Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu (2024)

"Our Youth" - Minase Jin

I honestly have no words. I wish I could do a cool one-liner that puts all my feelings into one, but honestly, I don't know. All I can say is "wow." This is like trying a food and knowing it'll be your favorite from the first bite. That's how I felt when I watched the first 2 episodes. I remember telling my friend, who is now watching, that I had just started this but I knew it'd be in my top 5 jbls. This is just THAT show. I lowkey haven't written a review since "The Trainee" ended (September) but I just have to for these cuties!!

In a tiny sum up, the story: Minase Jin is what a parent would call "perfect," with good grades, stays out of trouble, and overall just well-behaved, that is until Hirukawa Haruki steps into his life. This entry led him to find out a pretty personal secret about Hirukawa, which brings them closer, maybe a bit too close.

What did I like? Wow, there's a lot. Shall we make a list?

1. Characters: Honestly just both of their stories alone are great, especially Hirukawas, and them coming together makes a pretty good mix.
2. Chemistry? Well it's definitely there!! I don't care about what others say, there was TENSION.
3. I read other reviews, and with the cinematography portrayed, I felt extremely immersed.
4. As well from a review, the mention of waves and boats. A quote I have from the 10th episode is said from Minase Jin. "And I let the boat carrying the letter go into the sea out of my hands as the wind takes it. That letter sails into the deep sea. " Honestly, I just love the comparison.
5. The loyalty of the two..oh my gosh?? "Even if we can't get married, I will always be by your side." Haruki Hirukawa, can you be MY husband??
Honestly, to name everything I love, I'd have to go back and watch every episode and write down each and every one of my thoughts. But Our Youth has brought out a feeling in me that I didn't think many could reach.

In the later episodes I also realised they called each other by Jin and Haruki, when in the earlier episodes they called each other Minase and Hirukawa, which I found cute. The fact they do that from when their teenagers to adults? I love them. As well as how the "novel" of the letter was Our Youth. That means what we just watched was the letter, right?

Anyways!!!

The only con for me is the special episode. The fact they didn't ACTUALLY tell them they were dating made me sad, but that's okay!! Same with the marriage. Maybe someday we'll get another special episode of their marriage when it becomes legal in Japan. But for now, we can only hope!

To wrap this up, I honestly really wish I didn't have to. I'm gonna miss dreading every time I had to wait for the next episode. When I first started watching, it had 5 episodes out, and I caught up all in one. I started at 10pm (mind you, I have school) and watched every episode to catch up. Then when I found out the 5th had came out that day, I was quite sad to have to wait. But, now I can just rewatch when I'm feeling down. Anyways, I'm really going to miss these two. I know some may disagree, but I loved these two a lot. Would definitely recommend!!

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Growth in youth is often painful, and while love makes it bearable, sometimes it isn't enough

I took one look at the cover photo and synopsis for this show and knew I would love it. I went in pretty much blind and rewatched it twice as it was airing, solely because I couldn't get enough of what I would describe as an immaculately done piece of art. This show carried so much potential and executed it at every point possible.

First, I want to emphasize how much of my heart and soul this drama took. From beginning to end, I could not truly predict anything regarding Minase and Hirukawa's relationship, even down to if they were going to be together at the end of the show. On so many different levels this show represented pure craftsmanship to me. From the cinematography to the storyline, everything I would personally say was done with so much intention, detail, and care that I truly hope it is appreciated by others for the beautiful tale it walks its audience through.

Secondly, the only honest criticism I have is that there were a couple of scenes (literally only twice) where I struggled to believe the "sad" vibe due to the acting appearing a little too strong or inauthentic. Please note that it was very minimal and did not change my view of the show at all because, in the grand scheme of the plotline, I still think it was written with great skill and purpose.

