FrankIncese

So little happens and they rehash the same conflicts almost every episode. But somehow I still find this adorable.

This was a middling series for me. Great premise that was mostly forgotten or just given minimal attention. Major HUGE plot holes that the writers just didn't feel the need to explain. I would say poor world-building, but that would imply they actually tried to build a world. Missed opportunities abound.

This was all about the fluff, the cheesy, sweet, BL moments. So many of them strung together that it got a bit overwhelming for me. About halfway through the series I had to start watching at 1.5x speed because it was all just the same moments rehashed over and over. Has many of the problems a lot of BL still have (like boyfriends who sleep together still being shocked when their partner tries to kiss them).

The leads are both likeable. Jimmy better than Sea, but both suffer because they just don't have the material to work with. I found ALL of the secondary characters and actors to be great fun, strong acting, good characters and great friends. The friendships were what really got me through this series.

I wish they had made this either a straight BL with no sci-fi elements or REALLY concentrated on the sci-fi. But what we're left with was just okay. I wouldn't actually recommend it except to die-hard BL fans. I'm one of those that watch just about every BL I can get my hands on, and drop about 1 in 3 shows. I did finish this one (at high speed), so I guess that puts it somewhere in the middle. But I won't watch again.

Decent kissing, but I wouldn't call it "steaming"

Yes

I noticed those same facial expressions and they did impress. Santa should grow up to be a major star. He's got it all, the looks, the charisma and the acting talent.

LOL. I was kind of surprised how upset she was. How serious could that relationship be if it took 8 episodes for her to even appear?

Eh. Personally, I'd skip it. But I'm in the minority.

I started off enamored with this "new" take on the genre. But this should have been a 90 minute movie and not 8 hours. They rehash the same arguments/themes/memories over and over. If they had edited it down to 90 minutes I probably would have loved the movie.

"basting her son with oil and juices as an offering". hysterical! i'm stealing that!

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.