Japanese Boys Love Dramas｜Misrepresentation or Fun Fantasy?｜Cherry Magic Review

[@nolanpeale6472]

Adachi's sexuality is more blank at the beginning than heterosexual. He's just more comfortable not taking any risks. He knows that he should like the women in the office, and should be doing something to pair up, but since they don't feel anything for him, he doesn't feel anything back. His sexuality in the end isn't his own. Its determined by the fact that Kurasawa likes him. Its not that uncommon a sexuality in BL, especially for the Uke. It's not discovering that you're gay because you are attracted to men. Its like discovering that men like you and going with that in the end.

[@TokyoBTM]

I see what you're saying. More like men in BL are portrayed as pan-sexual?

[@nolanpeale6472]

Yeah. Not everyone is pan-sexual, though. Yutaro is gay. Masato has spent years thinking about love. He obviously knows how to write the words, but his sexuality can best be described as "cowardly" and "terrified." If those are sexualities. Kurosawa, though is also an open book. All we know about him is that he isn't a virgin. We don't know anything else about his sexual identity except that he's enamored with Adachi. As far as Semes go, he's fairly passive - he's had a crush on Adachi for years but never acted on it. He's too much of a gentleman to actually try to seduce him. Sato is happily asexual. Those identities, though, matter less to the story than the notion of attraction. I'm not certain what the right term for it. Sexual charisma? Animal magnetism? Love radio waves? Kurosawa has sexual charisma in spades. All the fine ladies in the office can't help but fling themselves upon him because he emits bursts of sexual particle waves wherever he goes. Adachi, not so much. Everyone kind of ignores him. What he doesn't know is that what sexual energy he does give off is at such a narrow frequency that only Kurosawa is moved by it. What Adachi lacks is a receiver to unscramble those signals Kurosawa is sending back. And then he gets one and off we go. Falling in love is like tuning into the right channel on a radio. Yeah, its a bit corny. No its not how people actually fall in love. But aww, shucks. Its kind of sweet, if you're not too cynical about these kinds of things.

[@chirich572]

@@TokyoBTM I think more like late-bloomers.

[@manleongkwok8245]

long story short, I feel like loving a man who loves you is more important than labeling yourself as gay

[@conho4898]

this isn't pansexual though. this is demisexual: when you're only attracted to someone after knowing them better as a person. and its quite prevalent in BL.

[@kanebryant1]

When Meng said, "I don't want to play the game anymore. I'm tired." I felt that...

[@TokyoBTM]

Awwwwwww hugs Kane ❤

[@daomingc1889]

Cherry magic is not just a love story, it is a life story with deep message. Yeah this bl series a wholesome bl series not like other bl series. Yeah keita in alice in borderland I'm a fan He-he!

[@TokyoBTM]

I am still watching the show. ❤ its really fun

[@DarkFaeCosplay]

He was so amazing in Alice in Borderland

[@edwardmage]

So instead of saying "turning a straight person gay", what if we call it "helping a straight-presenting bisexual realize their sexual identity?"

[@ShiningBOT]

I don't think whoever comes up with bl stories thinks that far. It's a fantasy scenario between two men crafted for the entrainment of women, for them to relate to. So it's always usually a very clear cut bottom top situation and very often a "gay for you" dynamic as well. As in one or both of the guys are attracted to women but they find the one guy who they fall in love with and they cant help but to follow their feelings. It takes away the gay identity so it's more palatable for women, who often don't care about or don't relate to real gay dynamics. Its a trope as old as bl is, and not one I'm very fond of, despite being a fan of the genre. Having said that Cherry magic is actually better than average about this despite not ever really tackling the sexual orientation angle.

[@ugitsimatupang5766]

Bl is not for gay people, it's for a girl audients..

[@Gr95dc]

yes please, i'd love to see that in bl

[@heisamushroom]

@@ugitsimatupang5766 Many queer woman, including gay women, watch BL. Do they not count?

[@capricorn5428]

@@heisamushroom and why do we watch bl? because there are no gls to be found. Even if they rarely make one its catering to the male fantasy. So..... lgbtq entertainment industry is messed up

[@luckyguy71]

I really can't believe that he said Akaso-san is not handsome. Sexuality is fluid, not "turnable". I don't think that the character Adachi is straight, I think he was more Asexual. He was a naïve late bloomer. I think the character Kurosawa (Machida-san) is really Bi-sexual. Machida-san has a large Gay male following internationally, probably since his role in HIGH LOW. Machida-san was also the male character in a transgender series called LIFE AS A GIRL. Akaso-san was in children's series and variety shows. Fans of Cherry Magic literally LOVE these two actors. The show has had HUGE success internationally. I should also say that both Akaso-san and Machida-san are open supporters of LGBTQ people and Marriage equality.

[@TokyoBTM]

Thanks for sharing the information. So glad to hear that both actors are open supporters😍

[@nicolknappen6596]

I know, right? Almost fell off my chair when he said Akaso was not handsome. Take a close look when he comes out of the shower in episode 2. Even Kurosawa is stunned that Adachi is way more attractive than he had been imagining!

[@ankushds7018]

I have watched a lot of bl. To me it seems like the BL thing (although it's improving now) has always been about this traditional straight guy who just turns gay and only for this one guy. It's cringe. And a little offensive (but nobody needs to care about that). So maybe it was indeed meant in that way - at least the manga probably was.

[@Gr95dc]

@@ankushds7018 I'm pretty sure it was meant that way and some people in this comments are just being delusional lol

[@aprillen]

I'd call Adachi a demisexual and demiromantic who so far hasn't had enough experience in love and attraction to actually know his own sexuality and romantic orientation very well. And because he's grown up in a very heteronormative society, he hasn't previously questioned himself very much. Contrast that with his friend Tsuge, who is also a virgin at 30, but is very obviously NOT demisexual; he's just extremely introverted and shy, but (SPOILER FOR FUTURE EPISODES) when he gets a chance to lose his virginity he doesn't hesitate at all. (END SPOILER) Adachi's panicked reactions to Kurosawa's feelings for him don't strike me as the usual "gay panic" we so often see in BL dramas, but rather the "intimacy panic" an insecure, introverted, perhaps slightly neurodivergent, demisexual person might feel (I definitely recognise that as a greysexual, greyromantic, neurodivergent person). And we also see that Adachi doesn't in fact think that it would be easier for him it it was Fujisaki (the girl) who was interested in him; he'd feel just as awkward and hesitant. The fact that the person who likes him is a man is a surprise to him and it takes him a little while to adjust to it, but he's not in fact very bothered by that particular aspect of it, besides it being potentially awkward if people in their workplace found out about it.

