#Akasaka de

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - new entries upset the rankings

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

April 2024 Wk 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

City of Stars (Fri iQIYI) ep 11 of 12 - Like most Thai BL pulps, this show doesn’t have much story to it. But I'm discovering that what it does have I actually really enjoy. I love that the gay boys got to play matchmaker for a change and I like how just GAY they are. It's nice. Refreshing.

We Are (Weds GMMTV iQIYI) ep 1-2 of 16 - University ensemble BL featuring PondPhuwin, WinnySatang, AouBoom, MarcPawinPoon. I like it. It’s old school Thai BL, but having fun with itself and its tropes. I’m not expecting much, so I don’t mind it waffling. All the couples are comfy. Chemistry is okay. Friendships are nifty. I like Pond's floppy hair. We fine. 

Two Worlds (Thurs IQIYI) ep 5 of 10 - What an extremely bloody episode. And bad guy turned out to be very bad indeed. And now pretty much everyone is dead. Nice kiss. Of course. 

Deep Night (Thurs iQiyi) ep 6 of 8 - It’s cute, they happy, not a ton happened. Random gratuitous bathing. As you do in BL. And I still think the sides should just end up in a thrupple

Only Boo! (Sun YouTube) ep 2 of 12 - Oh they very cute. Also very silly. 

1000 Years Old (Thurs iQIYI) ep 9 of 12 - No. NOT THE GUITAR. YES abandon guitar for the sniff test! Love this for them. And me. My most favorite trope defeated my least favorite trope. VICTORY!!!  

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Unknown (Taiwan Tues YouTube & Viki) ep 8 of 11 - It’s just so good. Baby went away, grew up, and learned how to become a temptation... and a husband. 

Gray Shelter AKA Gray Currents (Korea Thurs iQIYI) 1 of 5 eps - SooHyuk, only just surviving, reunites with YoonDae, his (brief) younger stepbrother who feels abandoned. They end up living together. The younger brother is played by Lee Jae Bin of Choco Milk Shake. OMG. STEPBROTHERS TROPE. Lucky me! Two in one season. Yay!!!! It's Korea so great visuals too. I shallow but yeah, this is great.

Living With Him AKA Kare no Iru Seikatsu (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - Kindly Ryota goes off to uni only to find his new roommate is his childhood bestie, Kazuhito. Kazuhito doesn’t have a girlfriend and Ryota tries to help him figure out why. Same director as Old Fashion Cupcake. It’s utterly charming. I am charmed. Also the framing is gorgeous (of course). Very stylish.

Love is Better the Second Time Around AKA Koi wo Suru nara Nidome ga Joto (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 6fin - I don’t know. Kind of a flat ending with the leads apart for most of it. I enjoyed this show but it never really hit with me. 

Summation

After a teen betrayal and resulting separation a reporter reunites with his first love. That love wants him back. I enjoyed the authenticity of a reunion romance explored in Japan's quintessentially contemplative yet surreal way. The juxtaposition of the tenderness of the sex scenes with this Japanese style of authenticity was oddly elegant but all in all this still fell a little flat for me. There's nothing objectively wrong with it, but in total the narrative felt sluggish and the main couple were just... stiff (in the wrong way). Frankly, I'd rather just rewatch Tokyo in April is. 8/10

Love is like a Cat (Korea Mon Viki) eps 3-4 of 12 - What is going on with this show? No, I get the plot. I just don't get the show or why I’m watching it. Annoying. 

It's done, but I suck

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Japan Gaga) 10 eps

To Be Continued (Sat C3 Thailand grey) ep 7-8fin - I can't for the life of me find the final 2 episodes. Haven't had a real hunt, but yeah. No dice so far.

It's airing but...

Takumi-kun Series 6: Nagai Nagai Monogatari (Japan Furritsubs) eps 1-? of 10 - I may wait and binge it.

Lady Boy Friends (Thai WeTV grey) 16 eps - reminds me a bit too much of Diary of Tootsies only high school. Not my thing. DNF unless it turns a corner and is truly amazing.

Kiseki Chapter 2 (Sun iQIYI) 6 eps - It’s so boring DNFed at 2.

