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randomlonelymusician · 9 months

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Giving "problematic" BL a chance - Love Stage!!

I've been watching (or rewatching) some BL anime that have been deemed problematic to see really how bad they are... or if there's anything good in them!

Warning for the unfortunately usual BL tropes! And some spoilers!

Synopsis

To those not familiar with the anime, Love Stage!! follows Izumi, a guy who was a stand-in for a female actress in a commercial while younger, and Ryouma, his counterpart in said commercial. The thing is, Ryouma believes Izumi is a girl and holds feelings for him for ten years after the shoot. And during a ten year anniversary for the commercial, Izumi and Ryouma are reunited... only for Ryouma to learn Izumi is a guy. Chaos ensues, and the problematic romance begins.

The Good

Overall, I actually enjoyed the series. It's very hard to take seriously and somewhat cringeworthy at times, but it's ridiculous enough to keep me coming back. I genuinely enjoyed watching Izumi and Ryouma bounce off each other in all their ridiculousness. While their romance didn't feel especially natural to me (especially due to some events I will mention later), they definitely had chemistry in other ways. I also found Izumi to be a likeable lead who had a story besides just the romance. He's an otaku and has a dream of being a mangaka, despite his parents wanting him to get into show business like them. He's also pretty clearly bisexual, which is always nice to see. There's also a real discussion about s*x that wasn't too weird or awkward, which was really nice to see in a genre this ridiculous. Also, they're adults? Low bar, I know, but this is BL from 2014.

The Bad

Like an unfortunate amount of BLs, there are multiple cases of SA and harassment. There's an earlier scene where Ryouma tries to force himself on Izumi, playing into the "I just can't help myself" trope. There's another scene in the latter half of the series that involves Izumi and a group of men. Both scenes are incredibly uncomfortable to watch, especially with how casually they're played off. To give credit where credit's due, Izumi is traumatized by both occurrences, but they fact that they're both played off as no big deal by everyone around him and he later gets into a relationship with his abuser is just not okay. On a far, far lesser note, it does play into the "tall masculine" and "meek feminine" tropes. And there are definitely some intimate scenes that do feel more like fanservice than natural relationship buildup.

Final Thoughts

Besides those seriously horrible aspects... I did have fun watching it. While the episodes with the assaults were very uncomfortable, most of the other episodes were just funny or enjoyable. I do really understand why people would avoid this. Also, side note, like a lot of BL, I really did not like the art style, but at least it's not a big offender of the Yaoi Chin™. And while I can't really comment on the overall f*tishy-ness of the whole thing, it just felt... really mild? I thought it would be a lot worse with the amount of hate it gets. Honestly, there's a lot of series that are worse offenders of these tropes that get a lot more love.

TLDR: Love Stage is problematic and has some really gross moments, but besides that is genuinely entertaining and quite funny. Overall, it's a lot more mild than it's often made out to be.

Do I recommend? Not really. Unless you really want some trashy shoujo to cringe and laugh at. Is it good representation? No, but it's no where near the worst I've seen.

You can find it on Crunchyroll or Hidive, btw.

#giving bl a chance #tw sa mention #love stage #boy's love #lgbt anime #lgbtq anime #anime review #bl anime #censoring words to avoid being flagged sorry

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ticklygiggles · 3 years

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Lucky man | Ryouma x Izumi

A/N: Hello~ as always, sorry for the long wait! Omg it's the first time I write something for these two! I hope you enjoy it~

Summary: Izumi is nervous about his next role, but his boyfriend Ryouma, an extremely experienced actor, always knows what to do!

Words: 3k

"Dancing?"

Ryouma asked as he watched Izumi munching on his sandwich, his cheeks slightly puffed out just like a little squirrel, Ryouma couldn't help but chuckle softly, staring at his cute boyfriend with fond eyes.

"Ryouma!" Izumi whined. "Don't laugh at me! I'm serious!" He said, pouting softly, and Ryouma could really see the distress in his beautiful eyes.

Izumi had been worried sick about his next role. He had a dancing scene with a well known actress, and to say he was nervous was an understatement. He was, in fact, freaking out, claiming that his feet became a mess the moment the music started and he was scared he would step on the actress's feet by accident.

