O Romancista (2018)

I gave relatively low ratings (at least for my standard) to this one not because it wasn't good, but because it was too short and it was originally going to be longer, which was a disappointment to me.

The story is not your typical BL: it's not bright and funny, nor about teenage boys looking for answers.
It's kinda mature in a sense (the kisses are definitely worth watching), but it doesn't give porno vibes.
Classy in its own way, I wish they could've given us a better ending.
The acting is so so good and all the darkness suits the story very well in my opinion.

I know i may sounds redundant, but the ending and the overall shortness guttered me.
It could've been a masterpiece in my book.

Leia Mais

It was okay!

I felt like the storyline within this drama was pretty good but left a bit to be desired. Especially with the ending. In general it was a compelling drama, with some very cringe worthy bits ( I had to pause and take a breath because second-hand embarassment lol) and a developing relationship. However, it did feel very hot and cold at some points and to be honest was very manipulative.

The cast was very good and played their roles excellently and left nothing to be desired!!

However, to circle back to the ending - it was very disappointing as the build up of the relationship was very good and then 'bam' open ending - it really leaves a lot to be desired, and I know that there is a second series but to be frank I am skeptic about watching it. So I might come back to this series later.

Leia Mais

Amazed

I have been avoiding this series for a long time because of the rating and also I don't really like R18 bls that much, but it is actually pretty good. The acting,plot and sex scenes were all done pretty well. I thought the plot would be just sex and no plot but it is actually not that and something more. I loved the mystery of 'the pornographer'. He seemed such a red flag but after we dive into the plot we come to know that he is just a lonely person who has lost his ability to write and with the help of the mc he finds it again. The acting is done very well. It was really splendid. The sex was just wow although they always do it with the lights down so it was bummer but it was overall very good. Amazing.

Leia Mais

Certainly better than I expected

This is a work that escapes the expected. Unlike many other programs I criticize, I had no specific expectations. I wanted the couple to have chemistry and the story to be minimally thought-provoking, obviously I also expected some sex scenes - taking into account the name. Here's my surprise when I get that and more.

My biggest fear was the kind of "sexual sample" I would have, since many Japanese works in various forms portray sex in a rather crude and expository way, a little too grotesque or with unnecessary things, like: "What kind of human being makes that noise when he has sex?". However, I honestly thought that there was a lack of sex scenes between the main couple - since with other characters we have some even a little more experienced. That was a bit comical for me.

POSITIVE POINTS of this work are:
The light and at the same time sexy way that the interaction of the two is built, the whole part where the two get to know each other little by little thanks to the accident and the teacher's frame - which was a very good idea, by the way - during the writing of their books, or better rewrites hahaha. I could feel a very comical, sexy and engaging setting and script. All that at the same time! The fact that they gradually show that the teacher is emotionally unstable, but at the same time not making it clear what happened to him is also intriguing. Since I was in doubt about what he was really feeling and if what he showed was true, like: "Is this really what he thinks? Was it all a lie, a delusion?" Well, he calls himself a great liar and so he went all the way.... Even among his various truths, he managed to bring a bittersweet taste about his lies and the relationship he forced with Kuzumi.

This feeling is a mixture of sensations, I felt the same as I was when I was younger. When I discovered some perverse things that I didn't know if I could discover hahaha.

NEGATIVE POINTS are:
Basically a controversy. Many love, others hate the ending. I stick with the second argument, but I think hate is too strong a word. I can say - as I saw someone else comment - that I was a bit disappointed. Not only because it leaves an agonizing aftertaste of wanting more, but also because I felt the characters deserved more. I thought it was a heartbreaking ending. However, we can justify this "tragic end".
The two needed to build themselves. One had to form his own life, finish his studies and find himself outside the dependence that was created and the other needed to find himself within himself to return to writing the works he loves so much. I believe that staying together at that moment they would not be able to make it work.

Writing this review I discovered that there are continuations and short hahaha. So I have a lot to watch yet about this universe. I hope not to be disappointed anymore. For now I leave the review of the series of 6 episodes, dated 2018.

If you liked this review, I invite you to read my other reviews here. I always update my account, every time I watch something new. You can help me by liking and following me here on MyDramaList.
I thank you for reading this far <3

Leia Mais

Excellent But Didn't Make My Heart Sing...

An artful BL with beautifully composed shots. Everything about this series was strong. The performances were excellent (the best acting that I've seen from a BL series by far though the actors are much older & probably more experienced). The writing was organic. The characterization were poignant. The chemistry was arousing. The story was singular and different from traditional BL stories. Though I find this series (my first Japanese BL) to be excellent all around, I wouldn't say that this is one of my favourite BL series just because it didn't make my heart sing unlike other BL series like SOTUS, 2gether or Addicted.

