The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days

One line from Itsuki stayed with me until the very end.

He compared himself to "a tropical fish that feels too hot even in the water where it is supposed to live."

I interpreted it as someone who isn't weak or broken, but simply cannot survive comfortably in the environment they were born into.

Sometimes leaving isn't running away.
Sometimes it's simply a survival strategy.

This drama isn't about deciding who was right or wrong.

Yuma loved Itsuki's freedom at first, but later realized he couldn't live with it.
Itsuki wanted to be accepted exactly as he was, and eventually realized that Yuma could never truly understand that part of him.

Neither of them was a bad person.
They simply reached a point where neither could compromise on what mattered most.

That made me think about relationships in general.

I don't believe living together depends on understanding everything about another person.
I think it depends on whether you can accept the parts you'll never fully understand.

Empathy is wonderful, but it isn't always possible.
Acceptance may be even more important.

The director said she wanted to create a film that could change the world.

Can a story really do that?

If people could accept differences instead of trying to erase them, perhaps there would be fewer conflicts.
But at the same time, I don't think the world is ever that simple.

I only hope that, someday, both Yuma and Itsuki will find someone who can accept them for who they are.

Not every love story ends happily.
Some simply leave us with questions that stay long after the credits roll.

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This is not a BL which most of the fangirls will not get...

This is a slice of life, a failed relationship. Both characters have their "ideals", but both fail to recognize that they don't match with either their ideals nor views. Both characters are flawed, there is no idyll, no happy BL paradise where all problems are solved in 10 minutes of a 12 hours series. This is a depiction of the real world, when two people meet and get together of mostly selfish reasons, not knowing their partner, not knowing their partners desire. Something which should have been just a one night stand ended up in a relationship were it was only a question of time when it will fail.

The original was from a gay writer, who saldy already passed away. The filming set had an gay consulent and they really did put out a show, which is as realistic as it could be. And while many want only watch the happy BL fantasy and escape their boring lives, this is a realistc gay story without a happy end. But you can also say, both characters did have an happy end. Both characters grew and maybe both characters would hopefully not repeat the mistakes of the past.

This is one of the few shows which is about representation and after "Chosen Home" & "Life in Smokey Blue" japanese productions go where no other countries series ever go. Thailand is just mass-producing one crap BL after the next, Korea is a coin toss if the series is bad, decent or good. Taiwan has one of the most strictest protection laws in the world and same-sex marriage but sadly not enough output at least in the series space. And now Chinas production companies have recognized how much money can be made and they produce for foreign streaming services.
It's refreshing that japanese productions always brings diversity to the screen.

It's best said with a scene from the series, when "the boy" said:
"Those people who love watching guys making out, they only put us on a pedestal because we're two guys kissing. And they get all excited debating who's the top and who's the bottom." (not much guessing with thai ships)

Besides the MLs, the documentary crew are also important cast member and not just accessories. They also recognize that making a documentary is about the persons itself and not because they are gay. Production quality was very high, no complains from me. So of course, this is a recommendation to watch.

Edit: As it always is with MDL, nobody knows how many episodes the series has... So of the time of writing it stated 6... after searching online a source says 10. With that said, should we get more episodes I will edit the review and may change the rating as well.
2nd Edit: It seems MDL also decided it was the finale, so I'm very happy with the end. And yes, some relationship fail and that is just life...

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Trauma exists, living in it shouldn't be an excuse

I liked this series for the time it took to deconstruct their relationship. Not rushed, evenly paced and realistic. The actors did well and their failings realistically told. It was engaging and introspective to encourage thought but also reactive. One couldn't watch without seeing all their flaws and form opinions.

The both ml, Itsuki and Yuma, were hiding. Yuma from facing the reality of their relationship until the end. He still holds on to a memento, unable to throw it away. Itsuki living in his past trauma and being overly critical of other peoples views of the gay community. He refuses to be the poster boy of a successful gay union but lives freely and comfortably under the one who is fighting the cause.

