Punks Triangle (2025)

kawaaiiiiiiii....

As expected from a JBL, it was a top notch production. The details they went into creating the costumes from the manga was astonishing. And of course the cuteness-factor was over 10. 🤣

They showed us two persons with each two personalitites. Extrovert AE turns into introvert Enaga because he want's to learn at a fashion school. He is a top model but he has to hide his normal appearance otherwise it would create trouble for him and the school. Chiaki is an introvert and shy whenever he is is not at home, but he turns into an extroverted energetic designer after he opens up to Enaga who he has to partnered with for a fashion competition.

Chiaki turned to fashion after he had seen AE on a runway and he also turned to fashion to give him courage to be the person he wants to be. Both character struggle in their own way. But Chiaki struggles more when he develops feelings for Enaga still not knowing that this is his idol/bias AE. But as it is also in real life, the truth will come out.

Both actors portrayed their characters to perfection imho. Everything was done just right. The only thing not as perfect was maybe the kiss - but I can forgive that, because at least it was not a deadfish kiss . 🤣 For me it's a show to recommand and for most it will be a light breeze in the autumn when there is some cold but also a lot of sun and it will make you smile most of the time.

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A Belief in Safety Pins--To Mend

--Only lightly spoilery--

There's a certain *vibe* to Punks Triangle that makes it such a triumph. It's casual yet intimate.

Smoky nightlife filled with private chats with someone you admire but could never imagine having.

With damn fantastic cinematography and costuming, crazy chemistry and acting, it's a thrilling watch.

But the biggest draw and reason for its success (to me, at least): AE/Enaga.

Never have I truly bought a disguise/second identity before!

It wasn't the appearance so much that sold it. A large hat, wig, and baggy clothes can only do so much.

It was the thorough shift in attitude. Who could put together that their awe-inspiring model with a deadly walk and siren eyes, who knows what he's doing, is also the timid, slouching figure with a slow stride and clumsy hands sitting next to them in class?

And the crazy contrast between the identities of AE and Enaga led to many deeper conflicts and realizations within our leads. AE is as much Enaga as he is AE. As Enaga, he is out of his element away from the runway. He's earnest about making clothes but unconfident and inexperienced. But being AE, he has a spotlight on him wherever he goes. He can't get past the idolization to find something real. And he's afraid of disappointing the person he cares about. Becoming Enaga, he is allowed to be an approachable man. But while he's glad to have met someone who likes the other parts of him he shows in his other identity, he also finds himself jealous of Chiaki's fondness for him as Enaga, his softer side. "Do you like that version of me better?"

Becoming someone else to express other parts of you can be freeing as much as it is a burden. Or it can start as a way to hide; avoid unwanted attention, and then become a prison of your own making later on: I.E., how AE started experimenting with his style in school as a way to avoid being approached, and now all eyes are on him as a model.

I appreciated the conclusion having a subtle merging of AE and Enaga, leading to a flirty yet endearing wrap-up between our leads and an essential realization for Chiaki necessary for them to move forward: "My bias is just a person, after all."

My only real complaint about this drama is that deep down, I wanted an explosion of some kind in the finale! Something to send off all the edging of the audience with a high. A searing kiss or small switch-up of some sort would have sealed the deal perfectly!

But as it stands, I'm still left very satisfied and impressed.

Recommended!

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Punk isn't a style, it's a way of living!

Punk's Triangle is a refreshing twist to a generic way of creating cookie-cutter bl.

Honestly, I do not have any idea about punk fashion style, so my knowledge of punk was limited to music. I did not expect to get this exposure from a drama. The storyline was nice, exciting and bingeable. The characters, Enaga/AE and Chiaki's chemistry was adorable. But I did find it highly predictable. It might be my personal issue that I expected it to hit me in a certain way, but it didn't, so I was left a bit disappointed. It was very basic at the end, nothing stood out for me.

Overall, it was a one time watch. I don't expect myself to rewatch it again.

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Sensual in the Most Non-Sexual Way Ever, OMG

I'm so glad I waited to binge this because this was everything and more to me. Punk's Triangle, the tale of a punk fashion student's love for AE the model, is strong in it's plot, and even stronger in it's tension.