Ryouma understood Izumi's fear. He had been there when he started his acting career, but he's seen what Izumi is capable of doing, so he didn't feel half as worried as Izumi at the moment.

It could also be that the soft summer breeze, refreshing and smelling of sliced watermelon, made his worries dissipate. He had to pat himself on the back for choosing such a nice spot for his and Izumi's date.

"I'm not laughing at you, Izumi," Ryouma said, smiling gently. "I think you just need a bit of extra practice to get a hold of it," he explained, holding Izumi's hand and kissing his warm palm. "My Izumi is so skilled and I'll happily help him out."

Izumi's eyes lightened up. "Will you?!" He squeaked happily, gently pulling his hand out from Ryouma's hold to get the script inside his backpack, showing it to Ryouma with wide eyes.

"Ah, so Izumi was ready, huh?" Ryouma teased tenderly with a playful smirk on his lips.

Izumi blushed softly. "W-Well... I was planning to ask you if you could help me out, but since you mentioned it first..."

Ryouma chuckled and he took the script, giving a look at the scene Izumi mentioned. It seemed like the dance wouldn't last more than five minutes, which was long enough for a dancing scene and to make izumi shine like the star he was. Ryouma smiled with determination, rising himself from the blanket they had placed on the damped grass, making Izumi jump a little as he also got up on his feet.

"Okay, Izumi. Let's begin," Ryouma said, hooking one arm around Izumi's waist and pulling him close to his chest.

"W-Wait! This is not the correct position!" Izumi said, pushing at Ryouma's arm. "I'm the one guiding!"

Ryouma chuckled. "Ah, you're right, then please hold me, Izumi~"

Ryouma giggled softly when Izumi's thin arm gently wrapped around his waist, but Ryouma was actually surprised when Izumi held him close to his small body and he felt his cheeks warming up a little, noticing that Izumi had already gotten into his role.

Ryouma cleared his throat and placed his arm around Izumi's shoulders, looking down at him with a sweet smile as Izumi smirked up at him, holding his hand firmly.

Ryouma gulped and his feet tripped a little when Izumi started to move to the beat of a song that had already been recorded in his memory. He tried to follow, trying to memorize each step and twirl, but it was not hard at all as he felt Izumi's gentle pushes and pulls as he guided Ryouma with ease around an imaginary square, their bare feet stepping onto the green grass.

Ryouma didn't think their picnic date would take this lead, but he was not disappointed at all to have Izumi take control of the situation… even if it was just acting.

"I heard." Ryouma jumped at the sudden words, it was Izumi's voice, but somehow, it wasn't Izumi's voice. "That this lady doesn't dance often. Is that true?"

Ah! He was saying his lines! Ryouma blinked a couple of times, trying to remember the lines he was supposed to say back, even though he just did a quick read of the script.

"That… might be true," he answered, shivering when Izumi looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. "But I… heard that you'll be here tonight and I couldn't- Izumi, you said you weren't go-

"Ah, I see. Well, I cannot say I am not pleased to see such a wonderful lady here tonight," Izumi said, still in character, only causing Ryouma's heart to beat faster and faster in the cage of his chest.

Didn't Izumi say that he was not good at dancing?! Ryouma was starting to feel dizzy the more they kept swirling and Izumi twirled him elegantly. Mumbling his lines against Ryouma's throat, (since he couldn't reach his ear), making him shiver and gasp softly. He couldn't recite his corresponding lines, but that didn't seem to matter to Izumi, he simply continued with his monologue, making Ryouma's knees go weak with each whispered word.

How was it that his cute, shy and squeaky Izumi could make such a sexy expression and say such flirty words?!

"I-Izumi!" Ryouma choked out, wanting to take a little break before his boyfriend could cause his death. "You're- w-wait a second. I-

The arm that was around Izumi's shoulders moved down, trying to bring Izumi back from his trance. Ryouma's fingertips glading the back of Izumi's side.

Izumi jolted, "Hyahaha! Ryoumahaha!" He giggled and both of them flinched, Ryouma because he was surprised by Izumi's sudden giggling fit and Izumi because he was trying to pull himself away from Ryouma.

