BL Compilations

separate short stories with sci fi elements

Episode 1
Overall: although I enjoyed the premise, it could have used a few changes in its execution. Watched on Imagine Thailand's YouTube channel https://youtu.be/EJR6eFGFOpc?si=Kavwt6G82dBMeO7_ They also made Romantic Station which I enjoyed.

Content Warnings: punches played as comedy/it's complicated

What I Liked
- premise
- production value for an indie production

Room For Improvement
- the comedy sound effects
- camera cut away right at the end


Episode 2 Swop
I liked the sci-fi element, wish they had taken out the non con kisses and replaced it with actually spending time together instead of doing a flashback montage. Glad a character thought about the ethics of it, not sure that I'm totally sold on the ending. Content Warnings: past death, non con kisses, non con touching

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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_gigdAGHlGQAC4UYCU

Content 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-CZJiaA

Content 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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Overall: this is a 22 minute short available on Mind Trio's YouTube channel (they did On Cloud Nine and Calculating Love)

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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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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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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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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ChukChuk the savior

Overall: ChukChuk and the dogs were fantastic and I would have rated this higher if it had just been from the meet cute of Bryce's current boyfriend. 6 episodes about 30 minutes each.

Note: The Red Leash does not refer to BSDM. I think it's more like the red thread between Bryce and ChukChuk (but it's a leash since ChukChuk is a dog).

Content Warnings: past (manipulation, non con turned consensual, pet death)

Watch Suggestions
- episode 2 watch 12-25:55
- episode 5 watch 7-end

What I Liked
- the dogs
- therapy shown
- the three guys teamed up to help Bryce and the 2 exes apologized
- the ending

Room For Improvement
- I did not need to see 2 exes commiserating for most of the series
- nonsense for the ending but I still liked it

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