I treasure Itsuki's honesty but it pops up at his convenience. He is very critical of Yuma and refuses to communicate beyond derision and in so doing fails even in his last interview to see how Yuma has changed. Even at the end it is selfish. Yes, their projected views are incompatible, but who goes along just existing? He knows Yuma types are the one to make the changes in the world but is content to live while they fight. I'm not advocating for him to be always on guard, and fight every pos out there but he seems apathetic and wants to be remembered. For existing? He disrespected him to the point of bringing a lover to their home. A home he contributes nothing financially to as he is unemployed and was offered a space even after they broke up initially. Yuma doing this alone should have stopped him.


Yuma on the other hand still struggles to let go of the ideal. He fights for the positive views of the gay community and would go to lengths to protect it. In so doing, perpetuates a lie and fails himself. He loves Itsuki but their incompatibility works against him. He pushes him but because they communicate ineffectively, or not at all as Itsuki ignores or is apathetic, he doesn't know how to understand where they went wrong. In the end, acceptance and understanding comes too late. I hope he does completely move on from Itsuki, he doesn't deserve it.

Shiho faces adversity on either side and understands at the end her true worth and not the perception. Her boss should be removed. His condescending attitude should not be dealt with. I felt the pain of Naomi and was grateful she apoligized to Shiho. She felt lost and lashed out at the wrong person.

I applaud this series for showing the reality of relationships. Not all work. Not all are balanced. It's okay to move on. It's not okay to be used.

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The end is inevitable

Even though i knew it was a possibility, the way it all ended broke my heart. This is an incredible work with one of the greatest representations in BL history.

GagaOOLala: https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/7592/the-boy-and-i-who-will-break-up-in-100-days-2026-e01

Things I liked:
1. Acting. So good it felt real.
2. Scenery.
3. LGBTQ+ representation. I can really appreciate how this series shows so much about the real struggles all LGBTQ+ folks have to endure and go through. In my opinion, they did an incredible job at doing so.
4. Sexism representation. While I love that this series shows so much about the struggles that LGBTQ+ people go through, I also truly respect that they show the struggles other parts of society go through.
Specifically, I can greatly appreciate how they show what a lot of women go through with Mori Naomi and Kayano Shiho.
They both are female characters that are here to show/represent so much more than just being a female side character. That's why I really love this series so far; it's portraying real-life problems.
5. Postpartum depression representation. Even though it wasn't that long of a moment, it really is a big deal, and I love that they included it here.
6. The ending. While of course I had my moments of hoping for them to have their happy end together, I still loved the way everything played out, and I think they did their best.

Things I disliked:
1. Terrible communication on Itsuki's part. Sleeping with someone in your ex's house where you live for free because you have no job is a ballsy move for sure. I definitely lost a lot of respect for Itsuki after that one. While I understand that they are broken up, there are a lot of other reasons for why he at least shouldn't have brought this guy into Yuma's house.
This moment actually shook me, I genuinely didn't expect something like that to happen.
I really think it wouldn't have killed Itsuki to have a one-on-one adult conversation instead of whatever this was.

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living for ourselves or others

Overall: I liked how it touched on several topics we rarely see in fictional media, but it felt overall incomplete. 6 episodes about 24 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/7585/the-boy-and-i-who-will-break-up-in-100-days-2026 (not in Japan or Korea).

Content Warnings: sexism, sexual harassment, homophobia, discrimination, postpartum depression, micro aggressions, vomiting, punches, past severe child abuse mentioned

What I Liked
- the documentary/mockumentary style in episode 1
- touched on postpartum depression which is rarely shown in fictional media as well as other topics
- character growth of not putting up with bs from other people

Room For Improvement
- wish we had had their backgrounds earlier
- I was happy with the ending because Itsuki is too selfish to be in a romantic relationship, the gall to do what he did instead of having 1 mature conversation
- ending felt a bit too open ended

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Honest, Quiet, & Thought-Provoking

It is truly difficult to encapsulate this story into a review. This is a bold and daring series for no other reason than it lets truth sit in the room without editorializing, without donning rose-colored glasses, and without apology.