Let's Dive In.

The series kept me entertained in the best way possible. Not once was I watching and just utterly annoyed with anything. Each episode brought something new or carried another important step in our leads' connection and it's brilliant.

Sensuality. Look it up in the dictionary and this series will be its definition. I feel like it's very rare for me to come across a series that is pretty low-heat but the most non-sexual sensual tension I have ever witness. I probably watched that bathroom scene from episode 3 more times that I'm willing to admit. Enaga's way of instructing Chiaki is the hottest thing on the plant. The bathroom scene, the belly-button piercing scene, their first kiss. I mean just the way in which he looks at him, his soothing voice, his calm demeanor. Fucking sensational.

Yasunari (Enaga/AE) as an actor is just so freaking brilliant. If you told me that Enaga and AE were played by two different actors, I would believe you. I know hair and makeup and clothes play a huge role in changing someone's appearance (along with facial piercings), but it's so much more than that with this character. As AE, he's confident, he's bold with his posture, he's gorgeous and he knows it. As Enaga, he's more closed-in on himself, shy, quiet, completely opposite to his stage presence, even down to the way in which he walk. I know some people harp on the fact that Chiaki couldn't tell Enaga was AE, but to be fair, outside of their height, I deadass wouldn't be able to tell either. The costume department did not have to eat so hard, oh my god.

I don't usually hope for second seasons, but if the creators of this could give me more Enaga/Chiaki I will forever be grateful.

Ratings:

Story: 9/10 - It's short, but it's good. kept me engaged in all eight episodes (I literally finished this in a day). Loved the leads, loved the story.

Acting: 9.5/10 - Bravo, Fujibayashi Yasunari. Ryota (Chiaki) doesn't stand out as much only because of the brilliant work of his co-star, but he did good as well.

Music: 6/10 - didn't pay much attention to it, but I thought the theme song was nice.

Recommendation Value: 9/10 - I had originally thought this was going to be a darker series for some reason (idk why) but this is so cute and lighthearted with low-heat, so I hundred percent think everyone should watch. And don't think I'm not going to rave about how fucking ethereal Yasunari looks. Gave me fucking butterflies and shit like I'm some little school girl, holy fuck. Watch for him.

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When Love and Lies Collide

Punks Triangle is such a fitting title. Chiaki is head over heels for his idol AE, little does he know that his clumsy classmate Enaga is actually AE in disguise. What an interesting and refreshing plot. A love triangle where two of the people are the same person is such a clever and creative twist.

Also, did I just watch AE use his two fingers to put them in Chiaki’s mouth in the bathroom, and Chiaki said, “Your fingers are so warm,” while literally sucking on them? Then AE replied, “Your mouth is so hot”? I feel like I just watched something illegal 😂 Japanese BLs really hit differently, and honestly, I’m all in for it!

I liked this series more than I expected; the story feels unique, bold, and emotionally engaging. Imagine falling in love with someone in real life and finding out that person is actually your crush and your idol, it’s like a dream turning into reality. But when Chiaki discovers the truth that AE and Enaga are the same person, how will he react? Their relationship began with a lie, and the question of trust lingers beautifully in the air.

Overall, I’m really enjoying this series. It’s fun, intriguing, and very Japanese BL in the best way, subtle, emotional, and a little mysterious.

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One Terrible Casting and One Missing Story

The decision to cast the actor who plays Chiaki almost singlehandedly brought the entire show down. That and a missing love story. And no, I’m not exaggerating. Let me explain.

Acting
He can’t act. He has two faces he uses. He can smile which appears a handful of times but the other, much more prominent face, the one you will see him wearing for 97% of this show is one that makes him look like he’s about to throw up or be sick. For every emotion he will have this same face. He’s upset, he looks like he’s sick. He’s frustrated, the same. He’s taken aback, the same. He’s nervous, the same. He’s being flirted with, the same. It doesn’t matter what emotion he is supposed to be portraying, the actor will keep the same facial expression that makes him look constantly ill. I cannot understand or relate to a character when they only have one facial expression. It just made me so annoyed with the character because I was yelling at the screen, “please show some form of emotion.” It made every scene with him frustrating because I knew that no matter what happened, he would react the same way. I genuinely cannot put into words how much this ruined the show for me. It stripped Chiaki of all character traits because he looked the same no matter what he was doing, no matter what he was feeling, no matter what he was thinking. There was no dimension to his character not due to lack of trying from the writers but due to a failure in the acting direction. He became a blank piece of cardboard who looks ill all the time.

