#japanese drama recommendation

[alwayspining]

This kiss deserves a place here pt. 6

Old Fashion Cupcake (2022) l ep 4 l dir. Ayaka Katô

*They filmed this four minute scene in one take and I think that says a lot about how talented this cast and crew is.

[sasuga-whump]

What's your favorite whump scene / GIF / video you watch over and over again?

Mine is King's very brief (annoyingly so) torture scene from Kyoryuger

Ahhhh this is such a good but difficult question! I managed to narrow it down to three! So here are my

Top Three Favourite Whump Scenes

Number 3: Kamen Rider OOOs - ep 30

Full GIF set here

Ankh is weakened by having his life force taken, and is suuuuper stubborn about being helped. Cue exasperated and concerned caretakers who have to manipulate him to get better

Number 2: Taiyo to Umi no Kyoshitsu - ep 3

Video available here

Kawabe is crushed by machinery and there is no doctor or anaesthetic. His teacher has to free him and stitch him up before he suffers more blood loss and his friends have to hold him down when he is being rescued

Number One: Ouroboros - ep 6

Video available here

Ikuo is shot in the stomach but he is unable to go to the hospital. Caretaker tries desperately to remain calm and to stop the blood using his scarf, and Ikuo screams from the pain

~*~

Thank you for this question anon! I hope these are some good recs for you, and if you don't mind me asking, could you remind me which episode of Kyoryuger you are referring to ... For... Research purposes...

[redsamuraiii]

My Undead Yokai Girlfriend (2024)

A student in Kyoto struggles in life, as he falls behind in school and is unable to get a girlfriend like his peers. Out of desperation, he turns to a mysterious scroll he found which contains a love spell which he hope to grant his wish to get a girlfriend.

But he did not realize that it's actually a forbidden spell to break free a Yokai who was imprisoned in the past by Samurai. In the beginning, it was fun and games, as they get into a chaotic relationship until a Samurai from the past appears to hunt her.

It gets worse when the Yokai detects the presence of the descendants of the Samurai who killed her family and imprisoned her in the past that she began her quest of vengeance, not knowing that the leader of the Samurai himself has returned.

It's a surprisingly good series that I binged watch it over the weekend! It's one of those shows where you do not judge by its plot which I thought to be a cheesy romance comedy (although it is like that in the beginning) but it takes a serious turn along the way.

It's a good mix of comedy and seriousness, the comedy aspect is where the Yokai struggles to figure out everything modern as the student's friends and family got involved in their shenanigans. The serious aspect is when the killing starts and the police gets involved.

The vibes and action scenes reminds me of House of Ninjas, and the cinematography and sceneries are just beautiful to watch. Like House of Ninjas, there will definitely be a second season! If you like those "time travel" fantasy genre, this one is for you!

[randomblog-things]

i just rewatched kieta hatsukoi and they are so similar in this scene omg,,

[absolutebl]

Old Fashion Cupcake - Courting Your Person with Pancakes

quick pitch

Old Fashion Cupcake 

Japan June 2022 Viki 

9/10

Foundational Romance Tropes? office romance, age gap, employee/boss, food is the love language, coming of age late in life 

This show had me from the moment they broke the egg yolk with the chopsticks in the opening credits for episode one. It’s about a younger man with a long cherished crush on his boss (ten years older and going through a mid life crisis) who decides to save and seduce said man with pancakes. It’s wholesome, comforting, sexy, and a very necessary narrative about still having hope, interests, and openness to affection at any age. It’s coming of age/queerness packaged in a subtle critique of expectations around masculinity and love and loneliness... and it’s beautiful. 

It utilizes hand-held and super close camerawork, long shots, dirty framing, and marvelous acting (stagecraft) from everyone. The directing style it subtle but very precise and tailored dirty framing (AKA lots of objects and other people’s bodies interrupting shots.) 

Notice the frame is only direct and uncluttered when they are eating or being extremely intimate with each other? 

This show manages to make things that shouldn't be sexy so very sexy (like Togawa’s hamster cheeks - boy just wants to gorge himself, and not on food). It's truly art.

But there is so much more going on here.

Japan has a long tradition of using food, both the preparation and consumption, as an allegory for intimacy... ALL KINDS of intimacy (give Tampopo a shot, it’s a remarkable movie). And in this show the discovery of desserts, and the enjoyment of the experience of indulging, is explicitly both sexual seduction and emotional tethering. This is not just an exploration of youth for Nozue it is an exploration of desire and identity.

On the other hand, the want drips off of Togawa at all times, like true starvation. It’s epic levels of pining we are looking at and not just love but pure lust. It’s actually quite remarkable to see this done with Japan’s signature reserve, because the through line of the filming style and food allegory dictates they will simply have to show physical intimacy at soem point. But not of the explicit kind we get in the darker BLs from Japan (although they could easily go there), but of a truly sexualized romantic passionate kind that we don’t normally get from Japan in their softer BLs.