Similar to the series "My Beautiful Man", we get to view both the pureness of a first love and the uncertainty that is often felt by those trying to identify if who they love is "right" because it's "different." Yet, in an important difference to the aforementioned show, this series takes the depth of this love and shoves it into a container carrying much more serious trauma, and then proceeds to shake it up with a whole lot of "I have no way to know how to express love because I've never seen a proper example." There are scenes in here that may be triggering for some. It's not dark like "Happy of the End" dark, but any audience member should be aware this series is not here to waltz you through a peaceful and easy-on-the-stomach love story. It's real, imperfect, and at times, depressing to witness.

On a lighter note, if you're into the trope of "He fell first, but he fell harder," you'll get just as much of a sucker punch to the gut as I did, because my God, the yearning will just yank on your heartstrings. Bonus points too if you get to see episode 11 that I had no clue was coming. The tension in that was WILD and some scenes threw me for a serious loop because of how unprepared I was to see grown Haruki and Jin who were fully aware of their feelings now acting on them impulsively and without reservation. It was more spicy than I was expecting lol.

Overall, a show I'd highly recommend, and a series that I think even the more experienced watcher will appreciate.

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Absolutely amazing

This made it to my top list of favorite BL’s I watched in 2024 even though technically the last few episodes aired 2025. The finale was everything and the special episode was so sweet. I’ve grown so attached to this series, not waiting for it weekly anymore feels heartbreaking.

Jbl’s captivate emotion so well and gives this indescribable yearning. The visuals, the acting, the story telling. Everything was so perfect. I truly admire the capability to express so much and make me as the viewer feel so many emotions in such short episodes. The way they capture the passage of time without directly showing on the screen “x years later” but are able to pick up time has passed. The way that it stops feeling like you’re an outsider watching a show but feeling like you’re Minase or Hirukawa themselves.

This was so beautifully shot. So many scenes that will live in my head forever as just gorgeous still frames.

There are moments for series where I’m exhausted with how long it’s being dragged out and could have dealt with it being shorter instead of extra fluff. But then there’s series like Our Youth that I wouldn’t mind a few more episodes and that’s how I know it’s good. The story was wrapped up nicely and I know extending it anymore, again, would just be more fluff to it just to appeal to everyone who fell in love with their love story. So not speaking from a place of selfishly wanting this series to never end, I will say it was best ending it where it did.

This is definitely a rewatchable series for me and I will be crying over it for awhile. Happy tears though!

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Our Youth: A Symphony of Love and Transformation

Every now and then, a series comes along that doesn’t just entertain but leaves an indelible mark on your heart. This series is one of those rare gems. From its heartfelt storytelling to its impeccable adaptation, it’s a triumph in every sense—a radiant 10/10.

The narrative is beautifully crafted, weaving themes of love, growth, and self-discovery into a tapestry that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. The characters are wonderfully complex, and their relationships—messy, tender, and profound—are brought to life with such authenticity that they leap off the screen and settle into your soul.

What sets this series apart is its warmth. There’s an emotional honesty here that’s hard to come by, a kind of raw yet tender intimacy that wraps around you like a soft blanket on a cold day. It’s not just the romance that shines, but the entire emotional spectrum—from joy to heartbreak, from longing to fulfillment. The series understands that life and love are never simple, and it embraces the imperfections with open arms.

The acting is simply outstanding. Each performance feels effortless, yet brimming with nuance. The chemistry between the leads is electric, their stolen glances and fleeting touches saying more than words ever could. This is acting at its finest, where even silence speaks volumes.

While other countries often hold back due to cultural conservatism, this adaptation feels fearless. Japan's ability to stay true to the source material without diluting its depth is a testament to their storytelling prowess. It’s a rare gift to see a series so unapologetically embrace the beauty of love in all its forms, breaking barriers while staying rooted in authenticity.

For those who have experienced Love in the Big City, this series will strike a similar chord. It has that same magical essence, that same ability to leave you breathless despite its occasional imperfections. But where Love in the Big City warmed hearts, this one ignites them, sending butterflies racing through your stomach as it takes you on a journey you won’t soon forget.

This isn’t just another BL drama; it’s a celebration of love, life, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable. It has firmly placed itself in my top 5 of all time, and honestly? It deserves to be in yours, too. An unforgettable masterpiece that will linger long after the credits roll.

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