I liked it so much better than some of the more well-known Japanese BLs
Old Fashion Cupcake lays bare the fear of growing old(er) and not having any remarkable achievements to speak of. Almost inevitably, a reluctance to try new things often set in as we get older.OFC is here to show us that the meaning to life is not some complex formula, derived from days of broody deliberation. It’s the everyday joys that bring colour to our existences. And a partner to do it with.
There’s nothing much to the plot – just 2 guys meeting up to eat desserts and take cute photos as they pretend to ‘act’ like young girls (who seem to have the most fun, apparently). This exercise supposedly reverses the effects of ageing (read: becoming old, stiff and dull) …. Until they come to the realisation that you “don’t need to be young, or a girl to have fun”.
OFC is slice-of-life, often featuring extended conversations between Nozue and Togawa taking place within a single location. Their conversations are deep enough to stir profound emotions, but are never overly pretentious.
There’s only 5 episodes but it’s plenty of time for Nozue and Togawa’s relationship to develop and blossom. The process of them falling in love is wonderfully relatable – no overly dramatic moments, just 2 people finding plenty of excuses to spend time together.
Overall, watching this put such a huge smile on my face and it was such a pleasant surprise to have discovered this show!
Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/07/05/old-fashion-cupcake-2022-review/
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More Please
I've said this before but I love Japanese Dramas. There is just something about them and this show was no exception.My only complaint with this series is that it was only 5 episodes. Not that it needed to be longer I just wanted it to be longer!
This is a sweet, simple, fulfilling, and heart warming show. It actually was able to tell the story it wanted without being rushed or feel like you were missing something.
I loved this show and it is definately on my feel good re-watch list!
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This review may contain spoilers
Having an age Gap or a minority is the same as having different hometowns... It's nothing.
Togawa's determination to pull Nozue out of his daily boring routine is beginning to turn to love. Nozue is confused over his feelings for him. Togawa doesn't even realize what he's doing but wishes Nozue well. The love between the two is thickening and there's no denying of their chemistry. I love episode 4 the best as Togawa pours out his heart in a rare show of emotion. The reason I like Old Fashion Cupcake is it simplicity and the fact that there's strong love between Togawa and Nozue.Here's a show that you won't forget you won't find boring you will always rewatch you will find realistic and you will love 💕 with your soul body and mind! Here's the story of 29 years Togawa and 39 years old Nozue the age Gap doesn't matter!Was this review helpful to you?
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Very sweet, slow-burn (even though only 5 episodes)
Almost perfect!The acting was awesome, very natural. Both actors were nuanced in facial expressions, tone of voice, and body posture. It was a joy watching them interact as their characters.
The show had a positive message and multiple thoughtful and memorable quotes.
There were a few comedic moments that made me legitimately laugh out loud.
Music was unremarkable, but didn't distract either.
The story felt a lot more rushed in the last episode than it had in the previous four episodes. For this reason, I wish they had made it six episodes. The ending wasn't completely satisfying because of this, in my opinion, and brought my rating down. I think it still has high rewatch value though.
SPOILER ABOUT ENDING:
... ... ...
After all the tension and build-up, having their first *mutual* kiss at the end interrupted left me feeling frustrated and disappointed, lol. I wanted that sweet resolution to go with the relief and happiness.
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Not Just Sweet This Series Is Soul-Soothing
Let me start with this line from one of their scenes because it really hit me in the feels:Nozue: "With you, I want to experience the things you haven't yet. And me too — the good and the bad. I'm confident I can be part of your life. I like you." 🥰
Honestly, that has to be one of the sweetest, most genuine, and purest confessions I’ve ever heard in BL history.
Old Fashion Cupcake is such a simple, sweet, yet mature story about a boss and his employee slowly falling for each other. Nozue, 39, is a single workaholic whose life just revolves around work, home, sleep, and repeat — no time for love. It’s something a lot of Japanese people (and even us!) can relate to these days.
Togawa definitely liked Nozue first, and the fact that he gets jealous because girls like Nozue? Too cute. When he hugged him, I was honestly giggling like crazy! Even though they’re both older, it never felt awkward. In fact, Togawa is such a green flag — always looking out for Nozue and staying by his side.
There’s not a lot of skinship in this series, but the chemistry between them? Chef’s kiss. That’s what I always look for in a BL — not the NC, but the emotional connection. I usually avoid office romance because they can feel cliché or boring, but this one's an exception (along with Cherry Magic, of course!).
