At 25:00, in Akasaka

When actors confuse their character's desire with their own

The meaning behind the title of J-BL At 25:00 in Akasaka remains obscure (to me, at least), but the series itself delivers solid, if unspectacular, BL entertainment. Among the recycled tropes deployed here are secret crush, fake relationship, failure to communicate, BL-within-the-BL, and flirtatious co-workers who create misunderstandings between the lead characters. While none of those concepts suggest originality, the mixing and matching of these shopworn tropes imbues the series with a degree of freshness sufficient to elevate the final product. Building the series more around character psychology than story action likely blunted the potential “seen this” reaction from viewers, who get caught up instead in understanding the lead characters. They are compelling enough to hold our attention. Akasaka also offers yet another iteration of the “wannabe actor/singer/idol breaking into show business” plot. This version of that overused trope arrives complete with a full-scale BL series in which our lead characters have been cast as the romantic leads. This BL-within-the-BL is used to great effectiveness because it is grounded in the realism of “show business as job” rather than the histrionics of “show business as glamor.” A sprightly start in the first several episodes and a finale that pays off viewers’ patience with sweet couple moments bookend several middle episodes that laboriously ponder along in circles. The series may not linger long in anyone’s memory, but its strengths surely warrant watching.

Shirasaki Yuki is an aspiring actor who lands his first major role in a forthcoming TV series adapting a BL manga. To his surprise, his co-star turns out to be onetime acquaintance Hayama Asami, now transitioning into acting after attaining fame and wealth as a model. Shirasaki begins the series intimidated to be paired opposite someone who has already achieved noteworthy professional success, albeit in a different field. Despite overlapping at the same university, with Shirasaki two years younger, the two are essentially strangers. Astute observers of Shirasaki's mannerisms will, as early as the premiere episode, suspect that that version of events may not be entirely true, but Shirasaki does not number among the astute. His lack of professional experience engenders such feelings of inadequacy that the character grapples with Imposter Syndrome for nearly the full ten episodes. He mopes his way through much of the series as he grapples with those feelings. (For someone who has supposedly just earned his big professional break, all this moping seems excessive.) Meanwhile, Hayama proves almost as depressive as he struggles to balance his prior romanticization of student-Shirasaki against the novice actor in front of him. When Shirasaki confesses that his own absence of any romantic history leaves him unsure how to approach the portrayal of his character, Hayama proposes the two spend quality time together in a “fake” relationship. This attempt to “get into character” lets the series depict Shirasaki and Hayama in numerous couple situations that will also come up in the rom-com story they are playing in. Later, Shirasaki will grapple with the confusion of whether a growing attachment to Hayama is real or is merely a reflection of his character’s attraction to Hayama’s character.

In place of a proper side couple, Akasaka has the two characters in the faux-BL, portrayed by Shirasaki and Hayama. These avatars of the “real” characters become a pseudo-side couple because many scenes for the drama-within-the-drama are staged for our benefit. We either witness the production on set or we join Shirasaki and Hayama as they watch their scenes back during the TV broadcast. As our leads struggle to articulate their connection to one another, the process of rehearsing and performing for the TV series sheds insight into their growing bond. Two fellow actors in the TV show also contribute to the character development. Sakuma Hajime is the most veteran actor in the troupe, and he offers insight into the craft of acting and the price of celebrity. He functions to make the main characters think even more about the way actors root performance in their own emotional intelligence. Joining the company of actors halfway through, Yamase Kazumo plays a love rival in the fake series. Ditto, for the real actors. Yamase’s flirtatious interactions with Shirasaki, both on- and off-camera, stir jealousy in Hayama. His behind-the-scenes attentiveness further discombobulates Shirasaki, who can scarcely process his burgeoning attraction to one co-star. The new character's casual, off-hand approach to sex contrasted sharply with Shirasaki and Hayama, each of whom seemed to overthink everything. The scenes featuring Yamase injected a jolt of energy into some of the series’ more languid episodes, rescuing many scenes from lapsing into the somnolent. The presence of Yamase provides another example of the series using the fictious TV production to both mirror the main story and to amplify its emotional beats.

At 25:00 in Akasaka does far more character building than the typical BL series. While this approach also accounts for the slow-burn to the Shirasaki-Hayama pairing, viewers who enjoy a studied character psychology in their dramas will appreciate the result. Likewise, the worldbuilding is fully realized, with the show-within-the-show attaining a more prominent function within the plot than any other such series since Lovely Writer. Where that series played with the connection between an author’s emotional state and the worlds he creates on paper, this series plays with the connection of actors creating their performance. Both stories succeed in creating a meta-narrative that not all shows-within-a-show manage to pull off. Ultimately, the series is too slow-slow burn for greatness. It wears its thoughtfulness like a burden. The middle episodes, in particular, prove circular and slow. Akasaka narrowly falls short of this genre's elite series; yet, it surely numbers among the many, many BL series that deliver solid entertainment and the satisfaction we BL fans all feel when two young men—finally!—recognizing they like one another.

