John Master

Thank you! The geographic reference is much appreciated. I had noted the recurring significance of that hill (and its view) but had failed to pick up on the name of the hill in the episode when Yuki first mentioned it. I already thought the post-credits tag on the finale was the perfect choice for our last sighting of these characters. Knowing the correlation to the title only emphasizes that subtle brilliance.

What does the title reference?

This review sums up why a person should look past the superficial judgment ("it's a cheater-husband storyline") and comprehend that the world is full of people whose lives are different than their own. People who make choices differently than they would make. These characters lack the conceptual vocabulary to explore polyamory, but that is exactly what they are groping for. Anyone who wants to "widen [their] understanding of the world past [their] own nose" ought to heed Mademoiselle Noir's advice and watch this series with an open mind.

Not only do I think you make a fair criticism, but the fact upon first watching each of us perceived it so differently confirms that how a person reacts to the series may hinge on whether that "ending" gets seen as an ending or as a midway point.

As you said, that's an error in marketing--in sports lingo, an own goal or an unforced error.

It was definitely confusing. But I concur with the flashback judgment. Right before that, one of them mentioned something about "this time, let's recognize each other right away." So, I think that moment was supposed to depict the first time they ever truly noticed each other. The step step step glance backwards is definitely a classic trope for "noticing' someone.

Excellent. I should have mentioned the key factor that for me defines "noteworthy" would be extra bits that alter the story/plot/character building. Doesn't sound like extra long kisses change much of the story, given the mind already fills in those blanks....

By the time I watched this (late May), the free You Tube video (all four episodes in one) was clearly labeled Part 1. For that reason, I saw the "finale" as more of a "To Be Continued" than an ending. I also watched aware that a "sequel" arrives within a month. Many reviews and many commenters in this chat have blasted the ending for being disappointing. I can certainly understand that reaction for anyone who believed that marked the end of the story. But if instead, "ep 4" is regarded as the midpoint of a single story--worth noting: if Part 2 also clocks in at 40 minutes, then essentially Blue Boys is more feature length film than series--then the tepid conclusion reads quite differently. I would encourage the disappointed to wait to see what Part 2 delivers and give Part 1 an incomplete.

Hopefully, patience will replay my optimism.

You mentioned seeing both the free and uncut versions. Any noteworthy differences between the two?

I see five key phrases in VBN's brief comment:

Sad. [Twice.]
Unable to recreate.
Over the top.
Were attempting to do [but failed].
Overboard.

Even without the context of full sentences, I feel like these bullet points could stand as a review for the entire series.

Those non-Thai high school uniforms are an interesting touch. I have pondered the question myself. In fact, this insignificant detail may represent the only point of jntrigue in this whole series that seems creative and clever enough to warrant a bit of fun speculation. So, here are two theories.

Theory 1: by using foreign dress styles, the episode establishes those scenes as representations of a character's imagination as distinguished from flashback scenes where the Thai blue shorts and shirts appear as expected. As noted, the naval-looking, Japanese uniforms indicate a fantasy sequence.

Theory 2: the fantasy where Jade projects his acquaintances into high school romances may be a subtle indication that Jade has a taste for Japanese BL series, from which the wardrobe is copied. Thus, his daydreams/fantasy life mimic the kinds of fiction he enjoys.

Also true. And acquiring those rights may also have been more expensive than usual.

GMMTV recycles directors the same way they do actors, so I tend to regard this overlap as more coincidence than "sponsorships as signature directorial style." I do suspect the presence of TayNew is not a coincidence. They likely get paid more (higher budget cost) but also their popularity probably ensures higher appeal to potential sponsors (so TayNew pay for themselves, too).

I also noticed the high number of sponsors, but I theorize that's merely a reflection of a production with a high budget, necessitating more sponsors to foot the bill. I doubt "number of sponsors" has anything to do with the director. Signing sponsors would happen in the business department at GMMTV, not the creative side. It wouldn't be the director's responsibility to acquire the sponsors, even if the director must figure out how to shoehorn the product placements into the storyline. In this case, I think the proven marketing ability of TayNew drew the sponsors. Possibly (and I conjecture) Cherry Magic had a higher budget than the typical GMMTV production. First, TayNew likely command higher salaries than most of the younger BL actors. Second, the shooting location (a modern office building) may cost more than (for example) a university campus exterior. Third populating the office building probably led to higher costs for extras. Fourth, all those extras need business attire (nice suits!) so that wardrobe costs probably are above average for GMMTV.

Whatever the reason, there were a lot of sponsors!

I've written a bunch of reviews. This is the only series that inspired me to comment on wardrobe ("colors") and hairstyles ("50s aesthetics").

Speaking of Time Lords, isn't the Doctor back this week, too?

This comment is exceptionally well written. It raises valid questions and lays out relevant issues in a cogent way.

I also appreciate that just because you are enjoying the series (as evidenced by the first paragraph and your subsequent replies) it doesn’t mean you switch your brain off and ignore aspects that trouble you. Sometimes folks lose track that one can enjoy an entertainment yet still engage the material critically.

Thank you for the kind words. Glad you feel inspired to explore new content!

I have no issue with a story about a misogynistic stalker/kidnapper. Such a fare has the makings of high drama. I just did not think the stalker story blended well with the overall tone of the story. The series was light comedy, screwball comedy. The stalker belonged in a serious exploration of the topic. By contrast, the caricature gay character actually fits the tone of the series. My objections tonthat had nothing ro do with a mismatch between the vibe of tue series . He is funny, its just that he is funny for reasons i find offensive. If the kidnapper had been bad at his job, kind of buffoonish, that would be a better fit for tis series. This stalker was relentlessly violent, and inthink he belonged in a darker, more dramatic series.

This list is "body swap" and not "gender swap" precisely because Vice Versa needed to fit the list! If it doesnt always feel like a body swap it is because 90% of the time we should see Ohm and Nanon but instead see the two actors whose characters jumped into those bodies.

Also, Kamisama heads the list because it is superior to the others. That one went for deep philosophical reflection whereas the items below 3 are more romps. Which can be fun. Each series has delightful bits. But don't expect to be as impressed as by Kamisama. Ryu was the first K-BL that failed to connect with audiences. More misfires followed, but my summary here (and on the List "BL SERIES WITH HISTORICAL SETTINGS") lays out its conceptual shortcomings as both body swap and historical genres.

Youre just on a Reaper/death high at the moment!