Kateikyoshi no Kishi Knight desu.

This becomes a BL when you watch the special episodes...

First of all, this kind of humor is not everyones cup of tea. And there is no international distribution which is quite sad. GagaOOLala takes every crap show, but did not take this one.

Of course when you see the "normal" episodes you may question if this is a BL, but I would argue for it, because Toru's feelings go beyond admiration imho. When you have a chance to see the two special episodes it makes everything clear and without them the series is not complete. So my rating reflects all twelve episodes (it*s two half episodes, so if you see a special with around 26 minutes you're fine).

If you have a chance to see it with proper subtitles (not the AI slob), the show makes sense, the character development makes sense and I felt Kishi Knight had an interest in Toru from the get go. Near the end we also get why he got an interest in him with a flashback before he became Torus tutor. And thanks to a friend who provided me the proper subs and the special episodes I could get a proper experience 💖

I can't explain it, but I like this over-the-top humor more than the comedy of most thai shows. They also did a good job to give the characters quiet moments with serious talk without any comedy at all. So this show grew on me, it was fun and while not perfect, it was very entertaining.

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This is my happy place

I loved this so much! It was cute and funny. The actors took their job seriously but didnt take themselves seriously. The support roles were also well done. I want a tutor this cool and I also want to be friends with Toru-san and his delinquent crew. Even the grumpy teacher won me over! I watched every episode twice. True comedy. Can't wait for special episodes, which seem almost certain.

UPDATE: special episode #1 has arrived and I'm very excited to see where this is headed! I know folks are saying this isn't BL. Maybe that's true for the main series, but unclear that that will continue to be the same for the extra episodes. And I'd make the argument that it is, in fact, BL in the main. Read on if you're interested in my take, but know that there's a spoiler involved.

SPOILER ALERT--STOP HERE IF YOU CARE: Also, I would argue that it's BL in the main (albeit unfulfilled) because they already established mutual attraction that I think goes beyond bromance. Toru-san at the very least wants a kiss (and probably more, although that doesn't have to mean physically) and Kishi-kishi wants...well we don't know exactly what he wants but he's clearly smitten because he already confessed--つきがきれいですね？(Tsuki ga kirei desu ne? Translation: The moon is beautiful, isn't it?) That phrase is a poetic and indirect--and beautiful--way of saying I love you. Right now, Toru-san, Kishi-san, you, and I are all on the same page about that. Let's see where that leads.

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Kishi Kishi’s dream and life tutoring

This drama gave me both laughter and romance. It’s not particularly deep, but it absolutely delivers what it promises. I also appreciate how the story handled the relationship between the main characters. They never directly expressed their romantic feelings for each other, which makes sense given their student-teacher dynamic. That boundary could have been uncomfortable or inappropriate, but the show handled it carefully and respectfully, which I really admired.

If a second season ever happens, it would be the perfect opportunity to take Toru and Kishi Kishi’s relationship to the next level, especially now that Toru has graduated and is preparing for his college entrance exams by the end of the series.

That said, this show truly shines as a comedy. From the exaggerated delinquent reactions to Toru’s inner monologues. The unexpectedly soft, girly voice was just funny and endearing. The delinquent quartet was also a standout; all of them charming in their own ways. From the sexy mustache guy, to the cute “cucumber” type, to the overly dramatic one. Each character brought something unique to the story. And of course, Kishi Kishi himself is effortlessly good-looking, with an almost angelic presence in both his expressions and gestures.

What I love most about the series is its progression. By the end, we see Toru chasing a newly discovered dream, to become a teacher just like Kishi Kishi. That moment felt touching. Seeing someone inspire a younger person to shape their future like that is genuinely heartwarming.

Throughout the entire show, I felt a sense of positivity. Watching the characters immerse themselves in studying while still learning to enjoy life made the experience feel comforting and uplifting. Rei stood out as a memorable character, and I loved this side of him. The entire cast did a fantastic job, delivering strong performances that elevated the series.

In the end, despite being a light and easy watch, the drama carries meaningful lessons about the importance of studying and finding purpose. It’s a simple story, but one that leaves you feeling good long after it ends.

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SPOILER: THIS IS NOT A BL

Let me say this first so we can get it out of the way - this is not a BL, Its not even an LGBTQ story.

The show is based on a very short manga which is also not a BL - i wondered if we really need 10 episodes to flush out the story it wants to tell. Its a slice of life of a directionless Toru and how he was inspired by his private tutor Kishi to do better at school.

I would have been perfectly ok with the show if they DIDNT LABEL it as a BL. This is the reason why this one is so hard to rate - on one side its an effective funny comedy show but on the other hand it clickbaited and exploited BL fans because of the history of the 2 leads - put the sides together and we have an enjoyable show that simply doesnt quench the thirst of BL fans.

All their teasers, promotions and episode cliffhangers always point out to an episode when the 2 leads will finally be together or do something couples do only to find the next episode that its all in one of the character's imagination.

Yes, i probably wouldnt have watched it if it wasnt labeled as a BL.

Im specially sad for the show because it featured very good performances from Tanaka Koki as Toru and from Sawamura Rei as Kishi - both characters are so far from the characters they played in their previous series, and the comedic execution is very reminiscent of a funny anime. Both leads looked really good in the series and both showed they have some range and depth and i will not be surprised (and would love) to see them in more shows in the future.

Will i recommend? NO. Will i rewatch. NO. Forgetable series with forgetable plot BUT because of the very good actors im giving it a 7.