Note: each episode includes a brief tag following the credits and “scenes from the next episode.” Some merely replay a significant moment from earlier, while a handful offer a new interpretation of that prior scene. The scene chosen for the finale episode proved an especially well-chosen final view of our lead characters.

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Such a refreshing story

I loved it!

I loved the trope already with BL drama no Shuen ni narimashita, but I was left disapointed from the lack of proximity between the mains.
This drama goes exactly like I would have imagined the trope to carry on, but still in some surprising ways that got me hooked each episode. The slow burn was on point, the ending was so satisfying and their proximity at the end was awesome.

Here are a few things I specifically liked:
-The romance (obviously lol): I often find JBLs annoying for dragging us through never ending conversations rather than actual actions, and a lot of time they promise each other the moon before even having their first kiss which feels very childish. Here, the romance feels much more real. They cannot tell each other feeling's but they constantly make moves on each other, and they just go with the flow rather than making long confessions with tones of promises.
-Hayama. Although I would have liked to see the more sensible or goofy side of him, I found his quietness endearing. I wouldn't be able to tell why him specifically, when I usually dislike characters that act like Christian Gray (like takashi in Love is better the second time around), but there is something in his character that just makes me want to hug him.
-The music was super nice and recognisable, which is not very common in JBLs.

Here are some stuff I didn't like:
-Shirazaki: Nothing wrong with his character, although he was pretty cliché, but something about his posture and expressions bothered me and made some scenes awkward.
-Sakuma was a pretty nice character and I wish we'd see more of him. Maybe in season 2? if there will be any.
-Sooo many clichés and other stuff we've seen a hundred times in Japanese romance. The main's insecurity, the lack of communication, the hug before the kiss, the top being in love first, the super stiff first kiss, etc... But I guess it's ok because contributes to making it a comfort show.

Overall, I loved this show and I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy it too!

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A Slow Start With A Satisfyingly Conclusion

I liked this show a lot more than I had thought I would, while watching the first 5 episodes. The second half was worlds apart, and even if it hadn't been, that last episode was totally worth the time spent on this show.

Shirasaki is an awkward character-- while Hayame comes off as cold and detached. Their relationship begins to shine when the story breaks down Hayame's persona, and we're left with the raw attraction between the two.

In true Japanese fashion, this is a slow paced romance, with two characters who refuse to communicate, and instead choose to hide their needs and emotions. It's not until they find themselves at the verge of loosing everything that they're no longer willing to let the other go.

TLDR : #Slow start #Watch it for Ep10!!! #The Chemistry!!!

Watch if you enjoyed : Taikan Yoho, Perfect Propose

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Good chemistry, cute couple but slower pace in the second half

“25 Ji, Akasaka de” is a 10-episode drama that I think could have been shorter. The first half of the drama is fun. It was great watching two people who are clearly attracted to each other play fake boyfriend/boyfriend. The chemistry is great and their scenes together are sweet and cute. However, in the second half, the pace slows down, especially when the misunderstanding happens. Not a whole lot happened.

The acting is pretty good and not overly dramatic. Komagine Kiita is attractive enough for me to believe that Hayama Asami is a very popular idol. Initially, I thought Shirasaki Yuki is just another passive and shy male lead (similar to Adachi in “Cherry Magic” or Hira in “Utsukushii Kare”). I am pleasantly surprised that though shy, Shiaraski does speak up and take initiative to pursue what he wants. He’s not as passive as I feared. The earlier kisses were meh but the last ones are a little better and their intimate scene was sexy and sensual.

I enjoyed the ending. The scene of Hayama Asami chasing after Shiaraski Yuki, worrying he did something wrong after their night together, was sweet and satisfying. I finally see some emotions from him, and he’s not holding back in expressing his feelings. Finally!! It did take 10 episodes for that to happen.

This is a sweet, nice watch, especially if you like faking relationships (though this one is not that fake) and the guessing-if-he-likes-me trope.

Completed: 6/22/2024 - Review #453

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I regret not watching this sooner

I didn't watch this for a long time cz the seme had blond hair. I expected it to be like a perv x innocent troupe. Finally gave it a chance to see if i liked it. IT WAS SOO DAMN GOOD. Loved every bit of it.