Leia Mais

a real thought-provoking show

This is definitely one of the best Japanese BLs I've ever seen. The acting was top tier, the story was excellent, it was psychological and a really fun and engaging watch.

Writing: I thought this show was wonderfully written. The dialogue made sense yet didn't reveal too much about what the characters were thinking or feeling. The writers made it the watchers' job to analyze what the characters said and did and interpret that into what they were feeling, instead of just saying it outright or showing it in obvious ways. I found this to be really really engaging, and paired with the fantastic chemistry between the actors, it was a very satisfying watch. However, if you are expecting a romance, that is not what you are going to get from this show. It's a show about manipulation, loneliness, and obsession. The relationship depicted in this show is by no means healthy at all, but it was shown in a more objective way. There was no trying to justify what the characters did and give them a "redemption arc", it was as if we were following real people who are going through character development not through "getting better", but through us, the watchers, learning more about them and their motivations and inner feelings. So in all, it does feel as if the characters go through significant changes and development (which they do), but it isn't in a way that feels like "the right thing to do" to make a satisfying ending. Honestly, the only thing I didn't like about the plot was the ending. I thought it was too happy for this story! I don't think I have ever complained about a happy ending in my whole life, but it felt like the whole plot was leading to a different ending than what we actually got. I really wasn't expecting them to stay in touch. I feel like a better ending would be how the last episode went with them making up and him coming 6 times, then they never speak again. I think this relationship would be better as a memory for both of them - the story felt very suspended from reality, that I think it should have stayed in that dream-like disconnect in their memories. But hey, there's a reason that I don't write the scripts for these shows.

Acting: the chemistry was outstanding. The sex scenes were all fantastic (honestly I was expecting more sex from a show called "The Pornographer", however, there is still PLENTY of sex.) All of the characters played their roles absolutely flawlessly. Surprisingly, the side character, Kido, was fantastic! First of all, he was absolutely hot as fuck walking in there with his deep voice and dark eyes, but second of all, I was completely immersed in the story when he was acting. There wasn't a single scene that he didn't do perfectly. Our main couple was also fantastic. I was completely immersed for the entire show. Really, the only part that I found distraction was just the inner monologue coming from Kuzumi because I thought his voice sounded weird and dramatic, but that's pretty typical for Japanese shows. The acting wasn't over the top, and Takezai Terunosuke especially played his part perfectly. I just kept thinking to myself, wow this dynamic between the older guy and the younger guy is just played perfectly. This is honestly how (in my limited experience) age gaps work in real life. When Kijima would laugh at Kuzumi's naivety, when Kuzumi would offer to do something like making the coffee and Kijima would allow him without the "oh no!! I got it!! don't bother!!!" - back and forth that usually happens in real life when doing a favor, etc etc etc, this all felt very real and perfectly executed. I also thought that Kuzumi had the exact right amount of shyness. It wasn't so overly shy where you get annoyed, but he wasn't so open that it was boring.

Music: I actually noticed the music in this show, and I thought it was all very fitting and sounded good. It wasn't over or underused.

Rewatch value: I would actually rewatch this (I really don't rewatch shows), but this one is short enough and deep enough where a second watch would add even more meaning to the story, catching details I might have missed in the first watch.

random note - this show almost felt like reading a book in a way. I can't describe why or how it just does. I'm assuming that whatever they did to make it feel book-like was on purpose, because it's about writing books.

If you are looking for an actual book recommendation that is weirdly very very similar in vibe to this show, read "A Single Man" by Christopher Isherwood. I read that book like more than a year ago and it kept reminding me of random details about that story that I hadn't thought about probably since I put the book down right after I finished reading. The vibe is honestly spot on. It looks like there is a movie based off this book as well (called "A Single Man", it even has good reviews), but I haven't watched it, so can't say if the vibe matches or not.

Leia Mais

I love Kuzumi !

I love Kuzumi !
He is cute, earnest, and in my opinion, has a more genuine expression (?)
It's funny how he is 'highly imaginative ><

I would love it better if they give a bit more continuation into the story .. I feel like I have not been given a 'proper closure' with the ending ..
It feels like 6 episodes are too short ><

Compared to its prequel, I would say that the impact of the feels isn't as tough as the prequel ..
But I love this story line !

PS: I just knew that it is a sequel of Mood Indigo when i start watching it ! What a luck !

Leia Mais