EmperorCaligula

Three toxic characters in a captivating story

BURNOUT SYNDROME – REVIEW

Today with the 10th episode „Burnout Syndrome“ finally ended. It surely is a more controversial series, and the early episodes I assume decided for many to stay or to go. Let me be clear about two things. First, all three main characters are broken and downright unlikeable characters at least for me. I would want none of them in my circle of friends or closer than a continent away from. Second, I cannot say I liked the series in a basic way.

However, writing as a critic, I had to take another perspective. First, I didn't dislike watching the series, despite the drama and the toxic main characters, because it was the premise of the series from the get-go and I can measure a series only from what it set out to accomplish: showing us human flaws and deeply flawed characters. People being burned out. With Jira the painter who played both men to fulfill his whims, Pheem the Casanova suddenly falling into some possessive love and the cold hearted capitalist Koh who regards people as material, none of them was anything but red flag characters. But in this, the series and the acting excelled to the best skill of cinematography which I have yet seen. Each has biographical reasons to be what they are, each made bad decisions to become the burned out person they are, and each manipulate and ruin each other during the entire series. The underlying topic, even broken people desire true love, was one of the saving graces. Through all the cracks and toxic traits, you see vulnerable human beings struggling to break out of the habit of their flawed personalities, stubbornly clinging to their character traits which add to their own misery. And that was extremely well depicted in directing, acting, cinematography, sets and music.

It was one of the few series where I was and still am uncertain whether I like the ending. In my age I find it hard to believe that human beings truly fundamentally change, and sometimes it is better to have a a quick end with terror than terror without end. The ending, while apparently giving hope of healing, remained ambivalent to me, and I assume that is the best such a setup can deliver. There is no guarantee of magic happiness. Only the “for now”, and as Koh admits, he doesn't know if it will work out. That is a daring honest ending, for what else could the reply be.

As someone who was, despite several times trying, unable to watch “Heart Killers” and “Only Friends” because it was just way too heartbreaking and depressing, I went along with “Burnout Syndrome” well. Partially I admit because I am not so emotionally close to OffGun, in contrast to FirstKhaotung, so I guess how easy you are able to take it somewhat depends on how you feel about Off and Gun. For me it was their first series I watched, so I had not such a close emotional bond or expectations, which certainly helped me to bear some inner distance. Also the drama was mostly not with super intense eruptions which might have unsettled me (in contrast to Heart Killers and Only Friends, which was wrecking me so I had to stop), but here acting the inner pain and trauma was more subdued, as befitting of characters who are “burned out” and deprived of emotion by the traumas they had. Artistically it was a masterpiece, and I have to add, it sadly reminded of me gay friends I had, who were the entire time I knew them constantly attracted to people profoundly unhealthy to them, which I assume goes for people of all sexual orientations. So how to rate it? I wonder. Measuring by what it wanted to be, it succeeded with flying colours. I doubt it is for everyone, especially if you hold Off and Gun in your fandom heart, it may be hard to watch. It IS a dark drama, that is to be known. Still as a piece of art, despite my personal reservations to the characters, I find nothing in itself to criticize, and with a few implausibilities especially in the end, subtracting one point, I give it a

9/10

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THE NEXT PRINCE - 14 Episode Final Review

THE NEXT PRINCE - 14 Episode Final Review

SPOILER WARNING! --- SPOILER WARNING! ---- SPOILER WARNING!

Okay, this was a REALLY long run. Is that good or bad? I am somewhat uncertain, it depends on my current mood, the series itself, but I usually like balanced length, and this - similar like REVENGED LOVE before was really on the "too much" and I just gave it a very good rating because it was really excellent. Still it is as much as I would wish to see, tbh, given on average we have one hour per Episode and a lot of characters.

