This series is definitely a wild ride lol. I recommend to read through the summaries of Night's and Gear's story and Love Syndrome Book 1 and 2 to understand the characters better. I think they probably made a mistake when they turned book 3 of Itt's and Day's story into a live action series (which is actually book 15 of the Love Syndrome/Unforgotten Night universe), so it's hard to understand the characters without some background knowledge. Another thing: If you've got zero knowledge about kink and D/s relationships, the characters and the plot are bound to be confusing as hell. For example Itt will look like a spoiled child, throwing a tantrum about some stupid cake. What actually happens however is that Day and Itt are in a (arguably very unhealthy) dom-sub relationship and Day has made a promise to Itt to take care of all his needs. When Day couldn't uphold that promise, we see a sub in distress. Not to mention that Day deliberately turned Itt into a brat, it's kind of his thing I guess. Day did everything he could to make sure Itt can't live without him, which is really beyond bad bdsm etiquette tbh. It's essentially gaslighting/mind break whatever you want to call it. So whenever Itt throws a tantrum, I actually feel sad for him, cause it's really not his fault, he got manipulated into being like that.
Update: Just watched ep5 and I'm in love with all three main characters <3 Even if it might sound confusing to a lot of people, Shuhei was right when he said he doesn't cheat. Because 1) He was upfront with the people he dated before about his tendency to like more than one person, it's not his fault that the girl for example wanted to monopolize him. And 2) There is a huge difference between sleeping around behind your partner's back (which Shuhei doesn't like), having an open relationship (as the guy Shuhei wanted to date suggested and Shuhei said he doesn't want that either) and being in a closed relationship with two people. As far as Shuhei is concerned, he's already committed to Misaki and Yuki and won't have anyone beside them. So yeah, Shuhei is not a fboy and cheater, he just happens to love two people at the same time. It's sort of like an extended monogamous relationship if you will.
I'm in ep4 right now and love it so far! It's got relationship drama, but without the usual aggression and shouting, which I really appreciate. In most other dramas they'd just scream at each other, which is a nope for me, I'm glad the main characters are more on the quiet side. I actually find myself rooting for all three of them :)
The only character I don't like is Misaki's teacher colleague. Her whole "tell me about your troubles, tell me what you're thinking" speech is just a big red flag. Bet she's the type who'd use that info against Misaki. Also, I have the inkling that she's angry at Misaki for butting in on Shuhei's counseling (when Misaki told Shuhei he should pursue his art career instead of studying medicine), so she might want to put Misaki back into her place or something.
Just watched ep6... I think I'm going to put the series on hold for now and wait until Uea finally gets to tell everyone to fuck off and leave him alone. What I find sad is that this series could be so much more, but they're only lightly touching on important subjects like abuse, trauma and toxic relationships. One moment you think they're getting somewhere plotwise and the next it's already another nc scene or King behaving like a jealous teenager (not a good look on him tbh King, I thought you were understanding boyfriend material, wtf happened?). The preview for the next ep doesn't look any better... I don't think I can sit through another 30-40min of Uea getting pushed around mixed with pointless smut scenes. I'm all for smut, don't get me wrong, but I much rather watch proper porn than this. What I want is plot and catharsis, but so far I'm not getting any. So off to the hiatus list it goes 🤷♂️
And just like that it's going on my "not interested" list. If they can't be bothered to be true to the source material, I can't be bothered to watch their show 🤷♂️
This honestly feels like I'm watching two different series. One about trauma and family drama and one about two coworkers who go from enemies to friends with benefits to lovers. Either way, I think Uea doesn't need a boyfriend, he needs therapy. And I hope he gets his younger sister out of that environment, because there is no way she isn't also getting abused.
Plus points for me so far: the main actors are cute and they do try their best to portray their characters. Also the cinematographer loves a good reflection lol
Minus points: A lot of the sex scenes look like they were specifically shot with fan edits in mind. Those scenes look great in Tiktok edits and gif sets (those are what got me to watch this series in the first place). But sadly it's at the expense of the scene cut and natural flow between the actors.
To be fair though, I didn't expect a masterpiece going into this series. I expected some pretty boys, pretty images and smut and that's what I got. I'll keep watching for now.
I Disagree. They are both insecure. Kiyoi is trying since season 1 to be equal. Just loved, NOT to be worshiped…
I never said I don't like Hira though. In fact, I think both characters are equally interesting. Kiyoi isn't perfect and neither is Hira, which is pretty much the whole point of the story. No need to get your panties in a twist here
I Disagree. They are both insecure. Kiyoi is trying since season 1 to be equal. Just loved, NOT to be worshiped…
Um... Kiyoi literally told Hira in season one that he doesn't want to be a god or king, but that he is just an ordinary man who wants to be with the person he likes. Also, Kiyoi doesn't have a family or any friends that he could introduce Hira to. After Kiyoi's mother remarried, Kiyoi was pushed aside in favor of his mother's new husband and half-siblings. I highly doubt he has any contact with them at this point (maybe a call once a year, but that's it). Kiyoi also doesn't seem to have any close friends, he's just got colleagues and people from his agency (and be honest here, would you come out to your colleagues in a society that still doesn't really accept gay relationships? Let alone the fact that actors who are in a relationship oftentimes get bashed for it). I guess the female actress he works with could be considered the closest relationship he has with someone outside of what Kiyoi has with Hira, but I still wouldn't really call that a friendship. Kiyoi only wants two things right now: To be in an equal relationship with Hira were they can both say "I love you, we are boyfriends" to each other and for them both to be successful in their career paths. Honestly, if you think Kiyoi is a bully and egoist who loves nothing more than to manipulate Hira, you've clearly not understood his character.
Is it just me, or could this whole series be seen as a political statement? I mean, it's probably not a coincidence that those who got left behind are all people who don't conform to the ideal of a "good citizen". They're the sick, the old, the gay, the political activists, the dug addicts and mentally ill. They have no place in the class system of the bunker and thus are left to die alone. They're the mouse from that allegory in ep8 and they're getting crushed by the elephant/moon, which could be seen as a symbol for the government and restrictive social norms. Some of them just give up and accept their fate or they bring about their own undoing. But others, like our main characters, keep fighting. They know that despite being different, they still deserve a place in this world and society.
The only character I don't like is Misaki's teacher colleague. Her whole "tell me about your troubles, tell me what you're thinking" speech is just a big red flag. Bet she's the type who'd use that info against Misaki. Also, I have the inkling that she's angry at Misaki for butting in on Shuhei's counseling (when Misaki told Shuhei he should pursue his art career instead of studying medicine), so she might want to put Misaki back into her place or something.
Plus points for me so far: the main actors are cute and they do try their best to portray their characters. Also the cinematographer loves a good reflection lol
Minus points: A lot of the sex scenes look like they were specifically shot with fan edits in mind. Those scenes look great in Tiktok edits and gif sets (those are what got me to watch this series in the first place). But sadly it's at the expense of the scene cut and natural flow between the actors.
To be fair though, I didn't expect a masterpiece going into this series. I expected some pretty boys, pretty images and smut and that's what I got. I'll keep watching for now.