BL RATINGS

First of all, I want to give a huge thank you to the person who translated and subbed this movie. To put things into perspective, I had this movie on my watchlist before it was even released. And then it finally came out, and I couldn't watch it because it was practically nonexistent on the internet. Even when it did become available, finding it with subtitles was apparently a side quest of its own. So, genuinely, thank you to whoever took the time to sub this movie because, without you, I probably would've never gotten the chance to watch it. Your work is appreciated!

Now, onto the actual movie!

Honestly, this wasn't a bad watch at all! I went into it with pretty average expectations, somewhere in the middle, and I ended up enjoying it. HOWEVER, there are definitely things I need to criticize because, with a few adjustments, I genuinely think this could've been a 10/10 for me.

I love me some dark Japanese BLs. Some of my favorites include Grand Guignol and Sing in Love, and while Love Punch isn't even CLOSE to reaching those same levels of darkness, intensity, or romance, I still got a somewhat similar vibe from it. I liked the overall plot, and I found myself pretty entertained throughout the movie, even with its lack of romance.

And that brings me to my biggest issue, WHERE WAS THE LOVE? The movie is literally called Love Punch, so forgive me for expecting a little more punching in the love department!

I liked the tension in certain scenes, and I think the story had the potential to create something genuinely compelling between the two male leads. However, I needed MORE yearning, MORE tension, MORE flirting, MORE awkward moments where neither of them knows how to act around the other.

I wanted to see them testing the waters, pushing each other's boundaries, and slowly realizing that whatever was happening between them was becoming something more. Give me the lingering stares! Give me the hesitation! Give me the emotional turmoil! I am begging!

And the kiss at the end? Yeah... I wasn't particularly impressed. It felt a little underwhelming, almost as if one of them had been dragged into it against his will. It didn't exactly convince me that these two had been secretly longing for each other, and I think that took away from their chemistry.

Honestly, I wouldn't have even minded having just ONE kiss in the entire movie if that kiss had been passionate enough to make me believe these two men had been fighting their feelings for each other the entire time. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY! Make me feel something! Make me stare at my ceiling afterward questioning my existence! THAT'S what I'm here for!

But alas, we got what we got.

Regardless, I still enjoyed the movie, and I wouldn't call it a bad watch by any means. I'd actually recommend it, especially to people who are relatively new to BL. I feel like this would've absolutely blown my mind if I'd watched it when I was first getting into the genre. I probably would've been kicking my feet, giggling, and acting like I'd just witnessed the greatest love story ever told.

Unfortunately, the more BLs you watch, especially the more mature, 18+ ones, the more specific your expectations become. At some point, you stop accepting two men standing suspiciously close to each other as sufficient romantic development. I need chemistry! I need intimacy! I need to see WHY these people are falling in love, not just be informed that apparently they are!

ALSO, I saw a comment mentioning the possibility of a poly relationship between Mitsuru, Madoka, and Tsuyuki, and I just have one thing to say, HELL FUCKING YES.

I HATE LOVE TRIANGLES. I hate watching two people fight over the same person just for one to inevitably get chosen while the other is left standing there looking like a rejected contestant on a dating show. LIKE, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION!

Every time I see a love triangle in a BL, my immediate instinct is to put all three of them in a room and refuse to let them leave until they've figured out how to make this work together. I know that's usually not how these stories go, but a girl can dream!

Imagine a BL where the love triangle accidentally turns into a throuple. They start off competing for the same person, develop feelings for each other along the way, and eventually realize that maybe the solution isn't choosing between two people but loving both of them. HELLO?? THE POTENTIAL? THE DRAMA???

PLEASE, SOMEONE MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I would eat that UP.

Anyway, I've rambled enough. LOL.

Final rating: 7.5/10.

I wish the romance had been more developed because I genuinely think that would've elevated this movie tremendously. Still, I had a good time watching it, and I definitely wouldn't say it was a waste of my time. Not everything needs to be a masterpiece to be enjoyable!

And once again, a huge thank you to the person who subbed this movie. You made it possible for us to watch it, and for that, you deserve your flowers. 🌸