ACTING:
On the acting I think this was a very good show, beautiful, distinct characters, the good, the gray and the evil characters alike. Still I felt it was not on par with the superb acting of other series, some emotions remained very good but not top. Especially the two MC's who were supposed to carry the show, seemed a bit too much "characters" and too less "persons". Just a tad so ACTING 8/10

VISUALS:
Whee, this highly depends on your taste. It was in a fairy tale like Kingdom, some sort of modern with still a highly fantasy tough. Personally, I am not a fan of prince costume fests, but I found nothing objectively to criticize in this. There were many different places, tons of gorgeous costumes, almost perfect camera and lighting, so within the given aim of Fantasy Kingdom I find nothing lacking in terms of the lush visuals: 10/10

STORY:
Also a hard one for me to judge. See I REALLY passionately dislike Feudalism or Oligarchy in any age or form. With duties and serfs and absolutist feudal lords, even in the best sense, I just dislike that. Still, the story had many interesting plot-lines, unexpected twists, good character development arcs, thought as in other long shows, the non BL tended to overshadow the BL, which as ever you prefer may be good or bad. I usually LIKE that, for when a story is basically only about the BL, the characters tend to remain a bit two-dimensional, so for me that was a bonus, as we come to understand the MC love and the two also interesting side-couples. I had wished in the end we would have seen the two side-couples with a hint into their futures though. If I push aside with much effort my Feudalism dislike, the story itself is a good 9/10.

OVERALL:
It was a story and show worthy to watch, even though the MC, especially the older "knight", I didn't really get the vibe why to root for him as a lover so much to be honest. I understand his position in a feudal society made him act stern, but I did subtract a bit from his potential charm. On the other side the Prince made it up all the way, as a charming, lovable character. Again, I had wished to see more hints of the future of the Kingdom and side couples, but I guess that is standard in BLs. I don't think it left that much of an impression to me that I will "forever remember", but in itself it invested MUCH into displaying an entire realm with MANY places and setups, and I grow tired of BLs having basically only 3-4 places, which boosts this one a lot in my book. Weighing all the aspects, and trying not to give my preferences missed (Feudalism) too much space, I am willing to give it a solid

9/10
Recommended

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Great visuals but a bit a convoluted story with mixed acting

After having watched the first two episodes when they were new, I was so bored I decided to stop. But so many people talking about it and liking it, I continued. I can say there were many moments in the following episode which were fascinating and interesting. The cinematography, the sets and the visuals were all top worthy of 10/10.

However the MC acting was not convincing me very much. The Shaman Master is a model of super good looks, but I found his acting stiff and bland, Khem was a bit better but I have seen way better and complex acting skills, so the love feeling and drama didn't really show. Even when Shamanmaster is down and defeated (apparently) he has this almost passive stare. I have seen many BL series where actors were able to express much more with their faces. (Like First or Fourth, who can make much emotions out of small events, whereas here the MC actors went through huge drama and their faces and body language just doesn't show it. So unfortunately I found them the weakest link of the series. Acting of the second couple was much better in relation, even if they too are quite away from the really good Thai BL actors.

The entire karma and destiny story was interesting but way too overloaded, so many scene, backflashes, and so many scene so slow I wanted to play it 1.5 times faster. Silent stares, you get the idea. There were just too many characters, mini-arcs, items asf added. Like when Charn and Jet outed themselves to Jet's father, I could not remember ever having seen him, and kinda failed to see the relevant to suddenly out themselves to a dad that wasn't even there in the story.

Anyway, it was good, especially visuals, but not the super hit that others feel it is. As such a generous
7/10

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Omnia vincit Amor!

Love of Silom has just ended with it's 12th episode. What we got was an unusual pairing, a police detective and a Gogo dance/host falling in love with each other, both with broken families. Besides their calmly growing love, we had a brutal human trafficing and murder case which threated both Captain Krit and his host boyfriend Wayu.

What was interesting was, how their different background both has family stuff to struggle. Krit, a tyrannical father who wanted to force his son into any profitable marriage entirely uncaring what Krit wanted or felt. He even threatend what he, as a Police General with his influence would do to Wayu, should Krit not cut tires. Tough stuff.

Seeing the scene of the Gogo/Host bar was one of my highlight, realistic or not, it was nice to see how Foei and the boys stuck together, and it was sad to see the only troublemaker found a horrible death just when he can come out to the good side. But it gave the show this gravitas, a lot can happen, even though we were sure the MC would not face drama, or at least I expected a good ending, the show gave a clear sense of danger, hostility and how the world is a dangerous place.
I know people critizised how Krit didn't resist his father, and I did so too. But this is Asia, and who knows if what I would have done would have been so much wiser.

