AthenaTheStorierX:

If Japanese romcoms are your thing, DEFINITELY check out Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko! Hilarious

I just watched the first episode of Ayaka Is in Love with Hiroko, and I think this was the perfect GL series to start with. I do need a bit of time to get used to it since it's quite different from the BL shows I usually watch, where there's often a long introduction, and we only find out at the end of the episode that one character has feelings for the other.

At the same time, I find it really refreshing. It skips the typical tension-building stress that many series use to create suspense, which makes it feel more lighthearted. I also really enjoy this kind of fluffy humor, something Japanese series tend to do really well.

The concept of the lesbian bar is also great—it serves as a kind of home base, where we not only see Ayaka’s story but also get to hear about Hiroko’s struggles, making the narrative feel more balanced.

Overall, a great recommendation—thank you! I just finished the first episode, and I’m genuinely excited to keep watching.

The Thai drama Apple My Love (I think it's the uncut version? not sure though) is now available to watch on GagaOOLala for free for one week. 

 Ryn_333:
Fragrance of the First Flower season 2 does some work/life balance stuff. They are by then an established sapphic couple (though there's trouble in paradise). One of them has a kid. They're 30.

Excellent. Thanks :)

 AthenaTheStorierX:
Something else you might consider is watching some videos from content creators. I follow a few sapphic couples who are married and they make videos/skits about their life.

Right. Of course. Real life :D :D :D 

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. There are several here I think I'll enjoy, whether they jump start my characters or not. Started with Love My Life last night, very much my cup of tea as a film and I realised quickly that I've been trying to start these characters from their problems rather than their happiness.

 AthenaTheStorierX:
I have 2 gay comic recs that fit all your criteria. Though i dont know if that’d work for you

Sure sure. Please send them, DM if you want.

 AthenaTheStorierX:
Laws of Attraction

They were so good weren't they? Absolutely love them. My subconscious will ensure a character Sylvie would rock ends up in my story somewhere now.  :D :D

 Alex:

The Thai drama Apple My Love (I think it's the uncut version? not sure though) is now available to watch on GagaOOLala for free for one week. 

I LOVE how gagaoolala rotates their stuff into the free tier every once in a while. Even their high profile stuff. That streaming platform needs more hype.

Their twitter admin is also absolutely hilarious and unhinged

 AthenaTheStorierX:

I have 2 gay comic recs that fit all your criteria. Though i dont know if that’d work for you…

Confessions of a Shy Baker

What Did You Eat Yesterday (this one also has a drama)

Theyre both slice-of-life food romances about older established couples, one person being out and loud in their customer service oriented role, the other being quiet and closeted at their professional workplaces (one is a lawyer, the other is a realtor).

At the end of they day, they come together over homemade food that is made to take care of their health on a budget, and discuss their day and other issues that were related to their day. As well as couple stuff like: diets, budgeting, friends, coming out/keeping in closet, family, emergency planning, future plans, longer days at work, etc etc.

Very great stories

Just got this in my YouTube recommendations. Time for some variety. For all the people who don't fit into the boxes.

Beyond Norms: Exploring Identity - Masc vs. Masc (Ep: 1 Pilot)

 PattyyyRawrX:
d. I also really enjoy this kind of fluffy humor, something Japanese series tend to do really well.

Yes!

 PattyyyRawrX:
The concept of the lesbian bar is also great—it serves as a kind of home base, where we not only see Ayaka’s story but also get to hear about Hiroko’s struggles, making the narrative feel more balanced.

I absolutely adore lesbian bars and lesbian cafes in my fiction (and probably reality, if i had one to go to, ngl). It's actually why that's the "theme" of our discord server 

 PattyyyRawrX:
Overall, a great recommendation—thank you! I just finished the first episode, and I’m genuinely excited to keep watching.

YAY! I'm so glad youre liking it ^-^

 Elisheva:
Right. Of course. Real life :

Reality

*shudder*

 AthenaTheStorierX:
What Did You Eat Yesterday (this one also has a drama)

i know the drama, so good. really should find time for the manga too. and the other you mentioned. love that kind of story. thanks :)

"Reality *shudder*"

exactly. we certainly have a surfeit of reality at the moment.

Should have put more effort in the production I think, kinda felt meh

OMG!! OMG!! My ovaries gonna burst with joy

We are getting Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko Season 2

News Link - https://x.com/ayahiro_mbs/status/1900472196071571760


I've been completely off line for a week due to cyclone damage, but I'm now back in the world of the internet. Anyway, I just stumbled across this. It is a musician who writes songs specifically about GL dramas. I've only watched the one ("Blank"), and it was absolutely beautiful. I'll be watching some more as soon as I post this.


EDIT: I watched some more, and they are all really good songs, and the video editing from the dramas are also really well done. This channel is a real gem. This song from "Pluto" amazing as well.

 MarkWasHere:
I've been completely off line for a week due to cyclone damage

Hope you're okay

 MarkWasHere:
It is a musician who writes songs specifically about GL dramas.

I'm positive that's AI generated music. No human could produce that much music in such a short time, plus it has classic signs of AI generation: Lyrics that almost make sense, tinny fuzzy audio quality, voice that shakes in odd spots.

AI is pretty impressive these days huh?