#Minato's Laundromat Season 2

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

The moment he finally realized what to do.

[heretherebedork]

Minato's Coin Laundry Season 2!

My tiny side couple is back!!! Also Minato and Shin and just... everything. Look at it! And a neck kiss just for @absolutebl with the best age gap couple.

[gunsatthaphan]

"when will you tell him?"

↳ requested by the bestie @leonpob ♡ 

[hopezzy]

in absolute SHAMBLES i tell you

[waitmyturtles]

The fastest meta ever on this LOVELY show, Minato Shouji's Coin Laundry/Minato's Laundromat, season 2, episode 5:

I watched this on the early side, my time, to wallow in the GLORY of the referential appearance of Takeda Kouhei (who played Nozue in Old Fashion Cupcake, woop woop!) as Shin's teacher, Kirihara-sensei. Quick hit thoughts!

Everybody be trippin'. I think my heart goes to Asuka in this episode. He just wants a moment with his boyfriend -- and boyfriend Shu just DOESN'T know, at all, how to reciprocate. Pain points.

I like to see the trust conflict between Minato and Shin as a natural outgrowth of their relationship, but Minato, my man, the tape! I hope that he will connect his hesitation in the relationship in part to Shin's trust issues -- that if Minato could open up more and be more emotionally connected to Shin, that Shin may not have these trust issues, even while Minato sees Sakuma at the high school.

That's a minor quibble for the development of communication that's clearly happening between them both. Do I think their communication issues are in part related to their age gap? Clearly not, lol, because of the more equitable maturity levels they have between the two of them -- and I like how THAT is illuminated more in this episode than ever before. And their need to grow their maturity TOGETHER, as a couple, is what's now getting the magnifying glass.

This episode also gave us another little gift by way of reference to another popular Japanese BL -- one that's also centered around food. The dorama version of What Did You Eat Yesterday? did not spend a ton of time on Shiro making hamburgers as an apology to Kenji for a tiff they had -- but the WDYEY? manga did spend a whole chapter on hamburgers as an apology, and I'm OBSESSED (of course! food!) with that reference. We see food being a central part of bringing Minato and Shin together every night anyway, and just -- my heart twinkles that ML2 is connecting these themes across multiple BLs. Hopefully we get HINTS from those other BLs as to where Minato and Shin land in future episodes.

I love this sweet show. I love seeing the growing pains, of Minato and Shin's individual and coupled growth. It's treating this growth with empathy and a touch of comedy, and it's just a perfect balance. And we get more Takeda next week, YAY!

[iguessitsjustme]

The amnesia doesn’t even make sense. Shin knew Minato as a child. He’s been in love with Minato for practically his whole life. So either he has forgotten at least a decade of memories and is essentially a child now OR he has only forgotten Minato. Literally just removed one person from his memory which is not how amnesia works. And for a show that’s as realistic as this is, it doesn’t work as a plot.

[shinyturtlelady]

I cannot deal with a Shintaro who has a dislike for Akira. That tiny monologue broke my heart so much 🥹 his one person not only forgetting him but feeling so entirely uncomfortable around him... I hope hugs and kisses are on their way in that cute ass date next episode.

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

So about the last episode of  Minato Coin Laundry 2. I have some thoughts. First, about the amnesia, as I stated before I loathe amnesia as a plot, because in 99% of the cases is lazy writing. It's a result of no better ideas in the room. (This is just my opinion). Now for the actual amnesia... Let me preface this by saying, I am not a neurologist, or any kind of doctor for that matter. I'm just a curious person that likes to read medical books. Regardless, because of the type of amnesia that the show is showing, I've already seen it being described as unrealistic, given the fact that the only thing he forgets is Minato. Although rare this kind of amnesia does exist. It's called systematized amnesia. It's a type of dissociative amnesia.

This is from the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.)

So, that kind of amnesia is possible. The only thing is, this kind of dissociative amnesia, isn't usually caused by a brain injury, usually more by trauma or stress. At least, that's what how I understand it as I read it. None of this changes any of my opinions regarding this type of plot. But at least it's somewhat based in reality. Anyway, just thought I would share, in case anyone cares.

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Do you believe me?

For @nieves-de-sugui 🧡

[alien-ally]

Minato’s laundromat 2 is here!!!

for me personally, i was really excited to hear that we were getting a 2nd season. especially cause i’d only watched the 1st season recently and to get an update on a new one so close by really made me look forward to it. until i saw others on tumblr being skeptical about it. which i was confused about at first. but then understood that it was because they way it ended was completely fulfilling by itself and dint demand another season. tho at the same time, it’s super great! it was a super nice, well handled, aware-of-it’s-risks show. like seriously, they made the age gap thing okay for me. it works for them so it works for me.

Now, however, after watching the 1st ep, i am even more excited! they’re goofy as ever, with the difference that shin is now in uni and they’re dating. everything else feels pretty much the same. it’s really nice to see their original dynamic unbroken - which is what makes the 10 year gap work at all imo - so kudos to the makers. as always jbl coming thru strong. also it’s realistic that they haven’t made much (any lolol) advancement in their relationship as it’s only been 3 months since they started dating. the conflict is building up, as minato continues putting the same distance they had before dating (and still is hilariously flustered by shin) and it all makes sense and remains true to the characters. so far, so good.

