A Romantic Tale That Gave Birth To A Masterpiece.

I have a lot of things that I want to say about this phenomenal show, but I’ll try my best to make it as concise and spoiler-free as possible.

The majestic cinematography is one of the strongest points in the series, be it in the modern day or the 1927 era. The filter or the soft bokeh effect that they put in the 1927 era gave the show an ethereal feel as if we were watching a movie set in a dreamworld, which in my opinion is a smart decision since it is told mostly from Jom’s perspective, cause literally, everyone in that time is already a ghost in the present day except Jom. It’s like putting the character’s lenses through our screen. This alone is already a brilliant way of visual storytelling!

The characters are all interesting and well-written. The acting? Outstanding! Nonkul and Bright did an astonishing job as Jom and Yai. In the first episode, we can already see Nonkul’s spectacular acting chops! His eyes alone speak of those devastating emotions that he is experiencing. In the succeeding episodes, you can feel those tantalizing romantic shivers that he feels every time Yai speaks poetry of his love to him. I would not be surprised if he wins an award for his performance as Jom. Bright’s big moments were in the later part of the story. But what amazes me is his versatility in portraying different versions of Yai. The non-verbal and verbal that he did is distinct from the other versions of the character. He did his homework excellently.

I also have to commend the supporting actors for a splendid performance! It’s great that the supporting cast had their own moments and was not left behind by the amazing leads. And did I mention that aside from the main gay couple, we also have a lesbian and straight couple? Yes, this series shows all kinds of love.

The series holds no bars in showing the ruthless treatment of the servants and women in that period. Its fearless portrayal of what happened in the past makes me realize that the series that I’m watching is a bold, unfiltered, and fiercely beautiful work of art. Despite that, it also shows that the abused and the oppressed CAN claim their power and stand up for themselves! Which makes it one of the most powerful scenes in the show.

The music and original soundtrack are magical. For some, it might not be radio-friendly, but the way the music was arranged fits the drama perfectly! Even the lyrics of the four songs featured in the show voiced the perspective and emotions of our main leads. Each note and instrument was meticulously placed to fit the scenes of the drama.

The show as a whole is heartfelt and hopeful. Especially the last few episodes which are excruciatingly beautiful, it made me dehydrated from wailing. Each second that goes by is a slow agony of the inevitable separation. The last scene makes some people confused, unless you read the novel, you will understand it. But I think it was left that way in the series to open the possibility of a 2nd Season, after all, there is so much more to tell.

The love story of Yai and Jom can be considered a one-of-a-kind timeless, classic, romantic tale that gave birth to a masterpiece.

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A Romantic Tale That Gave Birth To A Masterpiece.

I have a lot of things that I want to say about this phenomenal show, but I’ll try my best to make it as concise and spoiler-free as possible.

The majestic cinematography is one of the strongest points in the series, be it in the modern day or the 1927 era. The filter or the soft bokeh effect that they put in the 1927 era gave the show an ethereal feel as if we were watching a movie set in a dreamworld, which in my opinion is a smart decision since it is told mostly from Jom’s perspective, cause literally, everyone in that time is already a ghost in the present day except Jom. It’s like putting the character’s lenses through our screen. This alone is already a brilliant way of visual storytelling!

The characters are all interesting and well-written. The acting? Outstanding! Nonkul and Bright did an astonishing job as Jom and Yai. In the first episode, we can already see Nonkul’s spectacular acting chops! His eyes alone speak of those devastating emotions that he is experiencing. In the succeeding episodes, you can feel those tantalizing romantic shivers that he feels every time Yai speaks poetry of his love to him. I would not be surprised if he wins an award for his performance as Jom. Bright’s big moments were in the later part of the story. But what amazes me is his versatility in portraying different versions of Yai. The non-verbal and verbal that he did is distinct from the other versions of the character. He did his homework excellently.

I also have to commend the supporting actors for a splendid performance! It’s great that the supporting cast had their own moments and was not left behind by the amazing leads. And did I mention that aside from the main gay couple, we also have a lesbian and straight couple? Yes, this series shows all kinds of love.

The series holds no bars in showing the ruthless treatment of the servants and women in that period. Its fearless portrayal of what happened in the past makes me realize that the series that I’m watching is a bold, unfiltered, and fiercely beautiful work of art. Despite that, it also shows that the abused and the oppressed CAN claim their power and stand up for themselves! Which makes it one of the most powerful scenes in the show.

The music and original soundtrack are magical. For some, it might not be radio-friendly, but the way the music was arranged fits the drama perfectly! Even the lyrics of the four songs featured in the show voiced the perspective and emotions of our main leads. Each note and instrument was meticulously placed to fit the scenes of the drama.

The show as a whole is heartfelt and hopeful. Especially the last few episodes which are excruciatingly beautiful, it made me dehydrated from wailing. Each second that goes by is a slow agony of the inevitable separation. The last scene makes some people confused, unless you read the novel, you will understand it. But I think it was left that way in the series to open the possibility of a 2nd Season, after all, there is so much more to tell.

The love story of Yai and Jom can be considered a one-of-a-kind timeless, classic, romantic tale that gave birth to a masterpiece.

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Heartwarming, Wholesome Japanese BL Masterpiece!

If you are looking for a fluffy, lighthearted, romantic comedy, then this show is for you! The leads Adachi and Kurosawa are both mesmerizing characters that will surely charm anyone who watches them, given of course that you’re into cuteness and wholesome characters.