You see, there comes a point, when the food allegory has gone as far as it can, and Nozue recognizes that in episode 3, even as he doesn’t recognize Togawa’s desire. Because for him the desire has been made manifest though the medium of desserts... and now that sensation has been satisfied, he feels like that’s good enough.

But when Nozue shuts down the eating intimacy, Togawa was always destined to break open into into sexual need, just the way the egg yolk is broken open in the credits.

What is truly genius about this show is that when this finally happens at the end of episode 4, the camera switches to one long hand held shot. This kind of stage-craft reliant shooting is the ultimate form of filming intimacy - it is the camera’s form of trust:

The directer is trusting the cameraperson not to waiver,

the camera is trusting the actors to pull through for the entirety of the shot (no forgetting your lines on a long take, no missing your marks, no slipping out of character),

the actors are trusting the crew to capture it in that one moment when they give it their all.

This is the kind of theatrically-based close work is as near to sexual intimacy as actors and crew can get.

Thus the shooting style is, itself, a reflection of Togawa’s needs, of Nozue’s shock and realization and crumbling, of the levels of trust between them that are fracturing and reforming. It’s absolutely brilliant.

All that said I did find the final episode bit of a let down. Narratively it reverted back to pretty standard light Japanese live action yaoi, of the style I talk about here. I did expect a little bit more intimacy from this specific narrative even with Japan at the helm, at least showing the two of them cuddling in bed together or something very domestic if not kissing. I’m not surprised or upset that they returned to status quo, and this is still an amazing comforting unexpected gem of a show, but it’s not the 10/10 I thought it was going to be at the end of 4. 

Still, solid and watchable and 

DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED 

I wrote some more on this show with regards to age gap romance comparing it to Minato’s Laundromat here. 

(source)

[romance-incubomp3]

HELLO I’m loving the aromantic rep more of this in media please!!!

[inkats]

year end skebook dump 👍

[hiroseudachi]

海街diary / our little sister, 2015

dir. hirokazu kore-eda

[lovecatcher]

i’ve started watching some japanese dramas last year, and here are some of my recs: ● Kikazaru Koi ni wa Riyuu ga Atte (There's a Reason Why I Dress Up For Love, 2021) ༉‧₊˚. starring Kawaguchi Haruna & Yokohama Ryusei ༉‧₊˚. subs by furritsubs ༉‧₊˚. absolute fave ♡ ● Talio Fukushu Daiko no Futari (Talio: Avenger Buddies, 2020) - starring Hamabe Minami & Okada Masaki ༉‧₊˚. starring ༉‧₊˚. subs by @aoinousagi ● Ore No Kawaii Wa Mousugu Shohikigen!? (My Cuteness is going to expire soon!?, 2022) ༉‧₊˚. starring Yamada Ryosuke & Yoshine Kyoko ༉‧₊˚. subs by Ellie08_19subs currently watching: ● Silent (2022) ༉‧₊˚. starring Kawaguchi Haruna & Meguro Ren ༉‧₊˚. subs by IrozukuSubs to watch: ● Keshigomu wo Kureta Joshi wo Suki ni Natta (I Fell in Love with the Girl who gave Me an Eraser, 2022) ༉‧₊˚. starring Ohashi Kazuya & Fukuchi Momoko ༉‧₊˚. subs by furritsubs ● Jitenshaya-san no Takahashi-kun (Takahashi-kun from the Bicycle Shop, 2022) ༉‧₊˚. starring Nobuyuki Suzuki & Rio Uchida ༉‧₊˚. subs by furritsubs ≡;- ꒰ °to be upated ꒱ ≡;- if you have recommendations, let me know ♡

[waaanderingluna]

🥀 𝕸𝖞 𝕳𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖞 𝕸𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖆𝖌𝖊

.

.

.

《𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙰》

[alwayspining]

They’re unhinged for these scenes, I loved every second of it.

Utsukushii Kare/My Beautiful Man (2021) l ep 6 l dir. Mai Sakai

Ps. changed the background music in the last scene to “I need a Forest Fire” by James Blake.

[heretherebedork]

Have you ever wanted to desperately crave pancakes but in the softest, queerest way possible while watching a coming of age style narrative about a man approaching forty and his deeply thirsty but also gentle coworker who has a fantastic hamster cheek agenda?

Then you need to watch Old Fashion Cupcake!

And if you need more reasons... how about the story of an adult queer man rediscovering his joy in life by playing as a teenaged girl to give himself freedom to enjoy sweets on the advice of his younger coworker and watching them flirt and grow closer and get nervous and talk and cook for each other and be miserable when they have to pretend to fit into the heterosexual expectations of society?

How about a beautiful story about growing into a queer identity no matter what age you are centered in the idea of shared food and time and feeings?

How about a gorgeously told story about falling in love with someone who already loves you but being afraid to express your love because it goes against the life you've always expected and he's handsome and a decade younger than you and free and happy and you don't want to trap him with you but you still love him so much and he loves you and you don't know what to do?

