huhugoblin
Depicts how mainstream Japanese culture and Japan's fujoshi subculture stigmatizes gay men.
This story depicts the classic struggle between being gay and wanting a “normal” place in society. Though there is something uniquely Japanese about this story. Fujoshi, Ukkari Gay ni Kokuru tells a story that almost any queer person could relate to on some emotional level, but this story gives insight on how homosexuality and homophobia manifests in Japan in particular.
When I first started this show I was a bit wary because of the awkwardness that surrounds the fujoshi aspect and the depressing social climate that surrounds being gay in Japan. But isn't that is kind of the point? Living in an unaccepting society as a queer person can be awkward and depressing and unbearable.
As I continued watching, the story only got better and better as I got absorbed into the life of Jun and emotions of the characters. Personally, the appeal of the story is that it took every aspect into consideration by showing how being gay affects dating and family and friends. In other dramas centered around sexuality, the conflict after coming out usually boils down to a quarrel with family or friends or a lover, but in reality every aspect of your social life will be affected, especially in a society like Japan. Everything is laid out in tasteful dialogue and line delivery creating a multi-layered story that feels realistic, like the story is playing out somewhere in the world right now.
Aside from some of the fujoshi scenes, my only other complaints about the the story would be about the graduation scene. I found it to be a bit over the top/far-fetched compared to the rest of the story, but it is what it is and was a quick way to address what the story wanted to address.
The fujoshi aspect highlighted certain stereotypes and misconceptions common among BL fans and the general Japanese public. At times I did find the fujoshi aspect uncomfortable with all of the brazen dialogue and assumptions about gay people, but once again I’m certain that these are all things queer people in Japan have to deal with often. Since fujoshis were such a big aspect of the show I wish that they had addressed the problem with the “BL mindset” a lot of the fujoshis have. Despite this, I think part of the point is illustrating how cruel and dehumanizing it is when fujoshi's try to push their fantasies into reality. In the end, Jun and Miura were able to sympathize with each other and he even joked about visiting the "BL star." So regardless of some of the fujoshi's gross ignorance, I still found Miura very likable, and I absolutely loved her character development.
Overall, the acting was respectable with Kaneko Daichi being the star of the show. I often find Japanese acting to be over-animated and at times a little cringey, so I was pleasantly surprised by Kaneko’s portrayal of Jun. The way Kaneko used subtle changes in expressions and little shifts in movements made Jun’s feelings clear without having to slap it in your face. Everything about his portrayal was really well done and elevated the story to another level.
The other actors did a good job, but nothing quite stood out as much as Kaneko’s acting. I think a lot of the other great moments came from a solid script and character writing rather than the delivery itself. (Though I will give props to Naito Shuichiro because even as a side character, he did a great job playing Ono-kun). Every character felt grounded, like someone you would actually meet in their respective settings.
The music was good, better than what you see in most dramas. I enjoyed the use of Queen and liked how it played a part in the story, but occasionally it felt out of place.
Overall, it was definitely worth a watch, and I can see myself revisiting it again someday. I also noticed there is a new movie adaptation of the story. I wonder how that will turn out…. especially without one of my favorite aspects of the drama (Kaneko Daichi hehe).
When I first started this show I was a bit wary because of the awkwardness that surrounds the fujoshi aspect and the depressing social climate that surrounds being gay in Japan. But isn't that is kind of the point? Living in an unaccepting society as a queer person can be awkward and depressing and unbearable.
As I continued watching, the story only got better and better as I got absorbed into the life of Jun and emotions of the characters. Personally, the appeal of the story is that it took every aspect into consideration by showing how being gay affects dating and family and friends. In other dramas centered around sexuality, the conflict after coming out usually boils down to a quarrel with family or friends or a lover, but in reality every aspect of your social life will be affected, especially in a society like Japan. Everything is laid out in tasteful dialogue and line delivery creating a multi-layered story that feels realistic, like the story is playing out somewhere in the world right now.
Aside from some of the fujoshi scenes, my only other complaints about the the story would be about the graduation scene. I found it to be a bit over the top/far-fetched compared to the rest of the story, but it is what it is and was a quick way to address what the story wanted to address.
The fujoshi aspect highlighted certain stereotypes and misconceptions common among BL fans and the general Japanese public. At times I did find the fujoshi aspect uncomfortable with all of the brazen dialogue and assumptions about gay people, but once again I’m certain that these are all things queer people in Japan have to deal with often. Since fujoshis were such a big aspect of the show I wish that they had addressed the problem with the “BL mindset” a lot of the fujoshis have. Despite this, I think part of the point is illustrating how cruel and dehumanizing it is when fujoshi's try to push their fantasies into reality. In the end, Jun and Miura were able to sympathize with each other and he even joked about visiting the "BL star." So regardless of some of the fujoshi's gross ignorance, I still found Miura very likable, and I absolutely loved her character development.
Overall, the acting was respectable with Kaneko Daichi being the star of the show. I often find Japanese acting to be over-animated and at times a little cringey, so I was pleasantly surprised by Kaneko’s portrayal of Jun. The way Kaneko used subtle changes in expressions and little shifts in movements made Jun’s feelings clear without having to slap it in your face. Everything about his portrayal was really well done and elevated the story to another level.
The other actors did a good job, but nothing quite stood out as much as Kaneko’s acting. I think a lot of the other great moments came from a solid script and character writing rather than the delivery itself. (Though I will give props to Naito Shuichiro because even as a side character, he did a great job playing Ono-kun). Every character felt grounded, like someone you would actually meet in their respective settings.
The music was good, better than what you see in most dramas. I enjoyed the use of Queen and liked how it played a part in the story, but occasionally it felt out of place.
Overall, it was definitely worth a watch, and I can see myself revisiting it again someday. I also noticed there is a new movie adaptation of the story. I wonder how that will turn out…. especially without one of my favorite aspects of the drama (Kaneko Daichi hehe).
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