4
10
1
2
slice of life with some angst
Overall: I thought it was a fairly well done slice of life short indie series but it could have used some improvements. Two parts, 27 minutes total. Aired on Mind Trio's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHWvrNIJL6cWsd5_gigdAGHlGQAC4UYCUContent Warning: punch
What I Liked
- a realistic confession and running away
- a few cute moments
- production value
Room For Improvement
- voice over exposition dumps
- flashbacks in such a short series
- at first I was confused that there were 3 characters, having a scene with all 3 of them would have been helpful before they had separate scenes
- timeline/how much time passed was confusing, also that extra scene at the end of the 2nd part, was that a flashback or did it take place after the series events?, because it doesn't seem like a lot of time passing and Time seems very fickle with his love
- the punch was not needed
- wish they had just focused it on 2 characters
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some truly amazing parts, worth a watch
Overall: though it followed some sequel plot cliches, there were some amazing parts in this series. This is a sequel to The Boy Foretold By The Stars which can be rented/purchased on Amazon or watched on YouTube with Dekko trial/subscription. 6 episodes about 25 minutes each originally aired on iWantTFC subscription, in 2023 put free to watch on iWantTFCs YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwPOcpjobYWXtv_qxOPMjz8rqD-CZJiaAContent Warnings: homophobia and two more that I'll put in a spoiler comment
What I Liked
- sweet moments
- Luke's mom and Dominic's dad
- the scene in episode 6 part 3 between Dominic and his dad is a masterpiece
- awesome truths like "it's better to lose people than lose yourself"
- Dominic's friends and Luke not willing to put up with his crappy friend
- at least the love rival/ex weren't cliche
- music
Room For Improvement
- had several often used second season drama plot points and I wish they had been a bit more out of the box
- seemed unrealistic at the end of episode 4 that they showed so many people doing that, one or two would have been more realistic
- the fortune teller character
- it was totally inappropriate for the coach to ask Luke that question in episode 3 but the coach does redeem himself somewhat later on
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Content Warnings: teasing/bullying?, gaslighting
What I Liked
- the actors did a decent job
- a few cute moments
Room For Improvement
- the plot was confusing, they started with a flash forward/flashback and then I wasn't sure what their relationships were to each other (long-time friends, acquaintances, classmates, etc)
- not a fan of the central premise and then how it's an open ending
- maybe I missed something but the reactions didn't make sense, the one guy smiled but he didn't return his feelings, why did he smile and then complain later about the teasing if he enjoyed it???
- the two tropes in the very beginning should have been reversed which would have been more realistic
- the character gaslighting and saying he doesn't have those feelings
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This review may contain spoilers
Overall: there were some good plot points in this, but they were obscured by several things. Watched on GagaOOLala. Content Warnings: death off screen, dub/non con sex (leaning towards non con based on how she addresses him towards the end), fight/slap, past suicide attempt, alcoholism, mental health struggles, defamation?, manipulation
What I Liked
- this does address several realistic issues/struggles that were relevant when this movie was made and are still relevant today (including judgy doctors/people about a woman's past reproductive choices)
Room For Improvement
- it felt that Asako was having a midlife crisis which is a terrible reason to have a child. I didn't like that she didn't just have a one night stand or use a sperm bank. She does explain/show that she wants the feeling of family which she wouldn't get if she did the other options (but this makes me see her character as selfish, not someone I want to route for). I think they could have altered Asako and the plot a bit where I would be happy with their decision (so if the guys had wanted it to start with)
- that part before the final scene came out of nowhere and was so bizarre, I don't understand the reason for it, to show that you should appreciate every moment?
- unlikable characters (and too many), they could have easily cut out some characters especially that female co-worker, it added nothing to the story
- too long, it dragged and cutting out some side characters would have helped move things along
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now I want to re-watch the series!
Overall: the behind the scenes was cute, funny and informative - it makes me want to go and re-watch the entire series. I really hope the two leads can be leads again in another BL, they are really supportive of one another which is great to see. (and I'm still holding out hope for a MODC 2, I'll take any ridiculous soap opera plot device)Content Warnings: none
What I Liked
- how many takes they did for kissing scenes, lol!
- gave some additional information about scenes
- got to see actors joking with one another
- make sure to watch to the very very end
Room For Improvement
- it might have gotten more views/made more interest in the series if they had broken them up and showed them on YouTube after each episode aired
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super adorable
Overall: this is a micro series/long ad from a perfume company about a college freshmen and a senior. Watched on YouTube.Content Warnings: none
What I Liked
- a lead used his brain to figure something out (even though perhaps a bit unrealistic, but I didn't care)
- the ending was really cute
- good production value*
- nice music
Room For Improvement
- they should have cut the female character out and used that screen time with the two leads
- *the blur filter was too heavy and the subs were very difficult to read with the white font and no outline or background
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This review may contain spoilers
Short follow up to The Novelist
Overall: This is an 11 minute continuation of the story from The Novelist (aka Pornographer). Watched on Viki.Content Warnings: none
What I Liked: (very minor spoilers)
- some sweet moments like the head on the shoulder at the end
- communication about the letters
- that kiss is no dead fish lip press haha
- the car seemed to match the pale pink of the cherry blossoms
- the ending song
- (neutral) they used the same music that is in The Novelist which is either a nice call back or recycling to save money...
