This review may contain spoilers
A Master Class in Acting
What could have been a banal, enjoyable watch is elevated tremendously by the sheer will and force of Fujibayashi Yasunari's (Enaga/Ae) performance. I noted that this review contains spoilers and it's a rather minor spoiler considering that all the characterization, conflict, and themes rest on what happens after the "big reveal" very early in the show's run.
Yasunari has created two distinct characters in his performance: Enaga and Ai. He has accomplished this on a genetic level. Each "character" he plays has a distinct walk, posture, line delivery, and even gaze. In the hands of a lesser actor, this role could have merely let the piece be what it's script delivered- a "mistaken identity" romantic comedy that bordered on farcical. But the subtlety of what Yasunari has accomplished is what elevates the show above it's material- it is completely believable that Nagano Ryota's character (Chiaki) is entirely oblivious as the "two" men he is spending so much time with are so disparate and even unrecognizable to each other in juxtaposition. The amount of commitment to craft is obvious and it is a shame that this genius performance will go under-recognized simply because of the genre in which it was delivered.
But this praise of performance does not end with Yasunari; after all, he needs a scene partner and this is where Ryota's choices really shine. It is tremendously challenging to play the "straight man" to an "over-the-top" character and Ryota delivers the foundation on which Yasunari builds his performance. Ryota is tasked with delivering "unbridled admiration" for his bias in their "AE" scenes and what could have very easily been "cringe" or scene chewing is given such a sweet, hot, shyness: a sense of being slightly overwhelmed by the brilliance yet basking in the warmth of his personal sun in such a way that his growth and comfort feel organic. There were times I felt a phantom blush and reddening of my own ears watching this dynamic and this attests to Ryota's talent.
Kudos to the director for trusting the subtlety of what his actors were doing and just letting them deliver. The performances are what really elevate this material to the position of noteworthy.
You've seen this type of story play out one hundred times if you are a BL fan. But you've never seen it played out in the hands of two master craftsmen like Yasunari and Ryota. One caveat though- Ryota's character is slightly underwritten so his performance pales slightly in comparison to Yasunari's.
Yasunari has created two distinct characters in his performance: Enaga and Ai. He has accomplished this on a genetic level. Each "character" he plays has a distinct walk, posture, line delivery, and even gaze. In the hands of a lesser actor, this role could have merely let the piece be what it's script delivered- a "mistaken identity" romantic comedy that bordered on farcical. But the subtlety of what Yasunari has accomplished is what elevates the show above it's material- it is completely believable that Nagano Ryota's character (Chiaki) is entirely oblivious as the "two" men he is spending so much time with are so disparate and even unrecognizable to each other in juxtaposition. The amount of commitment to craft is obvious and it is a shame that this genius performance will go under-recognized simply because of the genre in which it was delivered.
But this praise of performance does not end with Yasunari; after all, he needs a scene partner and this is where Ryota's choices really shine. It is tremendously challenging to play the "straight man" to an "over-the-top" character and Ryota delivers the foundation on which Yasunari builds his performance. Ryota is tasked with delivering "unbridled admiration" for his bias in their "AE" scenes and what could have very easily been "cringe" or scene chewing is given such a sweet, hot, shyness: a sense of being slightly overwhelmed by the brilliance yet basking in the warmth of his personal sun in such a way that his growth and comfort feel organic. There were times I felt a phantom blush and reddening of my own ears watching this dynamic and this attests to Ryota's talent.
Kudos to the director for trusting the subtlety of what his actors were doing and just letting them deliver. The performances are what really elevate this material to the position of noteworthy.
You've seen this type of story play out one hundred times if you are a BL fan. But you've never seen it played out in the hands of two master craftsmen like Yasunari and Ryota. One caveat though- Ryota's character is slightly underwritten so his performance pales slightly in comparison to Yasunari's.
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