The Canadian web series Cam Boy is back for a second season, and I'm a bit late getting to it. While the first season really stuck to Aston’s story and his struggle to make ends meet, this season spreads things out much more. Across six episodes, the show gives us a bunch of mini-stories about different guys in the industry, while still showing us how things are moving along for Aston. Like I said, there are about 21 or 22 tiny stories packed into these six episodes. Aston is now in a relationship with the handyman from the first season, but he’s still working as a cam boy. One day, he accidentally starts streaming a live sex show with his boyfriend. He realizes what's happening halfway through, but he doesn't stop because he sees the money pouring in. When the boyfriend finds out, he’s furious and walks out on him. Then we have Riley, another guy who usually sells a "boyfriend experience" to his viewers. Things get creepy when one of his clients just shows up a...
This Japanese BL was a mixed bag. At one end I do like that we are shown a lot of physical intimacy, kisses and affection between the two leads but at the same time, the whole premise of their relationship is something I find questionable and unable to digest. I am not a fan of power dynamics where someone uses their position to force themselves in the name of love. Also there is very little actual development in the love story. Nonetheless, at 8 episodes of 23 minutes each, it does have its bright moments.
Yoh is an aspiring manga artist thought a lot of his work doesn't get published and he is not making much money. He lives with his college mate Segasaki, who is a very popular weatherman. Right after college, Segasaki gave Yoh a tempting offer. Segasaki will pay for Yoh's expenses, including rent and food. Yoh can work as a manga artist without financial concerns. In exchange, Yoh must obey Segasaki's commands. So in first few episodes we see more of a Dom-slave kinda relationship with sex thrown in and Segasaki getting his way with Yoh as and when he wants, which even Yoh likes and enjoys. In fact Yoh is completely obsessed with Segasaki. There is some lame story about how Segasaki wants to do 'it' only in sunny days and not rainy days. Anyway, eventually we see that both of them are actually very attracted to each other and want. Each other but are incapable of expressing their true love for one another. When Segasaki sees that Yoh spends too much time with a female colleague he gets very jealous. Yoh gets fired form work and this is when his colleague suggest writing a manga abased on his true relationship with Segasaki, how. They met, how the friendship grew and where they are today. Few more regular misunderstandings happen and eventually they are both able to convey their true feelings for one another.
As I said before, the story is more like a Dom/sugar daddy having his way with his slave/sub partner. The protagonist uses the wealth disparity to manipulate, coerce, and exploit his love interest with sex being thrown as a mind game fun. This is a disturbing relationship, which personally I do not relate to but I am sure there are plenty people who do. I also do believe that there is a fine line between love and possessiveness. Towards the end, Segasaki obsession goes out of control , but I felt that the show was glorifying it in the name of love. Regardless it is. Fascinating one. What I don't understand is why cant they both openly talk about their feelings to one another. I mean they do have sex, they do get intimate, what is so scary about confronting your feelings. Interestingly, the passion shown here in bed is real. The series shows many sensual touches and iconic kisses. The couple kisses, caresses, and expresses their longing like they genuinely mean it, which is a huge positive. The actor playing Yoh is actually quite handsome and brilliant actor. He does good justice to his role, but the one playing the weatherman seems wooden. Sure, his character demanded it but he somehow lacks the charm and charisma which this character is supposed to have that makes Yoh become a slave for him.
The show does have its problem with the basic setup of the premise, but something still connected with me wrt intimacy, passion and something new. Maybe, it was supposed to be a semi-erotica genre. An average fare overall. (5/10)

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