Rach loves Xieer

wait… really?! O__O

Yes! thank you! it is unfortunate how fandom culture has gotten to a point where we have to watch with who we interact as adults considering a lot of kids go into these spaces that are usually R18+ and because they’re not mature enough they feel like they have to police everything and everyone. As you said before, they think that who you like in fiction is where you stand morally in real life. Which is not true at all. This mentality hasn’t also influenced other kids but adults themselves. I’ve seen many posts of people in their 20s comment the same things you see a minor say on twitter dot com because that’s what sounds “morally correct”

Me too, I want to buy the three novels officially. I only read the transcript of the first novel and discussed what happens in the second one with people that have already familiarized themselves with it. We’ll see how the show ends, because there are some thing that are quite different from what I read in the CD Drama so I’m excited.

Yup, for me it airs tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:30 pm lmao worst timing as well because I work :’(

Definitively, thank you for clarifying. I get what you were referring to now when you say “toxicity”. It is just that some people in fandoms throw around words so easily without fully understanding its meaning depending on the context (and seeing people misinform others about this show to the point of making things up on tiktok, twitter, etc. annoys me). Not saying that what you commented annoyed me, I actually agreed with everything you wrote, it was seeing the word toxic that reminded me of the way some people in fandoms describe almost everything that they don’t like was what made me want to comment on the wording, but now that you’ve clarified it, I see it because it gave me a different perspective.

Oh go into more details if you want, I’d love to hear more. "Hira and Kiyoi's issues go far beyond communication issues.” for sure, I should have articulated it better, I meant to say that communication is one of their major problems and having a proper talk is one of the key elements for their relationship to grow. However, as you said, it goes beyond communication because even though they do have that conversation Hira, still kind of continues to idolize Kiyoi in volume 2 (although Kiyoi tells him he doesn’t want him idolizing him anymore). It does take time, but they will for sure make it as they continue to discuss the problems in their relationship and as individuals. If you see me bring up communication a lot for them is because that’s one of the main theme/issues that the author of the novels focused on when it comes to the couple growing and becoming healthier, that instead of bring out the worst in each other they start bringing out the best in each other.

I believe the words we use to describe something are very important, yes, I 100% agree that Hira’s obsession with Kiyoi is unhealthy, and that the way Kiyoi treats Hira is unhealthy. And I also agree that this type of situation is something someone, not even me, would want in real life. So, yes, it is unhealthy. However, I wouldn’t use the word toxic and here’s why:

The word toxic is when your well-being is threatened in some shape or form such as emotionally, physically, and psychologically. This word, toxic, comes hand in hand with the word abusive. That’s why I really don’t like associating this word to Hira and Kiyoi’s influence on one another because if it really was toxic instead of getting better, it would get worse. I saw someone on twitter earlier today saying that a good depiction of a toxic relationship are the couple from “Theatre A Love Story,” where the main girl went from a being cheerful person to a depressed drunk, in this movie the couple negatively impact one another. Meanwhile, Kiyoi and Hira’s relationship (although they aren’t even together) IS definitely unhealthy, but to me toxic isn’t the correct word to describe it, they don’t negatively influence one another to the point that one or both of them become miserable individuals that feel stuck in a situation that they can’t get out. For example, with Kiyoi’s help Hira gained confidence, you don’t gain confidence in a toxic relationship, you lose it.
The solution between Hira and Kiyoi’s unhealthy relationship is literally having better communication, once they have that communication that’s when they will finally understand each other and work to become better and move away from their unhealthy habits.

Other than that, I do agree with everything you just wrote, those unhealthy elements do give their relationship that spice. without it, it would have most likely been dull and boring because there would have been little to no character growth. I also LOVE how you mentioned that in fandom culture people are pressured to think that what they like in fiction is reflective of who they are as a person. It is so annoying when people call others weird, red flag, or bad news for liking a quote on quote fictional villain, serial killer etc. because at the end of the day said fictional character isn’t actually harming a real person. Back to the Kiyoi and Hira relationship, I do think most people acknowledge the unhealthy signs (if they don’t they should) it is just that unhealthy isn’t always the same as toxic, if Hira and Kiyoi would have gotten into a relationship without discussing how they felt and continued to display unhealthy habits would have definitely turned toxic over time, but they do have that communication before becoming boyfriends.

Sorry if I come across too picky when it comes to the words you used to describe their relationship, it is just that I kinda became a word-freak (thanks psychology prof :| ) considering people can misinterpret what you say or get the wrong idea about something, even though it sounds like the correct way to describe it. For example, If I say “They’re toxic” that other person listening to me, might start imagining a bunch of different scenarios in their heads about how they are toxic and start making things up that aren’t even happening, like someone on tiktok who went out of their way to tell people who don’t watch the show that Kiyoi raped Hira. You get what I’m trying to say?

people stop calling everything toxicity challenge

Perspective is really important… it is so ironic too. Because we’re all talking about Kiyoi and Hira’s POV but the way the audience sees these POVs are also different, it is all about how you process that info to form your own perspective, unfortunately, some people no matter how much you give them long informative explanations behind the characters and plot considering we’re familiar with it, they won’t be open to it because they have already set their mind fixed that their perspective is the right one although they know nothing about the original work.

The more I watch it, the more I like it

I actually commented on the “bad news” thing because it rubbed me the wrong way (I just deleted it because I didn’t wanna start a discourse), like it felt like they were implying that there’s something wrong with us for enjoying dark/morally gray shows or flawed/complex characters, as if we would go out into the streets yelling things like “omg yes, I love a hot ass abuser who could potentially be a serial killer because in fiction I happened to like one!”

I also said that I thought not wanting “pretty heavy” vibes from BL as a gay guy just shows how this story hit a sensitive spot, because in real life relationships are complicated and that includes LGBTQ relationships, they’re not gonna be perfect or fluffy at all times. This show is just a reminder of how complex and messy some gay relationships actually are, especially for two characters that are coming of age and happened to discover they are gay. To this person based on their reply it seems like they watch BL as an escape from reality and the harsh truth of relationships. However, kudos to them for at least knowing what they don’t want in shows and drop them rather just continue to watch just to hate and comment on bullshit they don’t comprehend.

You just reminded me of some dumb bitch hating on Lan Wangji because he “raped” Wei wuxian although it is weiying with the rape kink and he consented… a total kink shamer fr

The kidnapping and not given food brought me flashbacks to 5 minutes ago of me rewatching dangerous drugs of sex 😭😂

I wouldn’t say he’s a bad boy, but he’s just flawed to the point of making horrible decisions based on impulse and immaturity but there is development

I would love for this to get adapted with the same actors :’) this sounds beautiful and emotionally moving

I think it is good in its own way, flawed like Kiyoi and Hira? from my perspective not really, but the acting is amazing and there’s enough conflict to make a good story. If you want flawed characters yet good cinematography I recommend I told sunset about you and I promised you the moon (sequel of I told sunset about you). Please do not read the comments some people just be hating on one of the characters (with reason but they completely demonize him)

A summary would be well appreciated and welcomed.

thank you so much this is extremely helpful

I wanna rewatch them now just to feel the nostalgia lol

Thanks, will check them out as soon as I can.

LMAO the takumi series! I’ve seen all of them when I was like 12 thinking it was the best series I’ve ever watched, might have to challenge myself and have a rewatch to see how cheesy it always been, but I’ll check out everything else you just mentioned.

Where did you find the drama cd for the second volume? Also, I wonder if there’s a transcript for this one just like the one we have for utsukare