Even though the series is short, it never felt rushed or dragged. It wrapped everything up so well. I also love how it touched on the idea that even when you’re older, you can still find joy, love, and new experiences, that age shouldn’t hold you back. And most of all, to be kind to yourself.
Both leads totally nailed their roles and the OST is definitely wonderful. Old Fashion Cupcake might have a simple plot, but it carries a deep, meaningful message. It’s one of those BLs that quietly stays in your heart. 🧁💙
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FANTASTIC WRITING AND ACTING!!!
I usually only ever write reviews either when something is extremely horrible that I want to warn people never to watch it, or when something feels so underrated that I want to give it more recognition, and this BL is exactly that, underrated ( I even created this account just to write this ). The themes this BL goes through is extremely relatable to me and a lot of others. Im still 17 but with each growing number I relate to the feeling of not having done anything meaningful in life. The themes with wanting to stray away from the daily routine but also being afraid by it is something I really appreciate that this BL portrays so well. Sometimes I get anxiety attacks and stressed out since I keep thinking about how boring and monotone my life might be. But this series shows me that sometimes it takes just one small thing like eating something new or getting a smoothie you've never drank before to make life more interesting. Moving to the actual acting and writing, I don't usually watch live action BL series because from the stuff I've watched, the actors and scenes feel forced and I get turned off by it. But with this series, the actors really feel like they've been friends for years and did a great job making the characters come to life. The scripting is also really well done. Everything flowed together and each dialogue felt like something that would happen in real life. Nothing felt out of place and the timing/delivery feels organic from both actors. Both of their interactions with one another felt very fluffy and cute without being OVERDRAMATIC cute, where overdramatic cute feels forced and uncomfortable to watch. Basically what Im trying to say is that their relationship doesn't feel forced. Overall I really love this series and It saddened me to hear it only has 5 episodes. Series like these are a rare find, I would even say this is the first BL live action series that producers got right. Im looking forward to the rest! Ill give this a 10/10 and would 100% recommend this to any BL lover <333333Edited on: July 6, 2022 (EP 5/5)
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Perfect Perfect and Perfect
This series got me screaming like a 12 year old girl and I am neither a girl nor 12. I feel robbed, betrayed and sad that this wonderful series have only 5 episodes. I NEED MORE. I NEED MORE of Nozue and Tagawa. They are so flipping cute. Like omg I can't believe people in their 30s can be this cute. If you liked Cherry Magic then you would liked this even 10 times more. This actually surpassed cherry magic and its no.1 bl in terms of Jp bl. Which i though was not possible but this series surpassed all expectations and climbed even higher. Being shy and hiding your feelings? none of that here, dragging things till the last episode? no sir, cringy acting? fuck no. The acting,ost and story was overall 10/10 for me. The flirting, the tension and kiss was all so *chef kiss*. If you don't give this a watch, you are messing out something great.Was this review helpful to you?
Love and joy in all their forms, told through the medium of Good Food
This show may have permanently rewired my brain and I don't regret a thing. This show Gets Me. It gets what it means to be human, what it means to love and let yourself be loved, what it means to reach for the joy and wonder that can be found in every day life, what it means to yearn for something. It explores what it means to desire; desire a feeling, desire food, desire change, desire a person. I could (and have, shoutout to my friends and my sincere apologies) spend hours ranting about the beautiful and complex use this show makes of food as symbolism, but I won't subject you to that.Instead I will tell you this:
If you have ever known or wanted to know what it's like to outgrow and shed the shell you've been confined to all your life, to let go of "would have"s and "should be"s and grab for happiness with both hands, then this show is for you.
It is beautiful, it is intense, it is unafraid, it is pure joy.
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SO FLUFFY CUTE AND CONCISE
July 7, 2022Waw another Jdrama checked off my ever-growing list. Needless to say, I finished this drama in just one sitting since I waited for it to finish airing before starting... 😈
Let's get on to it:
- the chemistry between the leads is top tier, I really like the younger guy holy shit. His sex appeal and charisma are just chef's kiss. And yes, you are very seductive mah booi.
- I feel like the relationship and the progress into getting to it were not perfect and smooth. There were some sluggish parts and some miscommunication? Well, to be honest, I am not sure if it is miscommunication, it is more like the lack of wanting to communicate and staying silent was the problem? Anyway, that was something that was dealt with quickly so I don't think it will be much of a bother towards the other audience
- plot-wise, I think it is pretty adequate in the sense that there was no boring part. Just to clarify since I said sluggish in the previous bullet point. I mean like there was sluggishness in the progress of getting into their relationship. But like the episodes were not sluggish... It's a little confusing to explain but I think once you watch the series you might get this point.
