Therapy Game (2025)

Tries to play with fire but never get burned! Also, lets focus more on therapy than games! xD

This drama feels like it wanted to be bold and emotionally reckless, but then backs out midway. What I expected was heavy tension, a little toxicity, power plays and desire that fuels every action but what we got was actually far more cautious and wholesomeness here and there, considering how messy the premise was.

The story revolves around two different people crossing paths at their very weak points in life. Minato is sarcastic, deeply allergic to vulnerability or showing emotions and in contrast Shizuma is someone who wears his emotions on his sleeve and expresses them every chance he gets.
He is recovering from a recent breakup and meets Minato in a bar. Their relationship begins with a bet and while it sounds like it will be filled with a tiny bit of malice and emotional games, it plays out very immaturely.

What works well is their chemistry. I could feel it from the first scene. I enjoyed the little banters, their sweet moments as a couple. Somehow the opposite attracts trope worked well here. Even though the conflicts were resolved quickly (writing issue), I enjoyed their softer moments together. Their kissing scenes were tastefully done and I am glad we didn't dead fish kisses.

Now, when the premise is messy and a little morally questionable, it sadly never dives deeper into the discomfort long enough to explore the real emotional fallout. This is where this drama falters. For a story that hinges on desire, jealousy, and emotional confusion, it plays things remarkably safe. The emotional conflicts were resolved too easily and felt very softened. The reconciliations were quick and they skipped the necessary accountability and self-reflection, especially for Minato's character. Till the end, I don't think he was ready for a relationship. The story tells us the relationship is “fixed” without showing the hard emotional work required. All that suspense around him and the reveal felt underwhelming.

The second couple was pretty underutilised. We know nothing about them as a couple except playing a catalyst in the love story of their brothers. The other supporting cast, such as Shizuma's friends were pretty ignorable. They literally had no major impact on the story. Very underutilised.

Acting-wise, it was overall okay. I feel like the writing didn't give them enough to fully show the emotional side of the characters but it was good with what they were given. Production and overall visually, this was pretty. We get to see a lot of outdoor locations, like amusement parks, of course the seaside... It was aesthetically pleasing, including both actors.

Overall, this isn't the worst BL out there. It's just that it never embraces its messiness. There could have been a lot more tension and pinning based on the synopsis but it felt like they played it a little safe. Will I recommend it? Yes. It is definitely a decent watch and my rating is more on the critical side because I was expecting more toxicity but what I got was wholesomeness, which isn't bad, just not what I expected. So yes, keep your expectations aligned and you might enjoy this more than I.

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Very strong beginning, but the tension between the characters was lost...

While the main-couple was one of the most appealing we have seen this year, their tension and kissing was not appropriate to the story they told. You will remember "My Personal Weatherman" where the longing for each other where the central point of the story, so they did kiss with passion and at this time this JBL shocked many with their NC scenes. Again, they were necessary for the story. And here is the fundamental flaw in this series. The physical attraction to each other is one of the driving forces of the story and neither the script nor the actors could deliver on it.

In episode 3 they are in that booked hotel and in the manga there is of course a sex scene and here it was refused. I think in this case, that was a bad decision, because during the sex scene Shizuma confesses which makes Minato even more split, which increases tension between the characters.

The resolve of the "bet" was also over in a heartbeat. I think the second half of the series generally did not live up to expectations. While I understand why Minato is struggeling, the series can't keep the tension between the characters high enough and it's doing just ok.

It's not a bad show, it's just that the longing for each other could not be delivered and that's the central point of the story. It's irrelevant if the actors where shy or not, they all knew which material they put into a series. They should have had either a workshop and/or an kissing instructors (yes, they exist) and if they can't do it, then they should not have taken the roles. The side couple was dull most of the time, they acted like brothers not lovers.

The only highlight of this series was the production quality, which was top notch. So overall, this is an ok show which had higher expectations but could not deliver. And again, even the most handsome couple can't elevate a flawed delievery.

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I didn't like it, I could only fully watch the first couple of episodes then skimmed through the rest.

The drama is relatively short, but somehow it got boring, story started nice, then somehow it got weird, the straight guy turn gay out of the blue while he just got out of a relationship is just too unrealistic, be that as it may the idea of bet I thought it's a nice idea for a fun short drama I didn't expect
The supposedly straight guy would be the one chasing the gay one.

Also I notice the awkwardness between both couples, I couldn't feel any chemistry in the intimate scenes between them, it felt forced and awkward.

