fav boy of the week

Writing this as an excuse to list the amount of Japanese BL I fell in love with.

Listing 5 series per post because life is too busy 😔

Random rambling. I just need to let some thoughts out my chest.

Link for: Part 2 Part 3

1. Utsukushii Kare

They're my favorite most complex characters ever written. In a shallow level, they're two people who seems to be living in a different world but looking at them deeply, I don't think they're that different. Hira's love for Kiyoi is more than an obsession and Kiyoi needs that kind of obsession towards him that without realizing, he's already fallen deeply in love.

Their equal obsession towards each other must be the reason why I enjoy their dynamic. And another was how they hold each other up high. When Hira needs to build his confidence, Kiyoi is the first person to hold his vessel and assure him. When it seems like no one believes in Kiyoi, Hira never fails to prove that he will always have Kiyoi's back (*whispers Eternal*).

I have read the novel, manga & BLCD after watching this series, just because they were too interesting.

The drama was a quality work. I don't think it will be this good if not for the great performance of the actors too. Their chemistry was really amazing. The scriptwriting was also well done, especially in the movie. I still manifest S3.

📍5/5

Genre: Youth, Psychological, Bullying, Coming-of-age

Seasons: S1, S2, Movie

Episodes: 6 (S1) + 4 (S2)

Website to watch: Gagaoolala, WeTV, Viki

2. Ossan's Love

There's no other BL comedy that had comedy in the highest form of comedy than Ossan's Love. This is the craziest and the most chaotic BL to ever exist. I might have to extend the appreciation to the video editor and the music editor first, the effects and cuts made the slapstick acting extra funny.

This felt like a social experiment, there's just too many versions of Ossan's Love with different Maki(s) until they found THE one. And I'm glad they didn't stop because our Maki now has the best chemistry with Kurosawa and Haruta.

Kurosawa and Maki are always physically fighting, their energy and seriousness while Haruta is going insane every time they meet eye to eye always makes the drama breathless. They've got to be the most talented actors ever brought in yaoi because we all know every time they start fighting, it was mostly adlibs and they always do it right. And for all we know, Haruta's got to be the most tiring and difficult character, he's just too expressive and emotional but that never hindered him in his flawless acting. I guess that's just how veterans are.

Maki and Haruta's chemistry are undeniable in a way that I love their skinships and small gestures for one another. They're too natural and comfortable. It's too warm and sometimes it's not enough. (My grudge grows every time they cut off MakiHaru's kiss.)

📍5/5

Genre: Workforce, Comedy, Love Triangle

Seasons: S1, Movie, S2 + Spinoff

Episodes: 7 (S1) + 9 (S2) + 2 (Spinoff)

Website to watch: Gagaoolala, Viki

3. Our Youth

It could be the color grading, the atmosphere, the soundtrack or their relationship that they could not speak to anyone that makes this drama bittersweet.

The yearning in their eyes, in the classroom, in the hallways or the street, the unspoken words that there's no one who understands but only the two of them.. it's like they have their own world. They want each other so bad.

How could the society be so judgmental and segregate them just because of their situation and performance? This drama was heavy in reputation. Even until the end, it looked strange for everyone that they are friends so how could they tell anyone about their relationship? I think this might have the most delightful and saddest ending to have ever been written. The manhwa was not enough to heal me.

📍5/5

Genre: Youth, Time Skip, Domestic Violence

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 10 + 1 (Special Episode)

Website to watch: Gagaoolala

4. Love is a Poison

It's the first legal Japanese BL I've watched (and I suppose Japan's first adapted one too). Absolutely gave me full suspicion and anxiousness towards Haruto despite him saying "I'll never betray you". The build up of their relationship felt just right while multiple things are happening at once.

Shiba's ice prince personality was done pretty well, by how hard he pretends that he wasn't interested in Haruto then when they started dating, there was no hesitance in melting and becoming softer like marshmallows especially with how he talks and how he gets sensitive with the way others would talk about his boyfriend. He was a natural fool for love.

Haruto was sassy and oozing with confidence. "I can be whatever I want" but also folded easily and fell in love. He felt more like a protector but also a lot softer and would always express how he wants to be protected and taken care of. It breaks me when he cries in his sleep.

The best thing about this two is the confidence they have for each other. They are a genius and a great team to solve everything just by doing it all together. We're in serious need of S2 to solve Haruto's aka Haruhara Kento's mother's case and Haruto becoming a lawyer.

📍5/5

Genre: Legal, Suspense, Action, Mystery, Comedy

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 12

Website to watch: Netflix

5. Cherry Magic

I also believe that Kurosawa is the king of yearning. I've watched the anime version and others but I realized that this specific adaption was the perfect recipe in expressing Kurosawa's overwhelming unrequited love. It might be the directing of the drama or its just Kurosawa did too well in his microexpressions and delivery of lines that I only have two reaction when Adachi hears his thoughts, either I'm weirded out or I'm in tears because he's too sincere.

Adachi is such a great representation of all people who have no confidence in themselves, no dreams or goals in life. People who had to live because they are alive. He's like a stab in the heart and a jab in the stomach, it made me feel that I wasn't alone. Adachi's strength is his honesty and when he don't know how much strength he sends to others, not only to those around him but to the viewers as well. As his confidence grows with Kurosawa next to him, we might actually just need people who are willing to lift our spirits up.

They hurt so good. When they talked about their secret relationship, emergencies and contacts, this is definitely one of the top reasons why same-sex marriage should be legal. No ones belief really matter, what's important is for everyone to get the same rights.

When they walked hand in hand on their last scene, it was bittersweet but I'm proud of them because they were no longer scared of the society. It was a really beautiful ending.

(-.5 because second couple had no chemistry for me ㅠㅠ.)

📍4.5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Workforce, Comedy

Seasons: 1 + Movie

Episodes: 12 + 2 (Special Episode)

toyotayou X 31oct 🎃💕

Halloween2025

toyotayou X 31oct 今年はADACHI is my angel（チェリミュ）したので天使にしました