- this show gave me so many butterflies and like those little gestures and glances... ackdkjdkfjkdj
- I need to sue the directors for making this drama too short like I am actually gonna cry. I NEED MORE, LIKE PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY I WANT MORE
Also, I actually wanna emphasize how most J-dramas or maybe it's just the J-dramas I came across recently are based in younger adults or middle age settings. I actually love this direction, as much as I am a sucker for the high school or college/uni series. I am lividly looking forward to these types of dramas, maybe I am just getting exhausted with eating up all the uni dramas... or maybe it is because I am aging... maybe I should do that "anti-aging process"... but I need to find a guy who wants to that with me first... uh... oh well... 😭
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Age gaps and power imbalances done right
Loved it. Exactly what I wanted from this drama: sweet, soft and shot. sometimes dragging angst or arcs out for the sake of reaching X number of episodes just isn't worth it.A fear I had going in, was that the age gap and power dynamic would be overbearing and badly represented, thus showcasing a rather toxic relationship. I was happily proven wrong: by them hanging out after working hours, and having sincere talks about age, growing up and fears, a bond strong enough is created. Their interactions feel natural and yet intimate. Ultimately, the destruction of their last remaining power imbalance is destroyed when Nozue leaves, and thus also culminates his development as a character.The age talk is still prevalent but it is not seen as a handicap.
Masterfully done.
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Nozue and Togawa - My Favorite Treats
I loved, loved this series. The premise of acting like a young woman was a little odd to me at first, but as I kept reading the manga, I went with the real premise, that in Japan, there are certain venues that target younger women. I felt that this series conveyed this cultural slice of life very well. Seeing these two men, seating amongst all these younger women, shows that neither age nor gender should be so strictly stratified when it comes to enjoying a place to eat with your loved one.Takeda did a great of job of showing Nozue's insecurities about growing older, after living a life of playing it safe. Although he has the aptitude for a higher managerial role, he choses to stay where he is comfortable. Through his relationship with Togawa, he is able to break out of his comfort zone, and take a risk in more ways than one.
Kimura is very easy on the eyes and the way plays Togawa is a combination of very masculine, and very caring. Togawa courts Nozue with patience, and admiration, which was very cute. It's obvious to everyone, except Nozue, that Togawa has feelings for him, I cried along with Togawa during his confession scene, and also with Nozue when he finally accepts and reciprocates.
It was so heartwarming to see Togawa and Nozue continue to patronize the types of places they went during their courtship. I would definitely go with them and be the 3rd wheel. They make such a lovely pair that I would watch a show about them when they are in their 80's.
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There is nothing better than love to make you feel young again
It really was a joy to watch this series! I think it was very realistically done too. I think we all at some point in our lives reach the stage where we feel lost. We either don’t know how to continue, if we are on the right path, or we might feel like we are too old to do something new, something exciting. Having someone there to help you through that is great, so seeing how Togawa helped Nozue through his crisis was really sweet to watch.Nozue & Togawa: Nozue is 10 years older and seems to be stuck in a cycle of sleeping and working with nothing much else happening. Togawa is younger, but he also has a much better work life balance. Which he learned from Nozue who offered him many good advice in the past. I really liked how much influence Nozue actually had on Togawa as a mentor and a boss. That truly showed what a good person he is and just how much he cares for others. But it also showed that Togawa had very good opinion about him from early on. The two really are a good fit for one another. Togawa is mature, so it doesn’t seem like Nozue is actually that much older than him. And he is also very good at making Nozue relax and feel younger, not so stuck in his life. After all, there is nothing that makes a person feel younger than love. Plus, their chemistry was good too. Their reactions to different situations seemed very realistic which made the whole thing even more enjoyable for me.
There was no unecessary drama, which I liked. The two are adults, so I was glad we avoided all the drama that we often get.
I absolutely loved their little food dates. I know how hard it can be to go try something new on your own, how nerve wracking it can be if you don’t know how or what to order. So having someone else there, even if they don’t know what they are doing, is a lot of fun.
All in all, I really enjoyed the series. The side characters were really fun as well. The other office workers that worked under Nozue were fun, I really liked Nakamura. And then Kirishima as both friend and possibly HR person really had a great relationship with Nozue.
It was a bit short; I would love to see more. The end scene jump was a bit rushed, but it didn’t really bother me too much.
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