Oh, thanks - I totally missed that. It's even now on Netflix in my country. Wow, I'm so happy!p43425:
OK, I binge re-watched "Kimi ni wa todokanai", this time on Netflix (legally!). Such a delight to re-watch - and my conscience is now clear.
I disagree adamantly. Cast and crew who are working on queer-orientated series under China's censorship need every bit of support we can give them. Centering the underlying gay narratives is recognising the subversive aspect of what they're doing and active DISAGREEMENT with the government's policy.Elisheva:
The question is whether this is actually what they are doing. In the end, those shows bring them money as they are very successful. Can we actually be sure they even care about the censorship or not? maybe it's even convenient for them. and saying they can't do anything is wrong, if it was impossible how a series like In Your Heart from 2022 came to be? (tbh I haven't watched it, but it is gay content from China). imo we need to support the people who take risks and make the content they want to no matter what. If those censored BLs get so popular and have so much success, does it even motivate anyone to change anything?
Also, I have no idea who are the people who create those series, are they gay activists? part of the gay community? I don't know their reasons behind creating those shows. Even though Thailand has no censorship, I'm quite sure some people in the BL industry are there just for the money, not becuase they really care much about gay rights or anything.
In the end, what is produced is subversive.
Well, I haven't watched it or any series like it (like Word of Honor or The Untamed). I can just state my overall point of view on the topic and say I don't think those series should be called BLs and that imo going by the book (meaning following the censorship) is not very groundbreaking, even if you hint to something that is forbidden. Even more when I have 0 knowledge on the intent of the creator (are they doing it for money or for ideology?). So I guess we see it very differently and that's fine.
I don't see some major progress (if at all) in 8 yearsMitzi Miao:
Sometimes just staying the course against significant oppression is the best we can do. Keeping a space open for queer representation, even if it can't be loud and proud, is still holding that space. Slam the door on it because an oppressive government isn't changing their policy on your time table if that feels right to you. I'm not going to play along with what that government wants.
OK, I binge re-watched "Kimi ni wa todokanai", this time on Netflix (legally!). Such a delight to re-watch - and my conscience is now clear.
This made me lol. I have yet to watch this series. Japanese series except Tokyo in April, did not do it for me this year, oops I mean in 2023 *insert smirk*, but based on reviews this series seems like it is worth the watch.
Trying again.
Censorship says: This can ONLY be platonic/gay is forbidden. Drama series says: if you say so, wink wink. Audience, especially international audience with more freedom says: Yes, it's platonic. Censorship wins. It's agreeing with the censors.
Censorship says: This can ONLY be platonic/gay is forbidden. Drama series says: if you say so, wink wink. Audience says: We see what you're doing with these winks and we're on your side. Censorship is subverted. It's taking a stand against the censors.
I agree. The queer-coding in Stay with Me, The Untamed and Word of Honor were so well done to pass censorship but also let the audience know that these were not bromance. For me, the fact that they became so popular despite censorship, I hope that gives the writers & producers hope and courage to keep making these films. And if the Chinese people find representation in them, that's even better.
Japanese series except Tokyo in April, did not do it for me this year, oops I mean in 2023RiqueXinw:
For me, 2023 was quite a glorious year for Japanese BL - but then again, as the old saying goes: "That's why they make vanilla and chocolate", i.e. we all have different tastes and preferences. (For example, I think you like action, right? Me not so much.)
Including "Kimi ni wa Todokanai" and "Tokyo in April", I gave full marks (10 stars) to 12* Japanese BLs or semi-BLs with MDL release dates in 2023. (I'm admittedly a generous grader, but I really did love all 12 of these. I'm also admittedly a bit of a Japanophile.)
* The other 10 are: "Bokura no Micro na Shuumatsu", "Bokura no Shokutaku" + "Bokura no Kyujitsu", "Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo", "Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2", "Utsukushii Kare Season 2" + "My Beautiful Man: Eternal", "Taikan Yoho", "Zenra Meshi"(not so great as a BL love story, I liked it more for my beloved Yutaro and the food porn), and also "Beni Sasu Life" (not really BL but important gay side theme + my beloved Onishi Ryusei)
"One Room Angel" (9 stars) and "Aki wa Haru to Gohan wo Tabetai" (8,5 stars) were both alright, but I didn't love either of these.
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P.S. Per World of BL: Today's release of Episodes 2 and 3 of "BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita" ("I Became The Main Role Of A BL Drama") has been postponed due to the major earthquake in central Japan.
