FrankIncese

Your point is valid. I guess our definition of romantic is just different. Makki definitely LOVED Eiji, but it's not what I would call a traditional "romance". There weren't sweet, soft, kind gestures. Loving glances, intimacy. It was almost platonic. They seemed to cohabitate more like roommates. We barely got one kiss. But yes, I agree the relationship was important and that's why his heart was broken. Thanks for your thoughtful analysis.

I don't have a problem with his effeminacy. It's the emotional age issue for me in almost all of his performances.

But the bridge scene was well acted. And I agree that the Afterday/Peak relationship is a nice addition to the show.

Earth is a good actor. but I cannot stomach his character choices either. He always feels like he's playing 8 instead of 16. If you had trouble with him in the past, this is NOT the series for you, because he's over the top here.

How can this only be the halfway point of this. I'm dying for it to end already. If it wasn't for Santa, I'd be done.

PS: Just scrolled down and saw how much vitriol everyone is spewing. Guess I'm in the minority (again).

I honestly think that was on purpose. The relationship wasn't meant to be romantic. Nor was Makio's relationship with Asato. We only got a short montage of Eiji and Makki's life together, making meals in the apartment. No real tenderness or even sexual innuendo. Makki himself says, "You either want to do it or you don't." It's not romantic to him. I think the focus was on the friendships. Notice Makki doesn't say his weakness was Eiji. It was a woman and her child. I think there was love there, but this was a different kind of love story.

I don't know if I agree that Makki was betrayed. They all agreed to the arrangement. He could have spoken up, if he wanted to. He obviously was uncomfortable from the start, but he got into that bed along with the other two. Eiji was the one who said he didn't want to go through with it. But they said, "don't back out now." Makki felt guilty because he broke up the trio. For him it was always but "us three" and he severed that. But there were no real villains here, just bad choices and circumstances.

Exquisite. Felt like I was eavesdropping on real life. At times the dialogue seemed almost improvised, it was so natural. The pacing was extremely slow, but that's what made this so realistic. The characters were all tortured and alone and vulnerable and flawed, hiding their insecurities and true desires. I'm not certain if they even knew what they wanted themselves. The friendship felt like the only respite they would ever receive, and then it implodes. Makki may be one of my favorite characters ever. Aoki Yuzu's performance was flawless, so awkward and internalized. Always trying to bring lightness to every situation, even when he himself is in pain. But Fujino Ryoko was equally stunning (and stunningly beautiful). Her performance really anchored the whole series and was the catalyst for everything that happened. Daisuke Nakagawa was their equal. His performance grew more mature as the character matured along with him. On a side note, I didn't notice how handsome he was when he was blonde, but once he went brunette WOW. The direction was also incredibly assured. The first few episodes hide the characters faces, but as they grow and mature, we get more full facial shots and see more of their reactions and emotions (when Makki isn't hiding behind his bangs). A fascinating take on relationships, friendships, family, even career and parenthood. Refreshing and unique and so unabashedly Japanese. Worth watching and possibly rewatching, although the slow pacing and the pain might make me just watch one or two eps instead of the whole series, just so I can drop in again on these incredible friends. Stunning. Bravo.

I didn't cringe. I did wince quite a lot. And yell at the screen, "Really?!?" But it's high quality, of a mediocre script.

I love the custom. It really promotes the concept that we are all one big global family. You'll notice in a lot of Asian shows, they even call Shopkeepers who are virtual strangers "Auntie".

Sweet, simple lockdown story. Strong acting all around. Honestly, one of the best screen coughs ever. It's hard to fake a cough and Kendrick did it perfectly. Do I buy the love story? Not really, but I'll buy into this fantasy. A nice watch, although if you're COVID triggered best to stay away.

I agree. To admit it would mean they would have to live that truth - and in that place at that time that was a very scary idea.

It's true in many cultures, especially Asian cultures to call adults "Aunt/Uncle". I only have 1 actual nephew and I'm called Uncle by all of my friends' children.