Definitely not recommended, there are many other great JBLs worth watching than this ~

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A little to calm for its own good

This was a likable series depicting childhood trauma being healed through patience and love. While there were nice moments, in the beginning, I couldn't connect with Minato. He's close with his brother due to family issues of abandonment, so he keeps pretty closed off to any romantic emotional ties to anyone. He sleeps with drunk Shizuma but gets angry as he doesn't remember which is understandable. Then he proceeds to teach him a 'lesson'. He admits Shizuma is kind and loving, and after spending time with him, yet still he continues the plan.

It just felt hollow. Shizuma and those around treated him like he was like fine china. He's not shallow, but his actions seem lacking credibility. When it switches to him finally accepting Shizuma's honesty and love, the journey still ripples along. In the end, he admits that he has always loved him from the moment they met. The warmth he feels while being held by Shizuma is something he can't let go of. So why continue the pretense when Shizuma clearly shows the conviction of his love and commitment to him? It feels too light to be impactful. Go to therapy and learn to trust what you both share. It's not that his fears aren't valid, but I kept asking myself, "Does he love himself?"

Everything was done right, from production to acting, so that leaves the script. It lingers on with no real info or insightful moments. The background characters at the bar were a compliment to the story. I understood Shizuma's mindset from his position from straight to gay. His expression of well wishes for his ex even though she hurt him would make his love for Minato true. Most films have a gay awakening moment, his transitioned naturally as he showed he genuinely cared about people.

As I said, I liked the series, but the issues dealt with seemed surface value and could have been a little more meatier.

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Game Therapy

This is an emotionally draining series that is so exacerbating in the way it was presented. It had such deeply poignant undertones to its characters – all of them. Yet, proceeded to present them so superficially and without any serious profundity to them. If you are going to present distressingly flawed individuals, you need to present them in such a way that we can feel their pain with more solemnity and intensely. Not just seeing it in snippets or revealed in discourses. That was not the only flaw in the story which began so enticingly but ended up being just another trite-filled half-empty pseudo-psychological case study filled with people who, I do not think, honestly, exist. At least not in real life. What is so bothersome about Japanese BLs as of late is that they play everything too safe. The story, the screenplay, the acting, the plot, and worst of all the lovemaking. This is a story full of intrinsic pain treated with superficiality and in glossy terms. They present individuals in highly idealized fashion that simply do not exist or as adolescent caricatures. Introducing change in an entrenched culture is difficult and the subtle hints about gay marriage in this series were not lost and are deeply appreciated. Art in all its forms, including BLs, is the perfect vehicle to introduce change to an audience that would be more receptive to it. Be bolder and take bolder steps to be more real in presenting gay life. Reflect the real world for a change.

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Ended up liking it

The aesthetics and the couple’s chemistry are really nice, but the idea of Minato making Shizuma fall in love with him just to dump him later—simply because Shizuma couldn’t remember him after getting drunk—felt pretty lame to me. What happened to Shizuma was actually valid. Some people, especially when they’re really drunk, genuinely don’t remember what happened, so Minato being that angry over it felt unfair.

The concept itself isn’t original, but I still liked how it was executed. The story revolves around revenge, with Minato eventually falling in love with Shizuma—something we’ve already seen in other JBLs. I also noticed that Minato and Shizuma’s introduction and connection felt rushed. It was as if they were already very close, like they’d known each other for a long time, which is something I often notice in JBLs—probably because most of them are quite short.

I did appreciate Minato’s character growth, though. Even if he was cruel at the beginning, you can see how his childhood trauma shaped his insecurities. As for Shizuma, despite being deeply hurt by his cheating ex, he never held a grudge. The same goes for when he found out that Minato was just using him for revenge—he still chose to accept him. Shizuma is pure green-flag energy.
I don’t have much to say about the side couple. They had some sweet moments, but there were no kisses—maybe due to the actors’ comfort levels. The ending was exactly what I expected: forgiving, sweet, and hopeful, with Shizuma even looking forward to their future together.

Overall, I wasn’t really a fan during the earlier episodes, but the series definitely gets better as it goes on. It’s worth watching if you enjoy this kind of trope.

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The bet of healing

Therapy Game is what you get when you try to elevate a classic JBL plot and choose to give up halfway, and attempt to execute something else that only makes sense once you've finished the series. The show is so aptly titled that it took me nine episodes to actually understand the depth of it, and I am shook.

The episodes begin with Minato, a man with an extreme bro-complex (which in this context just meant he's someone who is very protective of his brother lol) meeting Shizuma, who's just been broken up with. They meet at Minato's regular bar and spend the night together, but in the morning Shizuma says he doesn't remember a thing.
After having his feelings hurt by this turn of events, Minato decides to get revenge by seducing Shizuma and breaking up with him once he confesses his love. He also makes a bet with his friends at the bar that he will make Shizuma fall in love with him, and that he will break his heart.