[@LittleDream99]

Oh, wow. I never thought of Adachi as demi until now, but it makes a lot of sense. As an ace person myself, I focused on Fujisaki potentially being aro/ace. Thank you for this analysis! :)

[@aaronmoiche330]

It’s not that he’s gay, he never said he was. He originally liked and thought he only liked girls but then a guy starts showing interest and he starts navigating through those new feelings he’s getting which lead him to realise he cares for the guy and wouldn’t mind being with him. At most I’d say he’s bi tbh

[@cakebeforeheartbreak]

I disagree. He was never clearly interested in girls, he just knew that he _should_ be since his co-workers were at his age. If anything I'd say he's closer to demisexual than anything else-it's a sexuality under the umbrella of asexuality where a person doesn't feel sexual attraction to others until getting to know that person more.

[@revlo8483]

@@cakebeforeheartbreak so a normal person

[@anikasaxena4238]

@@cakebeforeheartbreak Yup, although I think he was more demiromantic. the drama doesn't really focus on their sexuality, just the fact that Kurosawa likes Adachi, and Adachi starts to like him after getting to know him better.

[@anikasaxena4238]

@@revlo8483 I really hope you aren't being acephobic with this comment because I will teleport over and crush you into dust. Demisexuals are VALID.

[@dickidsrip5262]

@@revlo8483 well alot of people hook up barely knowing soimeones name so I dont think you got the point

[@actualtrash2546]

I feel like a lot of the nuances are lost in the English subs. The drama doesn’t really focus on sexuality, just the love between 2 different humans. If you take out the gay aspect in this it almost seems like a normal romantic drama. I feel like that’s the way sexuality should be represented more often because it’s often so heteronormative. Adachi mentions later on that he’s been slightly interested in women but never really felt anything towards them so I don’t think that this is about turning a straight boy gay. I feel like the drama itself has a lot of typical and cliche moments but I think the way their relationship is depicted is the most important and impressive part of this series.

[@SweeJ]

This! I don’t speak Japanese or most other Asian languages, I rely on English subs. I’m well aware much is lost as too many words is not possible to read for each scene. I am also aware sometimes there would be two sets of subtitles out there, where one would give a better nuance or even different interpretation than the other. Example, I watched Cherry Magic with one set of subs initially, and then the official first episode with original subs. I thought the official one did a better job conveying what I thought they were trying to say. I suspect if you read / understand Japanese, one will be able to see past sexuality as the primary theme, but more of self-discovery, growing as a person and learning to understand those feelings.

[@azx6918]

I have a tonne of issues with BL shows/tropes, and am not into overly cute shows. I say this because, "30 years..." was such a lovely watch. Incredibly endearing and at points life-affirming. There is never a suggestion there is anything wrong with Sato (who is ace and happy) and they explicitly refer to another character as "gay" (this is unusual in straightforward BL). It was a 20 minute cute-injection into my week. Someone noted above, Adachi is not "turned", he just doesnt know himself. He thinks he likes women but has never acted on it. There is a rabbit hole here, but his first real expression of sexuality only comes with the attentions of Kurosawa. Everything before was just a hypothetical and being that he lives in the society that he does, his hypotheticals were with women because he didn't have the wherewithal to look beyond that, maybe? A side note on Machida Keita (Kurosawa in the above/ Karube in "Alice in Borderland"): He is making some interesting choices of late and i'm enjoying watching him. It's why I watched this as I would maybe not have otherwise.

[@user-sc3oh1bw4z]

nah i dont think adachi think he is 'straight' at first.. he just doesnt think about sex at all.. so he seems like demisexual?

[@TokyoBTM]

I totally agree. I actually cut the part that i said he is a sexually ambiguous figure. Not trying to put him into a box, but I do feel in many BLs, characters are turned from straights to gays. So just want to share my thoughts ❤

[@user-sc3oh1bw4z]

@@TokyoBTM yup.. i agree with u.. i watched thai bl too.. and it is usually like that there..

[@johnmaster2800]

I would note that the BLs suddenly emanating from the Philippines in 2020 were often written and/or directed by gay men rather than being adapted from source material written by straight women. If one were to list BLs that actually seem to express a bone fide gay sensibility or ask questions about what it means to live a gay life, I would expect these Filipino BLs to be near the top of such lists. (Gaya sa Pelikula and Gameboys would be representative examples.) Most of the BL genre is best regarded as fantasy and wish fulfillment--points you touched on in your discussion of Cherry Magic.

[@BJCMXY]

It's more like sexuality is an expansion of knowledge about self. When you don't understand yourself all that well, & don't want to really think about it, you tend to default to social expectations for relationship dynamics until you meet those who actually make you want to question & analyze yourself. I never was one to not be curious about everything, so there was never a point where I had let myself just default to social expectations of relationship dynamics. I was the one where the saying "Curiosity killed the cat" isn't all that far from the truth...but like a cat, I am amazingly good at getting myself out of situations that I really shouldn't be able to. That aside. Those who seem straight & act straight until they meet the one who makes them question their situation, are only straight Because they haven't had a reason good enough to break the status quo, and go against the expectations of society to ask themselves prior to that instance, if they're actually straight in reality, or straight for convenience & because they actually haven't met the right person. The right person will always make you question yourself on all manner of things about yourself at different points in life. Not just sexual preferences. Only the truly curious are likely immune to this situation.

[@TokyoBTM]

Thanks for the great insights! It was just hard for me to relate to that aspect of the drama. I grew up in a very heterosexual environment, and there was absolutely 0 representation on media or around me. But I "awakened" automatically at a very young age. I wanted to be treasured by boys. Was it because of my bottom DNA?😜

[@BJCMXY]

@@TokyoBTM LOL I was aware of my preference for boys at the age of two, but I was also aware that according to society, I should have a preference for girls, which led to a bit of an issue between a pair of siblings that wanted to be my "Best" friend when I was three I think. The issue was that as a boy & girl, & the whole I'm better than you kind of thing, and my standing as an undisputed leader despite being younger, they both wanted to be first in my opinion...but because I was conflicted between the demand of my preference, & what society demanded, I said, why not just settle for the middle? That didn't sit well for either of them.🤦🏼‍♂️ I liked the boy more, but I knew that according to society, I should like the girl more. It was weird. By the time I was 6, I was able to avoid that particular problem, but at 7...I went and got myself traumatized by a combination of a poorly conveyed message about child abuse, and what I have later learned was a perfectly normal childhood behavior, that was mismanaged by the school counselor when they received a report about it from someone who was jealous that they didn't have the required anatomy to play along. Plumsy was a terrible way of trying to explain that sort of thing to a child. Way too obscure, and with far too many ways to misinterpret what it's trying to convey...when an intelligent child hears such things, it can totally mess up their lives...like it did mine...so...all of my problems aren't related to my Sexual Orientation luckily. My mind by that point had decided that my sexuality wasn't an issue to even think about. I wasn't exactly comfortable with it, but I didn't deny it. I just said nothing about it for a long time.

