✦ japan: all watched

✧ started: 08-11-2023

✦ completed

[Minato Trading Coin Laundry]

♦ prequel to the upcoming S2.

[Minato Trading Coin Laundry S2]

✧ started: 07-"07"/08-2023

✦ completed

❤ japanese series pick! ❤

[My Love Mix-Up!]

❤

♦ an anthology of stand-alone short films.

◒ on hold  |  watched one short in this anthology

{personal notes:  not great but it's adapted from one of my favorite anime series so i was just happy to see a live action version (therefore rating might be a bit high).}

☼ currently watching

► fansub ◄

✧ started: 11-01-2023

◒ on hold  |  @ep07 as of 11-01-2023

{personal notes:  wish i would drop...}

○ from Arakawa under the Bridge recommendations

♡

✧ started: 10-06-2023

✦ completed

[Absolute Boyfriend]

♦ prequel to the special Zettai Kareshi Special (not on this list).  this series was the first adaptation of a manga that has two other adaptations - the taiwanese series Absolute Boyfriend and the korean series My Absolute Boyfriend.

[Don't Call it Mystery]     # mystery     # psychological     # life     # drama     # investigation     # detective

♦ adapted from a manga.

♦ prequel to the upcoming film Don't Call It Mystery: The Movie.

◘ Suda Masaki (Princess Jellyfish; Kamen Rider W) is MC.

► viki (free w/ads) ◄

✧ started: 07-16-2023

✦ completed: 07-23-2023

{personal notes:  a lot to love about this one and when i rehaul my ratings it will probably be ~8.5.  if it wasn't for the music i might rate this a 9.  there's a song that's used repetitively and at times seemed inappropriate to the mood.  this is a pet peeve of mine - it's annoying to keep muting and unmuting plus it ruins the immersion (and it's amplified when binging).  anyhow, i'm really looking forward to the movie!}

[I Can't Reach You.]     # gay romance     # youth     # high school     # adapted from a manga

► fansub ◄

✧ started: 10-05-2023

✦ completed: 11-12-2023

{personal notes:  neglected to rate when watched, don't remember well enough now.}

❤ japanese film pick! ❤

[A Man Who Defies The World of BL 2]

♦ sequel to the short series Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai VS Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko [A Man Who Defies The World of BL] (also on this list).

[The window of non-REM・Spring 2022]     # drama     # omnibus

♦ first of four hour-long specials in the series.  each special consists of 3 short stories.  this title:

      ♣ ep01:  Our Love
      ♣ ep02:  Cancellation Game
      ♣ ep03:  Customize

► fansub ◄

✦ completed

[Number MG5]     ### Genres: Action, Comedy, Youth, Drama Tags: Friendship, Delinquent Male Lead, Double Identity, Slapstick, Strong Male Lead, Hidden Identity, Miniseries, High School, Family Pressure, Bromance

♦ prequel to Nanba MG5 Special   -haven't tracked down-

►  ◄

✧ started: 10-24-2023

✦ completed: 11-01-2023

○ from Kyo Kara Ore wa!! recommendations?

[lit. trans. = "old man's love"]

♦ film sequel to the series Ossan's Love (also on this list).

❤ japanese series pick! ❤

[My Brother's Husband]

[What Did You Eat Yesterday?]

♦ first in the franchise, the only i've seen so far.  sequels are Kinou Nani Tabeta? SP (special); What Did You Eat Yesterday? (movie); and the upcoming Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (series).

✧ started: 10-13/14-2023

✦ completed

tentative ♡

[What Did You Eat Yesterday? S2]     # food     # cooking     # comedy     # gay romance     # life     # cohabitation     # adapted from a manga

♦ sequel series; this is the fourth of 4 titles (second and third above).

