25 Ji, Akasaka de Season 2 (2025)

Post "happy ending": apprezzabile - in parte - ma non così necessario.

Nelle serie asiatiche i sequel sono cosa piuttosto rara e, in questo caso, giustificato solo in parte.
Nonostante la prima stagione si fosse conclusa con quello che poteva a tutti gli effetti essere considerato un degno epilogo, la nuova stagione punta i riflettori sulla vita di coppia di Shirasaki e Hayama.
Gradevole? Direi proprio di sì. Necessaria? Forse anche no.
Sicuramente si ha modo di apprezzare un maggior numero di interazioni tra i due, e di natura più intima. L'intesa in questo senso non manca. Vederli ritagliarsi piccoli momenti di vita quotidiana, vissuta in totale riservatezza, sicuramente appaga i fan della coppia.
La recitazione, rispetto alla prima stagione, ha fatto anche un evidente passo in avanti. La caratterizzazione dei personaggi resta fedele, con Hayama che esterna solo una minuscola parte dell'infinità di emozioni che lo pervadono e Shirasaki spesso alle prese con nuove e vecchie insicurezze.
A conti fatti, però, pur in una relazione diversa - prima non erano una coppia, ora sì - le tematiche sul piatto sono un po' sempre quelle: Hayama che va interpretato e Shirasaki alle prese col suo complesso di inferiorità nei confronti dell'altro.
Certo lo affrontano in modo diverso, senza i tanti fraintendimenti della prima stagione. Ma di nuovo, tutto sommato, non c'è altro.
Se da una parte l'ho guardata con piacere, dall'altra a visione conclusa ho avuto l'impressione di non aver aggiunto alcun tassello mancante. Spesso i drama trovano l'epilogo nella dichiarazione che da il via alla love story ufficiale, e puntualmente si spera sempre in qualche manciata di minuti in più in coda all'epilogo, qualche scena extra che mostri il post happy ending che tutti vorremmo vedere, ma quasi sempre ciò non accade, la serie finisce e il resto sta all'immaginazione dello spettatore.
Potrei perdere il conto dei drama per quali avrei voluto, non appena giunta alla fine, avere anche una seconda stagione. Nel concreto mi chiedo se, appagato il desiderio di seguire le dinamiche quotidiane - e finalmente felici - del pairing di turno, in mancanza di altri contenuti nuovi e originali ad arricchire la vicenda motivando un secondo sviluppo, mi riterrei soddisfatta o meno della visione. Su due piedi direi di sì, ma in realtà probabilmente no. Un po' come in questo caso: è stato bello rivederli e seguirli nelle dinamiche di coppia ma, a conti fatti, andava bene anche senza. Forse, a volte, l'idea del sequel ha più fascino se rimane nell'immaginazione individuale piuttosto che portata in scena nel concreto.

Per chi ha apprezzato la prima stagione resta comunque un sequel che non fa male guardare.

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Season 2 said I will do better and it did (for the most part)!

In times when season 2 usually ends up being a disappointment, this one was actually better than its predecessor. The story was stronger, the acting by both leads improved, and their communication and chemistry were far better. The only thing that disappointed me was Shirasaki 2.0. His problem wth an inferiority complex with Hayama was almost the same or a little better if I am being nice. And I might have been okay with it, but he sort of projected on Hayama and it entirely didn't sit right with me.

Season 2 starts with Hayama and Shirasaki in their dating era when they are not working on the same set together. The narrative explores the difficulty of being in a relationship under the constant pressure and scrutiny in the entertainment industry, issues of professional ambition, jealousy and personal insecurities that arise when private relationships intersect with public careers. And for the most part, it did manage to do it.

Starting with the characters, Asami Hayama is the kind of character who feels too much but only lets very little slip through. At first glance, he is a perfect example of calm and composed and someone who has life in control. But once you dare to look past that exterior, he is fighting his own demons. His internal conflicts shape him in meaningful ways, both good and bad. While I acknowledge that he withheld emotions to a fault, however, this also gives him a certain steadiness. He isn't impulsive with emotions.

Shirasaki had its moments, but overall it was a hit-and-miss for me. Starting with the positives, his acting journey was impressive. He is new to acting world and the way he adapted and was more open to feelings than career-hardened characters was nice. What I have complaints about from him is being Hayama's boyfriend and that inferiority complex from season 1. This whole 'I need to prove myself or qualify to stand beside someone who already treasured him without conditions' didn't work for me. This race in his mind made him look fragile and insecure and in all the wrong ways.
I supported his outburst but the way it was delivered nullified the impact and effect of it. The way he projected his insecurities and made it about him rather than considering or understanding Hayama's feelings rubbed me the wrong way. I guess they say it right, words matter but so does the tone.

Coming to the chemistry, it was way better than Season 1 and it shines brightly in some moments. There were fewer communication gaps and internal monologues. They had their sweet soft moments where all the colours shine, whether it is attraction, fear or longing. It might be more enjoyable for me due to them being an established couple this season. I would have liked more moments of them together, digging deeper into their relationship and themselves a bit more.

Acting-wise, both the leads were really good. Nihara Taisuke, as Shirasaki benefited the most with BL under the BL concept. Komagine Kiita was good too. I enjoyed the role of Kuroki Keita, played by Natsuki Omi. Shoma was better than the previous season but we have a long way to go for him.

Production and cinematography were beautiful and clean. I liked the set design and overall, it elevated the tone of the story. I loved the close-ups and directing sequences. Another plus point from a visual perspective was the shift from their in-drama characters to their “real-life” versions (still on screen, of course xD) was surprisingly smooth.

Overall, while it is not perfect with pacing a bit slow in the middle, it was definitely an enjoyable watch. Even though the leads fumble their way sometimes, their relationship feels grounded in real human flaws. I would recommend it if you liked season 1 because it was better than that in my books!

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