This review may contain spoilers
cute but the idea is better than the execution (critique in review)
I saw other reviews calling this the best BL ever.... I'm gonna have to respectfully disagree.This was a very cute show with an interesting premise, definitely worth a watch & not too long so you won't be wasting your time. The main couple are adorable and the first few episodes especially had me laughing over and over again. The other characters are fun too, with their own traits and quirks, and there's even a whole woman who isn't treated like garbage at any point. On the whole, it's a sweet, fluffy show with low stakes and easy to binge in a day or two.
-- critique below:
But I do think there are some problems; for one thing, the acting is a bit lackluster. To me, Adachi never seemed to like Kurosawa the same amount that Kurosawa liked him, because he was played so straight faced and awkward. Which can be done really well, I love that character archetype but on him, I just couldn't feel the depth of his emotions most of the time. On the other hand, Kurosawa was literally just a love interest robot most of the time. I liked the scenes where his insecurities were touched on, but I wish there had been more depth given to him beyond what we got. As for Tsuge, he was way, way, way over acted. And Minato was barely acted at all.
Also, I just didn't care about the second ship... at all. They felt out of place together--and again, I love the opposites attract trope. But the two of them just didn't have the right vibe. I'm still unsure if they were meant to be like, sort of enemies before Minato found out about the cat? And how that completely changed Minato's opinion of Tsuge? And why Tsuge insta-loved him from that moment on? I was generally more interested in Minato, too, who we didn't get see that much of unfortunately.
(Also also, yes, there was really only one female side character who was important for more than one or two scenes. I loved Fujisaki-san but she was a plot device for the main couple to feel jealousy and then to give them advice. I wish we could've had more for her, or more women.)
Finally, this is my first Japanese BL so I wasn't sure what to expect to see in terms of visual romantic stuff. I really enjoyed the hand holding and the laying in bed scene, but I can't lie, I definitely felt kiss baited. I didn't let that affect my score because I understand it might be normal for JBLs, but... I am kind of sad we never got to really see them kiss except for the forehead kiss.
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Funny & Heartfelt
This drama was absolutely stunning. At first, the premise seems kind of strange, but the show executes the idea so well.Adachi is a lovable protagonist who manages to be funny but also has his serious and heartfelt moments. His development with his love interest is beautiful and has appropriate pacing. The side couple may not get as much development in their love story and the feelings can feel a bit sudden, but Tsuga's over-the-top dramaticism really makes all of their scenes extremely entertaining. The side characters were all so amazing as well and are so supportive to the main cast. I genuinely have nothing bad to say about this drama. It's wormed its way into my heart and into my top 3 dramas of all time.
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Set the standard for BLs
After dabbling in a few gay dramas/BLs from different countries and feeling neutral to most of them, I am so glad to have uncovered the delight that is Cherry Magic. Don't be thrown off the the synopsis--this drama is sweet and healing, with an emphasis on self-worth and self-discovery. It's a shorter, lighter watch, but the protagonists (Adachi and Kurosawa) are written so nicely and sweetly, and I especially enjoy how they're both adults. I find a good amount of bls, probably due to lower budgets, tend to be toxic or stiff, but Cherry Magic stayed warm throughout. If you want a romance that's healing, this is definitely the one for you.Was this review helpful to you?
my thoughts
im in love with the actors and the charactershighly recommended especially for new bl viewers
the only thing i hate in this series is the other couple... (Minato and Tsuge)
no wait. i love the couple but.. Tsuge is kinda cringe (my opinion) but i like that Minato accepting him no matter what so thats fine i guess,, well thats it i dont have much to say cuz the series is good, characters, cast and story, of course the acting was a little off but thats fine im not a director to judge rigth>
- thank you viewers,
thank you stuff, directors and actors!
ありがとうございました
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Never have I ever watched a drama that makes me review it or made it watch it again, from the 1st episode........................m.......
I don't know how's the story writer or detector,even I don't know the actors..................
I just wanted to watch a Japanese dream.....................
yet I got see a master piece of art.............each and every character was worth to watch.........................................
Just wanted to say Thank you.😊
Trust me I really mean it...........
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This review may contain spoilers
The best use of "I fall for you but you fall harder" trope
I just want to thank every single person who recommended this drama!For context: Ever since I completed Kieta Hatsukoi, I could not stop thinking about the show (I'm not even exaggerating, like its all I could think about). So I thought to myself "why don't I just watch Cherry Magic since a lot of people recommended it, saying its has a similar vibe to Kieta Hatsukoi" and that is how I found this drama, 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii or better known as Cherry Magic.
At first I was really hesitant to watch this drama considering the premise was "a man gains the ability to hear people's thoughts via touch because he's a 30 year old virgin". Despite my hesitation I still gave it a watch after seeing all the positive reviews...and I am so glad I did!