I shall say something about the ending, because I... liked it. I didn't see the evil dad have a sudden turn out of the blue. Sure, it was shortened, but it took around 3 episodes, from the father seeing how Wayu was so desperate when Krit about about to die, with Krit in the end twice stating in no uncertain ways he would stick to Wayo no matter what, and yes the usual mother talking sense into the dad. Krit's father seeing what a respected student Wayu is and someone real.

But here is the thing. There is this story "Of the Lost Son" in the Old Testament, where the father, when the lost son comes homes is in tears and overjoyed and forfeits all anger, for the son is back. And here, here we have the Lost Father who finally turned. We could see hints of him struggling. In the near death moment of Krit, in the time after his wife talked clearly to him. And to be honest, I rather have a father who turns and yields in all things, than a revenge plot.

In the end, all where happy together, and is that not worth to say, alright, let's make this new start and let the past be the past and enjoy we have a big family, and Krit and Wayu married with all in the two families being united? I call that a win of love, and I rather have a father who finally yields and a good future than being eternally prisoner of the past. I know such people. It is not good. As such I found the last episode good, it made me feel happy and seeing the Dad doing the Gogo-Dancing with his cops in the after-scenes was just a nice fun, for an actor who always must play evil people, and maybe for that too I was glad to see him smile and be happy and everyone at peace together.
Having been well entertained with good acting, nice music, many interesting and well played side characters, drama and difficulties:

„Omnia vincit Amor; et nos cedamus Amori!“
- Vergil
9/10 Must have seen!

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An actual improvement from a previous Thai BL - well paced and played

After watching the first 5 Episode of the original Thai BL version, I didn't feel convinced; it felt dragged and the actors didn't feel special. When I went to watch the new Japanese version, I realized I had watched so many Thai BL's, that I was a bit over-saturated and I realized how I missed the Japanese BL style a lot. This series had a gravitas, a seriousness and a very good pacing. It starts right into the action, just to backtrack a few times, with every episode being well rounded in itself. The MC had two distinctly looking and acting actors, though I admit that Nagumo Shoma as Sara was a true bonus, giving this mix of bad boy, sad boy and one desperately fighting to find a happy life, contrasted by Phu's shy are kinda naive ways. Both actors portrait the characters really well, and I was especially glad that the ending gave the devil of a mother her deserved ruination.

Often time travel, parallel timelines and other worlds are risky, because things get very wrong or one of two is left behind, and this series solved it in a very interesting and satisfying way, leaving the viewer thinking about the idea, how easily small decisions or inaction bring entire large scale alterations of life. Chances never taken, and what would be merrier than a Second Chance. Settings, camera work and also the NC scenes were good, with the latter neither being too much or too little and surely something pleasing to the eyes. The serious undertone many Japanese series have was quite refreshing, and also for once not again seeing characters whom I had seen many times in year long ships for a change. Without reinventing the wheel I had a good time, and the two special episodes giving yet another timeline, but in the end adding some extra time in the prime timeline, showing how their relationship progressed, rounded it all up very well. So I can confidently give an

8.5/10

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Wholesome timeless classic BL

"Monster Next Door" was a Thai BL from 2024, with Park and Big in main roles. I remember Big in another more recent BL where he felt a bit stoic, and I was very glad to see him here way more emotional.

They are playing Diew, an introvert, locked in his world, and God, an extrovert from a music band who is very lively and popular with a big circle of friends. The series shows how they slowly find togethers, it is mostly wholesome and sweet. Of course some drama comes with Episode 10 and 11, where Diew has to face his past and both learn to arrange with each others differences while also growing together.

It was a bit difficult to find, and while 12 episodes sometimes can be a bit strechted when the story is so much about personal development, I didn't feel it was overstreched here. We have also a nice sidecouple, who faces its own issues without overshadowing or feeling instruve or extra. Overall I felt I spend a good time with the BL series, feeling well entertained with good acting and storytelling. While it was not a 10, it surely did everything it set out well without any negative elements that stuck out to me, even though time moved in with BL today, I am comfortably giving it a

9/10
Timeless Classic

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10 Things to Do Before Turning - 40 Review

Well, first thing: I absolutely did NOT want to watch this, and I'll be frank why. I felt it would hit way to much "home", being a older gay guy. I was... afraid to watch it. I could SO related with Suzume, feeling old and average and rather not making someone younger unhappy by having ME. It was as if I could feel inside of him.

