So, about a decade ago, there were these five movies that made up the whole Takumi-kun series. Now, the creators have come back with a six-episode show, with each part running about 25 minutes. I'm guessing they wanted to introduce a newer generation of BL fans to this world, but honestly, it backfired. The whole thing feels incredibly dated, like it’s completely out of touch with how modern BL shows are made today. Between a cast that’s way too crowded and a mountain of different couples to keep track of, the storytelling is just a total train wreck that doesn't make a lick of sense. The whole thing takes place at an all-boys boarding school. You’ve got Gii, who just moved back from the States and is the son of a super wealthy CEO, and he's roommates with Takumi. Right from the very first episode, Gii is basically obsessed, taking every chance he gets to shout his feelings from the rooftops. Takumi is really shy and has no clue how to handle all that heat, so he just doe...
Yo is a university student who is best friends with Noboru. The two of them hang out all the time and it's clear that Yo has a crush on Noboru. A gay bar Bb is the only place where Yo can be himself (gay) and has a friend working behind the counter with whom they share each other's personal lives. Noburu has starting to see a girl and Yo feels compelled to make up a story that he has a girlfriend too. A sudden incident where Yo's bar friend's mother dies before he could have come out to her, makes Yo realize that he needs to be true about himself to his friends and family, regardless of what happens. He first comes out to his sister who takes the news very positively. Next, after immense struggle he comes out to his best friend Noburu. In fact, he also tells him that he had a crush on him. But Noboru continues to be the best supportive friend as he was before. Eventually he comes out to his parents too, whose reactions are more to blame themselves for Yo being what he is but eventually they also come around. The film ends with Yo confiding to Noboru that its probably time to come out to their remaining group of friends too.
I like the fact that it's a simple story. No unnecessary drama. Even the parents reactions initially is something that you would expect, but thankfully they talk it out and Yo shares some books to help them understand him better. My favorite is Noboru's reactions. He is slightly happy to know that he was Yo's crush and still he continues to be the same friend as he always was. Very supportive. I was hoping to see that Yo and the friend working in the bar get together, because I feel there was a potential of some love story there. But I guess the idea was to show the coming out story and process. Thankfully, its all shown in a positive light. On a negative note, the film is way too slow. Some scenes just drag on for no reason whatsoever. Whatever the makers wanted to show could have easily been achieved in a 45 minute short film. At almost an hour and a half length, the film rally tests your patience before coming to the point.
Sometimes, as individuals we think we way too much, make up stories in our mind and mostly that people would react negative to coming out. But you will be surprised how most people understand it and eventually come around. I liked this positive message. I am not sure what Japanese culture and society is like when it comes to gay men, but this will come as a positive message to younger folks struggling to come out. (5/10)
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