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É uma obra de aquecer o coração

Muitas pessoas parecem não ter gostado por ser tão caricato, mas essa realmente é a essência da coisa, é algo acolhedor, que te faz sorrir de forma espontânea, também tem muitas reclamações de supostamente "não ser um bl", mas no decorrer dos episódios você claramente vê uma carta paixão sendo construída aos poucos, talvez isso seja por não ter vários beijos ou declarações mas ao meu ver realmente não é algo que afeta a história, e desde que se trata de um estudante menor de idade passando a ter interesse por um cara mais velho parece certo não haver nada até que ele ao menos esteja na universidade, enfim foi algo que realmente gostei de ver, vou estar esperando ansiosamente pelo ep especial, a atuação, trilha sonora e história foram espetaculares, realmente muito bom

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Kateikyoshi no Kishi: Knight desu — Selling a BL Without the BL

I went into Kateikyoshi no Kishi: Knight desu expecting an adaptation that would at least capture the energy of the manga. Not necessarily a perfect copy — adaptations always change things — but something that understands the spirit of the original story. Unfortunately, what we got feels more like a show that wanted to market itself as BL without actually committing to the BL part.

The biggest issue starts with the casting. Sawamura Rei as Kishi Naito and Tanaka Koki as Takasugi Toru simply don’t resemble the characters they are supposed to portray. In the manga, these two have a very specific presence. They are intimidating, rough around the edges, almost delinquent-like in attitude and appearance. That contrast is part of what creates the tension and the attraction between them. Here, that whole dynamic disappears. Instead of looking like two guys you would avoid in a dark alley, they look more like two very different high school stereotypes: one feels like the comic relief of the class, the other like the guy who might get bullied rather than feared. The physicality, the attitude, the dangerous edge the manga characters had — none of it really translates on screen.

Because of that, the relationship also never feels convincing. The director clearly tries to hint at attraction through visual cues — pink lighting, framing, slow moments that are supposed to suggest tension — but it never actually lands. It feels like the production is saying “this is BL” without building the emotional or physical chemistry that would make it believable. The result is strange: scenes that are clearly designed to look romantic, yet feel completely empty.

At times, the two leads honestly come across like cosplayers trying to imitate the manga versions of their characters rather than actors embodying them. Everything feels exaggerated, slightly over the top, but not in a way that becomes entertaining. More like they are playing roles that don’t really fit them. And the lack of genuine chemistry makes the whole BL angle feel even more artificial. It reminded me of the same issue that appeared in Mr. Sahara & Toki-kun, where the show technically presents a BL setup but the actors never seem comfortable inhabiting that kind of relationship. When the emotional truth isn’t there, no amount of visual hints can compensate.

The story itself isn’t terrible. It follows the basic structure of the manga and the concept still works at a surface level, which is why I can’t rate it lower. But without believable characters and without a real emotional connection between the leads, the narrative loses the thing that should have made it interesting in the first place.

Final thought

This adaptation feels like a BL that is afraid of its own identity. The story exists, the references to the manga exist, and the hints of attraction exist — but the heart of the relationship never really appears. And when the central relationship is missing, everything else ends up feeling like an imitation rather than a story.

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Absurdist comedy + yaoi = perfection

I am a huge fan of Japanese comedy and also this mangaka. If you haven't checked out his other works please do. You would like his work if you are a twitter stan not a reddit stan hehe if u know what I mean.

First of all I must say I love love love the acting of both leads. I would love to see them together in something else too not necessarily Yaoi. I have a special talent of recognising a masterpiece from the poster and my hunch was right about this too...this deserves to be in the BL hall of fame.

It has all my favourite cliches, tropes and right pacing above all which is very important for a comedy to hit. I have loved it from the first scene till the very end but I do admit unseasoned fans won't like it. You gotta have some experience to eat this delicious dish and savour the flavour!

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Review – I’m Your Tutor, Kishikishi

At first glance, this drama seems like a simple slapstick comedy. Toru is a typical delinquent high school student, and the story begins when his unusual private tutor arrives. The tutor’s name is Knight, but Toru affectionately calls him “Kishikishi,” which becomes a charming nickname throughout the series.

Kishikishi has an elegant, almost aristocratic aura and works as a highly capable tutor who patiently supports Toru. In the early episodes, the tone feels rather chaotic and comedic, and it can honestly seem a little hard to keep watching.

However, if you stay with the series, it gradually reveals a surprisingly sincere coming-of-age story. Toru initially has no real goals in life, but through his interactions with Kishikishi, he slowly begins to develop curiosity and motivation toward learning. Eventually, Toru even reaches a point where he begins to think that he would like to become a teacher like Kishikishi himself. That development feels unexpectedly touching.

This is the kind of drama that becomes more rewarding the longer you watch. If you don’t drop it halfway, it slowly becomes a bit addictive.

And in the final episode, when Toru and Kishikishi split a single earring between them, it definitely gave me BL vibes.

This drama may not work for everyone, but viewers who enjoy character growth stories may find it surprisingly rewarding.

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Cute funny (Shounen ai) BL

For those who are unaware the what shounen ai is. Shounen ai is a genre of anime and manga that focuses on romantic and emotional relationships between male characters, emphasizing emotional connection over sexual content.

Definition and Origins

Shounen ai, literally translating to "boys' love" in Japanese, historically referred to stories depicting romantic relationships between male characters, often targeting a female audience. In Japan, the term originally described relationships between adolescent males or between a boy and an adult man, but by the 1970s, it evolved to focus on romantic connections between bishonen (beautiful, often androgynous male characters), regardless of age. Unlike yaoi, which emphasizes sexual content, shounen ai prioritizes emotional intimacy and the development of meaningful bonds
Now that that is out the way. I found this to be a cute funny manga and this live action being and page by page was nice to watch. The episodes are about 20-25 minutes long. The actors for ML did a wonderful job of presenting their characters. It is meant to be silly and fun which it was. I would rewatch as one of those mood changer show. If in a bad mood it will definitely pick your mood up with all the goofy nonsense.

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