Well, but how was it? Japanese BL series are often known for their more goofy approach, mimicking the funny acting of the manga their BL series often are taken from. Something I did not mind. But this... this was serious. I felt the "dramatic episode 11" was really always looming over it, because I so knew how I would have felt in Suzume's place. But there is something someone wise a long time ago, when I was a young gay man with full hair and Berlin was a village with a well: That YOU do not like to be your ideal partner is normal, it would be narcissist if it were so, but that doesn't mean you cannot be someone else's type!

Well, this was a fairy tale and reality is reality. But every good fairy tale gives a bit insight into what can be, and in that good storytellers are important to life. And this was a story of value and meaning. To not give up, to allow life to surprise you and ultimately, to dare to make a leap. I had consciously stopped at Ep. 10, wishing to watch 11 and 12 back to back, and I did not regret this decision, so I avoided the sad night after the usual sad 11. All in all it was a beautiful series with just the right balance of speed and depth, and the only thing I had wished was a 13th episode to see them being accepted. But that, maybe, is a story for another night. :)

Daring to go into a somewhat risky area, as such finding no flaw as the aforementioned, I can give it it good conscious a true:

9/10

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Cacophony of Nonsense

MELODY OF SECRETS – REVIEW

A more fitting title for this series would have been “Cacophony of Nonsense.” Good Gods, I thought I’d seen the lowest point of logic with “Dare You to Death” (aka Bore Me to Death). Cops (Joong/Dunk) who are all lovey-dovey and totally fail as cops, while people are being gruesomely killed around them for utterly lame reasons. At least there was the possibility of a clarifying outside perspective with two cops.

Here in “Melody of Secrets,” that was completely missing, and crime mystery or not, I’ve never experienced such nonsensical confusion as here. I’m going to talk about Book and Force now, because it didn’t help that so many characters with partly similar names were involved in the plot. So, after a disjointed, out-of-context intro, we find Book, who lost his memory at the age of 17, and the series picks up TEN years later—meaning we’re dealing with a main character who, for the past 10 years, has known his mother, his grandmother, and absolutely EVERYONE solely based on the assertion that they are who they are. NOTHING in Book’s behavior suggests this. No, he just lets 10 years pass as if memory loss were nothing more than an annoying mosquito bite. Then Force shows up, and immediately they’re in love and in semi-NC scenes—and this is even BEFORE Book’s diary is mailed to him, where he recognizes his own handwriting and learns about all the happy years he spent with Force as a couple. And this is where it gets funny. If he lost his memory AT age 17, but had a romantic relationship with Force FROM age 17 onward, why does he even need a diary from the time AFTER age 17 to remember anything—that is, the last ten years, during which he actually had NO memory loss?

And that’s just one example. So he spends ten years satisfied with not recalling anything. For TEN years, he doesn’t encounter a single person who happened to know him—a guy in a restaurant who served him time and again, friends, classmates—and he himself doesn’t even notice how strange it is that, apart from his family, no one else seems to exist who knew him before, or how strange it is that the family apparently makes no effort whatsoever to reactivate his memory—on the contrary, they are very keen on him NOT remembering. And that’s when it became clear to me where this was probably headed, and I was right in the end. (Endariel Poirot's little gray cells!)

Before I get to that: what follows is a wildly edited string of snippets, jumping from character to character, from event to event, place to place in a way that’s more reminiscent of a roller coaster ride. The author had presumably written the novel backwards, and now all the events have to be crammed in—and as the series progresses, it becomes clear: the author has completely bitten off more than he can chew here. There are so many motifs and plotlines that they completely overwhelm the writer, director, and actors. Inspector Dao’s “subplot” alone is just confusing, and I never really understood her motive until the end, nor the motive behind the main mystery: Book ISN’T at all who he thinks he is. The person he thinks he is died 17 years ago, and his mother and grandmother hypnotize a stranger to believe he is that person. Purpose? Zero. It never really becomes clear what the point of such an action is supposed to be. But it gets even worse, because Force is also neither the person Book ever knew as a real person nor as a fake person, nor were they ever a couple, and yet they jump into bed immediately. Why? To Book, he’s a stranger who merely comes up in a diary, and as we learn at the end: he has no memories or feelings—perhaps instinctive ones—because Force NEVER KNEW Book at any point. And why is Force even playing along?

