[My review] Alright, I was in episode 4 when I realized that Ogami was the failed guy in More Than Words (2022) whose coldness destroyed Maki by siding with the failed Maki friendship: Mieko.
In this series, I am assuming he will not go in the same direction as the previous title, where viewers (me) felt devastated by the outcome.
The most perfect thing about this series is the opening sequence with the 36 km/hour song titled “Around I”; the vibe, the visual mood, and the scoring background are definitely high art. I cannot get over it.
BADMINTON team is superrr cuteeeeeeee. I love them tbh. They are super relatable with me as I can see myself with them, super busy with our world, while still acknowledging that some people are popular
I wrote a review, and I gave 10: This is a good series. I haven't watched the original La Mante (the French version), so my whole opinion is based just on this Korean adaptation.
Even though I’ve seen tons of shows and movies in this genre, and there’s not a lot that feels new or original in terms of the story, I still really enjoyed it. The cast is probably the best part of this version. The queen absolutely owns the role—she brings everything to it and really brings this “mantis” character to life. She actually reminds me a bit of Sarah Linden from The Killing, but from a very different angle.
Fans of Mindhunter and The Silence of the Lambs should definitely give Queen Mantis a shot. The queen has a moral compass kind of like Dexter Morgan, but set in a world that feels more like Hannibal Lecter meets Edmund Kemper.
I really hope the son develops into more of a Clarice Starling-type character. But honestly, it’s a bit weird that he seems to be falling in love—feels super out of place given the dark family history. Personally, I don’t think he’s capable of giving or receiving love. But maybe the writers are setting this up for a twisted climax, like the ending of Se7en.
[copy from my review] There’s nothing particularly new about the story. This type of narrative has been told many times before. The themes of love, friendship, loss, and loneliness are also quite familiar. However, the strengths of this anime lie in its execution. The setting, editing, voice acting, and overall production are solid, making it an enjoyable watch.
What concerns me, though, is the potential queerbaiting in this anime. The author has stated that the manga is not intended to be queer, yet the interactions and language exchanged between the two boys often suggest a relationship that feels deeper than mere friendship. From a marketing perspective, choosing to make Hikaru a boy instead of a girl was a smart move, as the BL/queer fanbase is large and loyal. So, while the author denies any romantic connection between the boys, it still seems like the story intentionally plays into queer subtext to attract a specific audience.
Hayakawa won the acting, we have seen everything; his best side, his worst side and his vulnerable side. Kon-chan won the title of handsome prince charming. Cute series!
I wrote my review guys on the review section, OMG: "Because the depth of field is pretty shallow. So this kind of blur actually becomes a unique feature."
Alright, who is the depth of field here—Konno or Hayakawa? My first impression is that it's Hayakawa, as he seems to have lost his focus, while Konno appears to know exactly what he wants next. This kind of dynamic is typical in Japanese BL: one character is well-rounded and grounded, while the other is more uncertain or emotionally shaken. It creates an organic chemistry that feels fresh to watch.
Konno is extremely good-looking—the kind of dreamy boyfriend everyone wants. Hayakawa, on the other hand, is a fresh take on the BL archetype. He has a lot going on internally and approaches his reality with awareness and agency. He’s not a boring character by any means. He definitely won’t just take a hit—he’ll strike back, as we see at the end of episode two when he tests Konno’s limits by confronting him directly. His intention is clear: if Konno can’t handle it, then so be it—Hayakawa is ready to move on and sail in whatever direction he needs to.
This twist is something I hope younger viewers take note of—having the clarity and courage to assert your position in a relationship, especially when it counts, is powerful and necessary. You reveal your emotions and get real, the only way to find out a real relationship sometimes.
Why oh why I dislike Jiwon???? WHY????? Maybe I am just jealous that he gets the handsome guy Kwon Jeong U. I don't know, but my rational examination finds nothing special about Jiwon. Eps 6 makes me dislike him even more; his mannerisms, his gestures and the way he speaks
Normally, I don’t enjoy stories within stories, like movies or series that are about making movies or series. But I’m completely sold on this one because of the way the female lead’s character is written. She has a deadline, and it goes beyond just dreaming of becoming a superstar. It’s about having a story to tell.
Both leads are solid actors, so I’m sticking with the series, even though I’m a bit nervous. It has 12 episodes, and I’m not sure if they can maintain the momentum for that long. I’m worried it might end up feeling stretched. If the plot drags, it could become overcooked and end up hurting the talents involved. Lets see.
In this series, I am assuming he will not go in the same direction as the previous title, where viewers (me) felt devastated by the outcome.
The most perfect thing about this series is the opening sequence with the 36 km/hour song titled “Around I”; the vibe, the visual mood, and the scoring background are definitely high art. I cannot get over it.
This series is my type. I eat it happily.
This is a good series. I haven't watched the original La Mante (the French version), so my whole opinion is based just on this Korean adaptation.
Even though I’ve seen tons of shows and movies in this genre, and there’s not a lot that feels new or original in terms of the story, I still really enjoyed it. The cast is probably the best part of this version. The queen absolutely owns the role—she brings everything to it and really brings this “mantis” character to life. She actually reminds me a bit of Sarah Linden from The Killing, but from a very different angle.
Fans of Mindhunter and The Silence of the Lambs should definitely give Queen Mantis a shot. The queen has a moral compass kind of like Dexter Morgan, but set in a world that feels more like Hannibal Lecter meets Edmund Kemper.
I really hope the son develops into more of a Clarice Starling-type character. But honestly, it’s a bit weird that he seems to be falling in love—feels super out of place given the dark family history. Personally, I don’t think he’s capable of giving or receiving love. But maybe the writers are setting this up for a twisted climax, like the ending of Se7en.
What concerns me, though, is the potential queerbaiting in this anime. The author has stated that the manga is not intended to be queer, yet the interactions and language exchanged between the two boys often suggest a relationship that feels deeper than mere friendship. From a marketing perspective, choosing to make Hikaru a boy instead of a girl was a smart move, as the BL/queer fanbase is large and loyal. So, while the author denies any romantic connection between the boys, it still seems like the story intentionally plays into queer subtext to attract a specific audience.
"Because the depth of field is pretty shallow. So this kind of blur actually becomes a unique feature."
Alright, who is the depth of field here—Konno or Hayakawa? My first impression is that it's Hayakawa, as he seems to have lost his focus, while Konno appears to know exactly what he wants next. This kind of dynamic is typical in Japanese BL: one character is well-rounded and grounded, while the other is more uncertain or emotionally shaken. It creates an organic chemistry that feels fresh to watch.
Konno is extremely good-looking—the kind of dreamy boyfriend everyone wants. Hayakawa, on the other hand, is a fresh take on the BL archetype. He has a lot going on internally and approaches his reality with awareness and agency. He’s not a boring character by any means. He definitely won’t just take a hit—he’ll strike back, as we see at the end of episode two when he tests Konno’s limits by confronting him directly. His intention is clear: if Konno can’t handle it, then so be it—Hayakawa is ready to move on and sail in whatever direction he needs to.
This twist is something I hope younger viewers take note of—having the clarity and courage to assert your position in a relationship, especially when it counts, is powerful and necessary. You reveal your emotions and get real, the only way to find out a real relationship sometimes.
Both leads are solid actors, so I’m sticking with the series, even though I’m a bit nervous. It has 12 episodes, and I’m not sure if they can maintain the momentum for that long. I’m worried it might end up feeling stretched. If the plot drags, it could become overcooked and end up hurting the talents involved. Lets see.