Super Bummed

I understand the direction they wanted to go with this season in attempt to keep the show fresh, but honestly it just felt really redundant and by now unoriginal. I didn't like the reboot aspect and really wish they kept the of original story going, or focus on new characters. The premise is pretty much the same as the first season so the charm that made the first season fun is lost. There were too many love triangles in this season which made everything feel messy and unorganized, especially in only 8 EP.

I got really tired of the Captain by the middle of season 1 so to see him rinsed and repeat for a whole movie and this reboot season was unbearable. For Haruta to all of a sudden end up with the Captain felt so random as the entire show did not set up their relationship. It didn't feel earned and because I dislike the Captain's creepy obsession so much it was an awkward end for Haruta. Speaking of him, I like his character but he's even more incapable this season which is disappointing. He, too, gets tiring. The side characters were fine but nothing extraordinary. I really liked Shino's side story with his son. I felt his dilemma about not being qualified to be a father due to his sexuality was interesting and potentially complex but sadly the show didn't do much with it and ended it abruptly. That honestly would've been a better story to go with.

And maybe it's cause I'm attached to the characters, but I missed Maki so much. If the team decides to continue this series I beg them to scrap this reboot idea and continue with Haruta and Maki cause they were what made the show so great. Unfortunately, season 2 was a big let down for me.

Read More

This drama is really good. It's lighthearted, warm, and sweet. You can't help but smile as you watch. The acting is fantastic and the two leads have good chemistry. The story itself isn't anything extraordinary but it's surprisingly more complex than it seems. I like the take of a middle aged man in a long term relationship with his boyfriend but is still struggling with his identity. I think it's really relatable for many. There are some great lines, for example when Shiro talked about imagining his life had he married a woman, saying he'd probably live a life of cheating as he denied who he is. Great stuff. But honestly, the best part about this show is it's really a cooking show with a bit of romance on the side. I need me someone like Shiro who can cook such amazing looking food. I got jealous and hungry every episode lol. I love seeing Shiro slowly open up and loosen up throughout the show. And can we talk about how good looking Hidetoshi looks when he smiles? He has a really nice smile. Can't get enough of it.

Although I really like the two leads and felt they did a wonderful job, I was depraved of skinship. Just the tiniest would've been fine, like hugs. Holding hands. A kiss would've knocked me over. Lol when you like these two so much so you can't help but hope for something to happen. Maybe it's cause I'm not super familiar with Japanese dramas so this kind of relationship is normal, but they don't even share a room, let alone a bed (they don't say it but Shiro's bed is too small for them both) and they've been together for 3+ years. I get Shiro's take on the relationship is different from Kenji's but I just find it weird. They're a couple but at times they feel more like really close roommates. I wish they pushed a bit further with the romance. It's shown very subtly and being Asian myself I get that's cultural but a bit would've been nice. Other thing I didn't care too much for was the "you don't behave like a gay" dialogues. I get they were trying to point out Shiro's straight acting front but not all gays act or think the same. I think they leaned a bit too heavily on gay stereotypes, specially with Kenji. I think he overdid it just a bit. I also wished they wrote Kenji a tad more mature. He's in his 40s but at times act like he's in his 20s. Again, maybe a Japanese thing. Anyways, not enough to ruin the show or anything. Overall I really enjoyed it and would love a season 2 (if it's not already in the works/out).

Read More

Possibly the best BL drama I've seen!

I seriously had no idea what to expect going in. I haven't watched a Japanese drama in over 10 years, let alone a BL one but I was extremely surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. I was put off initially when the second male interest was so much older but by the end of ep 1 I was completely hooked. I found myself laughing so much. The characters were fantastic and really well acted. Most BL I've watched has really mediocre acting but the cast did a great job, despite the over the top Japanese tropes. I was very much invested in the 2 male leads and rooted for Maki like crazy. Their chemistry was fantastic and although Haruta is an idiot, he's super charming. I didn't love the last episode as much as I felt the whole wedding thing was unnecessary and tacky. The story isn't new or original but I'm a sucker for this type of story where the main lead learns to accept his feelings. The supporting cast was also great. When going into a BL, I have low expectations as they're typically very low budget with servicable stories, acting, directing and camera work but I can't stop gushing over this drama. I liked at the poster and cast for the second season and I don't think I can get myself to watch it. I'm so invested in and love Maki that I don't think I'm ready for him to not be with Haruta. Especially after all he went through.

This show isn't super deep with strong messages but I don't think it needs to be. It's very light, fluffy and heavy on comedy but it doesn't everything super well. The characters drive the drama and it wouldn't work if you're not invested in them. 7 episodes is short and typically BL dramas leave so much to desire, but I felt the length was completely fine. I wish they had more skinship and showing the leads in the relationship more, not necessarily bed scenes either. Also, I feel the show could've done better at depicting Haruta coming to terms with his feelings/sexuality and accepting them. My biggest issue with him was I felt at any moment he would just turn away from Maki and that he wasn't truly in love with him. His confusion and uncertainty came off a bit more as complacency and wanting comfort. I also got tired of the Chief by the end. His relentlessness got old and it's hard to believe H would just easily accept living with him, let alone accept the marriage especially after the whole debacle with the wife. But overall I had a really fun time watching this show and recommend it.

Read More

Great film with amazing performances. The story is straightforward but effective. It's a tad long but the two leads are so good, I didn't mind. The film is successful at letting the audience feel the weight Takashi felt as he is continuously berated and beaten down, but it also captured the beauty and joy when he's with Yamamoto. This film tells an important story and I hope Japan continues to produce films like these.

Only thing I would've liked is I wish the film addressed mental health more.
Also, I felt the ending was sweet and I was satisfied with it, but it leaned a bit on the unrealistic side for me. We see the character go through so much trauma and the film makes sure to tell it's audience just how difficult the work life is and so to just happily end with an ocean paradise makes it too ideal and unbelievable. But overall, I highly recommend the film.

Read More

Let me start out by saying I don't go into BL dramas/films with high expectations and understand that pretty much all of them are low budget with unknown actors but even with that standard this wasn't a good drama at all. The story is boring and lackluster. The acting is terrible and I couldn't feel chemistry between the main leads. The way they fall in love is ridiculously unbelievable as there's no actual build up to their romance. Both are terribly unlikable characters as well. Low budget limits a lot of things, but the basics aren't even here. It literally felt like a few friends were bored and decided to film some stuff. Sorry, but the only redeeming part about this drama was there's actually a nice song in it. Other than that, I wouldn't waste my time.

Read More