"W-What now?"

"Thahahat tihihickles!"

Ryouma blinked and tried to identify where his fingers were. One of his hands was still holding Izumi's, the other… oh!

"Stahahap! You're s-suhuhupposed to hehehelp me!" Izumi giggled, squirming against Ryouma and looking up at him with a pout on his lips.

"Huh? Well, weren't you supposed to not know how to dance?!" Ryouma said back, frowning a little.

"I- I know how to dance! It's just that… I get nervous during rehearsals, so I mess up."

So that was it. Ryouma's heart jumped in his chest. This only meant one thing: Izumi didn't feel nervous around him! Even though they were already in a proper relationship, to know that the person you love actually trusts you and feels safe and capable to do whatever they want to when they're with you- Ryouma's heart coulf only take so much!

"Are you crying?" Izumi asked. “Why are you crying? Aren’t we going to keep practicing?”

Ryouma sniffed. Okay, enough of tearing up over his cute boyfriend.

“It’s no use if you’re doing it this well, Izumi,” Ryouma said, looking down at Izumi, who was still pressed against him. “You’re doing a fantastic job, how am I supposed to help you?”

Izumi whined softly, pouting a little and maybe thinking that he was, in fact, doing better than ever. Ryouma couldn’t help but feel bad for Izumi, how could he help him out if he didn’t feel nervous around Ryouma?

Oh. Oooooh.

“I’ll tickle you, Izumi,” Ryouma suddenly said with a bright smile and Izumi jumped in surprise, his cheeks turning pink.

“W-W-What?! Wh-Why now?!”

Ryouma chuckled. “Because it’ll make you nervous! You won’t know when I’m going to do it, so that’ll keep you on your tiptoes,” Ryouma explained and Izumi looked at him intently.

Ryouma could almost hear Izumi’s thoughts: ‘that’s the most silly idea I’ve ever heard… but it might work…’ Ryouma chuckled and gave Izumi’s shoulders a gentle squeeze, silently encouraging him to try this, even if it was silly.

Only after a few seconds, Izumi nodded and Ryouma beamed. A chance to tickle Izumi was always special for him, but he was going to try not to be so mean to his lover, who was already nervous as they came back to position. Adorable.

“Ready?” Izumi nodded, his cheeks bright red. “One, two… action!”

Izumi held Ryouma tightly again, but the hand holding Ryouma’s felt a little weaker, even a little shaky as he guided him around.

“Hyahaha!” Izumi squeaked, stopping a bit when he felt Ryouma’s fingers tickling the side of his neck.

“Don’t stop, Izumi. Hold my hand tighter,” Ryouma said and Izumi did as he was told, hearing the seriousness in Ryouma’s voice. “Your feet are also a bit clumsy, pay attention.”

Ryouma heard Izumi gulping and nodding slightly. He felt the grip on his hand tightening and Izumi’s steps were firmer, Ryouma smiled. Was it working?

“I- I heard that this, this Lady- eekahahaha!” bright giggles interrupted Izumi’s shaky lines as Ryouma moved his hand back a little, wiggling one finger under Izumi’s arm.

“Are you stuttering?” Ryouma asked, actually surprised that, even though he was still tickling Izumi, his dancing didn’t stop and was still perfectly swirling Ryouma around. “Again, Izumi.”

Izumi nodded and he sighed softly when the tickling stopped. Ryouma smiled when he felt him straightening his back and taking a deep breath before his lines came out again, this time just as good as the first time Ryouma heard them.

He was just a little surprised that this method was actually working. He could tell Izumi was nervous because the corners of his mouth kept twitching slightly as he tried to hide a little smile, but his words and feet followed the flow of the scene perfectly.

“I am tickling you right now and you're dancing so well Izumi,” Ryouma said with a smile as they moved around the grass and two fingers wiggled under Izumi’s armpit. “When you're dancing with that actress, you don't need to think about anything else but your feet moving smoothly, just like right now,” Ryouma said warmly, smiling fondly at his giggling Izumi who still tried to keep dancing around.

“Okay! Okahahay! You cahahahan s-stohohohop!” Izumi said, starting to shake his body a little at the sensations, Ryouma chuckled.

