Quietly Strong and Charming Japanese BL
The drama wastes no time making a good first impression. Right from the start, it feels polished and surprisingly strong for a Japanese BL in this genre. The opening episodes pull you in easily, and what’s nice is that the show doesn’t fumble its momentum halfway through. For most of its run, it keeps a steady rhythm and knows exactly what kind of story it wants to tell. It’s comforting without being dull, romantic without trying too hard.
One of the biggest reasons it works is Watarai. His character is a breath of fresh air in a genre. He’s honest about his feelings from the very beginning, clear in his intentions, and never hides behind unnecessary misunderstandings. The show also deserves credit for not dragging out “character development” just for the sake of it. Instead of spending episodes circling the same emotions, it lets the relationship move forward naturally, which makes everything feel more genuine and emotionally grounded.
Another standout, in a very different way, is Hioki’s friend Tsujitani. He’s a complete goofball and easily the comic relief of the show. Every time he appears, the mood instantly lightens, and his scenes are genuinely entertaining to watch. He brings a natural, effortless humor that never feels forced. Honestly, I couldn’t help wishing he had more screen time.
Toward the final stretch, the story does start to feel a little repetitive. The beats are familiar, and you can sense the show settling into a loop. Still, it ends before that repetition becomes tiring, so it never crosses into boring territory. If anything, it feels like the drama knew its limits and chose to bow out gracefully rather than overstaying its welcome.
Where the series falls slightly short is in its use of side characters. With a ten-episode runtime and decent episode lengths, there was real potential to expand the world beyond the main couple. The supporting characters, especially the "Four Heavenly Kings," remain mostly in the background, existing only to push the central romance forward. A small backstory, a parallel arc, or even a side pairing would have added depth and made the story feel fuller.
As for physical intimacy, the restrained approach is very much in line with youth-oriented Japanese BLs, so it doesn’t feel like a flaw worth penalizing. The emotional connection carries enough weight on its own, and the sweetness of the interactions more than makes up for what’s left unsaid or unseen.
In the end, this drama is undeniably charming. It’s soft, warm, and incredibly easy to fall for. While it could have done more with its supporting cast, the core story remains strong and heartfelt. Compared to others in the same genre, it holds its ground well and, in many ways, stands out. A genuinely enjoyable watch that understands its appeal and delivers on it with sincerity.
One of the biggest reasons it works is Watarai. His character is a breath of fresh air in a genre. He’s honest about his feelings from the very beginning, clear in his intentions, and never hides behind unnecessary misunderstandings. The show also deserves credit for not dragging out “character development” just for the sake of it. Instead of spending episodes circling the same emotions, it lets the relationship move forward naturally, which makes everything feel more genuine and emotionally grounded.
Another standout, in a very different way, is Hioki’s friend Tsujitani. He’s a complete goofball and easily the comic relief of the show. Every time he appears, the mood instantly lightens, and his scenes are genuinely entertaining to watch. He brings a natural, effortless humor that never feels forced. Honestly, I couldn’t help wishing he had more screen time.
Toward the final stretch, the story does start to feel a little repetitive. The beats are familiar, and you can sense the show settling into a loop. Still, it ends before that repetition becomes tiring, so it never crosses into boring territory. If anything, it feels like the drama knew its limits and chose to bow out gracefully rather than overstaying its welcome.
Where the series falls slightly short is in its use of side characters. With a ten-episode runtime and decent episode lengths, there was real potential to expand the world beyond the main couple. The supporting characters, especially the "Four Heavenly Kings," remain mostly in the background, existing only to push the central romance forward. A small backstory, a parallel arc, or even a side pairing would have added depth and made the story feel fuller.
As for physical intimacy, the restrained approach is very much in line with youth-oriented Japanese BLs, so it doesn’t feel like a flaw worth penalizing. The emotional connection carries enough weight on its own, and the sweetness of the interactions more than makes up for what’s left unsaid or unseen.
In the end, this drama is undeniably charming. It’s soft, warm, and incredibly easy to fall for. While it could have done more with its supporting cast, the core story remains strong and heartfelt. Compared to others in the same genre, it holds its ground well and, in many ways, stands out. A genuinely enjoyable watch that understands its appeal and delivers on it with sincerity.
Was this review helpful to you?