Chemistry
Due to the acting choices of Chiaki mentioned above, the chemistry is nonexistent from his side. I will come back to this chemistry thing and their relationship but there was no chemistry between the actors.

Why does AE like Chiaki?
As I listened to AE’s closing speech and confession, I sat there wondering who he was talking about. He described this character who is supposedly Chiaki but was not who I had been watching. This could be due to the acting direction failure and terrible execution in that regard when it comes to Chiaki as all I never ever saw those characteristics AE described in Chiaki. I sat there for a lot of the show thinking to myself, “Why does AE like this guy? What does he offer AE? Why is he attracted to this boring and uninteresting person?” I’m confused as to why in the world AE likes Chiaki. From the characteristics he described I can maybe see him liking that character but there is nothing appealing about the Chaiki I saw on screen. If I cannot understand the character’s draw to their love interest, whether I think they would be good together or not, then you have failed as a love story.

Where is the story part of the “love story?”
I’m gonna be honest, when I was watching AE confess to Chiaki, I learned things about the evolution of their relationship that I didn’t get from watching the damn show. I did not ever see either one of them fall in love. I was honestly taken aback when AE is with his stylist and he claims to be in love. I was shocked because what do you mean you’re in love? I genuinely did not see a transition from whatever feeling he had toward Chiaki to begin with into this love. While watching it I forgot that he had different intentions to begin with because we were never shown him falling in love, they just said he loves him and so my brain corrected their errors and made me think he always liked him. Chiaki and his love for Enaga. What love? He dodges AE’s kiss because he thinks about Enaga and I’m sitting there like, “He made your heart flutter once, that’s all. Do not lie to me and say you’re in love with him!” Chiaki is OBSESSED with AE, okay, he would not dodge that kiss because he wouldn’t even be in that situation if he gave a damn about Enaga in a romantic sense. If he truly liked Enaga, he wouldn’t be trying to run after and accost AE in the street and then have him pierce his belly button (why did he have the tools on hand to do that btw?) and get all close with AE physically there and say those weird things about wanting a reminder of AE on him. No matter how hard you try to convince me, you can’t. Chiaki never saw Enaga as anything other than a friend and work partner. You can’t tell me he fell in love with Enaga at the end of the show and have me believe you when you showed no such thing. For both of these characters there was no falling in love, they just suddenly were in love. AE’s was documented more and we knew about it for a lot longer but Chiaki was just thrown in our face with a 2 second flash back and that was what they considered sufficient.

Their relationship(s)
I feel like the development in both of the versions of their relationships were wildly unbalanced. We were told all about how he felt about AE, the ups, the downs, the obsession, (yes, told, not shown because the acting was a problem) and with Enaga we were shown nothing. By that I mean that the weight put on Chiaki’s relationship with AE was far larger than that put on his relationship with Enaga. Chiaki never told us how he felt about Enaga beyond, “We’re friends and having friends is fun.” Chiaki says he fell in love with Enaga and not AE but no, I don’t believe you. You didn’t give him a second thought when you ran after AE in the rain, okay? You never gave him a second thought, especially not romantically, as far as the narrative is concerned. They focused on the wrong relationship is what I’m getting at.

Final thoughts
I walked away from this having liked the first few episodes until I sat down and realized what I liked was only the end of episode 2 when AE is on that balcony because he looked cool there. So, yeah, a failure of a story. I’m completely ignoring how the power imbalance between them is ridiculously large and they shouldn’t be in a relationship.