I really really enjoyed this drama! I can't even put it into words how much I loved watching Cherry Magic. Before I go on praising the show however, I just want to quickly say the one (and only) downside I had and it has to do with Tsuge and Minato's relationship. I like both characters (actually tsuge not so much, that grown man does the cringiest stuff around Minato) but I really struggled to get past how Tsuge is 30 years old and he is in a relationship with Minato who although is actually a consenting adult, looks like he is a high school student. I tried to get over it but I couldn't and it made me feel really uncomfortable.
Now to the things I absolutely loved about Cherry Magic! The main couple, Adachi and Kurosawa, have got to be one of the few genuinely healthy BL couples out there and with the way their relationship developed in the show, they also have got to be one of the best relationships I've seen in a BL drama. The characters were so perfectly cast with the highlight of the show being the incredible acting performances from both Akaso and Machida. They are both such incredible actors and their comedic timing was so perfect, not once could I take my eyes off of them when they were on screen. Honestly, if the characters were played by anyone else, the show wouldn't have worked, thats how perfect the chemistry was between the two actors. You will never be bored with them on screen. Although there were only 12 episodes, each with a running time of roughly 24 minutes, Adachi and Kurosawa's relationship and love for each other felt so real and genuine, making Cherry Magic so special.
One scene that stuck out to me the most for the incredible acting performance was the scene where Adachi confesses to Kurosawa about his magic and he breaks up with him. Although I tend to not like the trope where the couple breaks up in the second to last episode only to get back together in the end, I think it actually works for this show. The scene itself was so well written, acted and directed that I rewatched it multiple times because it just gave all the angst in the best way and like I said before, the acting was just incredible. All the true acting was shown through their eyes and the raw emotion they conveyed was truly felt through the screen. But of course, the angst didn't last long and we were given one of my favourite scenes in the whole show, the firework/proposal scene. I genuinely did not expect them to be engaged that soon considering they were only together for not that long but I think it makes sense for them. I also loved how Kurosawa proposed with pens rather than a ring in consideration for Adachi, it made the whole thing personal to them.
Another scene between Adachi and Kurosawa that stuck out to me was the scarf scene in one of the earlier episodes. If I had to pick a moment in the show where the progression towards their relationship really starts, I would have to pick that scene. The scene itself wasn't anything big, with Kurosawa just wrapping his scarf around Adachi's neck but despite how simple it was, it said so much.
I really adore Adachi and Kurosawa and watching them progress as people as their relationship developed made this show so special to me. I especially want to point out Adachi's growth considering how in the beginning he was so shy and kept to himself, only having one friend to in the end having a boyfriend and a larger support net of friends. In the show itself you see the characters talk about how inspiring Adachi is to them, and in a strange way he kinda inspired me a bit too. Watching Adachi kinda reminded me of my past self and I guess it was oddly therapeutic to watch his confidence and self-esteem grow with each episode. Thats another thing I love about this show! You initially watch it for the romance but you find yourself appreciating it for so much more than that. Cherry Magic finds a way to talk about topics of self-love, anxiety, growth and the different relationships we form as evolving people all in a BL romcom.
I'm nearing the end of my review but before I say my final notes, I just want to mention one other thing. In the opening scene of episode 1 we see a guy urgently riding his bike to some place and going past our main character, Adachi, who is waiting to cross the road. I didn't think much about that scene considering it was the opening scene of the show until we saw that scene in its full context in episode 12 and my jaw dropped! We find out that the entire time it was future Adachi that we saw in the opening scene riding the bike and past Adachi saw him (obviously not knowing it was himself) while waiting to cross the road. It was in that scene where it hit me how much had really changed in the 12 episodes for our main character and how much he's changed himself, I felt kinda proud of Adachi. Although if I'm being honest, I'm not sure how that works or if it's related to the magical realism aspect of the show but I doubt that it matters at all really.
Cherry Magic is going down as not only the best BL of 2020 but one of the best of all time! and I know that it is a big claim to make but I am not exaggerating one bit when I say that. I am really excited for the Cherry Magic movie coming out in April 2022 and cannot wait to see Adachi and Kurosawa as an established couple after Adachi loses his magical ability!
If you love funny and heartwarming BL dramas, then this is the right one for you!
Rewatch Value: 10/10
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Funny, clean, and lovely story!
I loved it! I didn’t stop laughing and sometimes even a teardrop here and there. Overall, I recommend this show. Please have in mind that; this is a Japanese show, so if you have seeing other BL from other locations like Thailand or the Philippines, then you will not see kissing or sex scenes whatsoever. But if you can see beyond that, you will find a very loving and cute as hell show.The actors are great, specially on the over-reacting scenes (that shit is funny as hell). But, at the end, I did relate in some part of the story since I’m a very shy person as well.
