Kat

Oh god, the poor kids. They were terrified hearing about the cast! I hope they were fine!

A very sweet drama with wonderfully awkward characters. The manga lik flying effects where absolutely unnecessary *lol*. A bit disturbing even at the end. But the rest is nice and the actors were able to pull off the intimate scenes (it's just kisses, don't get your hopes up) very well ALTHOUGH they were "censores" as they often are, for Japanese school romance. Aka, the female actor staying somewhat distanced and not to involved X'D

Ep. 5 (RAW) so far. You know, it's very typical "Rich guy x normal girl", but seriously, it's hilarious and great comedy so far. And well (over-)acted as it's specific for the genre. The anime/manga type doll scenes are so funny, they sent me screaming inwardly. X'D Just how miserable can he be? (the character, not the actor). I'm having a great time with this. Especially since I surprisingly understand most of what's said, more or less. Mahiro Takasugi sure is interesting. Especially his more serious moments are really good. He's good at creating intimacy, too. Very recommended. Don't go looking for a super creative new plot though. This is the simple type of "Tell the story one more time!" enjoyment!

Hmmm, I actually don't think so. Ofcourse there IS clearly a tendency to display complicated relationships. But that's the case for all dramas I've seen so far. American, French, Germany, Itallian, Japanese, Chinese, I could go on and on. The overall understanding of how healthy relationships may look and what can not quite be considered healthy relationship, is not something commonly known. The current norm is that people preferably either are single or struggle with major issues in their relationships (either consciously or not noticing they are). Good communication ability turns out to be a real "skill". It's not a norm.

And it's difficult to figure out why many forms of commonly acknowledged behaviours in relationships are actually not "healthy". So we're in urgent need of truly good role models. Especially on the field of sexuality. That goes all the more when it's about minorities. Constantly associating minorities with certain problematic behaviour is really really contraproductive.

Now as of late, there are more and more examples of health relationshipsin anime and movies. World wide. And they're spread to many people, not just little groups. Japan is making great progress on this. But that wave still hasn't reached the BL branch. Japan has a special potential, due to their understanding of "depth" in story telling. I've seen fantastic tragedies that were sad but they displayed healthy relationships and beautiful stories and it was really touching and valuable! But also really funny stories with the "typical" tyes of struggles but better "answers" to these issues.

We're getting there. The process is slow. I'm also grateful to have BL productions at all. But I also think considering their difficult standing in society, it's extra important to pick wisely which stories to make into movies/anime/manga/books etc..
There's a major difference between "making a movie that features people's struggles" or "making a movie featuring common issues people of minority X tend to face". But at the same time, what good does it do to say "this is problematic" and then go either "Oh well, can't be helped" or "Well, yeah, let's settle for common behaviour, even if it's not solving anything". OK, have a movie or two like this. But then check the market and see what is still required. In this case, we require more answers on how to realistically (!) solve difficult situations to get a really satisfying result.

So, the more depression there is, the more important to neither get stuck with blue eyed "All is well if you just try hard enough"s, nor keep bathing in sick dynamics just because they're "normal".

Simply speaking: more love, acceptance and guidance on communication. I hope creators can find those more and more in future.

["Body language is the "new age" mambo jumbo"] .....Body language is analysed a lot in science, too, so no, it's not. Not to mention that "acting" is ALL about body language. And Japanese people do have their own body language, yet there are different grades of quality here, too. I've seen Japanese top acting. So they are good in this movie but they do have issues, too. You're very daring for not knowing me much. I have quite some understanding of Japanese culture and many types of humors. I can deal perfecty with dark dramas, too. I was, however, making a statement on there being a problem with BL movies in particular being overly dark and abusive. The percentage within the genre is too high. That's pointing straight at a mass of problems in real life.