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Did not live up to my expectations

I expected a lot more from this BL : hidden identity, punk fashion, design school, night life...There was so much that could have been better exploited. For example, I wish they would have developed more the fashion arc but it remained quite surface level. Instead of spending time on some random characters at the part time job of one of the lead, the script should have focused much more on fashion and the triangular relationship(s) between the two main leads. Indeed, I think the romance itself could have been better with maybe longer runtime of the series. Chemistry was really good at first but felt pretty tame by the end. It lacked attitude, life and passion, especially given the context of the drama.

Even if some suspension of disbelief is required regarding the secret identity of one of the main lead, I found Fujibayashi Yasunari, quite good at portraying this dual role and creating two very credible characters (Enaga Ayumu / AE). It made the big secret of the series quite believable. Unfortuntaly, I was much less convinced by Nagano Ryota playing the other main lead Sumiura Chiaki. I did not vibe at all with the way he interpreted his role: trembling lips, scared doll eyes...I felt he wore the same expression most of the time facing AE. I must admit he was not helped at all by the script, the character being unbelievably naive...Still, would have appreciated to see more range in his acting.

I would not necessarily recommend this to people because I was disappointed by the end as the series lost its steam along the way. There are quite a bit to enjoy with its refreshing context for a BL and nice soundtrack very fitting for the theme. I think if the beginning did not made me raise my expectations quite high, I might have been less critical...But it is what it is.

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Lighthearted and Predictable, but with a lot of Heart and Punk fashion

"Punks Triangle” has a very simple plot. There are no twists and turns, and you know what is about to happen. However, what it also has is a lot of heart and great acting by the two male leads.

Fujibayashi Yasunari plays a fabulous double role as the popular fashion model AE, and a clumsy fashion night school student, Enaga Ayumu. As AE, he’s tall and sexy, with a gaze that pierce into your souls. It’s no wonder Sumiura Chiaki is so obsessed with him. But as Enaga, he’s adorable and clumsy. The sexy gaze becomes a little clueless and uncertain. His eyes are so pretty to look at. Where did Japan find these actors who can play such an awesome dual identity??? Matsumoto Leo in “Cinderella’s Closet” is just as fabulous!

But Fujibayashi is not the only one with a dual role. I feel that Nagano Ryota also did as well, even though he’s only Sumiura Chiaki in this drama. But Chiaki presents such a different personality when he’s with AE and Enaga. He’s star-struck and smitten when he’s with AE, but full of life when he’s with Enaga.

The first half of the drama sets up their relationships and characters really well. But it was the second half starting from ep 5 that I really get attached to the drama on a more emotional level. The heart-to-heart talks finally surface instead of a bunch of internal monologues. I am finally invested in their happiness, even though I can see from a far how this drama is going to end.

The supporting cast is small and lovely. There isn’t any one who would annoy you. We actually have a supportive makeup artist acting as a love guru, and co-workers and classmates who care.

But this drama is not without fault. I wish there were fewer internal monologues. There are times I wasn’t sure if those are spoken lines or thoughts in the characters’ heads. A little unpredictability would be nice as well.

If you are looking for a light and easy watch with good acting, “Punks Triangle” is a good choice. I don’t know much about punk or punk-style, but do enjoy see AE catwalks and photoshoots, and Chiaki’s wardrobe. The OST has a couple songs and they are fitting and lovely.



Completed: 11/27/2025 Review #646

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BL Punk Perfection

I don't know what I was expecting when I went into this drama, but all I know is that this drama has exceeded all possible expectations I could have possibly had for this drama.

What I Loved:

Fantastic music choices - Every single piece of music for this drama was thoughtfully chosen and used, which only made me appreciate this drama even more. It really matched the aesthetics of this drama.

Acting - The acting and chemistry between the main leads was fabulous. Special appreciated for AE's actor, because the way he managed to portray Enaga and AE so differently was amazing. They really looked and felt like two different people for me. Chiaki actor's acting wasn't any less either. The way he portrayed the awkward and introverted fanboy was very convincing. The tension and chemistry between the two leads were insane. Every time I saw them together, I couldn't help but blush.

Adaptation of the Manga - As someone who has read the manga, I can say that this is a fantastic adaption. 95% of the scenes were followed faithfully, with the exception of the explicit scenes, which is totally understandable.