And here comes the bombshell. Book’s fake persona, which he assumed through hypnosis, was in love with Force’s BROTHER, who—for utterly preposterous reasons—constantly introduced himself using Force’s fake name. By that point, at the very latest, a significant number of my brain cells had died.

I’ll leave it at that, because there’s a whole legion of illogical plot holes that are more reminiscent of a crumbling suburban road than a story.

I’ll leave it at that, because there’s a whole host of illogical plot holes that feel more like a crumbling suburban road than a story.

As for the acting: unfortunately, after “Only Friends,” my impression is confirmed that—forgive me—Force simply isn’t a very good actor. Whether it’s distress or sexual arousal, anger or determination—somehow it all gets lost in the uniform facial expression of tired eyes and raised eyebrows. As for Book, I’d say “Only Friends” shows he can act—I’d call him middle-of-the-road; they make for a pretty nice ship, but nothing that really blows me away. When Inspector Dao acts with more expression than Force in their scenes, it has to be clear: something’s just not right here.

So when the whole mess finally comes to light, I slap my forehead at having witnessed what is arguably the most idiotic collection of plots I can recall, thereby dethroning “Dare You to Death” in my book—a series I had previously dubbed the dumbest BL of all time. The fact that Book and Force decide in the end to start over as a couple using their real personas might be seen as a consolation for BL fans, but I just found it grotesque—because Force and Book exist as a ship, it just has to end this way. Unfortunately, that’s nothing new in BL series. So the love and NC scenes between Force and Book are the only thing that actually carries some value, which they act out decently – if you pull a mask over the immovable face of Force, that is. It was a punishment to watch, an insult to logic and hence I award this series, solely for the nice romance scenes which were good,

2/10

And now I need a strong drink.

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A daring idea as a wholesome experience!

The Promise of the Soul - Ep.12 Final REVIEW

Now with Episode 12 this very challenging topic was resolved. I know some disliked the premise, but as some who enjoys... how can I say - broad perspectives on life, I really enjoyed this series a lot.
For all those who followed it to the end and liked it like me, I wonder if you found the ending a Happy one? For I surely did. I was really afraid at Ep.11, the famous drama apex. I feared, shall we say morality would hold them back. First, it was well acted, beautiful set in scene and the difficult part of the one MC was well played by the actor. It does have a sad element, and I am usually one to quickly find such... dilemmas bad. But I felt it was finished wholesome and meaningful and I for one shall keep this in fond memory for a long time, as wholesome hope giving story. For in the end, as it was wrapped up, I feel it was a good ending for everyone.

For the courage to seek out different perspectives, without regret I give
10/10

Life is large. 🥰

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A well arounded achievement that will dwell in your heart

LOVE UPON A TIME - Review

Yesterday I finally watched episde 12, the finale, and what a finale it was; one of those, if you went along the dangers, the love, the challanges, the sadness is like a great triumphant ending of a symphony, one of the kind of ending that sticks for you long thereafter.

Since it is the premise that is know Natkun is send back to the time 400 years ago into the Ayutthaya period of Thailand with a task that he needs to bring completion and justice. Net and JJ are the ship as Phop and captain of the guard and Natkun/Khlao, who lives Phob's family household due to previous tragedy.

Personally I admit, I didn't understand why JJ playing so overreating and partially comedic felt so out of place. A GenZ kid suddently in a 400 years before place, I didn't find this overreaction misplaced and giving a bit a fun into an otherwise non-comedy series wasn't even noticed by me until others mentioned it as strange.

Anyway, even if the first or the first two episodes put you off, I am not overstating when I say, LOVE UPON A TIME is one of a few really great BL's, it achieves to be more than even some other great series: it creates a place you feel like you live in it alongside with all the others. Like a not connected invisible person being THERE. And it is especially that achievement that will make a great impact on my rating, since even other great series like Me and Thee or Khemjira, I felt to be great, but only in LOVE UPON A TIME I felt like I AM THERE.

The series managed to balance perfectly between a love story, a crime story and a period drama, where none of the parts loses or overextends at the expense of the other, they are more than balanced, they perfectly intertwine over time. There are many reveals, many very special moments of BL, crime and drama, a wonderful scenic place and cinematography, and good and not intrustive music and each character, from the MC to the Second Couple and the "background" characters, every single one was doing great in their role and place.

