I ENJOYED IT A LOT!
I've seen a lot of reviews saying how the relationship is toxic. But, whethere BL or not, most dramas are done that way as it depicts reality.It doesn't mean I support toxic behavior at all. It just mean it's reflecting the imperfect reality of the world.
I dropped this drama the 1st time round too, because I can't stand how there's bullying involved
But, I'm glad I gave it a 2nd try, because...the story actually developed pretty fast. So, we are able to see the progress and see how things are getting better, even though it isn't perfect
What I wanna say is not to judge a relationship too early. It might started toxic, but the more important part is whether it stays this way, which I honestly won't know till I watch S2 and more
But again, I don't really see people commenting toxic relationship in non-BL show. Somehow, this has been a trend in BL community.
If you're uncomfortable, drop the show, but I feel there is no need to backlash it so much, especially if you didn't finish watching it
Don't we watch BL to enjoy anyway? That's why I give my rating not necessarily on any critical factors than the fact that I enjoyed it. Because, I don't care how "pefect" s a show is, it's pointless if I don't enjoy it
Verdict of this BL?
I really enjoyed it. I love the ending a lot.
The chemistry, the sexual tension building up is so well-done.
I wish they have more hot scenes coz I can imagine how hot it'd be, given the passion!
And I'm glad that they FINALLY communicate (what's new lol)
Was this review helpful to you?
It's amazing, I definitely reccomend
I love the stuff they portrayed, it makes it feel so realistic. I love how koyoi being confused and panicing in high school was shown perfectly, how it shows him realizing how it was later and a lot of daily problems that seem okay on paper (like changing your number) but in reality it's not okay at all if you don't think of the other party (partner, friend, family etc).btw AMAZING acting. you could see their personalities and how some problems came through from every scene. as if they literally became the character.
things I disliked:
- the camera was a but shaky at times
- koyoi kicking hitos leg when he got mad (I know it was very light and it shows some character in him on why he keeps doing it, it was just a but excessive. they could've at least make him change after high school)
- the way that college classmate was introduced, it made me very frustrated
-lack of boundaries on hitos part
most of my critique was just the character, so don't let ur demotivate you to watch it
Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful men and a beautiful story
I LOVED this story so much! The chemistry between the actors is really good. I think they did really well with autism as well as being with someone who has autism. Kiyoi had me so smitten throughout this series. I loved seeing the relationship between him and Hira grow throughout the show. The spice is pretty good too!Was this review helpful to you?
This has to be my favorite BL!
Its such a close, almost tie between My Beautiful Man & Minato's Laundromat because they're so close to my heart, but I think this one takes the #1 spot.I binge watched this show. Then S2 came out and I binge watched S1 & S2. Now the movie is out and I'm binge watching all 3. This is such a comfort show for me. I have no idea what they laced this show with, but it's AMAZING!
They pack so much into 20 minutes I'm convinced the time stamp is lying to me. I've never experienced such a successful story telling. Bravo to everyone involved in this show. It's truly one of a kind!
Was this review helpful to you?
What I loved most about this series is how the characters are unapologetically imperfect and they own it. That’s exactly what made me fall for them. It’s not some sugar-coated story; quite the opposite. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply fascinating. Riku Hagiwara (Hira) and Yagi Yusei (Kiyoi) brought these layered, complex characters to life so beautifully. Their expressions say so much, especially Kiyoi. He communicates so much through just his eyes. A lot of the story is about what’s left unsaid. Definitely adding this one to my list of all-time favorites.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Controversial for some, but Not for MEEEEE!!!!
Listen, before you go any further... I will not discredit and say that the issues of this BL aren't real. They are. I am not romanticizing it nor do I condone it. However, I am someone who can separate reality and fiction, which it hard for many in this niche. That said, if you do suffer/had issues with bullying/toxic relationships, please look elsewhere.Yes, the story is about another introverted high school and the so-called cool guy that sucks at school. But, that's where it gets you; that's the surface. You watch a bit more and you realize that Hira (the introvert) has had problems integrating himself with society. Not so much an introvert, but embarrassingly awkward (the first 10 minutes make that known). He is often creepy, desperate, and devastatingly lonely. You feel for him, but it is hard to watch him in situations. He doesn't fit back. Kiyoi is the "badster" of the class, who is often thought of the rebel who acts like a king at his school. Deep down, he has frivolous and laughable dreams and he knows that they don't mend with his persona. So he hides them deep enough to avoid possible ridicule. When these two meet, the impact is undeniable. It's a blue flame that doesn't look dangerous, but deep down, you know its going to burn.
Hira's deep obsession with Kiyoi is creepy and unhealthy. He's the embodiment of people's obsession with what they can't have but continue to get as close to it as they want. When they have a taste of that forbidden fruit, that introverted persona melts away and the true obsessive self surfaces. He endures humiliation, and physical/emotional/mental hits, he lets his desires consume him (sucking the blood off a cut and them going sexually feral?), and allows himself to be little. He never sees himself as an equal; he is always below. He is happy like some puppy in some domination kink. Is it dangerous? Incredibly. But, he just doesn't stop.
Kiyoi's fluctuating emotions lead him to be aggressive, polite, loving, and protective. He allows Kiyoi to act the way he does as it allows him to feel like he is actually worth something. He knows, deep down, that his dreams require him to be confident in himself and his dreams. Acting and dancing are often seen as dreams of those who are loud and vocal, something which is his not. He hides his dancing and threatens Hira is he tells others. He smashes things out of anger, insinuates problems to gather attention, and make things about himself. Hira knows and continues to play the fool. He will do anything for his king.