How about pancakes and parfaits and candy and homecooked meals and a perfect pierced egg yolk and food as connection, food as love, food as lust?

Just... watch Old Fashion Cupcake, okay?

@absolutebl we can convince the world.

[redsamuraiii]

9 Japanese Shows You Could Watch on Netflix Asia

It's hard to recommend because different people have different preferences and expectations but here are the 9 shows that I enjoyed and have watched more than once that you may like them too!

Comedy

From Today It's My Turn (a crazy bunch of delinquents shenanigans) The Full Time Wife Escapist (a wholesome unexpected love story) Ishiko and Haneo (a chaotic partner in crime legal drama)

Romance

Love Deeply (a forbidden love between a mermaid and a human) From Me to You (a cute high school drama) First Love (a relatable story of second chance)

Anime

The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague (chill slice of life) My Happy Marriage (magical fantasy soap opera) Lycoris Recoil (spy action mix of comedy and seriousness)

[sasuga-whump]

heyyy

I just dicovered you whumplist for gods quiz, and omg the whump is just soooo good. Thank you so much for your work! I was wondering if you also saw the seasons 3-5 and could tell me if there is good whump in them aswell. Especially if the headaches continue (headaches are my fav whump trope so this would be gold for me)

Have a nice day :)

Hello! I noticed you in my inbox heheh I'm glad you liked it! Yes there is whump in 3-5, with various tropes alongside his headaches and it gets juicy let me tell you. I have been slowly re-watching the seasons as I plan to make a whump list for them too at a later date!

In the meantime, as headaches are also one of my favourite tropes too, I have a humble offering for you 🤲 Listed below are some whump lists/content I have done that contain the headache trope:

The character Date from my Kamen Rider OOO List

Emu from Kamen Rider Ex Aid list

Takeru from Kamen Rider Ghost list and clip

Kaito from Ghost Friends

+ an honourable mention to Liu Sang from The Lost Tomb who has sensitive hearing which mainly causes him ear pain but he does have some headaches due to his hearing/loud noises

[randomblog-things]

the happiness when he heard the praise 🥹😭😭

[kuniushi]

Title: My Beautiful Man 1 (Utsukashii Kare, 美しい彼 シーズン1)

Episodes: 6

Genre: japanese, bl

Summary: 5 / 5 ♥

+ perfectly casted + beautiful story - it's so short, I'm begging for more!!

** Warning, spoilers ahead. **

OK, we need to talk about the main actors first and foremost. Now I admit I'm shallower than a kid's paddling pool but god damn!!! The actors are incredibly well-casted. I remember it was about 1AM when I gave this series a crack to try and go to sleep but within the first few minutes, I was hooked and I did not put this down until I finished ALL six way-too-short episodes just after 3AM and finally got some shut eye.

You get introduced to Hira Kazunari (played by Hagiwara Riku) during the first few minutes and realize he's incredibly awkward. After watching all of this show, I'm actually thinking the character might have some slight autism but that's discussion for later. I was worried this was going to be another awkward Japanese BL drama ... until ... in walks second male lead, Kiyoi Sou (played by Yagi Yusei). To say he's breath-taking is an understatement. I mean sure, the past few posts would give you an idea of how shallow I am but Yagi Yusei is a on another level. He's not a "oh, he's so handsome!" player. This guy is on another level and really fits the character who is supposed to be this "beautiful" guy with an aura. I'm going to need to practice self-control here or I'll keep fan-girling about him for the next 100 years.

Credit: @oneclearnight

The story is very ... sweet? For some reason, it reminds me of the BL manga "Cut" but that's way darker than this series. It's about these two unlikely characters - Kiyoi is this super-cool "King" that all guys want to be and all girls want to be with. Hira on the other hand is this awkward, loser character that has no friends. For some reason, Kiyoi and Hira keep having moments together and they form this weird friend-bond. When Kiyoi smashed his lips to Hira when they graduated, I fan-girl screamed and I'm not even sorry. IT WAS WAY OVERDUE, OK.

But because Hira didn't chase after him, Kiyoi and him go their separate ways until a few years later? And throw in a third character for some drama but oh my god, is it delicious drama. Let's skip all the drama and get to the ending AND MY GOD, I SCREAMED AGAIN AT THE ENDING.

When Hira chases after Kiyoi in the darkened school hallways and room, you could see how desperate he was to reach Kiyoi. And Kiyoi saying that he's just a human being, not a God and that he loves Hira ... no amount of screaming can do justice to how climactic this was. THIS WAS WHAT I NEEDED AFTER 6 EPISODES. I FUCKING ATE EVERY SECOND OF THIS SCENE. Honestly, it was a really beautiful scene and the acting just freaking served the story.

I will be re-watching this series every day of every year until my dying breath because that is how beautiful this series was. This series just kicked me up the ass and served and just kept serving every second until the end.

I thank every being out there that there is a second series AND a movie too. I will be devouring every second of this masterpiece of a series with no regrets.