I will take this series in my heart as a place I have been, not merely a series I have watched. I know nothing of the actors previously, and I prefer it that way. Sure, there are things of preference when it comes to acting, but I felt all the right buttons pushed and all characters plausible. And that finale of finales! I assume some may have seen it spoiled but I shall do none of the like. If Net and JJ had the stardom level of Pond and Phuwin or Fourth and Gemini, the series would have been even more recognized, but Net and JJ didn't show being any less good in these role, if you ask me.

This with my heart still being somewhat in old Thailand, I comfortably give this a deserved

10/10
Must have seen.

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Another highly praiseworthy milestone for Pooh/Pavel

What a series, and what a dramatic high impact ending! We are used to drama and high stakes from Pooh and Pavel since the two “Pit Babe” series with terrifying villains, deadly moments, but this series topped it all tenfold! Evil sorcery, creepy ghost and moments surely not for the faint of heart, I was glad I watched the blurred version on Youtube. Despite my usually sensitive nerves, I found even the dark scenes bearable, walking just the fine line of too much horror and hope.

Both MC actors Pavel but especially Pooh proved to have extended their range as actors in this most challenging story. Some may say the love story took a bit of a back-seat and while I would agree, it made it all the more memorable. I am sure anyone who liked it, will remember this series for a very long time. In all it set out to do, mix horror, crime and love, they succeeded with flying colors! The last two episodes and especially the last part was a true highlight of drama, with everything at stake and on the edge of a knife, giving the viewer the feeling that all possible ends remained on the table until the very last moments.

One may say, that made the time after the happy ending a bit too short, but in all honesty I didn't mind. Singha and Thup had already grown together and their backstories had been unfolded step by step, that despite this I felt the ending satisfying and didn't feel I missed another extra “all happy” time added to it. It may be regarded as more horror drama with BL, alright, but looking for BL to dare more story, and feeling myself these days bored of “just BL” this was most welcome to watch. A truly cinematic masterpiece that doesn't have to shy away from being compared to any big international series. In the end, mama and papa (the forever homeless^^) found together as if in one more universe. Feeling thoroughly greatly entertained throughout the entire series, great actors I every single role, and Pooh making the happiest happy face there is, I am confident with a


10/10
Memorable Series!

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The Perfect Love Story!

SECRET LOVER - REVIEW

Sooo, with a bit delay, since my attention jumps all over I finally binged the second half today. Phew.

It was a strange start, I have to admit. It wasn't a series that caught me from the get go, I assume that is why I went away without deciding it so. Probably also because some big famous shows drew my attention away, and then I forgot about it. So this wasn't a love a first sight for me. Not for any negatives, but where other shows were loud and shiny, this seemed a bit too calm and flowing silently beside me.

Now having gone back, I must say the show really grew on me a lot, so much that I would even say, it is an almost perfect Love Story! There is not too much other stuff weighing in down like Revenged Love with its many layers and sub-stories, SECRET LOVER was a pure love story. I really appreciated that they did not take the all too samey looking MC actors. Both stood out memorable, when many Thai and Korean BL series tend a bit to same-cast these days.

I really liked that it did not play into any seme-uke or big guy - small guy stereotypes, but each MC was a well rounded character in himself. The childhood flashbacks were a bit too much for my taste, but bearable. I really liked how they developed along with the other characters, all how had a good presence and chemistry in the cast. Especially the last three episodes made it skyrocket in my view thinking like, yes this feels like the Perfect Love Story to me. Drama, misunderstandings, love - but neither overplayed nor with any silly instant solutions, all went very organically together to a very happy ending.

Also the scenes between the MC were believable, touching and convincing and more realistic than many other BL stories. It is a show I am sure to remember and rewatch. As such, with all things good to me, I give it a

10/10

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Feelgood GMMTV craft, but a bit yesteryear's best

MY MAGIC PROPHECY - Review

With Episode 10 "My Magic Prophecy" ended today with a slow but warm and wholesome ending. As usual the chemistry between Jimmy and Sea is a well oiled machine, perfected over time. It is a nice thing for fans to see the actors and their roles mature. In the acting Jimmy always had a bit the upper hand, he just seems a natural.
Altogether the show had a good cast, an interesting side-couple, a tragic villain - well played - and just enough of the balance between lovey-dovey and drama as usually the better and best shows of GMMTV. Sometimes with the masses quality suffers several times, but not so here. Each character had a good, well understandable background, character development to be convincing. It also shone with interesting sets and a good sense for fashion being neither over the top not boring and always the same.