I even read a bit of the manga and i think this is one of the dramas where i like the drama more than the manga. I liked that they changed them being FWB to fake boyfriends instead. Also i liked that they turned this into sweet pure one sided love to fake relationship to real relationship.

One thing i didn’t like was that in the drama yuki's acting is too dependent on Asami while in the manga yuki is naturally talented and they get into that relationship cz he was not sure if he was gay and he felt he lacked experience in romance. He couldn't do it with a girl so he goes to the gay bar but here they changed that a bit.

But overall i loved everything else they changed in the drama especially how asami treasured yuki.. in the manga well.... he did treasure him but it didn't make my heart flutter much. Like here he's a green forest but in the manga he's a green flag.

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Know what kind of BLs you like

I can only say this series confirms for me that I am indeed a part of the Japanese BL target market - I am one of those audience members who really enjoys the slow-pace and the sensitive unfolding of a tender romance. This is one such drama, heartfelt and rewarding, with two well-cast leads, far from the clamour of the need for speed and thrills and urgency.

From my experience to date, the Japanese writers, directors and actors, do this kind of series very well.

I don't know the actors from previous shows, but it's interesting to note that, like their characters, they differ quite significantly in terms of their Main Role experience.

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A Familiar Yet Engaging Tale

While the series boasts strong performances, its familiar plot and drawn-out melodrama hinder its potential. The series follows the well-trodden path of a blossoming romance between co-stars, with Shirasaki's character development taking center stage. Taisuke delivers a commendable performance as the overwhelmed actor, effectively conveying Shirasaki's internal struggles. However, the series leans heavily on misunderstandings and jealousy, stretching the narrative beyond its natural conclusion.

The comparison to 'Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita: Crank Up Hen' is apt, as both series explore the dynamics of on-screen and off-screen relationships. While the former embraced a lighter tone, '25 Ji, Akasaka De' opts for a more serious approach. The actors' chemistry is undeniable, but the script fails to capitalize on their potential. While the plot adheres to well-established BL tropes, the series shines in its portrayal of the characters' emotional journeys. Shirasaki's internal struggles and Hayama's supportive role create a relatable dynamic. The actors deliver commendable performances, bringing depth to their characters. However, the series suffers from pacing issues. The constant misunderstandings and separations become predictable, hindering the overall narrative flow.

In conclusion, this series is worth binge watching thanks to the splendid work of the actors but it falls short of delivering a truly memorable experience

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Might be better for viewers during a second watch

tl;dr: A simple story told in very subtle ways, with excellent acting and interesting camera work.

The first episodes make this series seem like a more depressing version of "BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita" but it is not -- the dynamics and the background stories are very much different.

It's a slow-burn romance and does have the often used tropes of non-communication, self-deprecation and mutual pining -- so if you're not a fan of these tropes, you might want to give this one a miss.

The narrative choice to tell only Shirasaki's point of view first and to show Hayami's story then only later, in episodes 7 and 8, is something we've seen in other J-BLs (Mr. Unlucky, Senpai This Can't Be Love or the newer Living with him come to mind). Usually, it works fine. In this case though, I think it was not a good choice.
When we meet Shirasaki first, he is at his lowest, full of self-deprecation -- he is not at all a reliable narrator. Hayami, on the other hand, is quite unreadable -- not because the actor is bad at his job but because this is part of the character (Hayami's friend tells him exactly that in episode 7). So, for the first six episodes, we only get one (skewed) side of the story.
Because of real life issues, I had to take a break in episode 8 -- and after that I restarted the whole series. With the knowledge of Hayami's backstory, I was able to see things differently -- and what seemed depressing and a bit flat the first time, was actually just very subtle acting by both main actors.

Regarding the acting, the main actors are, in my opinion, excellent. Minuscule movements and facial expressions show the inner life if a viewer cares to look closely. Quite a few scenes have been taken in one single shot -- which shows the how good the actors really are.

Speaking of shooting the drama: I was intrigued by some camera angles -- we look through windows and through cameras, sometimes we are in vey tight spaces, feelinga bit claustrophobic -- and then some sces are wide-angle shots, and everything is only seen from a distance. Use of hand-held cameras in some scenes show the instability of the actor's emotions. Even just finding out how these choices relate to the character's emotions would make a rewatch interesting.

While I don't like the opening song, I do love the background music -- the piece itself was lovely, melancholic but strangely uplifting at the same time. Silence also played a big part in enhancing the scenes.

Overall, I think this series is not one to watch and forget immediately, rather it is to be savoured, and deserves a close look at its details.

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