What i am really worried about is asuka and shuu’s relationship. I’ll say it now, SHUU IS AROMANTIC. probably aroace, and hence has no notion of romantic attraction or dating. as he so clearly says, so far, dating is only a decision he has reached with asuka. not to say he doesn’t like him or his presence but they clearly are on veery different pages with where they’re heading with this relationship. and this has not been acknowledged properly, except for saying that he’s just like that. ‘after everything, shuu-kun is still shuu-kun’ asuka has said this several times which is to say I’M TERRIFIED what they’ll do to shuu’s character in respect to this relationship. i hope the makers are aware of this. because i am so honed in on what they’re going to do to them.

[celebelei]

BL in its All of the Cameos Era

These are all from currently airing or just concluded shows.

1. Kiseki: Dear to Me

The masters of cameos, Wayne Song and Huang Chun Chih.

Aaron Lai and Hank Wang.

(Funnily enough, both pairs also showed up in Plus & Minus a while back.)

2. Jun & Jun

Tutor and Yim.

Cheon Seungho and Han Sejin from Mr. Heart.

3. Love Class 2

Kim Taehwan and Han Hyunjun, the mains from the first season.

4. Minato's Laundromat Season 2

Takeda Kouhei, who played Nozue in Old Fashion Cupcake.

Takamatsu Aloha, who played Ren in Tokyo in April Is...

5. Why R U?

Max and Nat.

6. Wedding Plan

Fort and Peat as Prapai and Sky...

...and Boss and Noeul as Payu and Rain, both of our weather boy pairs from Love in the Air.

(Sorry for the possibly sloppy screencaps, I just threw this together.)

[absolutebl]

Hello. I was wondering if you have a master list of all the shows that got released this year? I've looked through the 2023 upcoming list and there are some missing and some that never premiered.

I wanted to see what I may have missed.

Thanks.💜 my-rose-tinted-glasses

Sure thing, hon! Here ya go!

All BL 2023 releases

So far, that I have on the spreadsheet. Not sure how you want it organized so I did it by country and then alphabetically.

Japan

Blue Sky Complex

Can I Buy Your Love From A Vending Machine AKA Sono Koi, Jihanki de Kaemasu ka?

Candy Color Paradox AKA Ameiro Paradox

Egoist

I Cannot Reach You AKA Kimi ni wa Todokanai

If It’s With You AKA Even If I Fall In Love With You AKA Kimi to nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo’

Jack o'Frost

Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru AKA Aki wa Haru to Gohan wo Tabetai

Minato's Laundromat Season 2 AKA Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2

My Beautiful Man 2 AKA Utsukushii Kare Season 2

My Beautiful Man: Eternal AKA Utsukushii Kare Eternal

My Personal Weatherman AKA Taikan Yoho

Naked Dinner AKA Zenra Meshi

One Room Angel

Our Dining Table AKA Bokura no Shokutaku

The End Of The World, With You AKA Bokura no Micro na Shuumatsu

Tokyo in April is AKA Shigatsu no Tokyo wa

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2

Korea

A Breeze of Love

A Shoulder to Cry On

All the Liquors

Bump Up Business

Happy Merry Ending

Individual Circumstances

Jun and Jun

Love Class 2

Love Mate

Love Tractor

Our Dating Sim

Our Winter

Sing My Crush

Star Struck

The Director Who Buys Me Dinner

The Eighth Sense

The New Employee

Unintentional Love Story

Why R U?

When it was good it was very very good, when it was bad they were dying.

Taiwan

HIStory5: Love In The Future

Kiseki: Dear to Me

My Tooth Your Love

Stay By My Side

VIP Only

You Are Mine

Thailand

609 Bedtime Story

7 Days Before Valentine

A Boss and a Babe

Absolute Zero

Bake Me Please

Be Mine Super Star Superstar

Be My Favorite

Bed Friend

Between Us

Beyond the Star

Boyband the series

Cafe In Love

Chains of Heart

Cooking Crush

Crazy Handsome Rich

Cutie Pie 2 You special

Dangerous Romance

Destiny Seeker

Dinosaur Love

For Him the series

Friend. Boy Friend

Future the series

Hidden Agenda

Hit Bite Love

House of Stars

I Feel You Linger in the Air

I Will Knock You

La Pluie

Laws of Attraction

Love in Translation

Love Syndrome III

Low Frequency

Make a Wish

Man Suang

Middleman’s Love

Moments Of Love

Moonlight Chicken

My Biker

My Blessing

My Dear Gangster Oppa

My School President

My Universe

Naughty Babe

Never Let Me Go

Only Friends

Our Skyy 2: A Boss and a Babe

Our Skyy 2: A Tale of Thousand Stars

Our Skyy 2: Bad Buddy

Our Skyy 2: My School President

Our Skyy 2: Never Let Me Go

Our Skyy 2: Star in My Mind

Our Skyy 2: The Eclipse

Our Skyy 2: Vice Versa

Pastsenger

Pit Babe

Playboyy

Remember Me

Senior Love Me

SHADOW

Step By Step

The Luminous Solution

The Promise

The Sign

The Whisperer

Till the World Ends

Tin Tem Jai

Tin Tem Jai special

Twins

Venus in the Sky

Wedding Plan

The Philippines

Ever After

My Story

Our Story

Stay

The Day I Loved You

Tie The Not

(underreported, I don't keep track of Pinoy stuff anymore)

Singapore

Pure Vanilla

Hong Kong

Stay Still

Myanmar

The Love Ring

China

Stay With Me (Addicted + moar censorship)

I bolded anything I rated over a 7/10. Although some of these I opted not to watch and others are still airing (and thus as yet unrated). So don't take an unbold as necessarily a negative.