[@iLovG]

touché.-

[@iLovG]

@@TokyoBTM I kind of like the "awaken" term. Sounds like a wizzard that has awaken his true power and is ready to go on adventures lol

[@Peter95111]

I LOVED this series. I've watched the whole thing three times already. It's so sweet and innocent. There was a lot I didn't catch the first time I saw it. I don't think Kurosawa "changed" him though. Adachi never said he liked girls, he just noted that Ms. Fujisaki was 'pretty'. Perhaps that's why he never dated girls because he didn't have an attraction to them. In another episode he said that her (Fujisaki) liking him didn't make him feel the same way that Kurosawa made him feel. I like how the show allows the viewer to become invested in the characters and you end up rooting for them to make it happen in the end. I really really enjoyed it, I just wish it was more easily available in the US. It whole series was briefly on KZbin but was taken down very quickly.

[@pratamahrs]

I see Cherry Magic on the thumbnail. I clicked so fast!!! #KurodachiForever Life is just that simple :))

[@TokyoBTM]

haha hope you enjoyed our reaction and discussion as well 😂

[@Love_TheArtist]

Actually, when I think about this series...I think it’s pretty typical life situation. Two non-assuming gay guys (one unsure) meeting and slowly coming into a relationship. This story could work in western media as well. Certainly, there are lesbian storylines like this. The drama comes in, when the characters go into the public announcement of their relationship.

[@nicolknappen6596]

I was just recently wondering how It might be done in the West. Unfortunately, I think they’d put the Adachi character on the autism spectrum. Either that or he wouldn’t be terribly attractive. For me the major cultural difference is that in the West, a Kurosawa would start “grooming” and befriending an attractive Adachi aggressively and ASAP.

[@iscbl]

History 3: Trapped completely misses the coming out bit. The characters don't question their sexuality, they're just like "oh I have a crush now". It's about a police officer who is obsessed with a case involving a mafia member from years back.

[@TokyoBTM]

Sounds perfect then. Jumping right in! I'll check it out.

[@maeannengo4908]

@@TokyoBTM Do BL Reviews please. If you can't do per episode reviews then maybe a series summary review. There's so much content with differing qualities, topics, and shortcomings too.

[@kimemerson5732]

@@TokyoBTM it was a terrific series!!

[@kimemerson5732]

@@TokyoBTM also, Until We Meet Again had an amazing storyline, it is the best in my opinion, with drama, love, and acceptance, with families learning that hate of what they don’t understand is not right. It was a real tear-jerker for me!

[@SapphireRavenmoon]

Yes!! Trapped is amazing, always one of my favourites xD

[@PaulA-kr1nl]

Sexuality is a spectrum. Not long ago in Japan there was a third gender called Wakashu. Men and women expressed their sexuality freely. Now everyone has to be labelled and be given a box to stand in. I say make the box bigger.

[@月柳-h3c]

this show made me barf out sugar. it's so fluffy and cute! i'm a fan of bl, but one of my gripes is sometimes (often?) bl shows can glorify or romanticize triggering topics, but this show was just really wholesome. i could really relate to adachi. i'm a big introvert and pretty timid with a bit of low self esteem. i really liked the way kurosawa and his power helped him grow confidence to navigate through society and relationships in the show! hope you enjoy watching it ♡

[@pinkpanda6184]

There's a difference between romanticize, normalize and portrayed rape and abuse as a drama and also Stockholm syndrome, not all bl fans are into romcoms and pure love thing

[@haute39234]

I loved cherry magic. Its a really cute show. totally PG if that's a important lol I think "Kinō Nani Tabeta?" was a much deeper authentic gay show, but they're also about different stages in life and relationship.

[@TokyoBTM]

Yes I watched that a couple of years ago. Happy to see a variety of depictions coming out now.

[@haruharu4344]

If the director-san of cherry magic comes across your channel, he'll definitely be impressed and probably overwhelmed. Sooo many people are reviewing it in deep perspective. The subscribers here really rock!

[@NDXC2015]

“I lost the ability to love a long time ago.” SAMEEEEE hahahahahahahaha

[@TokyoBTM]

We are all such a sad lot, aren't we? haha

[@haruharu4344]

@@TokyoBTM meng, we lav 'ya!

[@jubmelahtes]

I was late out 17-18 I think 😢 I was sure I was asexual I never thought that I was gay until it hit me, I didn't dear to explore my sexuality until I was in an environment where I felt comfortable doing so. So I do think it's entirely possible to not realise if you haven't deared thinking the thought.

[@captainteeko4579]

I didn’t realize I wasn’t truly straight until around 14-15 and now I’m 25 and still have never been with anyone so 5 more years and I’ll be a wizard 🤣

[@RJpopper]

@@captainteeko4579 same here friend. 4 more years and I'll be a wizard too.

[@Jack-sz7ei]

1:49 “I don’t like that hair style.” You don’t have hairs. 😂🤣

[@yalambarkirat4005]

🤪😆😁so true👍👌

[@user-sc3oh1bw4z]

he is jealous 😂😂😂

[@yalambarkirat4005]

@@user-sc3oh1bw4z 😁😂😁😂😁😂

[@kuroneko7022]

Right? What a nerve!😂😂😂

[@Mighto]

I watched the show last Year. It was kinda cute, nothing more. A harmless funny show I could watch during my Trainride home from work

[@TokyoBTM]

Yes, we are still watching. It's a really fun show!

[@mcfulai]

“Armpits” the way you said it I died 😂😂😂

[@TokyoBTM]

😜 Am I wrong? haha ❤❤

[@mcfulai]

@@TokyoBTM oh you are 100% on the money. Napes are the armpits of the head 😂

[@alm9368]

I love the series. Unlike real life, everything in it is simple, clear, and pure, there's nothing sordid. It may look ridiculous, but it works. It's just a love story of normal (very handsome) people. (By the way: nice shirt, Meng, very elegant.)

[@biyankapatel99]

In stead of turnable, it be more accurate to say that sexuality is discoverable.. you discover that you like … but later you realize you also like …

[@Aure_1007]

Sexuality is not turnable - how about: Sexuality is a spectrum? And also - why is it set for life? Maybe someone is attracted to the opposite sex most of the time but might also encounter someone they are attracted to from the same sex - even if its only once in a lifetime. There were times I was so infatuated with women but am living most of my life physically attracted to men. But would I state, that I would never, under any circumstances fall in love with a woman and have sex with her? No, I for one would not. I welcome that the world is verrrrrry slowly starting to shy away from the black-and-white binary systems and I for one would love to see that being considered in discussions moreoften. Also - I feel like if homosexuality would be more accepted in cultures all over the world, there would probably be more "out and proud" gay people.

