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This movie gave me warm feelings. I admit that I didn't have the most positive vibes throughout the film, as I recognize the dancing scenes could have been animated better, and the plot had moments when it felt coincidental/could have been stronger. Although to be fair, the animation team is being faithful to the manga as best they can, so any criticisms of the story aren't their fault. I loved that the 13-episode anime series reduced non-consensual scenes as much as possible (manga had non-consensual moments), and I like that the film did the same.

Story: The story was easy to follow. Our characters are still ... very much in love with each other and are devoted to their jobs. Each job comes with new challenges and demands which they work through. There wasn't a strong relationship problem - the focus was on self-improvement. Through self-improvement, we're also able to have better relationships with our loved ones.

Characters: Our characters are the same as they were from the 13-episode series and we are introduced to new faces in Spain! Junta is quarter-Spanish since his maternal grandfather is [a good-looking and charming] Spanish man. We learn more about Junta's maternal heritage through the Spain arc (including who Junta inherited his stalker side from, haha) and get a glimpse of his childhood, including his childhood best friend.

There was one character in the Spain arc who I adored for being so open about his sexual preferences and being proud of who he was. This series continues to be charming when folks are so open with non-heterosexual folks without fearing the stigma of being othered.

Sound: The ending theme song gave me the feels! Especially those lyrics. <3 The voice acting made simple moments so heartwarming, like the scene before the ending theme song. The scene after the ending theme song reminds us of simple domestic bliss, which was expressed well by the voice actors. You hear the anxieties and their demands and their hopes so well!

Art: The colours were beautiful! I liked the way the scenery in Spain came alive. Otherwise, the art was like what we saw in the 13-episode series.

Enjoyment: I enjoyed the film for what it was. I knew what the characters were like already, so it was fun to see what their next steps were in their careers and relationship. I enjoyed seeing the characters reaffirm their feelings for each other and knowing they were always there for each other.

Overall: This film was not perfect as there were areas that could have been better, as I described at the beginning of my review. I would recommend this film to anyone who watched the 13-episode series and/or read the manga and enjoyed it. It felt nice to revisit our characters and meet new faces. I would be open to seeing Junta's maternal grandparents (especially his hot grandpa) again!

Story: Charming men who are clumsy and play it cool during episodic moments of their daily lives! At first, they don't know each other, yet through their common interests and surroundings, they meet and befriend each other. Friendship comes easily as they accept each other and go forward with their lives. A modern story that doesn't necessarily have a problem, and I believe it's easy to follow while there are moments viewers can relate to or find endearing.

Characters: Since the characters were in different stages of their lives, I feel viewers will have aspects they can relate to, whether it is what they're currently facing ... or have faced before. For example, we have a 20-year-old university student who is uncertain about his future and adores pets, an athletic 17-year-old high schooler who is focused on the present, a 27-year-old office worker who is afraid of horror, a 19-year-old vocational student who is inspired by his surroundings, a 27-year-old writer whose passion began as a child... The list goes on. We see the characters' backgrounds and the people they're connected to. Kokone Nata (author) saw their characters as individuals with their lives that we can focus on and appreciate. The characters are approachable, and they are the people we would be friends with in real life. In other words, it was a convincing portrayal of how these characters were the everyday folks you could walk past on the streets.

Art & Sound: The music was cheerful and suitable for this lovable series! Mafumafu's voice lifts one's mood as the singer of the first opening theme song. The voice actors of our main four characters sang the ending theme song, and it was so encouraging when the lyrics expressed that a mistake is no one's fault. It's so easy to be critical of oneself when we make a blunder, and the music was very accepting of our flaws, notably expressed by syudou (singer of the second opening theme song) about how our quirks can be charming. The voice actors all did a fabulous job conveying their characters' states of mind, which you can also recognize from events featuring the voice actors (how I learned about this series in the first place). And the art was consistent with the manga (including the colours), so there are no complaints here.

Enjoyment: I walked into this anime without expectation - I'm so glad I gave it a chance! This anime was convenient to watch on public transportation or during my lunch breaks since every episode was only 11 minutes long. I enjoyed watching the characters' daily lives, monologues of their perceptions after a blunder, and when they felt a common ground with each other. This series reminds me of how simple life can be, yet we have a way of being critical or thinking negatively about our behaviour. And the people around us may not be as harsh as us or find our clumsiness cool or cute. I enjoyed that this anime took small moments in life and looked upon them positively. It's a bonus to me that the characters are of different ages and areas of life and form friendships with each other, which I like seeing as it's more common to encounter stories when folks are the same age or in similar areas of life.