If we go based off of the usual formula, this is the point where things would either get super dark or super cute, and instead it just kind of meandered in between, never really going anywhere for a couple of episodes before going full throttle on the sweet and sunshine path.
Minato swears revenge, he vows to never fall in love, falls in love shortly after - and the big conflict which should be the fallout from the bet, comes as quickly as it goes.

We get a second couple, Itsuki ànd Shoheli, who's only purpose in the story is to be supportive siblings - because they are the elder brother and younger brother of Minato and Shizuma respectively. The big conflict is resolved by them, and while I'm all for swift resolution, I think I would've preferred a dragged out misunderstanding to having them talk it out in the park like two ten year olds who fought a couple of days ago about their legos.

Instead we got multiple other problems that were solved within the episode - like the ex-girlfriend, a childhood trauma, but all of them were unnecessary and underdeveloped.

That's when you need to ask yourself, what do you want to experience more? The intent behind the scenes or the execution of a scene? I'm a confused individual and could not decide, just like them - but my analysis is that focusing on the intent behind the story is bound to help you fall more in love with the series.

Because you get the point. It's easy to identify that the bet, the distance, the jealousy were all a bid to help Minato slowly heal from his trauma and discover what love is. That having their siblings and their friends to give advice did not only that, but showed them they had way more love than they thought they did.
That the conflicts up until the finale were leading up to them realising all that. And then it's easy to piece together that they had a great idea, but kind of messed up on the execution.

I did love the chemistry between the leads, they had the perfect amount of fiery passion and slow realisation, and honestly, their dynamic as a couple was really sweet. The way the conflicts were immediately de-escalated did one great thing, make their relationship seem more real and grounded. The adorable factor was also amazing, literally all of the characters were sweet and cute and wholesome.

I loved all the characters as well, for the reasons mentioned above, but also because all of them were so cool and charming and well written.

Overall, this was an enjoyable series. Just masquerading around as something toxic, so if you go into it expecting that? You may be a bit disappointed. But! I can say with some confidence that you'll keep watching because it's fun and cute. Atleast that's what happened to me lol

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Not therapeutic at all…

Why would Minato get so angry at Shizuma for not remembering their one drunken night together? Not remembering is fairly common and certainly not unforgivable, so it makes no sense for Minato to go to such lengths to make Shizuma fall in love just to break his heart over something so trivial.

Don’t even get me started on the lead actors' nonexistent chemistry. The first thirty seconds were enough for me to want to drop the drama, but I stayed for Minato’s pretty face, hoping it would improve. It didn't. Instead, it became more ridiculous as it progressed.

I understand why Minato is afraid of falling in love, and I certainly wouldn't entrust my heart to a guy who just got out of a relationship, is obviously still hung up on his ex, and wasn't even into guys until he met me. Honestly, I have zero sympathy for Shizuma.

Even more insane was the second couple, who managed to have even less chemistry than the main leads. How is that even possible?

Overall, this drama was not enjoyable at all.

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Lackluster ending which spoiled the drama for me

I truly enjoyed the beginning of this BL : the plot highs and lows could be seen from miles away but despite the lack of surprises, it was a really compelling watch because the characters were so cute together with a touch of angst and twisted start that I loved. Unfortunately, pacing was a huge issue as main conflicts were resolved halfway through the series and that the plot felt pretty void after than with a very lackluster finale.

I would recommend this to people looking for a cute BL. Despite the issues in pacing and storytelling that felt less compelling in its second half, it is just a very soft and sweet watch (while pretty forgettable).

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Interesting premise, but executed poorly

The first half of the drama was nice and interesting. However, the plot kinda fell apart after that. It made me bored and I kept skipping some scenes because I think ‘it’s not that important’. And sure enough, it’s not.

What really irks me is the character of Shizuma. I can’t relate with him nor do I understand his actions. Why would he suddenly fall for Minato? Very hard too, at that. The bet was also resolved very quickly, which I think kinda takes away the plot, because from then on it’s like they keep beating around the bush (bahasa indonesianya bertele-bertele). The drama also focused on the background story of Minato, without giving us any on Shizuma’s. That’s why, for me, it felt very one-sided. And I do not like that very much.

The only good thing from this drama is the visuals— the actors and cinematography, and music too, yes. Anyway, I don’t hate this drama, but also don’t like it, soooo…..

I kinda recommend you watching this drama just to get the feel of it. You might like it, who knows.

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