What I really love about this story is that it is dreamy but in the wrong sense. The introverted character is always seen as relatable but here, many would be embarrassed to say they see themselves in Hira. Some of you exist but know that saying it out loud sounds...weird. And I think that's what this story does: expose an inner truth to some that many are embarrassed to admit. Many grow up being shy and lacking connections that we often latch to the thing we most desire. While the ending is sweet, one can't help but wonder why we don't choose what is right and honest. Hira had that opportunity, but choose what hurt him.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I always come back
The 1st time I watched this was in April 2023, now in Oct 2025, I cannot count how many times I've rewatched this - which is a big deal in my world since I don't reread books and neither do I rewatch showsWhat I love about this show (plus the 2nd season and the movie) is the complexity of the characters. What at 1st looks like a toxic bully romance, overtime (basically after ep 3) reveals itself to be more complex than that. It is a story about 2 layered characters. Both of them feel like they don't quite belong in their respective worlds and somehow fit in each others'.
Hira has been bullied for most of his life because of his stuttering. He also doesn't like or find anything beautiful, and also feels like he doesn't belong in the world, so he withdraws from it, hiding behind his camera. Till Kyoi casually strolls into his life and upends it. Makes him find the one beautiful thing in this life and want to be more than he's ever been. He doesn't know what do to with all that other than the fact that he wants to be near Kyoi, but also that being near Kyoi and trying to reach him hurts.
Kyoi, on the other hand, comes off as cold and dismissive, but that's because he felt rejected by his immediate family. Even the people/friends who flock to him always want to use him. He is beautiful, and people are drawn to beautiful things. That's until he meets Hira, and for once, he finds someone who seems to see him. He looks at him with this revelence he's never experienced before and somehow just wants him for him, and our Kyoi -who's always wanted that thus why he wanted to be a celebrity- has no idea what to do/make of that.
Now take these two characters, throw in a whole lot of ego, emotional immaturity, miscommunication, and time and you get this incredible story that draws you in - just like how they are drwan to each other depsite their best efforts. The pacing and acting are also top-notch, which is why I always and will always come back
Was this review helpful to you?
One of my favorite BL's
Watched so many times. A beautiful, quiet, slow story with lovely scenery and visual symbolism. I continue to notice new things each time I watch. I love the representation of their relationship through color and height difference [from kneeling and idolization to facing each other and being equal partners]. I appreciate that the main focus of the show is on our two main characters. There's no side plots, no second leads or other couples.Was this review helpful to you?
unpleasant watch in all the wrong ways
i see the appeal. trust me, i'm all for flawed characters and realistic relationships, but we need to draw a line between realistic, flawed relationships and abuse. the way kiyoi treated hira isn't excused by the fact that he "liked" him. this show was an agony to sit through. i kept wishing that they just went seperate ways and maybe sought professional help, but that would probably be too much to ask of the show. i would've accepted it if they both made efforts to grow as people and be better. but by the end of it, kiyoi was still an abuser, and hira was still a weirdo.i'm not gonna be watching s2. i didn't like this. it's okay if you did, and i'm not criticizing you for liking it. i'm only stating my own reasons for disliking it.
👍
Was this review helpful to you?
In all honesty
It’s unfortunate how not everyone gets to understand the beauty of this series. In all honesty I could write essays about Hira’s love language and his relationship with Kiyoi !!!You have to watch with an open mind and without being judgmental and you’ll enjoy it. Their whole romance is complex, imperfect and unusual but that’s what makes it so beautiful.
Riku and Yusei did an amazing job with the roles and their chemistry is endearing. This saga it’s definitely one of my top 3 and will always be.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best casual BL I've seen so far
This show is not perfect. It's not a masterpiece. But it's still extremely good for a BL.The casting is GODLY, the "beautiful man" in question is extremely beautiful for real and plays it great, and the other male lead handles the stuttering character really well. The acting may feel off from time to time, but it was still good enough for me to think the actors have had BL roles before.
The soundtrack - don't even get me started. The instrumentals fit the mood so naturally. And the ED completely conveys the character's (Kiyoi's) feelings (if you know Japanese or happen to be curious enough to look for a translation).
Story-wise, it's not that complex or deep, but it's an interesting story, exciting and enticing, making you want more. Important point though, since the plot seems to be inspired by some of the classic BL and shojo-maga tropes, the relationship may seem quite toxic to the Westerners, so if you're overly sensitive about that kind of stuff it might not be a good choice for you. Still, the toxicity has some ground for it and understanding the toxic character was not too hard.
As for the pace of the plot, it was a tiny bit too fast for me, but on the other hand we can witness decent character development thanks to that. Still, depending on the translation you might find yourself lost in the events of the show so maybe pay extra attention to what the characters are saying because sometimes just one phrase completes a whole story arc. Thanks to this pacing, it's quite easy to rewatch it once or twice to fill in some of your personal plot holes.
Overall, a REALLY good show with high rewatch rate. Absolutely recommend unless you're allergic to toxic starts.
Was this review helpful to you?
INCRÍVEL!
Eu só comecei a assistir por conta do tédio e por não ter mais nada pra ver, e confesso que nos primeiros episódios a atuação deles (principalmente do yusei yagi) não me prendeu muito, mas conforme os eps foram passando e depois que eu compreendi a história por trás de tudo eu achei simplesmente uma das melhores obras bls japonesas que eu já vi, a história é cativante e a 2ª temporada é melhor ainda. EU AMEI! Com certeza teve muito choro em muitos episódios e também muito plot twist, simplesmente incrível. A forma em como eles mostram o lado dos dois personagens é cativante.Was this review helpful to you?
