Takara-kun to Amagi-kun (2022)

Japanese manga codes live

One thing is certain, I do not like this japanese concept of kawai. In my book, it is just the utmost cringy second hand embarrassment!

Takara and Amagi is only that: a cool as cucumber taciturn Takara, always walking around with his hands in his pockets falls for "kawai" Amagi in his oversized clothes and brimming with childlike enthusiasm both hiding mountain size of insecurities. They are both high school students and while Amagi is worried that Takumi will loose friends because of him, Takumi does not want anyone to know they are dating because Amagi is just too cute.

Even though the drama talks about some serious issues, I almost did not finish it because of the superficial esthetics which does not sit well with me. The first is the kawai behaviour: when an 18yr old goes skipping around and flailing his arms and being a 5yr old girl. The other stems from that one: the height and build difference. And that is so much japanese yaoi mangas concept: seme and uke, a man and a woman. Here it is sometimes hinted to be even worse: a man and a child: I chose to consider it as a father-son relationship. There was even a scene where Amaki transformed into a child! Disturbing, to say the least!

We do not get to know much about the boys outside the school, especially Takara. Amagi is explained a bit more since it was obvious that he is hiding something behind his cheerful disposition: his thirst for love and acceptance. And even though Takara repeatedly tells him he likes him, Amagi has trouble believing him. Amagi started dating Takara because he asked him and not because he liked him more than anyone else. His concept of dating was that of a 10 year old girl (i.e. holding hands and eating ice cream in the park!) so when Takara tried to kiss him, he was very surprised and even more uncomfortable with it. He eventually did fall for him really but his insecurities kicked in every time Takara did or said something. Takara was like a rock, solid and just as expressive, speaking in short sentences and always calm.

While the main pair was rather bland and annoying, I finished watching this because of their best friends: actually I want a series only featuring them! They were fun, deadpan and realistic while Takara and Amagi were in the realm of a fairy tale.

The production is the usual japanese fare: muted colours in the shades of blue, a bit fuzzy and very soft cinematography. Music, nothing special.

Watch this if you run out of BLs to watch, just like I did! lol

Leia Mais

Initial thoughts turned into dropping the show

The first episode is confusing and a part of it is due to the editing. So often times I’m trying to figure out if what I am watching is happening present day or in the past. The way to tell is through character interactions and dialogue. You know it’s the past playing out because the 2 leads aren’t too familiar with each other yet versus the present day where there is clearly tension and history between the two we aren’t privy to yet. There isn’t noticeable visual cues that help distinguish the timelines. But other than that I’m still curious to continue on because I want to know how they got to the point of tears and angst. As for the leads, Amagi is very cute and adorable almost to the threshold where I’m like….hmmm I don’t know about this because he puts on the cuteness in an overtly exaggerated way. And as expected Takara fulfills the role of the popular guy in school pretending to be aloof and uninterested but who panics inside with how cute Amagi is. I don’t know how they’ll develop this in just 8 episodes but it’s short and something I can easily watch through as new episodes come out.

Update: I watched up until episode 3 and I’m on the fence about whether or not I want to continue with this series. I don’t think it’s a bad drama. It’s just that I’m not invested enough in the characters. They don’t seem real to me but caricatures being played out. It doesn’t help that the hair/wig? and make up really exemplifies that. It’s just not for me. I couldn’t help but think that I would’ve preferred this story animated. I think it would’ve lended itself better in that medium.

Leia Mais

I can’t understand why this BL drama has such a high rating.

Just finished this drama, all in all I don’t get it.
This BL drama was just so strange to me. Takara was okay and if I was him I would of lost my patience with Amagi. Amagi would never act romantic with him, He just acted childish and they are the actual couple of this drama. The whole drama he acted shy to his actual boyfriend and he just wanted to take it slow. Even in the last episode, Takara tries to kiss him and he FREAKING HEAD-BUTTS HIM?? The heck is wrong with the writing of his character. It was just all so weird! The way that they kept acting the way characters do in anime's really did annoyed me with their over the top reactions to things, and It was really odd. I get this is meant to be a softer BL, But I just found the way Amagi acted to be really irritating. Yes they looked cute together but that was about it.
I didn’t enjoy this show, it was such a let down. I have no idea how it keeps getting highly rated reviews.

Leia Mais