BLISS RATING: ★★★
“The future is just built from countless present moment, isn’t it?” – Quote from Stay By My Side After The Rain
I was a bit surprised as to how inward and esoteric this series was. It was prodigiously reflective. I found myself surprisingly moved by its content and the detailed struggles of the major players. It is not just a BL; it was also a story about verity. To be sure, maybe too much scope was covered in such a short period of time. However, I appreciated its thoughtful efforts in coveting normal issues of everyday people in warmly touching routines.
We learn a lot about our protagonists, really. Kanade Shinichiro (Ikeda Masashi) moves to Tokyo essentially to hide his homosexuality from his family. Having been spurned in high school, he is reluctant to form any kind of relationship with another male. By accident and happenstance, who should he meet but his old flame from those days, Mashiro Kosuke (Hori Natsuki). Surprised and happy to see Kanade, Kosuke wants to resume their friendship, but Kanade does not. It is only after Kanade makes it clear that he does not want to fall for him again and be hurt all over and therefore it is best to not resume their friendship again. Kosuke confesses that he too had feelings for Kanade as well in those days and has them now and wants to pursue a companionship.
As their relationship develops, we not only get to see how each has grown, but we also discern their vulnerabilities. We see and more importantly, sense why and how they have been shaped over the years. From Kosuke’s irrationally possessive mother to Kanade’s overbearing father. Though both parents have serious flaws, they gradually accept the path their sons have chosen to travel. There is indeed some very good and effective dialogue between each of their respective parents to help us understand how the road to recovery and understanding for each family is possible. I was somewhat surprised as to the depth of feelings that were exchanged between the respective parent and each son.
If one really studies this series, it does go deeper than I think viewers are giving it credit for. It does tackle some sensitive family personal issues with directness which I did not expect for a Japanese BL. Most Japanese BLs want to circumvent issues in indirect ways or couch them in eloquent and dark and broody expressions. This hit issues head on with deep convictions. For example, Kanade must express to a female coworker, clearly, that he will never be interested in her romantically. Both Kanade and Kosuke make it clear and concise to families and coworkers of their relationship. One of the few times I can recall in a Japanese BL that such forthrightness was so bluntly expressed. This was astonishingly refreshing and so virtuous to see.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? Without sounding too mysterious, there is an enigmatic figure who owns a coffee shop where Kanade and Kosuke meet. Initially seeming to be cranky and curt, he is perceptive and is obviously sympathetic to individuals who are gay. Quietly encouraging and nurturing, he just seems to know what to say to get them back on track when they hit a bump in the road along the development of their relationship. Seemingly like a guide (Takasugi Koh), he is rather instrumental in providing a nourishing environment not only for their relationship to grow but supportive of others as well. Tokasugi Koh’s portrayal of his character is one of a stately and elegant-looking man seemingly tough and laconic, but compassionate at the same time. He portrays the part as if he comes from a place of experience although we never really find out anything about his background. He remains mysterious but always gives us a feeling that he knows what will happen in the end. A most interesting role. Ultimately, he becomes the coordinator of their ‘wedding ceremony’ which I thought, for a Japanese BL, was almost ground-breaking and earthshaking. It is as if he represented a transitional figure in Japanese society from their old traditional way of thinking to a new beginning way of seeing a forward approach to what is inevitably going to happen even in their culture – someday.
This series did not go dark or gloomy. In the end, it concentrated on what we all worry about. An oxymoronic perspective. When we are happy is when we are the most insecure because we are terrified of losing that happiness. This series handles this exceptionally well and it ended on an optimistic note. I do not think I have seen this theme done so well in a Japanese BL before.
The screenplay is very good overall for this series. And admittedly, the individual acting is good to very good. Where this series utterly failed is the execution of its very theme. Although they were trying to convince us that they had, they never did. Love. Where the acting completely and I do mean completely failed and collapsed is trying to persuade us, one, that they were a couple, and two, they were in love with each other. It was obvious that the two of them had little to no screen chemistry together. I did not believe for a second that they were a ‘couple’. They were tense, uncomfortable, awkward, and insincere when together as a couple. It showed on their faces and in their movements. Secondly, ALL their kissing scenes, were ‘dead fish’ kisses. Honestly, I have never seen worse kissing in my life on screen from two guys. They could not even pretend to like it or enjoy it. Both looked like they were going to vomit. Their lack of physical connection was simply appalling. Although these guys can act – individually – it was obvious they did not want to kiss and would not do any love making scenes. Shame on you guys! You are ACTORS! ACT! Otherwise, do not do a BL series. And you cannot make any excuses about cultural restraints. I have seen plenty of Japanese BLs where that has NOT been an issue.
This could have been on my Apotheosis list, seriously. The message was great, and the screenplay was exceptional. This time it was the lack of commitment by the performers as a couple that brought this down.
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