Lyson

I like the write up, it sounds interesting. I never used to expect much of the acting in JBLs but 2024 has so far been better for them in that department, so I would like to see what this one has to offer. Can I expect less make up, stiff hair and white washed faces? I'd appreciate that, it's getting harder to avoid in all BLs these days.

They're forced to sublimate, they legally have no choice, but they do what they can to make the non-platonic relationship known as much as they can, and they do it so very well imo. Their relationship development is usually fantastic, far exceeding standard BLs, and their acting standard is higher as well. But it certainly isn't to everyone's taste. Taiwan is beginning to step up recently. I look forward to more from them.

Happy of the End.

I think I will try this one.

I haven't seen that one, I skip a lot of JBLs, so I have not watched most of the ones you named here. From this list you've shared, I have only watched Old Fashioned Cupcake, A Man Who Defies the World of BL (of which I skipped the sequel), My Beautiful Man and I seem to have watched His: What is Love, but I don't remember it at all. I have looked at the write ups for The End of the World With You and Happy of the End and I think I might try them.

I personally prefer Chinese and Taiwanese BLs myself, even though they are censored in the former and few in the latter. My BL recc list is quite short and there is not a single JBL on there, although, maybe in 2024 that'll change.

I've noticed it's the same with other forms of gay media, many BL fans don't actually enjoy other gay media, only BL. It's similar to the small side batch of fans who like BL but if they find out the actors are actually gay they freak out, some people can only accept things packaged in certain ways. So for those of us who enjoy all the spectrums, there are usually conflicting opinions about what BLs are lacking or not lacking with others.

I think the only reason the praise has dropped off here is because there hasn't been any overt BL. The JBL undying defenders would still be on their bs if there was more BL scenes in this, even minor stuff, and even if if were bad. As for Sunspot, the story is good, so they're quiet for the most part, which means more neutral fans can actually voice their opinions. After seeing the comments over at Takara's Treasure, it doesn't seem like anything is changing. JBLs are mid to weak 90% of the time imo.

Agreed, almost all of the Japanese BLs are overrated., that is why I've dropped so many and skip over many others. But then a lot of Thai popular BLs are overrated too and turn out to be nonsense. We just have to sift through what there is and hope to find something we really like. As for Sunspot, it's a good story and it's well acted, but it's not a BL and that is where they dropped the ball imo.

There is nothing wrong with Mood Indigo, I didn't rate it badly and I enjoyed it. But yes, it's an LGBTQ+ show, not a BL, which are quite different. I used it as an example that Japan hasn't found a balance to suit people with a preference for something in between the two extremes. I have noticed over time that many people who watch BL don't actually like LGBTQ+ shows. I like both genres, but for different target audiences, Japan has yet to find its middle ground.

Between Isumi from Sugar Dog Life, Taichi from Sunspot and Sea from First Note of Love there is a 'bottom' cuteness overload happening in my brain.

Legit keen to see where this goes. This introduction ep was well done. (technical errors and plot holes of the 'crimes' nothwithstanding)

To me, it felt more like Sea was daydreaming that confession. But I guess we'll see.

I don't even know how far I'll make it. It's been 3 days and I haven't gone back to it again. I'm not sure which parts you struggled with, but for me the struggle really does come from not liking the lead, because it's too difficult to get invested when the character that has the most screen time is not interesting or likeable.

Tan Zao Zao's death (since you already know it happens) is in episode 31 and yes, in the novel, it is after her death when they officially get together. You can read that from chapter the end of chapter 105 in the novel. And their dynamic does shift, as the showrunners seemed to try and line the series up with the novel's relationship development as much as possible.

You can also check out the most recent; First Note of Love and The On1y One. These are not China Mainland, but Taiwan so they're actual BL and not censored, and the latter is based on a popular Mainland China writer's novel.

Japan has 2 extremes. They have LGBTQ+ shows/films and then they have BL. Their BLs are underdone and tepid, then you get their LGBTQ+ shows like Mood Indigo that overdoes it. They haven't found a balance yet imo.

I get what you're saying, I have dropped almost all Japanese BLs that I try to watch in the past and I've never rated a single one a 10 because they always miss the mark for me, but I still try to watch them. 2024 has been the best year so far for Japanese BLs imo, they're starting to do better, not so boring, manga-esque and vague anymore.
Sunspot is good in terms of story and acting, but it's more pre-relationship and story based than a romantically focused BL.

95% pre-BL/slash. They only kiss once as far as episode 11, and it's like Ivy described. They will probably only decide to be together in the final episode. It's a good show though, depending on what you're looking for.

Oh haha, yeah now it makes sense.

I'll be honest, I have no idea what you mean by vinyl setting, is that some film term I'm not familiar with? lol. There is a certain charm to the older setting, but it also has a high level of predictability.