This is one of those rare stories that shouldn't be billed as a BL (although it is one). In such a short runtime, the series was able to dive into multiple characters' lived experiences and worked hard to make you care about those experiences. I kept having to check the runtime because I was flabbergasted by the depth and breadth of story and perspectives they were able to pack in.

Brevity truly is the soul of wit and this series proves it.

Highly recommend if you want to walk around in other adults' shoes for a brief period of time and emerge not just empathetic- but seen.

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This is not your usual BL. It's life!

This is so different and so real that it's heartbreaking. The documentary style keeps you on your toes and the extremely good-looking male leads keep you rooting for them.. But it all fails miserably at the end and you fail with them.

But you, just like the characters, accept it, get up and be the adult, just like them.

This is a story about love, but more about understanding and diversity in the sense of different people. This was so much about LGBTQ rights and also similarly about just 'people'.

I won't forget this. It touches something within you. Love is not enough. World is not utopia and world is not fantasy. This was real life. You want to cry after this because it will remind you of your failures but you will also understand it. Such is the paradox in life.

I am thankful I watched it. JBLs are always just built different. This was Art, Slice of Life, Question, Answer, Confusion, and Moving On ... All put together.

It is indescribable.
Thank you to the team for bringing this to life. Thank you for everyone.
And I truly do thank myself for watching this.
JBLs, we love you.
And this was DIFFERENT, THIS WAS ONE OF ITS KIND.

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“When Love Ends, the Story Begins”

Storyline & Plot — (9.2/10) A+

THE BOY AND I WHO WILL BREAK IN 100 DAYS takes us into a different dimension where this is not simply another BL romance, but a queer story that touches on issues that have long existed within and are frequently discussed in the LGBTQ+ community. In some ways, the drama feels reminiscent of Love in the Big City, as it attempts to portray the realities of LGBTQ+ life rather than simply romanticising queer relationships.

This drama is genuinely moving and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that you might not experience with many other BLs.
To be completely honest, you might find the first two episodes quite boring. However, the story gradually becomes more engaging as the episodes progress. The further you get into the drama, the more things start happening, and the more the story has to say to its audience.

I understand why some people might find the drama boring because it contains a lot of dialogue, but personally, I didn't mind it at all. Since the drama is structured around the making of a documentary, it makes sense for there to be many long and detailed conversations. In fact, I think those conversations are essential because they allow us to understand the characters, their past, and the issues being explored on a much deeper level.

Another thing I really appreciate is the documentary-style concept itself. The decision to present the story through the process of filming a documentary already makes this BL feel unique and creative. It doesn't follow the typical formula of a cute, romantic BL, but instead uses the documentary format to explore something much more grounded and realistic.

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Acting & Characters — (8.1/10) A

Narumi Yui as Shiho, what an incredible actress!

Honestly, Shiho is one of the biggest reasons why this drama works so well. She is portrayed as an independent, strong-willed and resilient woman, and I have absolutely no hesitation in calling Shiho the true MVP of this drama.
Think about it: if she had decided to stop making the documentary about Yuma and Itsuki, this entire story would never have happened. The documentary would have been cancelled, and we wouldn't have gotten this drama in the first place!

Yuma and Itsuki's performances were decent overall. However, one thing that genuinely annoyed me in certain episodes was how frustrating Itsuki's character could be. He was arrogant, distant and incredibly nonchalant at times.

BUT by the end, we finally begin to understand why Itsuki behaves that way. Once his backstory and the reasons behind his personality are revealed, his character becomes much more understandable.

So please, don't judge Itsuki too early and make sure you watch the drama until the end!

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Chemistry — (5.5 /10) C

This is probably the biggest weakness of the drama for me.