Close Friend Season 3: Soju Bomb! (Weds iQIYI) 6 - The problem with situational comedy BL is it must be situational, comedic and a BL. This show gets 1 of 3 claims correct. 33% is not a passing grade. Dropped at 3.

Memory in the Letter (Thai WeTV) - only 4 eps, tell me if I should bother?

Next Week Looks Like This:

4/18 At 25:00 in Alaska AKA 25 Ji Akasaka de (Japan Thurs Gaga) 10 eps - Yuki lands his first starring role in a BL drama alongside superstar Asami (previously his senior at uni). Said superstar suggests they form a sham relationship until filming concludes. As they actually begin to fall in love, the spotlight begins to burn. I think I've seen this before (joke) and also the trailer doesn't inspire confidence.

Still to Come in April

4/25 Boys Be Brave! AKA Roommates (Korea Thurs Viki) 8 eps - Trailer Jung Ki Sub is Kim Jin Woo's slacker friend - and secret crush. So when Ki Sub crashes at his place, his heart tingles to be near him everyday. But as the short stay turns into permanent mooch, how long can Jin Woo keep his true feelings under wraps and hold back from confessing?

4/26 My Stand-In (Thai iQIYI) 12 eps - adaptation of Chinese novel "Professional Body Double" by Shui Qiang Cheng. Stars Up (Lovely Writer) and Poom (Bake Me Please) directed by the same team as KP (not a recommendation IMHO - my biggest criticism of that show was the clashing directing styles). This one looks complicated, lemme try: Joe is a stuntman for famous actor Tong. Joe falls in love with Ming but Ming sees Joe as nothing more than a Tong-replacement. After learning this horrible truth, Joe dies. Joe then wakes up in the body of another man also named Joe. He manages to rebuild the same life as before—with the same people eventually re-meeting Ming. Ming wants Joe back but Joe doesn't understand why. But Ming seems to know what's going on and wants to give him some kind of explanation.

I'm exhausted just trying to describe the plot.

Knock-Knock Boys (Thai WeTV) - 4 college friends conspire to help their friend lose his virginity. Familiar faces like Seng (yes, Billy's previous pairing) and Best, news here. But will it actually air this month?

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

NOTE: It looks like one of my personal favorites of last year Unintentional Love Story is getting a spin off!

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENT

Sniff test turning into a make out sesh? Please and thank you. City of Stars

(Last week)

Streaming services are listed by how I (usually) watch, which is with a USA based IP, and often offset by a day because time zones are a bother.

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly

If ya wanna be tagged each week leave a comment and I will add you to the template. Easy peesy.

#this week in BL #review Love is Better the Second Time Around #Koi wo Suru nara Nidome ga Joto #BL updates #Two Worlds #We Are the series #Only Boo! #Deep Night #City of Stars #Unknown the series #Gray Shelter #Living With Him #Kare no Iru Seikatsu #1000 Years Old #At 25:00 in Alaska #25 Ji #Akasaka de #Love Is like a Cat #BL series review #upcoming BL #BL news #BL reviews #BL gossip #Thai BL #Japanese BL #live action yaoi #Taiwanese BL #Koren BL #BL starting soon #BL coming soon

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

I'm looking forward to playing lovers.

#25 ji akasaka de #at 25:00 in akasaka #shirasaki x hayama #yuki x asami #japanese bl #japanese drama #japanese series #jdrama #jbl #bl drama #bl series #myedit #lgbtq+ #queer drama #queer series #asianlgbtqdrama

[bellepark]

25 JI, AKASAKA DE (2024) | 1.01

#25 ji akasaka de #at 25:00 in akasaka #komagine kiita #niihara taisuke #userdramas #shirasaki x hayama #jdrama #japanese bl #japanese drama #japanese series #bl drama #esmetracks #lextag #clairedaring #asiandramaedit #jbl #bl series #blonde kiita hits differently ngl #belleparkgif

[itsallaboutbl]

If you don't like it, tell me.

