Wholesome Japanese LGBTQIA+ Dramas & Movies

Nozue at 39 has his work routine down. He is kind, efficient, and profoundly dull. One day, he and his 29 year old subordinate, Togawa, visit a pancake shop. The two of them then begin an anti-aging mission together. Both fluffy and sweet, this office romance is every bit as delicious as the meals the two MLs share together.

TW: Dubious consent kissing.

This is a short but beautiful follow up on the drama that can be found through a Google search. For those who loved the drama, it is a must.

TW: None.

Amagi Taichi an inarticulate but well liked student develops a crush on and begins dating the popular Takara Shun. Their dating begins as a secret relationship. Its staying that way as their feelings for each other grow is a challenge. This story is pure sweetness. The MLs are so adorable, and it is so real.

Amagi Taichi is autistic+ADHD coded.

TW: Youth anxiety, and internalized homophobia.

Shino Yuzuru is a popular student who receives frequent love confessions from female students. Unfortunately, his girlfriends quickly dump him when they realize that he is not romantic. Rather he is direct and honest. He is also frequently led astray by is friends due to an over-trusting nature. At the suggestion of one such friend, he asks out Seirjo Toji. Seirjo Toji has a routine of going out for exactly one week with the first person to ask him as he is standing at the school gates. This is the story of the two students first four days of being a couple.

This unconventional story is delightful. Shino Yuzuru is strongly autistic coded.

TW: 

This is a beautiful story. It was amazing. However, OMG the pain those two children were put through!

TW: Descriptions of sexual assault and an attempted sexual assault. Attempted self-deletion. Adult violence against a minor child. Emotional abuse of a child by adults. Homophobia. Gaslighting.

This story is short, soft, sweet, and so nostalgic that I want to cry.

This is a beautiful love story set against the brutal lack of work-life balance in Japan. There is some dubious consent in early sexual situations due to one ML being aggressive in their pursuit of the other ML. However, it ends well.

This was a bit higher anxiety than others on the list, but it was still cute. The main couple were blessed with melding siblings and friends who kept pushing them back together. The competing love interest was minor and fit with the story line.

Sasaki Hirofumi begins work at a new company and moves into a new apartment. While he is struggling to learn skills to do his job, he meets Tamura Shinji. A workaholic, Tamura Shinji, repeatedly gives Sasaki Hirofumi the cold shoulder. What does it mean? This short movie is perfect if you are in the mood to watch a standoffish ML and a blundering ML stumble into a relationship. The ending is happy. The acting is decent, and the kissing looks authentic with interesting cinematography for the NC scene.

TW: None.

Miyata and Iwanaga fell in love in high school. Cercumstances came between them. When they meet again, can things turn out differently? Iwanaga is determined to have a relationship. Miyata wants to enjoy the life he has created for himself. This is fast passed with a tightly worked plot and strong dialog. The NC scenes are excellent.

Though one ML engages in manipulation, he shows some ownership by the end, and the other ML does an excellent job holding healthy personal boundaries.

TW:  Gaslighting, homophobia, manipulation, work sabotage, emotionally abusive parent

Neglected 11 year old Tomo goes to live with her uncle when her mother once again abandons her. Her uncle, Makio, is living with his trans girlfriend Rinko. Relationships between them, Makio's mother, Rinko's parents, and Tomo's homosexual friend Kai are softly explored. The ending is bitter sweet.  The acting is amazing by all.

TW: Child neglect, child emotional abuse, suicide attempt, transphobia, homophobia, and bullying.

Aoki, Aida, Hashimoto, and Ida are 2nd year high school students. One day Aoki borrows an eraser from his crush Hashimoto. On it, Aoki discovers the name of Hashimoto's crush, Ida. By mischance, when Aoki drops the eraser, it is Ida who picks it up. This leads Ida to think that Aoki has a crush on him. Miscommunication and first love anxiety follow.

Despite the anxiety this story is excitedly sweet. The acting is well done. There are scarves.

TW: Homophobia by a minor character, physical violence between two side characters

Sena Izumi comes from a family of performers, but he wants to create manga. Ichijou Ryouma is an actor. The first met as children on the set of a commercial. When they met again 10 years later, everything gets complicated. This is light and fluffy though it presents a more realistic picture of current Japanese culture than perfect BL paradise. The acting is intentionally over-the-top but not bad.

TW: homophobia, internalized homophobia, non-consensual kissing

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