post on Weibo calling it out:
https://weibo.com/1801925292/JA4Qn9ikD?type=comment
赤楚/Chìchǔ refers to Akaso in this comment.

Fair point. I honestly didn't even notice the shirts in the bed as I usually just go along with whatever logic the drama tries to throw at me. My thoughts were, ''oh because its winter'' . Its definitely for lessening the intimacy though and thanks for pointing it out.

I personally didn't mind the lack of the kiss (as Tsuge and Minato did it already) but I get why it would've made the connection between them look more natural. I never really got taken out of the story because of it but I'm used to more unrealistic jdramas so I accept a lot of odd scenes. Japanese dramas can be very different from non-Japanese dramas sometimes in their approach.

Yes this drama is definitely made with the homophobic parts of Japanese society in mind. Its kinda difficult to avoid that since its shown to Japanese audiences and reflects their world. The way it handles certain subject matters is something I do appreciate though as seen through the behaviour of Fujisaki and Rokkaku in regards to the gay people in their life.

No this doesn't need a spoiler and I think its good for everyone to see. I can't believe people would be so quick to attack a screenwriter like this. Write your criticisms in reviews but don't personally go after the creators.
The drama script was fully written before it got any international attention. Its a jdrama through and through for a Japanese audience. I think its much more valuable what the Japanese audience has to say since their response has much more value as to whether we get more content than the international response.

I wanted to prepare users during airing-time that there would be less physical intimacy than they expected from BLs but not specifically about a kiss. I've always said that a kiss could always happen, a ''no more than a kiss'' rule doesn't exclude a kiss. My warnings were more for fans with an experience of the likes of Why R U or MyDays fresh in their mind as that is a huge difference. I wasn't telling that stuff with the idea that this would completely shift everyones opinion but I was hoping it would at least give some fans at the time a better idea of what awaits them. As I've said, with the final episode having aired I no longer feel the need to do that and leave new fans to form their own interpretation without warnings.

I mentioned other viewpoints on intimacy as valid and will always stand by that point and did say your criticism of the drama was also correct. The story of how I formed my view on BL is my ''normal'' but in no way am I trying to say that this should be anyone elses normal. Just showing a different viewpoint. Yes I am capable of enjoying the drama fully as it is now but there will likely be some dramas you love that I can never love in the same way too.

Yeah this drama has attracted a lot of ace/aro fans and its been a really comfortable space. Personally I can love this drama regardless of the level of intimacy as long as I can see the main characters get along very closely. As to whether my personal lack of need for anything beyond that is problematic: Mayby? It's just my own preference though and I apply this to all dramas, not just BL. I agree the teasing was overdone but a romcom needs something to create tension for viewers.

As I did agree with your view on the lacking representation I feel no need to go over that topic too much. Me saying that there is a general rule for Japanese BL dramas present doesn't mean that I condone such a rule . As for the ''fujoshi problem'' thing, its a very complicated subject to discuss. Yes BL in its origin is inherently problematic if you think about it. Either by oversexualizing or undersexualizing male relationships, it can never truly represent actual gay relationships as its just a fantasy (often by het females). That's why I watch LGBT movies instead of solely watching BL, showing a more realistic view of a gay relationship.

Yes it was adorable, she likely payed good attention to the different language comments she was receiving ^^

Oh Untamed? Yeah most fans just read the Chinese uncensored novel for the lovestory. In which the lovemaking is very clearly depicted (Mandatory ''Everyday is Everyday'' joke here). That actually goes for most of these Chinese bromance stories, they can be really graphic in the novels and its not for everyone. So the BL technique for Untamed is to watch the show with the novel clearly in mind. That way you also know which scenes were supposed to have a kiss or other stuff. Anyway, I watched it after reading the novel so I knew what scenes were supposed to contain more.

It is ridiculous that such censorship exists but I'm used to it from China and to a smaller extent Korea too (mainstream Korean tv, not webseries). Whenever I watch a Chinese bromance that's airing, every episode I hope the censor-team is taking it easy. If you get extremely lucky, someone will upload some cut scenes anonymously.

The mangaka made a final goodbye video to the drama characters. Drawing all of them as manga-versions and drama-versions. Its lovely to watch so check it out~!
https://twitter.com/toyotayou/status/1342153026975363073

Absolutely agree about the empty feelings, you wrote your feelings down very well and its relatable.

I'm curious as well, it better not be about them selling new items. I need new content.

Yes Japan loves couple items so I thought the pen was cute ^^ I didn't know it was called a ten thousand year brush but I do hope they stay together forever now

I think you absolutely make a fair point about it seeking universal appeal. This has been seen in multiple Japanese BL dramas in these last couple of years, seeking general appeal through downplay of physical intimate elements. Which actually does good things for the normalization of seeing LGBT couples on Japanese tv but it does leave it lacking for others who want to see representation on the physical side of things. Of course there are Japanese BL dramas that do show physical intimacy but the ''no more than a kiss'' rule will always apply and teasing is often done. Best examples I can think of are Ossans Love (I'm not counting non-consentual ones) and Kinou Nani tabeta. Which can be lovely and wholesome to watch at times but again, lacking in certain types of representation.

I'm one of the ace CM fans watching this show with very little expectations of seeing any intimacy beyond cute moments. My first drama was The Untamed (Chinese Bromance) which likely tells a lot about me seeking chemistry above intimacy for those who know the show. If a couple has bad chemistry or the show is just boring then I would also join in on asking for more intimacy but for CM that wasn't the case to me. I loved seeing Kurosawa and Adachi interact. I also watched this show with my experience of past Japanese BL dramas in my mind which is why I frequently tried to prepare users for the ''no more than a kiss'' rule. Sometimes to the point of being a bit obnoxious, my excuses for that again XD Now that I'm done with my warnings I'm more interested in how others developped their view as well.

So for me this drama could do no wrong anymore at this point. I do understand the opinions of other people though and such viewpoints are also valid but to me CM will still be the best BL drama of 2020. Just for the warmth and happiness it brought. I think at this point the different expectations of BL dramas become really visible and its interesting to see how everyone has their own standards for BL which often (of course not always, wanna avoid stereotyping here) has roots in their BL/drama background. A backlash to this drama is something I always expected but now that we are at this point I actually find it interesting to see the differences. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint and valid criticism! Now you know mine too ^^

Yeah he's really popular XD Lots of single women in that office tho!

Oh okay, you could've worded it differently to make that clear to English readers. Now it does read like a question but if you made it like this:
''Tsuge x Minato had a kiss so I see no reason why the main couple couldn't have it.''
Anyway, just some extra information. You didn't ask for it, but might be better for future use to avoid people replying like I did.

That's something we will likely never find out. There's only rumors going around.