“Hm? Are we done practicing?” He teased, stopping the dance and giving Izumi the chance to squirm. “Because now I want your help with something else.”

“Whahahat? Ryoumahahaha! It tihihickles!”

“You see, Izumi… I have the sudden urge to hear more of your laughter, would you help me out with that?”

Izumi gasped and his squirming increased as he tried to escape from between Ryouma’s arms, but Ryouma was fast and in the blink of an eye, he had Izumi pinned down against their blanket, arms up above his head, exposing his torso for Ryouma’s wiggly fingers.

“Ryouma! Ryoumahaha! Wahahahait!” Izumi giggled brightly, pulling at his trapped arms and kicking his feet behind Ryouma.

“I can’t wait, Izumi, here it comes!” He said and his fingers immediately clawed at Izumi’s ribs, drawing loud laughter from the tiny actor as he jolted and tried to curl over his side, but Ryouma was between his legs, restricting his movements.

“Ah, are you ticklish, Izumi?”

Izumi nodded, his face pink. “You knohohow I ahaham! Plehehease!”

“C’mon, Izumi. It’s not that bad, is it? But you’re helping me a lot right now! I really missed your laughter," he teased and Izumi could only answer with more laughter as he wiggled his torso.

Ryouma actually wondered if Izumi could hear anything of what he was saying. His laughter was becoming more frantic the more he stayed at his ribs, counting them under his breath just to tease Izumi and poking them in the way he knew it drove him up the wall.

He'd always be amazed about how ticklish Izumi was; a quick poke was enough to have him shrieking and jolting away. Ryouma had never met someone as ticklish as him, so he just couldn't help but take advantage of his sensitivity once in a while.

“GAHAHA! Y-You heheard enough!” Izumi cackled, arching his back off the blanket as Ryouma's fingers moved to his side and he squeezed it up and down.

"Hmm?" Ryouma tilted his head to the side. "I've heard enough of what?"

Izumi whined through his laughter. "My lahahaugh! You sahahaha- sahahaid you wahahanted to- STAHAHAP!"

More hysterical cackles poured out of his mouth when Ryouma changed spots again, this time moving to his stomach, particularly, to Izumi's lower belly, where he gently clawed at the tender skin and even pinched at it softly, knowing full well that that was one of Izumi's worst spots.

“Oh! Oh, yes you're right!" Ryouma said as if he didn't just forget his own lie. "But I still need some more. You know, that laughter of yours, Izumi," he said with a big teasy smile. "The one that makes you snort."

Izumi shrieked, tossing his head back as his body arched and squirmed, trying to escape those evil fingers. Ryouma knew that Izumi knew what he was talking about and he laughed softly when Izumi desperately tried to pull his arms down.

"You are not discreet at all," Ryouma said with fond eyes.

"Plehehehease!" Izumi whined again, squealing when he felt a pinch to his hip. “Peheheople ahahare watchihihing!”

"Hmm?" Ryouma looked up and, in fact, a few people were looking over at them with curious eyes. Ryouma chuckled. "Well, it's not like they haven't seen people tickling each other in the park."

"Thihihihis is ahahaha slahahahaughter!" Ryouma laughed at that and his fingers came to a momentary stop, letting Izumi catch his breath. "Mehehean! Ryouma ihis mehean!"

Ryouma pouted. "I think Izumi was even more mean, making me nervous while he was saying his lines,” Ryouma whined, nuzzling his nose against Izumi’s.

“That- That is not my fault!” Izumi complained, but Ryouma felt him melting under the loving attention, his chin rising up a little so his lips could brush against Ryouma’s. “I was only saying what I had to say.”

Ryouma purred, placing a chaste kiss to Izumi’s lips before lifting his head so he could show Izumi one of his wicked smirks that had his boyfriend tensing up again, his pink cheeks turning red.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter whose fault it was,” Ryouma said, leaning back to look down at Izumi. “I still want to hear that snorty laugh. After all, you’re helping me out, right Izumi?”

Ryouma winked and Izumi shook his head, shrieking when Ryouma’s hand, (that was still resting under Izumi’s shirt, against his waist), started to move again: fingers tracing Izumi’s side, causing him to giggle like a kid as his skin covered in goosebumps.

