Utsukushii kare

This little romance was very well done. Unlike many Japanese BL drama It had some very relatable and interesting characters, they were definitely not cookie cutter, and had a bit of depth for such a short story.

It became a hyper-fixation of mine when it first came out and it hasn't changed since. Nothing can beat this, and the other season/movie can't compare to this one!

The characters keep their unique personality, through stubbornness and pride. It's something that a lot of series ends up lacking but no, they stayed true to their characters and background.

Some people may criticise the fact Kiyoi stays being a little rough and harsh with Hira but i believe thats a huge charm of their not-ordinary relationship.

It's so beautiful and perfect, though I wish Koyama found love in the end, hes the best.

If you don't just look for fluff while watching a series, this is for you.

Utsukushii kare is a beautiful journey that will make us realize a lot that we don't.

Even though I know a lot of people who did not really understand the depth that is portrayed in the series, I think it was very heartwarming and realistic.

Both the characters beautifully written and acted so so well. The story will slowly grow on you and will make you dread for more from them, which I'm not sure about as this is adapted from a novel.

Acting 10/10 Story 10/10.

Wohh ! What I have seen.

At first I thought what is this..? Another cliche drama but NO It was something else.

As you move forward in the story, you will realise the storytelling is very good actually.

Story depicts both side of the coin.

The writing is very good and characters are very well potrayed by actors.

Good job.

As in many Japanese storytelling, this felt real, with many many layers and subtleties. In my experience Japan is never afraid to go outside the box with flawed characters and dark tropes, or tell a story others might not be brave enough to.

The acting is superb, and the character complexities are subtle. I can see why the boldness of narration in this story might trigger people to be mad and leave a lower rating, but sticking with this show to the end, looking behind a character's exterior to the emotions lying underneath each interaction, will bring all its light and beauty to the forefront. As I read recently, you'd rather a piece of art provoke 1* and 10*s than all 5*s.

As with reality, people are flawed. There are misunderstandings, nerves and social pressure getting in the way of honest communication, weird and creepy sides to us we rather others not see, insecurities and a lack of awareness of our own shortcomings. If you want an escape from reality with fluffy characters and story, this isn't it. Personally I find happy stories off-putting unless there's a journey to get there. These are people you might be able to relate to that we can empathize with. Lighting, scenery, and settings all play a part in feeling enclosed within their story and evoking our senses. The subtleties behind the conversations, but also the tones of voice, the expressions - they stick with you to the point where I think rewatching you would pick up on so much more.

There's probably more I could say, but I hope you give it a go. It deserves the spotlight. I'm a sucker for subtle art, one that doesn't feel pressured to scream to the masses, one where the characters are followed through properly. 10/10, go watch it 💛 Looking forward to the movie.