► fansub ◄

✧ started: 10-17-2023

☼ currently watching

☼ airing fri/sat thru 12-22/23-2023

{personal notes:  "you'll be ashes."  after the first season i wasn't sure if i wanted to stick with this show.  i waited a while before watching the special and movie which i also thought were just okay, but now (a few eps in this) i find myself wanting more!  i want stories about *all* the charatcters - even gilbert! especially gilbert, haha!  (i wonder when we'll see the supermarket employee again, and the baby too.)  the cooking and eating segments still feel too much like filler, but since i am watching week-to-week i don't think it will bother me as much, and the halloween one was done well so maybe this will improve.  i even started thinking how lovely it would be if they continued to follow up with sequels when the actors are much older.}

✧ started: 10-10-2023

✦ completed

♡

❤ japanese film pick! ❤

[Look at Me Mukai-kun  |  Turn to Me Mukai-kun]     # comedy     # romance     # office

♦ adapted from a manga.

◘ Akaso Eiji is MC.

♫ bgm: AKB48 – 恋するフォーチュンクッキー [Koisuru Fortune Cookie] (song they danced to in ep01)  {personally not my jam but there it is.} 

► fansub  |  netflix ◄

☼ currently watching  |  airing wednesdays thru ?09-13-2023?

# gay romance     # fantasy     # angel     # cohabitation     # amnesia

► gagaoolala (1st ep free, sub for rest)  |  viki  |  fansub ◄

✧ started: 10-21-2023

☼ currently watching

☼ airing thurs/fri thru 11-23/24?-2023

{personal notes:  finally, something different!}

[Oshi Became the Boss  |  My Oshi Became My Boss]

► fansub ◄

✧ started: 11-07-2023

◒ on hold  |  airing

{personal notes:  YURIYAN!]

[lit. trans. = "old man's love"]

♦ first in the franchise; a short stand-alone special.  later remade into the series Ossan's Love (also on this list).

♡

[lit. trans. = "old man's love"]

♦ second in the franchise; a series remake of the original special (also on this list).  2 of the 3 MCs are the same actors; the story is similar to the original but much expanded.  this version has a movie sequel, Ossan’s Love: LOVE or DEAD (also on this list).

☼ currently watching

tentative ♡-❤

[lit. trans. = "old man's love"]

♦ third in the franchise; a series reboot/retelling of the remake series (also on this list).  this is sometimes labeled as "S2" but it's not a continuation of S1 – 2 of the 3 MCs are the same actors and the story seems similar at first but it's actually pretty different (tagged AU).  this version has a short 2 episode sequel special, Ossan's Love: In The Sky Special (also on this list).

[lit. trans. = "old man's love"]

♦ sequel to the reboot/AU series Ossan's Love: In the Sky (also on this list).  takes place right after series; focused on support characters only.

◘ dropped  |  quickly skimmed ep01

▼ exception  |  marked D – change to NI?

◒ on hold

♦ first adaptation of the manga.  the second adaptation, the series Kuragehime [Princess Jellyfish] (also on this list), is unrelated to this film.

◘ dropped  |  quickly skimmed ep01 and a bit toward the end

▼ exception  |  marked D – change to NI?

❤

[Atelier]

☼ currently watching

♡

♦ part 1 of the trilogy.

♡

♦ part 2 of the trilogy.

♡

♦ part 3 of the trilogy.

❤

[Samurai X]

♦ first of five live action films in the Rurouni Kenshin franchise (which includes manga and anime series as well).  three sequels are also on this list (remaining film on my ptw).

[Rurouni Kenshin Saishusho The Final  |  Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter  |  Samurai X]     # action     # adventure     # historical     # fantasy     # meiji period     # drama     # martial arts     # sword fighting

♦ adapted from a manga.  fourth of five live action films in the Rurouni Kenshin franchise (which includes several anime films and series as well).  three prequels are also on this list (remaining film on my ptw).

♫ ost / score:  Naoki Satō – Hiten (main RK theme)  |  score (playlist)  |  ONE OK ROCK – Renegades (ost theme)  |  alt:  fmv (spoilers)

► netflix ◄

✧ started: 07-22-2023

✦ completed: 07-22-2023

{personal notes:  to me the final scene is weak, especially in comparison to the final scene of The Legend Ends.}

♡

[Samurai X]

♦ third of five live action films in the Rurouni Kenshin franchise (which includes manga and anime series as well).  two prequels and two sequels are also on this list (remaining film on my ptw).