[@TokyoBTM]

Agreed - it is much more of a spectrum and I do think that the idea of it being black and white perhaps limits people from feeling and exploring certain feelings. I also agree that if homosexuality was more acceptable we might see more displays of the wide spectrum of sexuality. Maybe some day!

[@WilliamHaist]

"Why is it set for life?" - because there are more sexualities than just gay or straight. When you identify as gay but discover someone who you are attracted to who is of the opposite gender, that isn't your sexuality changing, it's you discovering the fact that you have the ability to be attracted to both sexes, which makes you a bisexual person rather than a gay person. Regardless of how you identify, the label you identify with CAN BE WRONG. As you grow older, your understanding of who you are as a person evolves. It's important to not forget the existence of bisexual people, because if you pretend that bi people don't exist you enter the realm of "sexuality is a choice" which would justify all the religious hate that the gay community gets, as they think we purposely chose to go against their religious beliefs by being gay. If we take a look into human history, there's a very high chance that the majority of the human population is actually bisexual, not straight or gay. The reason I believe this is because of how war used to work a few hundred years ago before the industrial revolution. Back then, when men went off to war, they'd have a man who would act as a replacement for their wife (sexually) while they were on the battlefield. This was EXTREMELY common back then IN MANY cultures (think roman and greek). We see the remnants of this system in the prison systems all over the world today. My point with all of this is that if you really are gay, then that will NEVER change. Sexuality is directly linked to something called "epigenetics". The same is true if you are straight, or bi. It's literally built into your DNA while you are in the womb. Epigenetic marks are modifications of the methyl and acetyl groups that bind to DNA histones thereby changing how the proteins function and as a result, alter gene expression. Epi-marks change how the histones function and as a result, influence the way genes are expressed. Epigenetic marks promote normal sexual development during fetal development. However, they can be passed on to offspring through the process of mitosis. When they are transferred from one parent to an offspring of the opposite sex, it can contribute to an altered sexual development, thus leading to masculinization of female offspring and feminization of male offspring. To sum everything up, sexuality ISN'T just black and white, straight or gay, you've also got BI people who are the GREY that you are looking for. Please don't pretend they don't exist.

[@Aure_1007]

@@WilliamHaist You state so many things as fact, that I worry you don't actually know what you are talking about, but rather want to back-up your personal opinions with psudo-scientific arguments to make them appear more valid. While I admit of not mentioning bisexuality in my OP, I reject the accusation of 'pretending bisexuals do not exist'. I have not mentioned other sexual orientations (Ace, fluids etc.) neither of which I wholly belief they exist - it is my believe in fact, that there are as many sexualities out there as humans exist. The relationship between biology and sexual orientation is still a great subject of research. While scientists do not know the exact cause of sexual orientation, they theorize that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and also environmental influences. To state anything other than this is worrysome. Hence, I would also reject the notion you made "if you really are gay, then that will NEVER change" but rather "if you are ever truly gay, you might not change"! Because sexuality is "also" a preference - and preferences do change. That aside I was hoping that people would take away from my post, that sexuality should not be a label half-heartedly slapped onto a person. But rather an umbrella term in regards to their own preferences.

[@WilliamHaist]

​@@Aure_1007 Ok let me re-phrase what I said in my previous comment. Firstly I'm sorry that my comment came off as accusatory. It was primarily meant to be informative, not combative. The reason my comment was so pointed was because the idea that sexuality CAN change, gives validation to conversion therapy as well as religious zealots who aim to attack the gay community, so maybe I felt subconsciously defensive. Secondly, I was referencing an entire school of science when I mentioned epigenetics. This is an entire field of study which explores all the different traits a mother can pass on to her child in the womb and very early childhood. The part in your reply "While scientists do not know the exact cause of sexual orientation, they theorize that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and also environmental influneces" refers to the study of epigenetics. That is literally what epigenetic research is, it's the study of everything you described in this quote. It encompasses a lot more than just sexuality though. Epi-marks can be more than just sexual orientation, they can extend to food preferences, allergies, pre existing conditions, recessive genes, etc. It's a VERY diverse field of study. If you'd like to read more about it, - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetic_theories_of_homosexuality#:~:text=Epigenetic%20marks%20(epi-marks),are%20modifications%20of%20histone%20proteins. As well as - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_sexual_orientation#Epigenetics_studies The link that you copied that quote from has epigenetic studies in it's contents hyperlinks which gives you a brief overview on what epigenetics has done to link sexuality to it. Sure, I talk about this topic as if though it's a fact that homosexuality is linked to epigenetics when it's still a theory, but when you actually read about the research and testing they've done so far to prove this theory, I'm VERY inclined to believe it.

[@Aure_1007]

@@WilliamHaist I dont know what you think you won, but: cool. Any further discussion will probbaly only be a loss of both of our times! I shall go on with my life and you do as you please! Cheers!

[@justdave3153]

I love Cherry Magic as a romantic comedy. For a more “real” experience in a BL, it would be interesting to see your reaction to Gaya Se Pelicula- written by an openly gay man.

[@artemisjade]

GSP is such a good, great, amazing story. I hate all the things happening around JMS now. Pao Pangs has all my heart

[@ihala6597]

One of the best BLs that I have ever watched, I really love Gaya Sa Pelikula

[@JMoonGem]

I hope you continued watching/finished it. This show is really wholesome. It’s not like most common BLs. There are some BL tropes but not as many.

[@shealeigh4160]

I'm the one who sent you a Twitter message asking you to do a video on this subject without realizing you had already done one! This answers so many of my questions, thank you for taking the time to do this video. I'd love to hear your take on Yuri!! On Ice and if you have any personal favorite anime you want to talk about!

[@jjbsnak95096]

guys, i was so excited to see that you were reviewing Cherry Magic! Both Adachi and Kurosawa are adorable to me (but especially Adachi). Other people in the comments have mentioned that Adachi is not turned from straight to gay, and I definitely agree with that. He's naive and not self-aware but happily he "awakens" lol. I loved the series and even the later sideplots with his nerdy also-virginal friend was a lot of fun. Arigato for another great episode! ♥

[@TokyoBTM]

Yes,the idea that he is more pan-sexual is very interesting to me. Good food for thought.

[@popkitlum8415]

I think it is portrayed more as have a denial surrounding their sexuality; then faced with someone they are attracted to it challenges them. But I find BL really varies with many types.

[@theFakeRed]

I'm not a big fan of most bl because of all the fetishism of gay men and harmful stereotypes, but I enjoyed Cherry Magic, and I related to Adachi a lot as someone who is on both the aro and ace spectrums, and he really felt like a demisexual/romantic character to me. I also liked that the relationships were treated like normal relationships, that was nice :)

[@TokyoBTM]

Cherry Magic was really cute! Yeah, it is always difficult for me...do I want the fact that it is 2 boys falling in love acknowledged? Yes. But do I also get bored of that being highlighted all time (because it is considered uncommon) and just want the relationship to be viewed as normal, as you said? Yes. haha what do I want then!? Thanks for watching!

