Tanaka Koki is perfection. Everything else on the screen disappears and I cannot take my eyes off him. I love a wounded bird with a rough exterior facade, and he plays that part so well.
i love a sweet, wholesome, slice-of-life BL. i don't think kissing or sex needs to be a part of every story. shows like this, where the characters are so hesitant and unsure of themselves actually need chaste kisses, because that's exactly what those characters would do for their first or second kiss. but i will say the kisses were too fish-lipped for me and lacked any real emotion.
i also like slow-burn stories, where we really get to know the characters, their fears and challenges, while they grow closer.
But UGH. This one drove me nuts. I kept watching because I like these kinds of BL, but I felt like we could have cut at least 6 of these eps, so little happened, so little movement in their perspectives. Every episode just rehashed the same beats over and over. Minato was the most bland character ever. The actor was so stiff, he looked like he couldn't even turn his head. He was emotionless, even when saying he loved Wataru. Wataru was frustrating. He knew his feelings, he wanted to be with Minato, but was petrified to the point of stagnation. I understand he had a "reason" but it was honestly ridiculous and felt like they just kept forcing it on him, rather than letting him try to understand the situation more. I also have a pet peeve when people say "I like you" and the other character thinks he means something else. Minato could not have been clearer, but Wataru spent 6 eps questioning the same phrase. One of my least favoritte slice of life BL ever.
That bath tub scene was over 6 minutes long and did absolutely nothing to progress the story. And if it was supposed to be erotic, then maybe his hands should have left Po's chest far earlier than they did. I'm all for NC scenes but at least let them reveal something more about the characters and their relationship.
Had to watch this ep on 1.5 speed. It's getting too frustrating. I would drop this, but it looks like there will finally be some progress in the next episode, although I know they're going to drag it out as long as possible. I bet that kiss in the trailer is the very last moment of the episode and they actually stop before their lips touch. Another month of this? Oy.
I'm getting bored and frustrated. Doesn't feel like we are making any progress and Wataru keeps having the same conversations with himself over and over. When someone very clearly says, "I like you in a romantic way", it's foolish for Wataru to question his intentions. I hope we start to see some progression soon.
I love the "slice of life"/domestic, sweet, simple love stories. But Ep 2 kinda bored me, kinda annoyed me. To me, Minato is being very clear and direct. I don't understand Wataru's confusion or hesitance. I know it COULD be not wanting to lose a friendship but he doesn't really say that. Plus they've been seperated for years and don't have much of a friendship anymore. And since he's obviously into Minato, wouldn't he show SOME excitement about the possibility, rather than just panic. Anyway, they are both cute and since I likes these kind of shows, I'll continue, but this trope is so 1990.
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.
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i also like slow-burn stories, where we really get to know the characters, their fears and challenges, while they grow closer.
But UGH. This one drove me nuts. I kept watching because I like these kinds of BL, but I felt like we could have cut at least 6 of these eps, so little happened, so little movement in their perspectives. Every episode just rehashed the same beats over and over. Minato was the most bland character ever. The actor was so stiff, he looked like he couldn't even turn his head. He was emotionless, even when saying he loved Wataru. Wataru was frustrating. He knew his feelings, he wanted to be with Minato, but was petrified to the point of stagnation. I understand he had a "reason" but it was honestly ridiculous and felt like they just kept forcing it on him, rather than letting him try to understand the situation more. I also have a pet peeve when people say "I like you" and the other character thinks he means something else. Minato could not have been clearer, but Wataru spent 6 eps questioning the same phrase. One of my least favoritte slice of life BL ever.
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.