So the only reason I'd rate this slightly lower than it's 10* comrades for S1 and 2 is because of the slightly ridiculous storyline diversion midway through, which diverts from the realistic issues faced in most other places in the series. It brought me out of the magic for a few mintues, and there was slightly prolongued slow-mo scenes at the end.
Getting out the way the explanation for that 1 star dropping, I can honestly say this series has captured my heart, kissed it, and held onto it preciously throughout these 3 installments, in a way I find it hard to describe with words.
My Beautiful Man or Utsukushii Kare completely took me by surprise when I first watched it, and I fell hard for this show, the cinematography and artistic choices, especially their PERFORMANCES, and this conclusion absolutely did them justice. Seeing Kiyoi grow was always a pleasure, but seeing Hira grow here also made me feel very happy. I have heard S1 was the first performance of Kiyoi's actor (Yusei Yagi) which is just unbelievable?! He did an incredible performance, and the storytelling he does with simply his eyes blows me away. The emotion and vulnerability he consistently delivers - so private and kept away from Kiyoi's normal cool persona - makes my heart completely swell. HIra's actor too (Hagiwara Riku) was really great - and I adored the fact that his character has a stutter and is most probably on the autism spectrum. It is such a subtle series, mostly quiet, mostly told via their narrations (especially at first), which I find so rare especially in love stories, and it makes the speech that much more impactful when it is used.
I'd describe this series (and I see them as a package deal, s1, s2 and this movie) as achingly beautiful. Very unique, very special, very beatiful.
Thank you to all involved for bringing this story to light, I'm grateful and wholeheartedly inspired by so many aspects of it!
Arigatou, thank you.