[@cuttingonions_lifeisdrama]

I think Adachi grew up thinking relationships are boy/girl. He has never dated and really knows anything about it because he has never had the feelings of being in love or liking anyone in that way before. He is so innocent and pure. I think Adachi never thought about it and later realized he was only attracted to Kurosawa, a male, as he got to know him better. Even the cute girl from their work didn’t release any attraction towards her.

[@lamngu1735]

I am gay and also a BL fan, like 13 yrs +. I definitely feel that Japanese BL really cater to woman in general, like the bottom turning gay or stereotypical presentation of top/ bottom ( i still like it tho hahahah). That also goes for most of Thai and Taiwan shows. The only movie that's relatable for me is Love, Simon. For the rest I just treat like some sort of my gay fantasy. BTW I still hold that Christian idea of giving my first to someone( i don't object either way it's just personal thing) so I only have some more years heading toward the wizardry now. Love you guys and your videos!!! From Tokyo but not top lollll

[@TokyoBTM]

Yes, I felt Love, Simon was good too. Actually a lot of BL and even gay movies are great if we can watch with different expectations. I know we shouldn't really have to change them to enjoy them and there should be more authentic representations, but I do think this genre has its place!

[@IlloyedKater]

Have you watched Gaya Sa Pelikula? I don't know if that really is good representation (I am female) but thought that show to be a good representation, therefore I would like a second (probably more objective and knowledgable opinion

[@nathanfelan9775]

We need a full series review!! Ahhh, I became invested as I watched y’all watching it! Lol

[@tangthanh3887]

when Meng watching two Main character in the elevator! The reaction of Meng so cute, your face even turn to red ♥️♥️! that's like you like that action too much!..😄😄

[@TokyoBTM]

It definitely got very hot for me ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@mita_hyljetta]

they can be bi too... let's not cancel us... also not everyone knows right away and feels social pressure....i'd love to see you guys review the whole series ... you guys should review gaya sa pelikula

[@gaetanbouetard]

Same goes with Restart The Movie vs Restart the manga. Yamato is super muscular and masculine (and blonde) but for the movie they decided to turn it into a really really thin almost androgyne guy

[@TokyoBTM]

I'll have to go check it out!

[@allanchiu8749]

Hello two too. I am from Canada. I like your shows a lot. They are really fun to watch and really informative. I am trying to watch them all in this weekend. Thank you again. Listening you two spend Japanese, is like listening someone singing. Well done. Keep going.

[@mkboulton3093]

The sooner everyone realizes that we're all on the spectrum it just depends where you are on it... the happier we all will be. IMHO

[@propaganda411]

Watch more! I think they actually do a good job of not making the story about him 'turning' or having issue with the gay thing.

[@europegirlh2o]

It WOULD be cool to see a bl where both guys already know their identify solidly!! Never realized how lacking this is!

[@SakuOhno]

I would love for you to react to this Filipino web series, Gaya sa Pelikula (It means, “like the movies”). It available on KZbin! It is super cute!

[@Wimlan]

So the character is bi or pansexual. Then it would make sense for him to be confused or suddenly have feelings for a man. Many bi people also feel like the gender they are drawn to changes from time to time, so in that way it is very fluid.(spoken from the point of view of a bi person)

[@rhythmdroid]

I think people can have the seeds of certain sexual attractions in them but only certain formative experiences can water those seeds more than others.

[@EugeneCJY]

I found it's really interesting that Meng mentioned repeatedly that GMPD and IKANIMO are the most popular gay groups in Japan coz I have a very different opinion on that as a gay in Japan. These are definitely the most visible gay groups on almost all the public scenes here and most frequently referred to by some ONEE drag talents celebrities (like マツコ・デラックス is known for fancying Bulky beefy athletes) on mass media. Tho it's true that slim twinks are not the babies and that working out to get in good shape is a bible, if you go take a look at 9mon you will find a lot of daily top users with high levels are actually very clean-cut straight-looking guys with lean body shape. It is also quite common to see phrases like "No IKANIMO" or "Prefer non-gayish guys (染まっていない人好き)" in many 9mon users' profile. I guess Meng may have got this impression more because of his personal preference/experience or may deliberately generalize Japanese gay as Nichome clubbing gay coz actually still a huge community of local gays that don't often show up at gay towns like Nichome. That's to say, ADACHI AND KUROSAWA ARE VERY MUCH LIKED BY GAYS HERE TOO NOT ONLY BY GIRLS.

[@TokyoBTM]

Thank you very much for the comment! it helps expand the discussion as we are only two people and can really only comment on our experiences, which of course will be different from others. We are going to try to bring other voices into these discussions, so please stick around as we do!

[@georgH]

Totally agree with Meng (8:35), we need more shows directed to gay people!

[@juanortiz974]

It's funny how y'all have a couch, but are like lets just sit on the floor since that's not what couches are made for🤭

[@klararosengren5314]

That's what I thought, Kurosawa's thought are almost funnily pure. Like, even when he thinks he's alone and no one can read his mind, he still never imagines Adachi even shirtless... Such an innocent man😂 But, I think, if you're gonna watch cherry magic, don't expect it to be so much about the homosexuality. It's gay representative, but that's not what the show is about. It's about fear of failure and abandonment. For me, the most precious thing about it, is how Kurosawa and Adachi learn to overcome that fear, through each other.

[@TokyoBTM]

Oh now i must watch it till the end! I feel the story really must change!

[@yaniistiadi2982]

Is sexuality turnable? Ive seen a doctor say that sexual preference is more like food preference. Like some people can eat only greens or meat or both, thats depend on our mind. We know that human mind can changes anytime.

[@dinklefacedraws]

What a cute and wholesome video as always! I want to recommend a few mangas that are known to be realistic in their depictions of Japanese LGBTQ people: 1. Shimanami Tasogare (しまなみ誰そ彼) - a story about a gay teen who meets other LGBTQ people at a local safe space; depicts the life of gay, lesbian, transgender, and asexual people living in Japan 2. Otouto no Otto (弟の夫) - a story about a single dad (straight) and his brother's Canadian husband (yay Canada!) exploring themes of homophobia, cultural difference, and family 3. Boku ga Otto ni Deau made (僕が夫に出会うまで) - adapted from an essay by a Japanese gay activist telling the story from him being bullied as a child to advocating for marriage equality as an adult 4. Kinou nani Tabeta (きのう何食べた) - pretty sure you guys mentioned the TV adaptation in one of your videos; the manga is less filtered in terms of its use of language. Hope these give you some ideas for your future videos!

[@TokyoBTM]

Thank you for the above! I watched the Kinou nani Tabeta drama, but haven't read the comic, so will check that out along with your other suggestions!