“Dohohon’t!” Izumi squeaked, his gigles getting more frantic as Ryouma’s fingers teased his ribs again, poking and gently wiggling them into each bone and space inbetween.

“Don’t what, Izumi?” Ryouma asked, smiling brightly at all of Izumi’s reactions.

However, his favorite reaction was the one he got when his fingertips brushed against the hollow of Izumi’s armpit, the tender and soft skin trembling under the touch as Izumi tried to protect that spot at all cost, but Ryouma had his wrists well pinned, there was no way to escape.

“Tihihickle mehehehe!"

Ryouma chuckled, “Tickle you? As you please!”

Ryouma’s fingers finally reached their destination. Izumi’s armpit was warm and soft and Ryouma touched the skin gently at first, enjoying the smoothness, fingers brushing against that little meaty mount right at the center, but he, eventually, moved his digits with more intent: wiggling, clawing and vibrating against Izumi’s most ticklish spot.

“NAHAHAT THEHERE!” Izumi laughed hysterically, throwing his head back with force as his eyes quickly started to tear up.

“Not here? Here’s your best spot, Izumi. Do you think your other armpit is also this ticklish?” Izumi shook his head, wanting to tell Ryouma to not tickle his other underarm too, but Ryouma gasped. “You don’t think so?! Well, I’ll have to try!”

“Nohoho! Nohohoh, plehehehease! Ryoumahaha I- AHAHAHA!”

Ryouma let go of Izumi’s wrists and quickly sneaked his now free hand under Izumi’s shirt and then under his arm where his fingers nestled in the right position before Izumi could pull his arms down.

“Oh no!” Ryouma said with a bright smile. “My fingers are trapped! Let me go, Izumi!”

Izumi had clamped his arms to his sides, squeezing them as much as he could to stop the wiggling fingers digging into his armpits with just the right pressure. Ryouma giggled softly, feeling his cheeks warming up at seeing Izumi laughing so much; his glasses were all crooked, his cheeks flushed and little tears of laughter clinged to his long lashes.

Goodness, Izumi looked breathtakingly beautiful even while laughing in hysterics… Ryouma couldn’t help but think that he was lucky to fall for someone like Izumi, not only was he beautiful in all aspects, he was also talented and hardworking and Ryouma loved every second he got to spend with Izumi. He loved every shy kiss, hug and touch he received from him. Even-

“Hahaha! There it is! The snort!” Ryouma rejoiced when he heard that funny sound coming from the back of Izumi’s nose. It caused his boyfriend’s cheeks to turn even more red as another snort followed soon and then another and one more until Izumi’s laughter had gone silent.

“Hmm? Where’s your laugh, Izumi?” Ryouma teased and Izumi simply shook his head as his mean boyfriend slowed down the tickle attack. “Ah, thank you, Izumi. You were of great help.”

Ryouma said with a chuckle as he pulled his arms out from under Izumi’s arms and patiently waited for him to come down from his laughing high. Ryouma’s hands were gentler now, carefully cleaning the tears from Izumi’s cheeks as he placed tiny kisses at the corners of his mouth, smiling softly at his gasping boyfriend.

“Are you okay, Izumi?” He asked softly, kissing Izumi’s cheeks.

“I am,” Izumi gulped, nodding his head a little. “Hehe, it wahas fun, though, you’re really mean Ryouma,” he pouted but his hands cupped Ryouma’s cheeks and Ryouma happily nuzzled between them.

Ryouma hummed. “We helped each other out today,” he mumbled. “And look, it’s still so early.” He showed Izumi the watch on his wrist. “We can have a nice dinner before heading home. Maybe we can practice your dance again,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows and Izumi laughed. "You're boyfriend has the most amazing ideas, right Izumi?"

Ryouma's heart jumped in his chest when Izumi looked at him with the warmest eyes. “Yes, Ryouma. My boyfriend really is the best.”

Ah, yes. Ryouma really was a lucky man.

#Love Stage!!#Love Stage #Sena Izumi #Ichijou Ryouma #Ryouma x Izumi #Izumi x Ryouma #mia's things #mia's fics

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