Pornographer (2018)

After watching what can only be described as very tame korean, chinese and taiwanese dramas predominantly, I've only recently started watching japanese and I wasn't sure, purely based on the title - whether I was going to like this one. Worth noting that the english subbed version I watched actually called this 'The Novelist' which I think is a more appropriate name given it's about an erotic novelist and his temporary assistant.

The given title however does suggest that there are some sexual content and scenes that some people might not be comfortable with, but none, I would venture are gratuitous or unnecessary to the story.

The story is simple in that a university student literally bumps into an erotic novelist and breaks his arm. As he can't afford the medical expenses associated with the accident he caused, he offers to help the novelist write his stories over the 2 months that his arm is in plaster. The story told over the remaining 2 and a half hours and 5 episodes is just a telling of how their relationship blossoms and how the somewhat naive student has a sexual awakening driven by the content of the novels he's helping to write. The ending is somewhat underwhelming but not unexpected or unsurprising. It just kind of ends which is ok because there isn't much to resolve.

The actors play their roles well with those of the main characters being able to exhibit all the behaviours and emotions probably relevant to a young, naive, eager to please student and a slightly jaded, isolated but experienced middle-aged novelist who appear to come together out of necessity rather than desire.

The music was probably exactly as it should be; in that it just seemed to blend into the narrative. I must admit that some chinese dramas habitually repeat their incidental music and/or play it too loudly so that you can't actually hear the dialogue. This wasn't the case here and moreover, when there were scenes pertaining to music, I liked the use of jazz and the analogue medium of records to demonstrate the differences between the main characters - both in an age and expectation sense.

I would re-watch this in a heartbeat and the length of this drama lends itself to doing so. I would question whether you actually need to re-watch it though as there's not much to miss or understand with either the story or the characters' motivations so watching it once is probably enough... But it's definitely good enough and short enough to warrant revisiting it once in a while.

Lire davantage

extremely well done

Overall: acting, tension and production were all stellar in this series. 6 episodes about 22 minutes each. Was available on Viki under the title "The Novelist", currently available on  GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/2189/pornographer-2018-e01 

Content Warnings: manipulation, dub con touching/kissing/and more, alcoholism, punch

What I Liked
- tension/chemistry
- some of the best intimate scenes ever (natural noises, facial expressions, body movements)
- acting (the silent screaming scene in episode 5 was amazing)
- production value (cinematography, music, attention to props like Kuzumi's shirt in ep 3)

Note: I normally struggle with manipulative leads in romances, but although Kijima is flawed, I still want him to work through his stuff and end up with Kuzumi. I think that is testament to strong writing and acting. 

Room For Improvement
- the voice over
- could have shortened the story of the student and his teacher in ep 1
- multiple running scenes
- up to 2 minute recaps at the start of episodes
- in episode 6 I've never understood the "though I'm a liar, I'll keep my promise" as he doesn't in the morning, but perhaps it's the promise to do what Kuzumi asked him earlier in the episode

Franchise Watch Order
Pornographer aka The Novelist (2018)
Pornographer: Indigo Mood aka Mood Indigo (2019) (this is a prequel but should be watched after The Novelist)
Pornographer: Spring Life (2021)
Pornographer: Playback (2021)
Pornographer: Continued Spring Life (2021)

Lire davantage

its pwithp guys

Short:
Pornographer is a rare mature bl that throughout my entire time watching, i felt insanely embarassed but it was worth the watch. Like porn is one thing because you're there for one thing– but this has a sincere story and characters involved. Like the headline says it pretty much porn with plot, the mature scenes are shown to a degree, so the rating is definitely something to keep in mind and the racy scenes can be a turn off to some, it can feel voyeouristic at times especially because the characters are fleshed out well. If you're really not a fan of openended endings then this might put you off a little as well but you can just read the final chapter of the manga by maki marukido which ties it up a little more by pretty much just a couple more pages although it makes a pretty big difference lmao in the experience. Either way I personally felt the ambigousness of the drama's ending satisfying, a very reasonable and impactful creative choice but also felt comforted by the manga ending haha.