I'm with you. At first, I was all in, loving the pacing, the unique storytelling, natural dialogue. But 6 eps in and suddenly, we get a conversation about politics? Now is not the time. I didn't need the last two episodes to get saucier, I'm fine with prolonged teases, I just needed it to go somewhere. Momentum. Building to a climax. As you said, the major revelation was exactly what we had been expecting.

PS: You use the crutch on the side of the leg that's broken, not on your good leg.

I'm in the middle on this one. Some stuff I like, some stuff I hate. It's fantasy fluff. Delivers everything you expect and usually in exactly the way you expect it.

Wish writers would follow through on what they set up. "I'm gonna make you fall for me" but then one episode later that's forgotten, and then 3 episodes later, "Oh crap, I forgot I was supposed to make you fall for me."

Please retire the "you belong to me" trope. It's so degrading. No one belongs to anyone. No one is property.

I did NOT need a suppository scene!!

What I will say is, someone taught these boys how to kiss. Take notes, BL producers... with your tongues!

Ep 5 got me. I love how these two actually express their feelings, after much internal debate - and always clear the air. I find Amagi more and more endearing. I see a lot of complaints about the acting, but I think he captures a 15 year olds geeky awkwardness so well. He's an adorable dork. His body goes in 10 different directions at the same time, and the last shot where Takara is holding hands with the very young Amagi portrayed that perfectly. He's still that little kid. Yes, this is highly stylized and there is no plot except how these two come to understand each other more and more but I'm all in. Adorable.

The boys are all so charismatic it's a delightful watch. Yes, some plot holes. Some things rushed and unresolved. But I loved spending time with these boys and will certainly revisit from time to time. Big love to the Xu Qi Zhang's mother. The mom we all want! So sweet.

My guess is the student council plot will return. I think they wanted to get them close, so this could "tear them apart" for a bit. But that's just a guess.

The cross-dressing... they better address that in some way. I agree with... Mike? not sure who said it... that maybe Ray dressed this way just because the ex wanted him to. But even so THAT should be addressed, especially since his new love interest started liking him when he was cross-dressing.

I have to believe the BL police fine any show that does NOT have a SAC. Otherwise, there is no explanation for why it's in virtually every show.

We should create a trope Bingo game... SAC, minor injury/first aid, reaching for the seat belt, an act of God forcing them to spend the night together (i.e., my apartment flooded), bitter ex girlfriend... BINGO!

Thank you. Sometimes I feel like I'm watching a different show than everyone else but it takes all kinds, I guess.

I enjoyed this quite a lot. Mainly for Kusakawa Takuya. Normally, I would have gotten tired of Akira's behavior, his inability to act, his hesitance and reticence. How stuck he was for literally the entire series. But Takuya is so charming and brings great warmth and comedy to the character. I found him incredibly natural and realistic and he made me buy into Akira's flaws and accept them as being right for the character for so, so long. Shin, on the other hand, always bothered me. A bit too stalker-ish for me. I found him a little creepy. Yes, he's what you want in a love interest, in theory, but he made me uncomfortable. Asuka was delightful. Another charming performance. Loved the way they started him off slightly antagonistic but quickly turned him into their champion. His own love story was decidedly light and I'm not sure what he saw in his love interest other than someone who seemed to be comatose. But hey, different strokes. I also loved the Sensei character. Quirky, odd but ultimately a good mentor. It does lag in the middle, but still worth a watch.

I'm intrigued. Here's an example of non-linear story-telling that actually works and allows you to follow along and understand whats happening and when.

The film quality seems to be subpar, or everything is washed out. Makes it look like it was filmed in the 70s. Maybe that's on purpose?

Wish there was a bit more background score. Sometimes I felt it dragged a bit and if they had some eerie or suspenseful music it would have helped.

Speaking of music, this OST singer is ON FIRE. Gives Prince a run for his money with that falsetto. Amazing vocals.

Looking forward to this one.