Room For Improvement:
- the kick from the sister was unnecessary
- the intro music doesn't match the vibe of the show
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This review may contain spoilers
Gentle slice of life story with an edge
(minor spoilers)Content Warnings: dealing with trauma/grief, suicide that happens off screen in the past
I would describe this as a slice of life story, on the slower moving (I watched it on 1.5 speed)/gentle side but with a sharp edge related to dealing with grief and past regrets. FYI that there is also an animated series and and animated movie, all with the same title (all based on the manga Given)
What I Liked
The main thing that I really like is the moral of how words hurt and even if we apologize that might not fix things. Those words that may have been spoken in anger, not well thought out or even believed in, can be very dangerous and we need to think carefully before we speak. Hope there's a season 2 to delve more into what happens after this and also more about the two other bandmates.
Room For Improvement
- At the end, I really liked the hug and would have been totally happy if it ended at that. Mafuyu is obviously dealing with grief. If there was a kiss, I wanted Mafuyu to initiate it.
- The two kisses, yeah we got the dead fish lips recipient, bleh. The 1st was a surprise so okay, but the second was a no from me.
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This review may contain spoilers
rival swimmer vertical series
Overall: wish there had been more sweet moments with the leads. 51 episodes about 2 minutes each. First 11 episodes free. Aired on Shortime app (my referral link is https://playground.shortime.en/invite/NKNIWI (all letters) and it should get you a bonus)) and iQIYI app.Content Warnings: punches (both between the leads and between other characters), bullying, non con kisses, drugging, non con picture taking/sharing/outing
What I Liked
- swimming setting
- visuals
- at least the water injury had a better reason
- a character reported the coach
- the dad got punched
Room For Improvement
- too much bullying, could start at episode 5, I would have rated it higher except for the punches multiple times
- noble idiot trope
- the dad needed more consequences
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acting coach and his trainee (vertical series)
Overall: it was okay. 30 episodes less than 20 minutes each. Watched on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/verticals/6643/bl-lesson-i-cant-defy-mr-yukinojo-2025Content Warning - a non con kiss
What I Liked
- the ending
Room For Improvement
- did not laugh at all
- the scene where he was on the toilet
- needed more of actual relationship development
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better than the series
Overall: I enjoyed the movie cut more than the series though the movie cut kept several of the series' flaws. 120 minutes (original was about 260 minutes). Aired on GagaOOLala (not in Taiwan or Japan) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/8767/secret-lover-last-promise-2025Content Warnings: non con touching, non con touching/kissing turned consensual-ish, manhandling (can start at 30:30 and skip 41:30-45:30 to skip content warnings)
What I Liked
- visuals
- easy to understand premise
- they reduced the flashbacks to when their were kids
- ML said he was fine with either
- supportive friends/not cliched female characters
- pacing was better
- Jun Xi was into intimate moments in the end, I appreciated how he didn't dodge them
Room For Improvement
- a character ignored boundaries, was jealous over his nephew, self-centered, insecure, immature (ghosted someone who was obviously going thru a lot)
- even though I think they cut some, there were still too many cliche running scenes
- it was a little choppy a couple times such as they were suddenly in a play
- noble idiot trope but at least it was communicated as to the reason
- the parents knew and should have realized it might make their son worry, they could have dropped hints liked watched a queer romance movie and talked about how love is love and they support marriage equality and rights
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This review may contain spoilers
horror short series
Overall: I thought it was fairly well done for a horror short series and what I assume is an indie company. Spoiler that two m/m couples are murdered and 1 of a 3rd potential couple so there is no alive m/m couples at the end of this. 3 one hour episodes. Aired on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SzZtlHlZGgContent Warnings: multiple murders graphically shown/bloody, kidnapping, torture, homophobia
Watch Suggestions (to take out content warnings)
- episode 1 watch beginning-12:45 and 15-54:30
- episode 2 30-end
- skip episode 3
What I Liked
- an established couple
- steamy intro
- a character was supportive of another character wearing lipstick
Room For Improvement
- not happy with who the murder was/how they were portrayed as that played into stereotypes
- facial expressions of one character towards the end were too exaggerated
- there were several characters introduced rather quickly
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This review may contain spoilers
beautifully shot and acted movie
Overall: I feel like I'm too stupid to completely understand this movie :( Watched on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5756/the-time-of-huan-nan-2024Content Warnings: blood, violence, abuse, homophobia, death (it's complicated)
What I Liked
- acting
- production value
Room For Improvement
- he was unfazed after going 30 years into the past
- she didn't seem older after 30 years?
- I was a bit confused, no worries about butterfly effect?
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everyone is sleazy
Overall: not sure how exactly I would rank them, but there was a lot of sleazy actions happening. 101 episodes about 2 minutes each. Watched on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/verticals/6811/bro-2025Content Warnings: non con touching/kissing turned consensual?, non con kissing/touching/sexual assault, manhandling, drugging, homophobia
What I Liked
- episodes 1-10, 47, 49-51, 95, 100-101
Room For Improvement
- a bunch of sleaziness
- had sex and got a fever trope
- friend should have checked with Earth before giving away his location
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golden retriever x black cat with a contract element
Overall: though this is longer than most verticals, I felt like I missed major parts of the plot. 101 episodes about 2 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/verticals/watch/6953/secrecy-2025?episodeId=6982Content Warnings: death off screen, grief, sex trafficking?/coercion (in the beginning?) non con picture taking
Watch episodes 1-32, 39-46, 51-60, 62, 66, 76, 90-end
What I Liked
- unique premise
- supportive mom
Room For Improvement
- needed to explain the world building earlier/more clearly, did the famous guy not know the terms of the contract?
- that was not a cat outfit
- voice over exposition dumps
- so he doesn't tell the person he likes the truth but he tells another guy who seems sus? (ep 48)
- he was jealous and cancelled a class that the other guy enjoyed
- noble idiot trope
- a stupid "plan"
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