Because the story revolves around a breakup, we never really get to see Yuma and Itsuki's relationship when they were actually together. The drama focuses heavily on the process of filming and producing the documentary, which means their romantic relationship often takes a back seat.

At times, the story even feels more centred around Shiho than Yuma and Itsuki themselves.

That being said, I still appreciate the way their conversations are portrayed. Their interactions feel surprisingly natural and neutral, almost like two exes who have recently broken up and are trying to interact with each other again.

It genuinely feels like they used to be a couple. There is an awkwardness, emotional distance and familiarity between them that makes their dynamic believable.

So despite the lack of romantic chemistry on screen, I still think the drama deserves a C here.

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Final Thoughts

Not every BL needs a happy ending to be a good story.

Sometimes, a heartbreaking ending can actually make a story feel more meaningful because it reflects the realities that LGBTQ+ couples may experience in real life. Love doesn't always work out. Relationships don't always end happily. And not every queer story needs to be wrapped up in a perfect romantic ending.

That's actually one of the things I appreciate most about this drama.

I want to end this review by giving a huge congratulations to the producers of this JBL for having the courage to step outside the usual formula.

We're so used to BLs giving us cute, warm and comforting romances, but this drama takes a completely different direction. It chooses to tell a more serious, mature and emotionally complex story, one that is willing to explore the realities of queer relationships and the issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, and I completely understand why some viewers might find the pacing slow or the dialogue-heavy approach boring.

But for me, THE BOY AND I WHO WILL BREAK IN 100 DAYS is a drama that deserves to be appreciated for what it is trying to do.

MY FINAL RATING : 7.6/10.

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A hidden gem

Amidst a wave of BLs that feel increasingly repetitive and obvious, The Boy and I surprises with a mature narrative that deviates from expectations.

Japanese series have an incredible ability to turn everyday themes into sensitive works with an impressive script.

I love the device they use in the first episode; the documentary style works really well and creates a unique edge compared to what we usually see. And then, the series surprises us, breaking the narrative into a construction that is sometimes slow, sometimes surprising, and sometimes melancholic.
The characters are very well-developed, and right up to the final scene, the series has something to say. The ending might disappoint, and honestly, at times we really root for them to end up together.

But the message here is more realistic, rawer, and yet, it manages to be beautiful and full of subtleties.

I wouldn't complain about a second season showing them together again. Without a doubt, it leaves you wanting more.

Definitely deserves more recognition.

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58 Perhaps one of the Japanese BLs with the most unfair rating on MDL.

I don’t want to sound arrogant, but this series—and its rating—explain why people have developed skewed expectations regarding BL and how that harms genuine *queer* series.
Itsuki’s comments about BL have stayed with me for a long time because I share that opinion. BL series often turn into heterosexual relationships disguised as gay stories—aimed at girls tired of conventional romances between men and women. But as a gay man, I want to say that we are so much more than that; we deserve stories like this one—which I wouldn't classify as BL, but rather as one of Japan's few truly *queer* series. If you judge this series solely as BL made to please a female audience, the rating comes as no surprise. However, when you stop and evaluate it as a queer series, it takes on a impact that I believe most BL fans will never grasp.
BL is made for you—the girls—whereas this series is made for us, queer men; I respectfully ask that you not reduce this work to the level of BL, a genre so often created exclusively to cater to your tastes.

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This is not BL but you should watch it

If you are expecting BL (I was) and are incapable of pivoting (I am) you won't like this. I made the adjustment and binged this relatively short series in one go. I found the first episode really annoying and almost stopped watching. Stick it out. It gets more interesting. I didnt necessarily love the main characters, but I dont think I was supposed to. This isnt a feel good series. Its a realistic slice of life series that doesnt end with a bouquet of roses. I was surprised to find myself very invested and quite emotional by the end of the last episode. I would not have predicted that at the conclusion of episode 1.

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