[@vproject2564]

Eiji Akaso(Adachi) was also in Kamen Rider Build.

[@TokyoBTM]

Oh I must go find that!

[@vproject2564]

@@TokyoBTM Best Match! You'll here that a lot in KR Build. :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6HQda14nc-smM0

[@arturoaguilera9802]

I've been binging your channel! I live in Kanagawa and I haven't been able to visit Tokyo since Corona and your channel gets me so excited to go back! Love your content ❤️

[@Johnific]

I think the market for BL in the beginning really was for girls (fujoshi?) and eventually an increasing trend for boys (fudanshi?). The genre (i would say) develops as some films starts to discuss social issues as well and not just for entertainment. The silver lining of this pandemic is that a lot of people are staying at home and are more open to such genre eventually leading to a progressive state.

[@ryuichiro.sakuraba]

I've read the manga, and found that Netflix series is a bit more mellow XD Wondering if you could also do the My Love Mixup! series on Netflix as well XD

[@greenboyblues]

Ha perfect timing cuz I just discovered/finished watching this show! Had the same over all opinion about it but i did end up liking the 2 main characters (despite the hair lol. ) They feel a little more grounded in some respect than say how BL is usually portrayed in manga perhaps (being all flowery and fancy and glittery )...despite being fairly blatant BL tropes. At least Adachi anyway, Kurosawa is a little more of BL stereotype maybe. I think tho the fantasy of reading minds and finding out the hot dude in the office (or class or whatever) is into you is a relatable fantasy to most. Specifically, the idea of being able to tell whether someone is gay/straight without direct confrontation (because they aren’t out/don’t feel safe/could be bullied etc) is something I’d argue many gay people fantasize about or an ability they wish they had at some point in life. On the note of sexuality tho, many people don’t come out until later in life - I know allot of people like that (westerners and Japanese alike) my partner is someone who didn’t come out until late. Japanese society in particular, being more conservative and less open about homosexuality etc - at least on the surface, also creates an environnement that makes it more difficult for people to explore these things about themselves comfortably (as u guys know and is clearly seen in the show) so i can buy that the main character maybe didn’t realize he could be attracted to men especially as someone who is socially awkward and hasn’t explored his sexuality much (even if it’s done in that “I’ll turn you gay” BL way)

[@TokyoBTM]

That's a really good point! I wish I knew who was gay by just touching them! hahaha

[@pasguy1965]

I just discovered your channel the other day and am enjoying your videos. I was happy to see you decided to review Cherry Magic. For me, it was one of the top BLs of 2020. At first I was put off by the magic aspect (and honestly the look of the main characters - I too would prefer they have short hair and have more muscles). BUT the show hooked me and by episode 4 I had fallen in love with the characters. If you want to see another Japanese BL, I have heard really good things about Love On The Line. If you want about other, non-Japanese BL’s to watch let me know and I am happy to share my favorites.

[@TokyoBTM]

Agreed! I found myself more and more into the story and characters as it went on too! I am on episode 4 or 5 now.

[@pasguy1965]

@@TokyoBTM I would love to hear your thoughts on the characters Tsuge and Minato and how you like the rest of the series.

[@Greyfeather08]

I don't see it as turnable... I see it as discovering. Experiencing. Then you will know if you like it or not. I am Pan. At the begining, it has just habit being hetero, then I discovered and people make me discover. Then I knew I was Bi, then Pan. You can't turn sexuality, but you can discover it.

[@khairieothman1170]

guys!! thank you for talking about this BL series. i'm watching it right now and I love it !!!

[@TokyoBTM]

It's a lot of fun!

[@khairieothman1170]

@@TokyoBTM I feel that I could relate to Kurosawa. Finding someone that I really like. Unfortunately, it took me a while to find my Adachi. Ahhhh....the memories ❤️

[@taylordeane58]

I don’t think sexuality necessarily defines love, if someone is open to the idea of love it’s possible to find it in the same sex without defining one’s sexuality as either heterosexual or homosexual and I believe that’s what the drama’s message is. Openness towards the possibility of something different

[@theFakeRed]

Yes, I feel somewhat the same about the show. It may just be my biased view as an aro-ace person, but I see Adachi in a very relatable light, and interpret him as someone also on the aro-ace spectrum. In my personal experience despite being aromantic and asexual, I still feel other forms of attraction, and am open to a relationship with guys, girls and nonbinary people. I consider myself romance favourable, meaning despite my not feeling romantic feelings, I'm still open to a romantic relationship, and I interprrt Adachi in a similar way.

[@TheKniterin]

I think for some people sexuality is more fluid, or they are demisexual, and they slowly come to this realization while finding themselves attracted to someone of the same gender for the first time. But, I think it would be great if there were more bisexual or gay people in shows from the very beginning, and more varied and realistic representations instead of the same old tropes! I don't really like the, "I'm only gay for you," trope because it seems to be a way to distance the whole show away from real LGBT+ people and our realities.

[@JimFeig]

The only reason KZbin recommend a video on your channel is because I had been searching for info about this and other BLs. The show didn't go there but imagine what it would be like to see and hear the other persons thoughts and fantasies during your first time. Also many BL series tend to initially write one of the characters as if they where pansexual then transition to writing them as gay.

[@TokyoBTM]

Thoughts during people's first times might not be happy thoughts! hahaha

[@Sergeantpaprika]

Okay, Machida's character in Alice in Borderland tho 👀🔥

[@harryreza3156]

Thanks to a certain channel *cough Tokyo BTM cough* I am now hooked on BL. I didn't watch Cherry magic but other BL and I do agree the "straight man gay" or call it confused man is a bit icky because in real most people already know at least that part about themselves. I have to admit their slow burn story is just making me want to watch the next episode again and again and now I see the sun rising. P.S: It probably won't happen but hey I want to have that kind of story happened at least once xD HAIR does make a man. like that guy in Alice in borderland is just hot and here the soft hair is just ...... how are you the same person???

[@inanutshell3832]

I'd really love your reaction to Gaya sa Pelikula and A Tale of 1000 stars. Both shows are great!

[@animeprince7866]

I am a fan of BL series. Now for the debate. It is not "turnable". I started thinking I liked women until my first gay experience. It wasn't turning. So, I see the awkward first moments to accepting who you really are. Then there's those straight boys who experiment and go uh yeah, no. This isn't for me. Then add in these things the lens of Japanese romantic ideals. Also if the "boys" looked more masculine and mature then it wouldn't be "boys love" it would be "men's love". So the fact that they look smoother and boy-ish is kinda a thing. Are BL shows and manga really accurate to gay romance? Not so much. However, they are fun to watch. Just enjoy it and schtaaaaap with the hair thing Andrew! LOL Seriously love this video. Keep the variety coming guys.