There may be Fluffy Thai dramas but so far I've not been into Thai acting nor the language itself (which is just a matter of my personal preference). As for Japanese BL (my preferred genre), I've seen them all as far as available. So I can clearly tell there's a lack of BL dramas that could act as models for a good and healthy gay relationship. Even within difficult social circumstances. There's a very high percentage of tragedy and a lot of abusive behaviour. There are some rare gems with fantastic acting and couples really working on a good relationship against all odds. There are rarely ever any with no excessive drama and those tend to be on the humor side and struggle with the acting part.

Japan shows great potentials for great acting and deep story telling. That's why I love their movies. They have all of the BL in their mangas. They're making good progress on their BL movies, but they're still on that rode. So I'd really enjoy to see tehm picking their material "better". Because sticking to picking stories that show "messed up" gay relationships doesn't exactly do their society a favour. And they are urgently in need of that positive progress.

I basically watched most Japanese BL. The ones I didn't watch yet are either not out yet or way older so I didn't get there yet.

The thing is that I'm quite educated on psychology and I'm very good at reading body language. I've spent a lot of time on the topic of relationships and how they're related or not related with love.

I can smell toxic relationship components 10 km against the wind and the background of what which body language means are NOT at the back of my mind. They're right there for me at all times. X'D Hence, I understand very well how rare it is that they are this open about the sexual components. And I can tell - with the cultural background - how hard the actors worked for this. But the inconsistencies are real. And most BL "fuff" not actually fluffy. Just like a posessve straight male lead is not hot for controlling everything their partner's life, or a jealous woman isn't sexy nor adorable. *shrugs*

I acknowledge the quality of this work. It's a good step into the right direction. But stopping at this will definitely not do. At least not for me.

I wish X'D

Half-aaaaased! X'D It was cute, really cute. A bit confusing, not too well filmed yet still cute to watch. And that ending is so open and unresolved, you can make it whatever you please to make it. Give it a try and decide for yourself!

It was a really beautiful drama. With lots of characters doing a lot right in life, especially after being mistaken over something. They really strive for communication and understanding. I love that. They got me pretty worried close to the end *lol*
The only aspect that left me with a tad of a "meh" feeling is Kazuma (the teacher). I don't second his sacrifice, but I'm glad he at least came to like his job. He's still like THE person with the most potetinal for a side-story, situation being as unsatisfying as it is.

Oh don't worry, he'll age like a good wine in no time! :P

Same, though I guess he is not ashamed of her, so she wanted to make sure he knows she's properly overcoming her issues and will not hide away. Her being the one more worried about age, it's a good thing to do. It's not very realistic, ofcourse. Because in reality chances of him say in "no" is very real. She couldn't trust in them, and he accepted that. Once a heart is broken that way, it can take more than a little effort to mend. Eventually, it never mends and comes popping up the moment the relationship is in a difficult phase! (^.^')

Hmmm....the setting was interesting, the plot standard, the acting was good and bad. Because they were kind of good on their own but not so good together. The "annoyng overseas friend" part is as always: hard to watch. As if everyone from overseas is noisy ////orz///. On we go. I like that it's dealing well with the adult and science parts. But the time lapses don't help with getting to watching this movie. Neither does the awkward kissing.

So, maybe watch thing with little expectations when you're out of the really good materials. I think it's OK, really. It's just not "really good". It's not a waste of time, either. At least not for me.

I watched the movie of these trailer-like episodes and I have to say they're incredibly bad advertising for the real thing X'D

They totally outdo the real thing in terms of emotion. Way too much. The movie is so much calmer and leveled! That said, all of the really hot scenes are to be found here. What they chose for the movie is also more leveled. But you can also say the scenes are nicer in being less sexual.
The mini-sodes really put the actors into a bad light. Their acting is much better in the movie. There's also no point in which the main lead plays a game. That scenario entirely exists in these mini-sodes.

So, if you've found the basic concept interesting (of a story writer trying to learn about love through missions), but these mini-sodes didn't appeal to you at all, definitely give the movie a try before you abandon it.