So please, if you want to take a rest of the schoolboy love or college love and have a nice, clean, but very lovely story, give your self a time to enjoy this!
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Title: *exist*. Everyone: INTERESTING
STORY (Cute and heart squeezing♡)The title itself represent the highlight, the charm of the story. Probably there are other manga or drama using this settings out here, BUT this drama able to present its cute and heartwarming stories beautifully.
With a surprisingly STRAIGHTFORWARD and REALISTIC mindset and action, despite the presence of magic.
The character development is presented in a well thought "stages", where u can see their thought process. So you don't get those "why suddenly he turned 180° after mustering up one thing" feeling from some other stories.
At first I'm afraid it will be a roundabout drama where i can predict what they will do, but sometimes they're able to caught me off guard ;p
BL (probably 13)
This is a soft, cute, wholesome bl. So don't expect that juicy sexy bl. A nice soft loaf of bread.
ACTORS (Nice choice!)
The actors suit the character (i must say, who ever choose them, have a great eyes).
The actors are able to resonate their "awkward", "cool but simp", "a cool yet a mess" and "free spirited" side of the character (wonder if u can guess who is what ;p).
You too will fall in love with the actors's smile ♡
MUSIC
They have a nice drama opening. The ost didn't make me distracted from the story. I didn't pay attention to the BGM that much, but that tells u that this drama is that interesting!
REWATCH?
Yes! I can see myself rewatching this drama in the future and recommending it to friends.
I'm not the kind of person who likes to rewatch drama. But this drama is too cute!
After u watched this drama, comeback here and tell me I'm right haha (jk, dont).
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This review may contain spoilers
WHOLESOME BL DRAMA EVER!!!
This BL drama first came up on my Youtube recommendation, and I was honestly watching the video half-heartedly, but the concept of this drama really got me hooked. As a person who loves to see at least one or two kiss scenes in a romance drama, I did not expect to fall in love with both the casts and the story!! (THERE WAS NO KISSING between the two at all) but I love how wholesome the couple interacts with each other. Which for me, that wholesomeness makes up for no kinship in this drama. This drama is also not toxic in any way (Idk how to explain it), no sexual orientation shaming or slandering from others when they found out about the couple. VERY FCKING CUTEWas this review helpful to you?
superb story content !
AT first actors are chosen superb . they suit to their role. their acting is great . in the first half of 1st episode the viewer gets the idea about what this drama is about and its revolves in the minds of audience. timing of twists are great its fun , sweet and romantic at the same time. the legend's part is awesome . how the fragile main character gets the power [you will surely understand when while watching the drama] and it hepls to continue the series , love story etc. the another main character is super good looking ,Was this review helpful to you?
So cheesy! Love it!
I love the characters. The story is good. It makes me smile and have fun to watch. I like the development of the characters. The connection between the couples is so lovable. It helps me to understand the feelings of being in love. Hope there will be another season for this. Great!I love the characters. The story is good. It makes me smile and have fun to watch. I like the development of the characters. The connection between the couples is so lovable. It helps me to understand the feelings of being in love. Hope there will be another season for this. Great!
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Perfection
If a series can make me believe the love between two people so much that I didn't even notice such a major detail of a relationship never once happened, before that lift (elevator) door closed at the last episode. This is too much emotions. Honestly need a season two with Wataya and Fujisaki being the focus.Story - This was magnificent. Very unique story based on a superstition, added so much depth to the developing story. Never has someone's thoughts been so moving, allowing us to realise and understand how much Kurosawa genuinely loved Adachi. The small details that were written into Kurosawa's reasons for liking Adachi was moving. The level of commitment to just being able to just be happy with nothing but Adachi smile. Their interactions and Adachi general behaviour had me in stiches most of the time. This was written so well to have the nervousness of a new and unfamiliar interaction come to life in these characters, they really captured an introvert trying to be normal and in love.
Fujisaki was also a refreshing site to see in a bl, where she actually gave up her love for someone else to be happy, one of the best friends anyone can have. She and Wataya were so perfect in that final scene.
Acting - This was phenomenal performance by the two main leads and their subsequent friends. I swear Adachi had me convinced that he is a 30 year old virgin. His awkward interactions, his nervous behaviour, his introverted dementor and the moments when he broke out of it to help his friends. Everything was perfect. Kurosawa literally made me wish he was a real person, every smile, every glance, every touch... Lived in his eyes, filled with his love and his pain.
A very small but important thing to note is the fact that they never came out in the office nor pretty much to their friends at work.
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