[@TokyoBTM]

Schtaaap! hahaha

[@keithsproverb6622]

Wow!!! I am so glad you are watching this show. I stumbled upon it on Crunchyroll. It was definitely a GOD sent show for me. I was very blessed by this show. And the performances from these two lead actors was outstanding. I cannot say that I didn't have moments of tears while watching certain heartwenching moments. . Thanks for your review and making others aware of this wonderful entertainment for those us who are looking for love and romance. I am hoping there is a season two because the chemistry between these two leads were incredibly electric and the supporting cast was super wonderful too. Enjoy the show can't wait to hear your final thoughts on it. Thanks again for your content. Stay safe and healthy.

[@TokyoBTM]

Thank you as well! I heard there were some bonus episodes made because the drama was quite popular.

[@keithsproverb6622]

@@TokyoBTM I know about the two bonus episodes. Were there any more? I saw all the episodes on Crunchyroll.

[@Aikuchi]

Just discovered your channel while YT surfing and loving it! Binged watched 30% of your videos in one sitting :D I was in Osaka and Kyoto end of 2019 (luckily before lockdown or even before the whiff of the Corona news) and loved it!

[@ScoundrelLB]

I really like the Cherry Magic series, and quite enjoyed watching your reaction video - it's a shame that you only did the first episode.

[@raelisjay]

Id like to see you guys react to more BL Shows, not just Japanese ones, because there are a lot of those in other Asian countries as well (Thailand, Philippines, etc.). I think it would be interesting to listen to both of your inputs about those too.

[@viridianaea2075]

This series is very good and its points of view are very objective. He has never had a partner and when he knows that someone likes him even if he is of the same gender, of course he will feel that way, it is normal, another point is that this series is not really yaoi, I really like it when both see Adachi And immediately they said it was the uke, it was very funny, because it is and in contrast Kurosawa is the seme, but their relationship is not like in the yaoi anime, he always gives it his place, when he goes home to sleep He doesn't do anything wrong to him, and when they experience other situations he always respects him, that's why I love this series, because it is very beautiful and 100% healthy.

[@totobanao9836]

I watched the series and for me this is one of the best BL Japan series. I really loved it!

[@Vincent-dl7ol]

I've watched this series and I like it. Also I srtongly recommend a BL anime movie 海辺のエトランゼ, it's adapted from a manga series. (Also the manga has a sequal called 春風のエトランゼ) Unlike other BL mangas/animes it's quite realistic like there are scenes gay people are not being accepted by the society and the character was struggling with his sexuality because the author Kiikanna wants other audience can also appreciate her work.

[@TokyoBTM]

Thank you for the recommendation, Wes! We will check it out!

[@johnmaster2800]

I began binging BLs during the pandemic, so only since 2020, but I took a deep dive. I discovered your site today--I suspect KZbin put this video into my feed because it mentioned Cherry Magic! Anyway, it may interest to you know that on more than one BL "reaction" site, the year-end rankings had Cherry Magic positioned as one of the Top 5 BLs of the entire year. It's been widely embraced by BL fandom, admittedly with the caveat that the "wizard" angle means it's clear we all know going in that this story is purely for fun. It is NOT making a statement about gay lives in present-day Tokyo. (In that regard, it is typical of the BL genre overall, and different from the "gay" genre.) I hope you revisit this discussion after viewing all the episodes. (Your video is the first place I heard that this "wizard at 30" thing is actually rooted in Japanese culture; so, I am grateful for that contextual nugget.) Incidentally, a second Japanese BL, "Life, Love on the Line" also ranked highly on many of the "2020 Best of BL" lists that I perused.

[@bart3929]

I liked cherry magic very much, sweet and with more emotional depth than a lot of other bl's. Just the writer caracter was sometimes a bit much, like some serious overacting at times ;-). But i don't feel the need to search for a label for Adachi's sexuality, maybe guys like Adachi just need love first to blossom, like a flower needs sunlight first too. If you like a bit more active and muscular/athlethic bl, but still sweet and romantic try this bl movie "long time no see" , one of my favorites!

[@andrepoernomo5585]

Thank you for introducing me to this series. Now, I am obsessed! But you guys are right, the characters there have very pure thoughts. My inner voice is filthy... LOL

[@TokyoBTM]

😂😂😂 You and us both!

[@ladymay30]

In the manga Kurasawas fantasies are more bold. 🤣

[@ramirodriguez8786]

Alright new sub here cuz you guys reacted to one of my fave BL 😁. Anyways, BoysLove/yaoi series were originated in japan and originally intended for girl's fantasy if am not mistaken. And then it evolves and other countries started doing BL series also. Tho the first BL series I've watched was a chinese BL "Addicted/Heroin" way back 2016.

[@TokyoBTM]

Yes you're right! Maybe next time we will give more of an introduction of what Boys' Love is

[@Harmonia96]

Someone commented that "BL is just a chick flick with gay characters" and everything clicked in my head. The material is usually not that deep, it blatantly ships characters or nudges you to ship them, They''re mostly shallow, wholesome love stories. Things like "Restart After Coming Home", "My Brother's Husband", even "Peach of Time" I wouldn't consider those to be BL. Not every m/m pairing can make a BL, and we also gotta consider their audience. If there are dramatic camera pans/zooming or a slow-mo a casual gesture like TOUCHING SOMEONE'S HAND, then you would know there are elements of a soap or a comedy that usually ties in with BL.

[@beautifulskiy434]

I totally agree with you guys. In the past, there were so many "coming out" movies and where they present personal problems of being gay and what not. All those are good films and we will always remember those, but I'm bored of those films too now. People should continue to make new BL shows/films where it doesn't necessarily need to center about one being gay and just present more happy and positive stuff in the gay communities. All the past BL films were often sad and had a mellow-sad tone. It's beautiful in it's own way, but I don't want to watch that anymore too lol. I also watched so many "straight" romance or romantic comedies all the time, and I think it's time to have the BL genre gets produced and pushed to the next level. Cherry Magic was a really good Japanese high quality BL show aside Ossan's Love. A new recent and currently airing Japanese BL called "vanishing my first love" also came out and it's really nice seeing a high quality production high school theme Japanese BL. If you guys watch Thai BL, Thailand's BL dramas are on a new level. Just a recent one that finished airing earlier this year is "A Tale of a Thousand Stars" and that one centered around a student who had a heart transplant and solder in a northern Thai village. Next year, there's a new mafia-theme Thai BL called Kinnporsche. Another noticable Thai BL I consider to look into as well is "Until We Meet Again" where the story centers around death and reincarnations about a gay couple. Another good one I consider is "Lovely Writer" where it centered a love story between a writer who writes BL novels and an actor who's acting in the writer's BL novel. I'm really waiting for Japan to start making high quality BL with well-known actors and I really wish Japanese BL gets popular as Thai BL too. At least this is my vision for Japan's BL genre lol.