You know what? It was overacted like an anime, but it was so so funny and enjoyable! I didn't think I'd have this much fun watching. They have a really good atmosphere and you can see them in the backstage scenes at the spin-off video with the credits. Really nice team. They handled this very very well. And the Romance scenes were acted out in a refreshing way, although, you know, they're the Japanese standard, so to say! XD

Hmmm...it was nice. But I'll deduce points for the not bad but not very statisfying ending (unless they gave me a part two at some point). For the absolutely odd music during the kissing scenes. Like....speak of killing the atmosphere! And call me unfair, but I'll also deduce points for it lining up in the row of (Japanese) BL with emotionally abusive character. It may be an "interesting" twist if you use it in straigh Romance. But you know, the percentage of BL movies/dramas where this is a big topic are surely somewhere around 70-85%. I understand that being gay still comes with big hurdles even in these days, even in very developed countries. But like this it keeps screaming "problem". And that's why I'd love to see really normal, plain "boring" LOOOOOOOOL gay romance with a minimum of complications. And for it being simply heartfelt (and not wandering off into the "ridiculous" segment too far, either"). It's like it's too much to ask for some simply beautiful fluff. I'm even fine with it being masculine type of fluff. Know what I mean? I'm not trying to say I need girlish type of cute. But romantic and sweet would be really nice. I'd like to see a vision of a life a gay man would dream of. In a world where being gay or bi or poli (add the rest, it's too many...) is about as normal as being straight. A movie that could be names as a role model of where an open society should be headed. Know what I mean?

If anyone ends up with a link, I'll gladly have it. Thank you.

Wow, this was.......awkward from beginning to end! I mean even more awkward than you're used to from the typical Japanese school romance X'D It has cute parts and a lot to laugh about, but most of the time I personally just wanted to scream at the characters. I mean, with the everyday challanges of life, how would you expect such couple to survive if none of both can get a grip X'D Well, give it a try if in lack of better material, I guess?

It's not out before January. Maybe someone saw it in Japan, ofcourse. But it being worth it or not depends in your personal criteria for sure.

If you watched the 4 pre-quel drama episodes, you'll have a good idea if the overal style is to your taste or not, I guess?

And that's exactly how I live and it's wonderful. When taking a close look around, it's fairly easy to see that there's no "normal" people at all. Not to mention the "norms" will be different just across the border. And I just relax into this relativity. Apparently, I've come to understand how it's a blessing to have my own set of flaws and to love them. Being 'odd' is a big blessing. You can quickly tell apart tolerant and intolerant people. You can be more accepting of people's odd sides and can live happier by looking at "why that odd makes sense", rather than "why that odd shouldn't be there".

Having a real choice to not go around judging yourself and other and looking at everyone and everything from a stance of acceptance, brings incredible joy and spares nerves. Ofcourse it'll come with other strains (intolerance towards intolerance *lol*) But overall, it's so much nicer. And once you start you suddenly start stumbling over more n more people feeling the same way. It becomes easier for everyone to be less judgemental, too.

So, next time you find yourself stuck under too much pressure, please laugh about it and remember it's all in our heads. NOTHING matters, so you can decide whatever truly matters to you. And a good way to do exactly that is by asking "if I was the last person on earth and there was nobody else around, would it matter to me?". Make it the last two, if it's about relationships. Age? Does it matter? Isn't what really matters that wo work within ourselves and a couple works with each other? Some people have countless partners and won't work with them before they're close to death. It's a matter of type if you're ready to "be owner of a relationship" at all costs or rather spend your time well and let it happen whenever you're ready. Theses days in modern countries you can even have children without relationship and don't even need to rush for biological reasons X'D

If it's a movie, then:

Release Date + ~6 months = DVD release date = RAW release date

+ 1 Week to "Never" = Subbed stream release date X'D

Edit: Just saw the DVD release date was 27th of October, so it's either already out there or you can go n request it at Jdrama/movie streaming sites :)