Punk Aesthetics, Fashion, and a Unique Storyline - The punk vibe of this drama was honestly one of its strongest charms. From the color palette to the bold fashion choices, everything felt bold and intentional. The styling perfectly embodied the spirit of the original manga while giving the live-action its own personality. It never felt like the show was trying too hard. Most importantly, the storyline is refreshingly different from the usual BL tropes. It wasn’t afraid to be weird, messy, and unique. It balanced the fluff, tension, and vulnerability scenes in such a good way that I found myself completely obsessed with Chiaki and Enaga/AE world. The drama took creative risks, and every single one of them paid off.

Character Growth - Chiaki and Enaga/AE were compelling characters, and their growth was one of my fav parts of the drama. Chiaki started off as an awkward, introverted fanboy, but you can see him slowly gain confidence and learn to express himself as he spends more time with Enaga. Meanwhile, with Enaga/AE, watching him open up and let someone see the vulnerable parts of him (that are unlike his model persona) was very touching. Their development felt natural, and the way they helped each other grow made their relationship feel emotionally satisfying.

Overall, I would highly, highly recommend giving this drama a chance.

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A Master Class in Acting

What could have been a banal, enjoyable watch is elevated tremendously by the sheer will and force of Fujibayashi Yasunari's (Enaga/Ae) performance. I noted that this review contains spoilers and it's a rather minor spoiler considering that all the characterization, conflict, and themes rest on what happens after the "big reveal" very early in the show's run.

Yasunari has created two distinct characters in his performance: Enaga and Ai. He has accomplished this on a genetic level. Each "character" he plays has a distinct walk, posture, line delivery, and even gaze. In the hands of a lesser actor, this role could have merely let the piece be what it's script delivered- a "mistaken identity" romantic comedy that bordered on farcical. But the subtlety of what Yasunari has accomplished is what elevates the show above it's material- it is completely believable that Nagano Ryota's character (Chiaki) is entirely oblivious as the "two" men he is spending so much time with are so disparate and even unrecognizable to each other in juxtaposition. The amount of commitment to craft is obvious and it is a shame that this genius performance will go under-recognized simply because of the genre in which it was delivered.

But this praise of performance does not end with Yasunari; after all, he needs a scene partner and this is where Ryota's choices really shine. It is tremendously challenging to play the "straight man" to an "over-the-top" character and Ryota delivers the foundation on which Yasunari builds his performance. Ryota is tasked with delivering "unbridled admiration" for his bias in their "AE" scenes and what could have very easily been "cringe" or scene chewing is given such a sweet, hot, shyness: a sense of being slightly overwhelmed by the brilliance yet basking in the warmth of his personal sun in such a way that his growth and comfort feel organic. There were times I felt a phantom blush and reddening of my own ears watching this dynamic and this attests to Ryota's talent.

Kudos to the director for trusting the subtlety of what his actors were doing and just letting them deliver. The performances are what really elevate this material to the position of noteworthy.

You've seen this type of story play out one hundred times if you are a BL fan. But you've never seen it played out in the hands of two master craftsmen like Yasunari and Ryota. One caveat though- Ryota's character is slightly underwritten so his performance pales slightly in comparison to Yasunari's.

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THE VIBES!!!

The vibes of this show are so good!! Never thought I would see a punk BL but I am so here for it! The styling of the main characters are great. The outfits, the piercings, the hair (AEs hair is to dream of) are all some of the best I have ever seen in a BL where there is a specific aesthetic represented. And it really helps bring you into the story. Had the styling been of the show would not have been as good as it is. The show still would have been good but great styling always help.

The plot itself is also really good. The day and night seperation of the plot was interesting. I do wish there had been a bit more nightlife scenes (I like seeing Chiaki flustered), but it was understandable why there wasn´t.

The characters had good chemistry both in day and in night mode. Both of them basically taking turns being confident and getting flustered, they were both so cute!

The ending felt a little bit rushed. I do feel like the ending works but I wish it had been a little bit longer.

Needles to say I highly recomend this show.

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