[@mixboymakub]

Meng's Squeek during the cute scenes represents me at a spiritual level. Also, please do finish the show, is very well worth it regarding cliches and all that, there are some surprises.

[@TokyoBTM]

Squeek is the perfect work to describe it! haha

[@mixboymakub]

Finish the series guys, we need you final thoughts about it

[@kyleely2226]

React to ‘ Addicted’ or ‘Heroin’. A chinese bl novel and made into a series in 2016.

[@LadyMouzon]

I would definitely love for you to check out other shows. Like you said BL is a kind of representation but alot of times it is problematic. It's shows about us but usually played by straight actors and really sanitized. Some shows break out of it but most don't. Really curious if you all do keep watching what you will think of the ending. It totally turned me off.

[@altlondon3635]

Cherry Magic is just full of fluff and i aint complaining. Well, you might also wanna try watching Gameboys too. It's a multi awarded BL series from the Philippines set during the pandemic. Though labeled as BL, it still managed to tackle important lgbtqia+ issues. It was entirely shot using iphone cameras. It's available here on Ideafirst YT channel. But it was also released on Netflix as Gameboys Level Up edition. You can react to all the episodes (even without cut) copyright free as the producers encourage feedback from viewers.

[@TokyoBTM]

I'll have to check it out! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@prologuetr2182]

the editing is immaculate

[@user-db7wq7jg3w]

Yess finally another Japanese youtuber that speaks English. Why is it so rare to find one?

[@tankc9365]

this is so pure love drama！！！Both of them were so cute in this drama！

[@TokyoBTM]

I liked both by the end! So cute ❤

[@domimatrix]

Hi guys! I have been following your youtube channel and enjoyed watching each vid! I miss Tokyo!

[@TokyoBTM]

Thank you! I hope you'll be able to come visit soon!

[@domimatrix]

will share your youtube channel on my facebook. yes i hope to visit Tokyo soon! And I hope to see U guys in my country Singapore!

[@TokyoBTM]

Awww thank you so much! I d love to visit Singapore soon ❤

[@annmcfly]

Eiji Akaso does look more handsome with a better haircut (reference: Hey Sensei, Don't You Know? Series) but still cute as Adachi.

[@TokyoBTM]

I thought I was the only one!

[@GORILLAHEAD-fb4xo]

2話以降の2人のリアクションが凄く見たい… めちゃくちゃ楽しかったです！ありがとうございます！笑

[@TokyoBTM]

嬉しいです　またリアクションビデオにしようかな www

[@GORILLAHEAD-fb4xo]

@@TokyoBTM こちらこそありがとうございます😊 是非！待ってますね！！笑

[@grimpandora]

A year later, I wonder what you guys think of the show. If you've also seen other BL shows (eg, a man who defies the world of bl) and if it still relates to some of the points raised. Nowadays the BL genre is gaining popularity and more shows are coming out. Is the BL genre helpful towards the community?

[@Scooterx2]

I just came across this episode of TokyoBTMs, so I’m now watching Cherry Magic. My first thought - Adachi’s hair _is_ problematic. Is that a Beatles wig? Are they trying to make him look 14?* Are there actually adult men in Japan who look like that? He’s 30 years old, with a full time job - he can afford a barber. What struck me as realistic is his “magical” power of mind reading is what a burden that would be in Japan, especially, where personal space is hard to come by. The scene in the elevator really wanted to be them pushed together in a train… (my mind wanders here for a bit). I’ve read a fair amount of BL, but this is the first live action series, and the first workplace drama BL series I’ve watched. Thanks for introducing me to it. *I’m happy with high school boys and even shotacon, but this character is 30, and not in a band or gang.

[@davidnunan1819]

There are an increasing number of men on gay dating sites and Apps stating there sexuality as straight, indeed many have girlfriends and yet they want to bottom for a top and in many cases indulge in kink, primarily as a sub. Talk about confusing. I can thoroughly recommend two books which explain the complexities of sexuality and which helped me form the knowledge and opinions on sexuality today. The first is called 'The History of Homosexuality' by Colin Spencer. The second deals with religeous and political predjudices surrounding homosexuality and is called, 'Virtually Normal' by Andrew Sullivan.

[@domdidomdidomdidom]

I've seen CM three times now. 😂 Luv it! Hoping for Season 2!

[@TokyoBTM]

I wonder if there will be another!

[@jlow7569]

Its so pop they mite

[@heyheyho2966]

bls are getting way better in terms of real queer representation but fantasy does not bother me at all as long as there is room too for series a bit more relatable

[@paullambert7840]

I've been watching a lot of BL shows recently. I watched the Thai series Love Sick (Love Sick 2 was translated and subtitled by a BL fan group). I watched the Vietnamese series Your Ma Boy. I just watched the Thai series Bangkok Love Stories: Innocense. I don't think it's about "turning" people. Sometimes it's more about the range of sexuality. Not everyone is a Kinsey 1 or 6. You could say it's somewhat idealized but in Love Sick, for example, there were several guys struggling with identifying as "gay." In part, it may have been due to stigma, but some of them simply were attracted to a specific boy. When one of the characters, Noh, was asked if he's gay, he replied, "I just call it love." Another boy, Earn, was interested in Noh and he said he's not generally into guys, but I happen to be into Phun. I'm OK with that. Also, I like the aesthetic of the smooth, "pretty" men. I like more muscular"masculine" (whatever the hell that means) too. The Bangkok Love Stories: Innocense has smooth yet muscular men too. That one has a mix of gay, straight, and other love stories that fall all over the sexuality continuum.

[@paullambert7840]

Oh, how did I forget the BL series,1000 Stars (which I'm watching now). More beautiful men there too, of course.

[@dyuiw999]

Meng looks great in the qipao ( or maybe it's called a cheungsam, I'm not sure...)

[@eeli1]

You might be interested to read "Boku ga Otto ni Deau made". I only read the manga because it's translated and I can't read japanese, but it's based on on an essay written by a gay man who grew up in Japan. None of the usual, tropey, stuff. That being said I'm over 30 now and I'm still a romantic at heart. Sex is nice, but being genuinely cared about is where it's at. I enjoyed that element of Cherry Magic.

[@ArrowDynamics88]

This video made my day. You guys compliment / play off each other really well. I agree that the self discovery or coming out trope has worn out it's welcome in gay cinema / media. You should check out a BL manga called Go For It, Nakamura! That was the english title is at least. It was published by edge comix in June of 2017 in Japan and the author / artists name is Syundei. It's just an overall cute slice of life, one shot manga in which the main character is gay from the start and trying to confess his feelings for a classmate.

[@GigiMurakami]

Oh my gosh! How did I not find y’all before 😩😩❤️❤️❤️❤️ this is the content I need haha