Overall: A month after I finished this anime, I still replay the opening and ending theme songs, and I even came back from Japan with merchandise of Souma when he asked a retail staff for help before realizing they were a mannequin. I didn't recognize how much I missed this series until I spent this weekend putting the manga on my wish list and watching the live-action drama adaptation. I felt the urge to write this review before bedtime, and I recommend this series to anyone who wants to enjoy light-hearted and relatable content.

Story: Buddy Daddies was an enjoyable series focusing on childrearing and family building. The anime demonstrated that not everyone is in an ideal situation to raise a child and that we can work with what we have and do our best. Characters were humanized, and the anime provided a great reminder that even people who work in dangerous professions (hitmen) are also people with feelings and attachments. This anime did its job well, such as showing Kazuki and Rei at work while feeling stuck with their prior connections, even before Miri entered their lives. It's possible that considering the short number of episodes, we couldn't ... see more of Kazuki's and Rei's backstories before they began working together, which was okay! Both parties had elements of their lives that weren't perfect, and they didn't enjoy their jobs either while raising Miri really brightened up their daily lives and pushed them to think for themselves about how they wanted to live.

Characters: The characters' motives were understandable throughout the anime. The character development was enjoyable to watch, as we saw Kazuki and Rei committed to their jobs and know how to keep people at a distance. Yet, when Miri entered their lives and required their attention, there were gradual moments when we saw how these two began to prioritize her and how a bond was nurtured. We witness the sacrifices made to form a family, particularly highlighting hitmen who shouldn't have attachments. We also knew the intentions of other characters like Misaki (Miri's mother) and Kyuutarou (the pub owner), such as why Miri was away from Misaki and Kyuutarou's kindness as he looked out for Kazuki and Rei while also reminding/warning them about the dangers their jobs carry. It was nice to see the characters be true to who they are and reflective while having moments when they were committed to change.

Art & Sound: I will say that the art and sound were consistently pleasant throughout the anime! The opening theme song was catchy and grew on me over time. The lyrics of the ending theme song were also very adorable, emphasizing spending time with family. Undeniably, Uchiyama Kouki and Toyonaga Toshiyuki teaming up to play the main characters was a motivation for me to watch the anime! Their chemistry was evident in the series and during events promoting the anime.

Enjoyment: It was heartwarming to see the efforts and willingness to change for the betterment of the family. As hitmen who should be desensitized through the rigid training engrained in them, it was touching to see Miri's impacts on her two papas. There were realistic aspects of parenting, such as shielding your child away from the cruelties of reality and making decisions that parents believe are best for their child. I respect that the papas did their best to be as involved as possible, and it would have been easy not to be, considering their jobs had unpredictable scheduling and intense physical labour. Kazuki was the father who paid attention to Miri's needs, and Rei was great at being the fun papa who played with Miri while also learning with her. It's no wonder Miri so quickly acknowledged Kazuki and Rei as her papas: they protected and provided for her with care. I enjoyed the dynamic and the roles everyone in the family had. This anime reminds me why having a family to go home to can undeniably make a difference in one's life.

Overall: To me, the focal point of the anime was the characters and their bonds. I had withdrawal symptoms after I finished this anime because it was just SO cute, and I was so glad the main characters were all in a good place at the end. (Yes, there is a happy ending!)

I was drawn to the series after seeing a bonding moment between Nezumi and Shion on YouTube (I learned it was in episode 5 while I watched the anime), which had a soundtrack play called Meguriai. I was captivated by how at peace these main characters seemed, despite the ruins surrounding them. I felt their chemistry - how at HOME they felt together. I wanted to learn more about their bond as they appeared to be complete opposites, yet they were patient as they went at each other's pace. As the song gave me feelings of nostalgia and tranquility, it truly gave me a feeling ... that no matter what happened, it would all be okay as long as Nezumi and Shion had each other. Keep in mind that I didn't know the characters yet or what the story was about, so I had a great first impression of the series.

Then I stumbled upon the ending theme song by Aimer (you may recognize her voice from Natsume's Book of Friends Season 5, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works and its movies, A Summer Snow Rendezvous...) called Night of Sixth Magnitude Stars (六等星の夜 / Rokutōsei no Yoru). The lyrics express appreciation of meeting someone and cherishment, even if it will all be in the past. I began to wonder what happened to Nezumi and Shion in the state of the world they lived in. I then proceeded with listening to a drama CD clip that wasn’t in the anime and reading the manga adaptation and starting the novel, where their quirks and bonding were presented. I even bought a standee of these two boys, which sits on my desk.