#at 25:00 in akasaka #25 ji akasaka de #25時 赤坂で #hayama x shirasaki #asami x yuki #hayama asami #shirasaki yuki #komagine kiita #niihara taisuke #tobelle #lextag #mjtag #rosytracks #jdrama #jbl #jdramaedit #bl drama #japanese bl #mygifs* #mine** #let me tell you #japan does like to make scenes SO BLUE hahah but i'm glad i could colour this one propoerly!! 💪🏽😅 #i love hayama so much already btw

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

At 25:00 in Akasaka Episode 2

#25 ji akasaka de #at 25:00 in akasaka #25時、赤坂で #esmetracks #japanese bl #bl drama #rosygifs #rosygifsjbl

[t-u-i-t-c]

KIITA KOMAGINE as Asami Hayama At 25:00 in Akasaka (2024) | 01x01

#at 25:00 in akasaka #25 ji akasaka de #kiita komagine #komagine kiita #asami hayama #hayama asami #jdramaedit #userdramas #umbrella.gifs #please do not repost #umbrella.edits #umbrella.posts #okay i love the blond it suits him well

[theside-b]

AT 25:00 IN AKASAKA (2024) ✕ I BECAME THE MAIN ROLE OF A BL DRAMA (2023)

#25 ji akasaka de #at 25:00 in akasaka #bl drama no shuen ni narimashita #i became the main role of a bl drama #bldramaedit #jdramaedit #asianlgbtqdramas #jdramasource #they couldn't be more different yet similar at the same time #btw i HATED shirasaki #just letting you guys know lol #boyslovesource

[lurkingshan]

Japanese QL Corner

We back! I was away for a couple weeks and amazing new Japanese bl was waiting for me on my return. Both of these currently airing shows are on Gaga and I highly recommend watching.

At 25:00 in Akasaka

Two episodes into this show and I really like the rhythm of it. I find Shirasaki’s struggle to find confidence in his skills as an actor compelling, and I love Hayama’s quiet kindness. I told @bengiyo Hayama reminds me a bit of my beloved Issei but without the manic energy. Fundamentally, he is genuine and he cares for Shirasaki and any ulterior motives he has for this arrangement feel rooted in that. I love how quickly we’re getting into them bonding and building a relationship together; it's only the second episode and we’ve already arrived at cute date montages and first names. I love this one, and I hope Shirasaki finds his confidence and triumphs over that asshole costar who keeps negging him. 

Living With Him

I love them, your honor. And I like the simplicity of this show. Two nice boys, childhood friends, become roommates. They like each other. They decide to spend more time together and see what they’re comfortable with as their relationship develops. That’s it, that’s the plot. And it’s so compelling in how straightforward it is, bolstered by the honesty of the characters. I loved Natsukawa working up the courage to just ask if Kazuhito likes him, and Kazuhito being honest that he does, but doesn’t want him to feel pressured. Natsukawa might not feel confident that he’s ready for romance, but he has no issue spending time with and being close to Kazuhito. The way he clutched at him with that hug at the end made that super clear. I like the way the show is working in flashbacks to their childhood, too, giving us contextual information for that bond via important memories, and the way Natsukawa's family has been brought into the story. His mom is in fact beautiful and perceptive and his sisters are adorable. This show is darling. 

Coming Soon: Zettai BL 3

This is already out in Japan, but the distribution is exclusive to Lemino and not currently available to international audiences. I will be on the look out and reporting in as soon as it's available to watch properly. In the meantime, you can join me in watching the new opening credits song on a loop.

#at 25:00 in akasaka #25 ji akasaka de #living with him #kare no iru seikatsu #zettai bl ni naru sekai vs zettai bl ni naritakunai otoko #japanese bl #japanese ql corner #shan shouts into the void

[heretherebedork]

The little smitten smile when Shirasaki finally used his first name? The swallow? The bright eyes? The way he has to look away? I could die for this little actor in love.

#at 25:00 in akasaka #25 ji akasaka de #bl drama #bl series #asianlgbtqdramas #asian lgbtq dramas #shirasaki x hayama #hayama x shirasaki #japanese bl drama #jbl #japanese series #japanese bl series #gagaoolala #japanese bl

[bengiyo]

At 25:00 in Akasaka Ep 1 Stray Thoughts

A BL about a BL? Let's go!

Our protagonist doesn't take shit from rude customers. I'm already into him.

I wanna know what he said in that audition that got him the role.

This Hayama guy has presence. Everyone seems impressed with him.

TV Tokyo placed itself in its own BL. Interesting.

I'm okay with the Japanese BLs about BLs making sure our protagonist with dark hair and big bangs has the biggest eyes possible.

