Definitely my no. 1 top bl so far; a supernatural teenage romance underrated masterpiece
(Apologies in advance for any grammatical errors, English is not my native language.)This series is a hidden gem. It is a supernatural teenage romance with hints of slice-of-life that unexpectedly gave me butterflies. Despite its melancholic tone, I still found comfort and beauty in it. This drama is deeply underrated and deserves far more recognition. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is much more than just a sad or tragic story within the BL or supernatural genre.
Story:
The series gently explores the stages of grief, and many reviews have praised how delicately this theme is handled, which I wholeheartedly agree with. Supernatural stories are not always universally appreciated, but this one portrays its fantasy elements in such a grounded and realistic way that it feels incredibly natural. It balances the real and the unreal so well, and that is where its charm truly lies.
What I want to highlight the most is the relationship between Koichi and Micchan. As an introvert, I really appreciate that it shows a healthy relationship between an introvert and an extrovert. I admired Koichi for understanding and seeing the beauty in Micchan's silence. He never rushed anything, from friendship to romance. Introverts need personal space, and I love how Koichi respected that. He never pushed Micchan and instead patiently waited for him to become comfortable. Even though it was love at first sight for Koichi, he allowed Micchan to fall in love slowly, which feels like a kind of sincere courtship we rarely see these days. Koichi became Micchan's protector and safe space. His love was so big and selfless that he always put Micchan's needs first.
Many viewers already see how ideal Koichi is with his gentleness, patience, and protectiveness, but Micchan deserves just as much appreciation. He may seem emotionless on the outside, but he is deeply compassionate. The novel shows even more of how much he loves Koichi, even years later. His eternal love, choosing Koichi every day, is proof of how strong his feelings are. Giving Koichi emotional energy just so he could function already shows how deeply he cared. Watching the person you love slowly fade away is incredibly painful, and Micchan endured that. He loved Koichi just as much as Koichi loved him.
Their relationship gave me everything I could ever want from a love story: a gentle love that feels safe, someone proud of you, someone who sees something special in you that others overlook, and a love you never expected to be returned so sincerely. It is the kind of love that feels irreplaceable, the kind that makes you feel like you are always the first choice, a love that keeps choosing you every day. It is heartbreaking that it was taken away too soon.
Acting/Characters:
Komiya and Inoue did an incredible job. Their chemistry is exceptional, and they delivered everything perfectly. Their comfort with each other, the soft and gentle intimacy, and even the smallest emotional details were beautiful to watch. Even in the intimate scenes, nothing felt oversexualized. The focus on the main couple was truly appreciated. Their expressions, chemistry, and line delivery felt so natural. There was not a single moment that felt awkward or cringe.
Setting/Cinematography:
I loved the Japanese countryside summer setting. The scenery and landscapes were beautiful and calming. Even though the weather differs from the novel, as a pluviophile I loved how important rain became in their story. It appeared in every significant moment, from their first meeting to their relationship beginning, Koichi's accident, and finally his goodbye. It felt like the rain mirrored their emotions and how their love slowly grew.
Music:
This is the best OST I have heard so far. The opening and ending songs perfectly capture their story, and I still get emotional whenever I listen to them. The background score throughout the drama was also beautiful.
Rewatch Value:
It may sound odd, but I would still give the rewatch value a 10 out of 10. I love melancholic stories, and even though this one is sad, it brings me comfort every time I revisit it.
Overall:
Even with its sad ending, the story ended in the most beautiful way possible. The final narration is one of the most painfully beautiful things I have ever seen in a drama. This is probably the best BL I have watched so far. It gave me the poetry, gentleness, subtlety, and bittersweet feeling that I always look for. It also gave me meaningful life lessons. I will always be grateful that I discovered this drama. It left me emotionally wrecked for weeks, but I do not regret watching this masterpiece at all.
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School Trip: Joined a Group I’m Not Close To
50 people found this review helpful
Cliché, but charmingly so effective
I hate to say it, but this might have just taken the spot of Cherry Magic as my second-favorite BL.Story
What immediately works here is the focus on a single main couple. I’m not against series with secondary couples, but giving the story this tight focus allows the emotions between Watarai and Hioki to fully breathe. The plot itself is simple... probably the most cliché out of clichés, but that simplicity is exactly why it works. It’s not a story that feels deeply personal, yet it hits in a strange, nostalgic way, almost like healing the teenage version of myself who had never experienced this kind of love as a gay teenage boy. The longing and intensity in Watarai’s gaze, his patience, and the eventual reciprocity from Hioki make it all feel tangible. I wish I could’ve been bolder like Watarai back then. To be reciprocated by someone you don’t expect after waiting so long is the best feeling in the world
Acting and Cast
The performances elevate the straightforward story immensely. Fujimoto Kodai carries his role with a natural ease, impressive for his age, while Hideyoshi Kan’s expressive eye expressions every time he looks at Hioki communicate so much without a word. Their chemistry is absolutely top-notch and it feels effortless and gives weight to moments that might otherwise feel ordinary
Characterization
Watarai’s characterization isn’t flawless. His possessiveness occasionally gives me the ick, to be honest. But that imperfection is what makes him believable. Teenage love is messy, intense, intimate, and flawed, and this portrayal embraces that rather than sanitizing it into a “perfect boy” stereotype. I also appreciated the supportive networks or supporting characters around them, from Morisaki’s brother to their circle of friends. It adds a grounded, lived-in feel to the story. It is just so easy to watch and comforting
Rewatch Value
This is a show I could revisit multiple times, alongside favorites like Eternal Yesterday, Cherry Magic, and My Love Mix-Up!. For me, the replay value is undeniable, a full 10 out of 10
Music
While the soundtrack itself didn’t stand out, in my opinion, the musical score is carefully crafted and adds a subtle layer that enhances the dialogue and emotional exchanges between Watarai and Hioki
Standout Moments
The kissing scene deserves particular commendation. I really wasn’t expecting that from a high school romance in a Japanese BL. Watarai’s gentleness in the first kiss was clearly mindful of Hioki’s inexperience, while the second kiss escalated with more passionate intensity, conveying a natural progression of emotion. He didn’t even stop there, the seemingly improvised stolen kiss at the end, which didn’t seem part of the script, added a layer of spontaneity, suggesting that the actors fully understood the emotional beats of the scene. They knew exactly what they were doing. Tbh, I was fully expecting a fish kiss, which I would’ve understood since that’s how it’s kind of described in the novel, but man? I just loved it. It’s so refreshing to see a real, proper kiss in a Japanese BL, which I think it elevates the intimacy between the characters and grounding the romance in authenticity
Critiques
If I were to nitpick, it would be the added line, “I like you whether you’re a boy or a girl.” It wasn’t in the original novel, and while I understand the intent, it feels a little forced and slightly disconnected from Watarai’s previous lines. It reads as a concession to a broader audience, mostly straight viewers, rather than an organic moment in the story
Overall
This isn’t a BL for those who demand tightly plotted, highly polished narratives. It’s a simple, heartfelt story that resonates, reminding viewers why they fell in love with this genre in the first place, and sometimes we just need a little escape from reality. I think this is exactly why this BL series worked so well.
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