♡

[Samurai X]

♦ second of five live action films in the Rurouni Kenshin franchise (which includes manga and anime series as well).  prequel and two sequels are also on this list (remaining film on my ptw).

☼ currently watching

[Senpai, This Can't be Love!]

♦ prequel to the film Seven Days: Friday - Sunday (also on this list).

♦ sequel to the film Seven Days: Monday - Thursday (also on this list).

◘ dropped  |  watched about halfway; skimmed second half

❤ japanese film pick! ❤

♦ 42nd film in the Ultraman franchise (includes live action series, films, and manga) but this film has no direct prequel or sequel so can be watched as stand-alone (no prior knowledge needed imo).

[Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice but to Kiss!]

♡

[Sweat and Soap]     # comedy     # romance     # office     # fetish     # hyperosmia

♦ adapted from a manga.

◘ ML is one of the MCs of HiGH&LOW.  FL is the MC of -50kg no Cinderella [-50kg Cinderella] (dropped).

► viki (free w/ads) ◄

✧ started: 07-22-2023

✦ completed: 07-24-2023

{personal notes:  omg, this shit is bananas!!!  so f'ing funny!!!!  how do these actors keep a straight face?!  side tangent:  i am not a fan of the actor who plays the FL but she fits with the writing here.}

[Throw It Away, Adachi]

◒ on hold  |  @ep03

► fansub ◄

✦ completed

► fansub ◄

◒ on hold

[Takara and Amagi]

▼ exception  |  marked C – skimmed fully

❤

♦ parent story to the series Kimi no Koto Dake Mite Itai [I Want to See Only You] (also on this list) but both can be watched as stand-alone.  that series is an adaptation of the manga shown in this film.

[Oh! Mikey]

◒ on hold  |  barely started

▼ exception  |  marked OH – change to PTW?

{personal notes:  neglected to rate when watched, don't remember well enough now.}

♡

[Tokyo in April Is...]

✧ started: 06-"16"/17-2023

✦ completed

◘ dropped  |  skimmed ep01 – maybe move to NI

❤

♦ sequel to the series 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii [Cherry Magic!] (also on this list).

♦ technically SP2 but i prefer to watch before SP1, Valentine's Day / Rokkaku (also on this list).

♦ prequel to the film Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!: The Movie (also on this list).

[She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat]

♦ prequel to the upcoming S2.

❤

# lesbian romance     # drama     # 1950s     # post-war japan     # factory

GL short film.  [23m]

► vimeo ◄   -video is private but link works for now-

✦ completed

[Love will still last forever]

♦ short spin-off series that aired alongside the series Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo [An Incurable Case of Love] (also on this list).  if planning to check out this title i'd recommend watching each episode right after the corresponding episode from the main series.

[An Incurable Case of Love  |  Love Lasts Forever]

♦ parent story to the short series Mada Mada Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo [Love will still last forever] (also on this list) which aired alongside this series.

[Why didn't I tell you a million times?]

♦ inspired by the same manga that Gokushufudo [The Way of the Househusband] is adapted from but unrelated to that series.

► netflix ◄

◘ dropped  |  @ep03

✧ started: 10-"11"/12-2023

✦ completed

♦ prequel to the upcoming Kazoku no Kyori.

[Life~Love on the Line]

♦ this series was later compiled into the film Life: Love on the Line (Director's Cut) (also on this list), with several minutes worth of additional scenes (including a different ending).

❤ japanese series pick! ❤

[You're My Pet]

♦ first adaptation of the manga.

[You're My Pet]

♦ third adaptation of the manga (second japanese adaptation).  this is a complete reboot/retelling so the older series does not need to be watched first.

[Mr. Bride  |  My Wife]     # comedy     # romance     # office

♦ adapted from a manga.

♦ prequel to the special episode Watashi no Oyome-kun Tokubetsu-hen.

► fansub ◄

✦ completed

♡

[The Bodyguard]