The out-of-this-world plot allows the writers to maximize their creativity, thus creating funny scenes. One of my favorite parts of the show was when Adachi was able to read the minds of anyone he touched, and thus, he was able to truly understand them. Because of it, he unintentionally touches their hearts and inspires them to be better individuals, it also gives him the opportunity to gain confidence and break out from his shell.

The chemistry between the main leads and it’s dynamic with the whole cast is incredible! Both Akaso Eiji and Machida Keita are perfectly cast as Adachi and Kurosawa, their acting is spot-on as if the characters came out of the manga.

The overall tone of the series is overflowing with positivity. In addition to that, it is also full of heartwarming realizations and interactions in each character. It is one of those shows that doesn’t have any villains. Everyone is likable! Not to mention, you might be able to see yourself in some of the characters, which makes them human and relatable.

The pace of the series is a little bit slow. However, I think they did it for the viewers to appreciate every scene and every detail, especially the character’s emotions. After all, the show is about what’s inside the person’s heart and soul. Speaking of every detail, did I mention that the office setting and even Adachi and Kurosawa's room are very intricately designed? The production really spends their time perfecting everything up to the tiniest details. Even the cinematography was spectacular!

Overall, it is the best Japanese BL at the moment. The manga title “Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!” might bring a negative impression to some people, but just like one of the messages of the show itself, "Do not judge the book by its cover", because the series is more than what meets the eye.

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When Science Meets The Courtroom

I love that the show integrates physics (or science) in solving "hopeless" cases of falsely accused innocents. As someone who is not good at science, I love the fact that the scientific explanations in the show are well-explained and that the ordinary audience can understand it. It was detailed, comprehensive, and done meticulously well.

The bitter part of the show is showing the reality that there are victims who were falsely accused by the law enforcers and judges. There was one episode in which I was really disappointed, because no matter how much evidence Kurokawa and Professor Akiu provided and proved the suspect's innocence, the judge's decision disregarded those and still sentenced the accused as guilty. As much as I was disappointed in watching that episode, I think it's the writer's way of showing the awful reality of this world.

The acting of the cast is brilliant! Everyone gave justice to their characters including the guest stars. Special mention to Kentaro Sakaguchi for his spectacular performance as Kurokawa, he is consistent from the first episode up to the last. But the actor who steals the spotlight in the whole series is the show’s final villain played by Shinji Takeda. The way he portrayed a psychopath, manipulative murderer is astonishing! Even though his character only appeared in the final episode, his presence and sins can be felt throughout the series through Kurokawa’s frustration in solving a decade-long case of his dearly departure friend. Kentaro Sakaguchi was able to capture Kurokawa's desperation to do whatever it took to solve the case while maintaining his strong sense of justice.

I love the overall message of the show... Being brave to admit one's mistake and have the courage to fight for your rights.

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A Film Made For The Fans Of The Original Series.

The movie is an answered prayer for the fans of the original series. Unlike the series that has lots of changes from the original manga, this movie is very loyal to Volume 6-10 of the manga. The question is… Is it a good or bad thing? I’ll try my best to explain it with minimal to no spoilers.

Just like its predecessor, the movie focuses on the emotional aspect and character development of the main characters. Of course, they retained the fluffiness, cuteness, and romantic-comedy vibes of the series. But what I like about this movie is that it shows the growth of the beloved leads. One example is that Adachi asks Kurosawa that their relationship should be open to the people close to them, so if in any case something happens to either of them in the future, their partner will be notified especially in emergency situations.

If I have to be honest, the Nagasaki arc is one of the weak points of the movie. Sure, it is loyal to Volume 6 of the manga, but the fact that Adachi and Kurosawa didn’t communicate well and created the long-distance relationship conflict kind of feels unnatural to them, given that they established that they will be open to each other’s feelings in Episode 10 of the series. But then, I must say that for this conflict, it was Kurosawa’s fault for being too kind and so Adachi will not feel bad for leaving Tokyo. I just pretend that this conflict was the necessary push for Kurosawa to be totally out of his shell and be more true to his emotions. The succeeding part of the movie is what I like the best, which focuses more on the daily life of a gay couple and their relationship. They did an amazing job in that part and retained the lighthearted romantic atmosphere of the show.

The scene with the parents is probably my favorite part of the show! Adachi unleashes his hidden courage with a strong affirmation of his love for Kurosawa, EVEN WITHOUT THE MAGIC! In that scene alone, you can see how far these characters have come compared to what they were in episode 1 of the series. You can’t help but cheer and be proud of them! The scene alone is so touching that I literally end up crying. Akaso Eiji is brilliant in that scene!

Kurosawa in this sequel, shows more of his flaws. He is known to be perfect and undisturbed most of the time, even if he is pissed or uncomfortable. But when it comes to Adachi, he becomes hysterical that leads to impulsive decision making. When the camera pans on him, you can see in his eyes how terrified he is because of what happened to Adachi. I have to commend Machida Keita for his acting in that scene.

If I have to be very objective, I would say that the drama is better. But the movie is still wonderful as it is. The series set an incredibly high standard that is difficult to match, let alone surpass. Expecting any sequel to live up to its masterpiece predecessor is very unfair to everyone who is part of the show. That’s why I would say, the movie is great on its own.

Basically, if you are a fan of the original series like me, you will definitely love the movie as it was made for you. If not, then you might not appreciate it.

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