Hayama recognized him. I wonder if he had any sway over the casting. He seems to have intentions.

Shirasaki is quite a serious person. I'm into it.

That cut between Hayama's confidence and Shirasaki's doubts was good.

I appreciate this dude's determination, but hooking up in a gay bar isn't going to give insights into gay love the way he thinks.

Oh, hello, Hayama. Thank you for voicing that for me.

First episode kiss? We're in for some mess!

This feels like it's not going to be fun and zany like BL Drama Main. I'm going to stay focused on the character work and see what this one wants to pull out of this. Seems like they both harbor secret admiration for each other from when they were in university. Curious to see where we go on this one. I like the edge of moody in this.

#Ben watches #at 25:00 in akasaka #25 ji akasake de #japanese bl #bl series

[colourme-feral]

25 Ji, Akasaka de IRL (1/??)

25 Ji, Akasaka de: Asami finds Yuki in a gay bar looking for someone to have sex with

IRL: EAGLE TOKYO BLUE, Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 2 Chome−11−2 1階、地下1階 Casa Verde

Credit: https://www.eagletokyo.com/

25 Ji, Akasaka de / At 25:00 in Akasaka IRL Locations・Other IRL locations

#fun fact: this is an actual gay club in shinjuku's ni-chome which is an area known for its lgbtqia+ scene in tokyo #25 ji akasaka de #at 25:00 in akasaka #irl locations

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Call each other by our first names.

#25 ji akasaka de #at 25:00 in akasaka #shirasaki x hayama #yuki x asami #japanese bl #japanese drama #japanese series #jdrama #jbl #bl drama #bl series #myedit #lgbtq+ #queer drama #queer series #asianlgbtqdrama

[spicyvampire]

Shirasaki going "I'm an actor, of course I should have gay sex", Tom Hardy would be proud

#25 ji akasaka de #at 25:00 in akasaka #love that for him you are doing amazing sweetie #jbl how ive missed u

[itsallaboutbl]

Next, can Hayama-kun hold Shirasaki's chin?

#at 25:00 in akasaka #25 ji akasaka de #25時 赤坂で #hayama x shirasaki #asami x yuki #hayama asami #shirasaki yuki #komagine kiita #niihara taisuke #tobelle #lextag #mjtag #rosytracks #jdrama #jbl #jdramaedit #bl drama #japanese bl #mygifs* #mine**

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

At 25:00 in Akasaka Episode 1

#25 ji akasaka de #at 25:00 in akasaka #25時、赤坂で #Niihara Taisuke #esmetracks #japanese bl #bl drama #rosygifs #rosygifsjbl

[negrowhat]

My Thoughts on Ep 1 of 25 Ji, Akasaka de

Japan BL really loves to pair up the overthinking-awkward-inexperienced-late bloomer with the popular-famous-reserved-cool guy don't they? That is a classic pairing dynamic for Japan.

I just know I'm going to be thinking about Takumi-kun series every ep because one of the main lead's name is Hayama and the other main lead is playing a character named Takumi. So naturally I'm going to be defaulting to Hayama Takumi whenever I hear either of those names.

I love that Shirasaki thinks that Hayama doesn't remember him from their Uni days but it seems they had a brief encounter that only Hayama remembers.

It seems Hayama is thrilled (on the inside) to see Shirasaki again.

I love that we're getting an onscreen rookie actor paired up with a seasoned actor and I love that this onscreen series seems to be first-time leading roles for them both.

I love that the onscreen series is based off a BL Manga. I love that the director seems to be extremely passionate about her project. She seems to be putting a lot of thought into how her actors can relate to their characters.

I love that Shirasaki is determined to find common ground with his character. He wants to emotionally relate to his character. But going to a gay bar to find a sex partner is an extreme way to go about it, especially when he has zero prior experience.

Of course Hayama offered himself up to be Shirasaki's sex partner. It's step one of his grandmaster plan to woo Shirasaki.

How are Japanese BL stans going to perceive Shirasaki being paired up with Hayama? What is the shipping culture like in Japan? I never really hear about toxic shipping stans, but I know Japanese stans can be toxic when it comes to their favorite actors.

#at 25:00 in akasaka #25 ji akasaka de