I haven't assessed how many are releasing in December

(I probably should deal with the "The" but I lazy.)

[the-conversation-pod]

Fall Teaser

And we're back!

Despite all sorts of obstacles in our lives, Ben and NiNi managed to put together another season!

We have five episodes for you, beginning with two retrospectives on I Told Sunset About You and I Promised You the Moon! For the panels we invited some of our friends to reflect on the show with us, and decided to split up to talk about each show. Ben hosted the ITSAY panel and Nini hosted the IPYTM panel.

For new shows, this season we will cover Tokyo in April is...; Be My Favorite; Wedding Plan; Be Mine, SuperStar; Hidden Agenda; Minato's Laundromat 2; Sing My Crush; Heartstopper 2; and Why R U? (Korea).

Look forward to the Catchup Corner where we watched nothing we promised we would, but have some cool things to share.

Episodes release every Monday and Thursday starting on the 16th.

In the meantime, here's a teaser for what's in store.

Listen to us on Zencastr!

Listen to us on Spotify!

Listen to us on Apple Podcasts!

Listen to us on Google Podcasts!

[emotionallychargedtowel]

I noticed something exciting while watching Minato’s Laundromat episode 4!

So, at the end of the episode, Minato saw Shin from across the way and started to call out to him, but stopped when he saw him having an animated interaction with another dude.

It’s basically impossible to recognize this actor from this blurry snippet. But we get a much better look immediately in the episode 5 preview. Apparently he’s some kind of instructor, possibly a professor, seemingly from Shin’s university, named Kirihara. He seems to have a particularly close—and, uh, physically demonstrative—relationship with Shin, and Minato is clearly concerned. Seems the jealousy theme already developing in season 2 is intensifying.

But the really interesting part (to fans of a certain actor, at least) is who’s playing this apparent rival. He's an all-time favorite of mine.

Got it yet?

How about now?

Or now?

(Uh oh, he's not only hugging Shin, he's doing the ol' back-of-the-head grab. I don't think this is one of those benign misunderstanding situations. )

It's Takeda Kouhei! Also known as Nozue from Old Fashion Cupcake...

and Kazumin (my beloved)/Kamen Rider Grease from Kamen Rider Build, and as Kurenai Otoya in Kamen Rider Kiva.

I think they're being intentionally mysterious here. Takeda usually posts on instagram about roles before shows air/movies are released, and the Minato's Laundromat account similarly tends to show behind-the-scenes material for upcoming episodes right around when a current one airs. Takeda also isn't listed on MDL for this role. So it does seem like they're being a little cagey for now--though that could end now that the preview's been shown.

I'm SO psyched, y'all.

The ever-observant @bengiyo pointed out that this is continuing a bit of a trend of veterans of prior BLs playing romantic rivals in newer series. We saw Izuka Kenta from The Novelist/The Pornographer playing this type of role in Candy Color Paradox and someone from Life: Love on the Line doing the same in Kieta Hatsukoi (I haven't seen LLotL and couldn't immediately tell from perusing cast lists who this was).

I like this trend! So many opportunities for intertextual commentary. I'm always excited for more connections between the BL and tokusatsu worlds, too. Really looking forward to seeing more in episode 5.

[waitmyturtles]

I don’t have much to say yet on Minato Shouji’s Coin Laundry, season 2, episode 1, except to say I AM SO BLEEPING HAPPY THAT WE GET A SEASON 2, and Shin is just as forward and confident as ever, and gosh -- I love that we know right away what he’s demanding of Akira. 

I’m just getting a squeaky thrill that we get to see their relationship develop. I didn’t actually realize that Akira is NOT 30 yet -- that he’s almost 30. And, of course, that gets me thinking about their age gap again, and what it means for “a 30-year-old” to be dating an 18-year-old, versus “someone in their twenties,” because on paper, that doesn’t seem to be as bad or controversial? Yet Akira is rooting himself in his age, still, and still swinging between his discomfort and his attraction to Shin. And I love that this is going to play out in their actual relationship growth.

Relationship development, navigating an age gap within said relationship, Shin knowing what he wants, Akira figuring himself out to accommodate that. Giggity. I know that BLs about relationship growth are never as popular as those about first love/first kisses, but. I feel very lucky that we get a growth story with Shin and Akira, and this is just going to be such a fun summer watch!

[iguessitsjustme]

The sigh I sighed. This plot? Sure, fine. But I'm annoyed about it.