BLISS RATING: ★★★★+
“We were once blurred and uncertain, but now we have certain outlines. Our different colors are slowly blending together. To never lose sight of what’s real and to stop wondering.” – Quote from Contrast
Frankly, I was surprised as to how deep this joint coming of age and coming out story was. It is certainly layered and complex. This had heart and soul and focused on the two main protagonists not just in the here and now but also on their intrinsic struggles that made them who they were. It was a unique approach to the rather typical superficial high school story. This narrative journeys the forming of a relationship between two high school young men in a society where their connection is neither respected nor valued. As sad as the story seems, it is detailed so poetically beautifully that it becomes mesmerizing to watch the two of them only see the beauty in where they are going.
Kanata (Luchi Haruhi) is a gregarious individual and is quite popular with his peers but internally holds himself back. While he loves soccer, he does not play it anymore because he is scared. He hides his anxiousness with humor and quickly withdraws from apprehensive situations. He allows his pride to rule him and essentially makes excuses and therefore runs away. In hallways and classrooms, his eyes have always mange to find and linger on the one individual who is almost his complete opposite – Akira (Akune Haruse). A brilliant student, but a complete loner. Akira tends to be by himself and has lunch on the upper steps of the high school leading to the roof – always alone and away from everyone. Both young men have physical attractions that have them stand out as being handsome and desirable.
Being curious, Kanata finds out where Akira goes for lunch and as time passes, the two of them form this unusual connection. Almost like a flame to a moth initially, it becomes deeper and more intense as they get to know and explore who the other one is. They share much together as friends. Akira not just with his words but also his presence, his effect, gives Kanata just the push he needed to go back to his first love – soccer.
There is one who is noting the budding relationship between the two.
Mizuki (Tomisato Nao) becomes instrumental in and a conduit for helping both realize how much each means to the other.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? This distinction goes to Tomisato Nao as Mizuki. She plays more than just a side character. She is what keeps the two together. While initially a friend to Kanata and once having feelings for him, she soon realizes that Kanata’s heart belongs with Akira. And Akira is a way bigger and better influencer on Kanata that she would or could ever be. She realizes that she has no chance with Kanata and proceeds to try and have them both better understand their relationship. This is a remarkably soft and gentle role that is played with such sincerity and depth of kinship to both. She sees and accepts the inevitable. She is the epitome of a friend. Tomisato’s portrayal of Mizuki is one of unquestionable support for the two of them, without overwhelming either one of them. She is merely there to help bridge any misunderstanding. She plays the role with complete commitment and earnestly.
This is not, however, your average coming-out unfolding. It is a disturbing story. While Akira looks and acts mature and fits within the ‘norms’, he has hidden a deep and dark secret. Being alone, as his parents are constantly working all the time, he has learned to function by himself. That, however, does not mean that he is able to. Akira’s older brother set him up with a tutor, Yoichi (Inoue Sora), who soon learned Akira was gay. He too revealed that he was as well, quickly breaking down barriers between them. Their fellowship turns into a sexual relationship although the series is careful to imply that it is a consensual one. While neither loves the other, their embrace with each other keeps them both in balance. It keeps both in check and in physical harmony. Although the age of consent in Japan is generally around 16, Akira’s experience of earlier being ‘outed’ left him deeply traumatized and possibly vulnerable. As someone older, Yoichi may or may not have taken advantage of this vulnerability. Nevertheless, their relationship has brought stability to both individuals, offering the comfort and companionship they desire and enabling each of them to concentrate on what truly matters. And that is the acceptance of who they are. The rightness or wrongness of their liaison is not of paramount of concern to them. While certainly questionable and sketchy, when you have a society that diminishes and looks down on a same sex relationship, the kind of convenient and comforting entanglement that existed between Akira and Yoichi will continue to foster and fester.
In any case, it became clear to Akira as soon as he began to have deep feelings for Kanata, he had to break off the relationship with Yoichi. And Yoichi knew it too. Akira was making room in his heart only for Kanata and he was the only one he wanted in that space.
To put it bluntly, Akira feels unchaste and unworthy of Kanata’s attention. Kanata finds out about the relationship between Akira and Yoichi and rather than taking a negative approach, understands it. Completely. And tells him that he likes him for who he is. Akira cannot and should not decide for Kanata what is good for him. That is up to him and him alone to decide. Akira will not allow him to make decisions for him.
This is a story of opposites attracting. Kanata has a personality that is outward and bright but internally empty and directionless while the other is withdrawn and negative outwardly but internally full of promise and focused. The two of them are emotionally fragile with their mutual friend, Mizuki, recognizing their fragility and helping them bridge the gap between them. Yet, the story allows us to watch them both enter a stage of life that we can forthrightly no longer call them children. They are now becoming the young men they were meant to be.
The acting by these two young actors is nothing short of spectacular. They internalized a deep emotional attachment to their characters and made us believe as if they understood who they were. Although not a deeply romantic BL until the end, it is certainly an emotionally fulfilling adventure. Superficially, they both look like ordinary high school young boys but peeling back the layers, we see complexities in their lives that perhaps they should not be having at so young of age. Yet, they do. We get to see it all.
At the end, when Akira realizes that he might not get the chance to tell Kanata exactly how he feels does he then realizes what he must do. And he does. And so does Kanata. Although it may not bring the house down in terms of intensity, their initial kiss is in the moment intense. It represents the culmination of everything these two have been striving to seek – affirmation and a commitment to being with no one but each other.
They have accepted each other for who they are and can now love. Their romance just now begins.
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