I always felt music was never a particular strength of GMMTV, but then it rarely is in BL series IMO. Now talking about my elephant in my room: the show is a 2025 show and as such stands in competition to the current time, and as such... it did not rise of the heights of drama the like "Revenged Love" and others had. It is more the reliable yesteryear type, even though among the best of that, I felt the system started to feel a bit outdated to me, given the risque and new areas other shows and developers made in 2025. So there is nothing bad, but after having been spoiled it felt like 2024's 10/10 but not 2025s. Still I have nothing negative to say, and so putting it in a place I feel is fair, I rate it a very wholesome

8/10

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Mr. Unlucky has no choice but to Kiss! - Vintage BL review

Fukuhara Kota (Sota Ryosuke) is a living danger zone of constant catastrophes happening to him and often enough involving those around him. As he meets Mr Lucky Naoya Shinomiya (Yusuke Sato) an interesting story evolves around them.
"Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice but to Kiss!" is a nice Japanese BL series, which I enjoyed to watch, especially I remember the Manga, which I liked. Given, it is a short series and more a snippet of a story. What was there was enjoyable and the actors, especially Kota's two personalities, how he deals with his permanent real bad luck.

While it is nothing big to write home about, and alas, we get no real BL scenes, I could... "assume" they were in love, and they say it, at least. Still the lack of intimacy if there had been no dialogues just watching might have just the same been good friendship, which in BL I am getting a bit tired of. As such between having fun and lack, I am not clear of a rating. But since unlike others I use the full spectrum of 1-10, despite enjoying it, and recommending it for a lazy day or to steam off after deeply emotionally pushed by some uber emotional BL to relax, I shall give it a
6/10
considering it has barely real BL, but the story and acting is alright and fun enough in itself. Whether you like it or not will however highly depend on what you expect in this more than in other shows. (Note: It has the typical retro Japanese Anime over-acting, which you may like or hate.)

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Could have been but the ending

Magic move was a good idea with not bad actors. The topic, the concept of childhood misunderstandings, lies kept out of fear, it could have made so much. And I must admit, many times in the middle part I really enjoyed the acting and the story. But alas, both the frist and the last two episode were really weak, the start weak and the end outright bad. I am probably biased because the actor of Ritt is really strongly my type, lol, so I try to ignore that. ^^

The start was awkward; not really bad, but weird and with episode 3 I really began to enjoy what was going on. So episodes 3 - 8 I would have given an 7.5 out of 10. Good, even though not a breakthrough or all time hit. But then this ending. The stern mother changing without any real development, Ritt taking this lies so seriously, but the actor did not really well enough express this drama of his character as he should have in the last two episodes with way too much aimless lingering, and not strong emotions shown. Given the drama of breaking of a love the two MCs had since childhood, both really underplayed the dramatic gravitas of what was going on.

On the other hand I cannot agree with other critics saying Ritt's friend was too evil or Itthi, even though it wasn't nice, I didn't feel it was some super serious betrayal. Sure, if I had been Ritt I would be down my friends had withheld that from me. But isn't there something like trust the feeling of love? No one involved had any reasons to make a fool of Ritt, and he should have accepted that OR either making a really fall into a strong felt darkness - and the ending had neither. So we had the drama ending that felt like "oh well let's suffer for 2-3 episodes". They were not really good actors, and I hope they get some acting lessons, for I am not that nasty to wish an end for their career. Well since we will see Deam/Ritt paired with someone else in "Art Adore En", we can see what he learned or maybe was just held back by directing. Who can say.

I did not regret watching it once, it was an okay series with some serious letdowns and especially the consolation was rushed like an entire episode had been cut showing the hard getting together. Each character should have seriously shown more suffering given the situation they all had put themselves into, and we had to guess with they a bit too stoic faces.

With a good middle part but a weak start and a horrible displayed ending, I can even wishing to see the Ritt actor again give no more than a

5.5/10

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