Long:
With an interesting premise of a porn writer and a university student, Porngrapher peaks your interest straight away (i mean if your into that sort of thing haha) but it definitely has to have something to keep people watching, right? You come for the strange circumstance (like it's really weird, i'd /jk/ kms in that situation but being a broke college student would prolly test me) but stay for the interesting characters. Japanese bls, especially ones that suggests a mature story has characters with dept and dynamics. Kazumi is a university students that's pretty fucking weird for having accepted the request of the equally weird author; Kijima. But as you're watching the initally funny concept, the intrigue fades from that and grows more because of the ambigious charcater motivations that point out to something more, and that something is just a little off with Kijima's character– who's too composed and stone faced, with moments of teasing that peaks through making you wonder just why anyone would be like that. The weirdness and mystery to Kijima is weirdly charming. He's mostly polite despite his strange request and aware of the strangeness, that you don't find the request quite like the sexual harassment it should be ( and only becomes teasing as time goes on and his own feelings develop-- While Kazumi's naivety is charming and his sincerity almost admirable, and it's interesting to watch how he falls for Kijima. It goes from lust to genuine emotion and it's subtle and done well, I can't pinpoint when I thought, 'oh Kazumi really likes Kijima now.' It just happened and it felt like a weirdly natural progression of his feelings. Kijima provides a strange sort of excitement to his life and I think most people would be compelled by it. The complexity of Kijima's character and the growth and maturity in Kazumi is probably the best part of the show and I feel that the show did a better job than the manga-- a rare case where I think the mediums play a big role, i.e horror is better in manga or manhwas/manwas than in anime or tv shows.

The acting is superb, seriously *chef's kisses* everyone is so well played I can't even. The nuances in Kijima's tone and the eagerness and youthfulness of Kazumi is expressed amazingly by the Takezai Terunosuke and Izuka Kenta respectfully. They both beautifully express the deep and complex emotions that each charcaters feels in each event that occurs. Seriously they did a wonderful job because if the acting was stiff or awkward, there's no possible way to have watched the show- so I think they played a huge role creating such a great experience. They have amazing chemistry that is built up beautifully by both the actors and directors.

I think the only thing I'd like to have seen is Kajima's backstory being revealed a little, what experiences made him the way he was and another thing would be how did *certain plot event* affect Kazumi's life.

Music choices were great, sets the moods amazingly and adds to the entire experience. Like seriously, the soundtrack and instrumental choices is superb, it sets and compliments the scenes amazingly.

I definitely will not rewatch, i'll die of embarassment.

Lire davantage

lo volví a ver por segunda vez y pensé que recordaba mucho del drama pero lo redescubrí completamente. me hizo hasta llorar porque me di cuenta de cosas que antes no me fijaba porque era la primera vez viendolo, pero honestamente se resume en esto: por el título y la sinopsis, lo ví porque quería ver algo ligero (6 eps) e intensito. ¿Qué pasa? Que ni lo caliente llega super ultra mega rápido pero no se hace esperar ni es lo único del drama. Cada personaje (hay muy pocos) tiene sus problemas y sus demonios y un desarrollo super interesante. Al ser un drama de tono erótico, no te esperas descubrir tanto de ellos ni empatizar tanto, y menos llorar que es lo que yo hice. Creo que es una historia muy humana, que se jarta de su sencillez (para nada una desvetaja) y toma el sexo como algo para enseñarnos lados de los personajes y una trama que otro drama no haría.
Definitivamente, con mi segunda vez viendolo tuve que subierle la puntuación: de 8.5 a 9.5.
Te hace sentir mucho con pocos personajes, una historia sencilla y buena y en poco tiempo. Siento que el drama no intentó dar más de lo que la historia daba y se centró en desarrollar lo que tenía. Me encantó.

Lire davantage