I enjoyed this one, but I'm a sucker for Ballroom Dancing, and two guys dancing together.... heaven. Felt like we got the highlights of the story, but they could have dug deeper on all of their backstories and emotions. The romance was not what I was expecting/hoping for - but it still grabbed me. Great acting. Machida Keita was born for this role. I can't imagine a more elegant and uptight leading man. While the ending was somewhat unsatisfying, I still liked the hope it imagines. But don't call a movie 10 Dance if you're not going to show the 10 Dance competition!!!! False advertising. LOL. I'm going to go watch Strictly Ballroom for a feel good dance movie.
A cute, sweet and slight ending. Exactly what they set it up to be, so no real disappointments. Both leads captivated me til the end. Their unsaid emotions were just so adorably portrayed. I said it before, but I am in love with Hioki. One of my fav leads in a series (Top 5, anyway).
I've decided to take a break from B for a whileL and this sweet confection was a delightful way to end the ride.
For me, that NC scene was all about the last glance between them. That was everything I needed.
Just that last look between them at @ 18:45. They both seem so content, so at peace and they stare so deep into each other's eyes that it says more to me than any NC scene ever could.
I really enjoy this series. Komagine Kiita is so strong. Most of his acting here is just reacting, watching, processing, understanding - expressing all his emotions with just a glance. I think their chemistry is some of the strongest I've ever seen in a BL. I loved the deep dive into acting and actors and their process. And, no surprise, actors are self-centered and often selfish and put their own needs before others. Yup. That sounds accurate. But you never doubted that these two would stand beside each other and support each other through it all. A beautiful kind of love.
I was disappointed with the Special. Only because I wanted it to be about the two actors falling in love, instead of the characters they portray in the show within the show. But that's a minor complaint. I look forward to seeing Usa Takuma in more lead roles. He's adorable.
Very well done. I liked it most for its unique story and tone. Of course the premise is ridiculous, so you have to buy into it from the start, but after that I was along for the ride. Thought both the leads gave strong performances. Liked the moments they gave to the teacher and her hand in their love affair. Loved the soundtrack and the vibe. I'll watch again.
I had to go back and watch ep 1 of Smells Like Green Spirit because I could not believe it was the same Fujimoto Kodai. He is so different in this drama. Great range.
One of the things I've always liked about Asami (from S1) is how seriously he takes his craft, and seeing him work through the rehearsal process here was very interesting. This show truly is about actors and acting, not just about the relationship. The writing in S2 is beautifully nuanced..
Ep 5 was an odd, but delicious episode. The structure was quite unusual, with a couple of time jumps, but I still felt like the story progressed naturally, if a little quickly. They are really zipping through this, but I am all in for the ride. I have liked Hioki from the beginning, but I absolutely fell in love with him in this episode. He's the perfect blend of naive and self-aware, curious and nervous. Fujimoto Kodai is gorgeous and he just seems so natural and real to me. And for some weird reason I love his voice. Kan Hideyoshi was also great in this ep. The glare across the gym floor at Hioki's badminton friends was chilling. Also, the cinematography really stood out to me in this ep. Beautiful lighting (maybe a bit too much filter, but still...). I know I will rewatch this many times.
Beautiful heartbreak. Some very real, natural acting and dialogue. Watching Yusuke navigate all of those emotions was a beautiful journey. Loved the score, as well. Truly enhanced the mood. Worth a second viewing, but i'll let my heart heal a bit first.
Kodai is too cute for words. Naturally Watarai fell for him. Love the friends. They don't act like the "cool kids" at all, just friends who show up for each other ALWAYS.
I liked it despite its abundant flaws. This is an OG BL story. Trauma for everyone. All the characters are compelling in their own way. But with 6 episodes it's impossible to tell all of their stories in any depth. And that's where this series really dropped the ball. If we had 6 more episodes and got to spend more time with each character/couple that would also allow each of the stories to develop more naturally and over time, so their individual growth would be deserved. Plus, might not be so confusing! Episode 6 felt like it was directed by a different team entirely. Takumi's emotionless - almost lifeless - confession, the trip to the grave, all the other couples tied everything up so neatly, so quickly. It was somehow satisfying and not at all satisfying at the same time. Such great potential wasted. Side note: If you counted up all the lines of dialogue, I think 1/3 of them would be Takumi saying, simply, "Gii..."
Overall, I really enjoyed it. Like a good yakuza story, filled with rivalry and secret plots. The "killer falls for his prey" trope did not foretell of the darker, more complex character back stories. Poor Odajima really went through hell... a few times. No wonder he looked so lifeless. Kataoka was a great character, just the right amount of arrogance, but always took responsibility. The intimate scenes were very well done, with great taste and restraint, that truly showed the changes in the couple's relationship. Loved the evolution of their relationship overall, even up to the last lines.
Minor nitpick: Kirii Keito basically ends the rivalry with Kataoka when they tell him "he's not your half-brother, he's your adopted brother. No blood relation." You mean to tell me in 20 years, no one has ever told him that before? Seems odd. But, as I say, minor.
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I've decided to take a break from B for a whileL and this sweet confection was a delightful way to end the ride.
I was disappointed with the Special. Only because I wanted it to be about the two actors falling in love, instead of the characters they portray in the show within the show. But that's a minor complaint. I look forward to seeing Usa Takuma in more lead roles. He's adorable.
I'd watch S3 if there is one, for sure.
I don’t like it when boys get drunk on one beer in BL but one sip? That’s the first misstep of this project.
Love the friends. They don't act like the "cool kids" at all, just friends who show up for each other ALWAYS.
Minor nitpick: Kirii Keito basically ends the rivalry with Kataoka when they tell him "he's not your half-brother, he's your adopted brother. No blood relation." You mean to tell me in 20 years, no one has ever told him that before? Seems odd. But, as I say, minor.