I didn't expect 11 episodes to present everything thoroughly from the novel or at least the manga adaptation. I noticed the "Background" section of My Anime List also stated that this anime adaptation has an alternate ending, which I wish I had read before I saw the final episode. For anyone who has read the original novel series and/or manga adaptation, please don't expect the same ending in this anime adaptation!

Despite the impressions I had and the affection I have for Nezumi and Shion as soulmates, this anime adaptation wasn't as enjoyable for me as I would have preferred. I think this anime still has its charms that are worth a try, and I'll elaborate further below:


Story: The content was fine, but the storytelling could have been better at times. The first episode was a prologue where we see how Shion felt while he lived in No. 6 and how he and Nezumi first met. One change that happened in this anime adaptation was the focus on Shion's friendship with a fellow No.6 resident named Safu, which was reasonable as it gave Safu more prominence moving forward. The second episode was a time-skip to four years later. The adventures between Nezumi and Shion began, and we clearly saw the differences between No. 6 and West Block, the latter being where Nezumi resided. There was a mystery, as viewers were intrigued by what the secrets that No. 6 were hiding are and how the characters we've seen would contribute to their world. I will say that regrettably, the animation team could have been clearer when revealing the truth, especially during the final episode. I can understand how folks without prior knowledge of the story might have been confused.

Art: The art was pleasant to the eyes. I appreciate the interpretation from the anime studio, since they could only visualize it from reading the original novel and the manga adaptation doesn't have colour on the pages. The art was a major contributor to my first impression of this series. Without their hard work, I might not have started No. 6 in the first place. It was very clear to me to see the differences between No. 6 and West Block, where the former was clearly painted as a utopia with its bright colours and perfect scenery, such as the gardens. Even the roads looked clear and it gave the impression that car accidents rarely ever happen. Meanwhile, the West Block was painted as slums, where you don't know if everyone had the basic necessities to survive.

Sound: As I mentioned earlier, I enjoyed Meguriai and Aimer's Night of Sixth Magnitude Stars. I never skipped the ending theme song. It was pleasant to have Aimer's song inserted when an episode was about to end, similar to how Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and its sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny got me emotional. I miss this approach when the ending theme song starts when a scene is about to end, which enhances the tension as you hear the voice actors and watch what's happening.

I think the opening theme song could have been firmer and hopeful. - I'm not sure how to interpret LAMA’s song called Spell. It didn't highlight the intensity of the events, the hardships of living in a dystopian society, the depth of Nezumi and Shion's bond... The most I could think of was that the song had me feeling calm before seeing what would happen next.


Character: This was undeniably the highlight of the entire story. There were understandably scenes that could not make it to this anime adaptation, but the scenes that did were memorable, such as what intrigued me from episode 5 as I mentioned above. We learn what Nezumi’s interests are and we see Shion learn and adapt to Nezumi’s home, which becomes home to both of them. They had different ideologies, but they still had the patience and care to listen and resolve arguments. They both left an unforgettable trace on each other, so it’s no wonder the fan wiki lists them as each other’s soulmate. Without meeting each other, Shion would have remained an ignorant elite who followed what was expected of him and Nezumi wouldn’t have looked forward to the future. It was truly a gift that they met each other.

The other characters such as Dogkeeper, Rikiga, and Karan were consistent. They all did what they could to survive. They all had their own attachments, without betraying what was important to them. I think it was realistic to show characters who express their emotions while still taking care of themselves. It was clear that folks who behaved recklessly were put in danger.


Enjoyment: Although I didn’t enjoy this anime adaptation as much as I would have liked to, I felt it was worth my engagement. I enjoyed the moments we saw between Nezumi and Shion, especially when they were surrounded by books and rats. The ending theme song was memorable, as we saw Nezumi and Shion enjoy each other’s company despite living in a desolate society. (There was foreshadowing in the ending theme song too.) It was nice to see the characters in motion and hear them voiced and to see their world.

Overall: I think this anime is worth watching, but it’s best to not have high expectations, such as not to follow the original novel or at least the manga adaptation perfectly. I think this anime adaptation is more like snippets of the original story. I would be very open to watching a reboot if that were to happen. I think this anime adaptation had the potential to be much better, but it sadly wasn’t and I think that’s partly from how limited the number of episodes were. Nezumi and Shion’s bond was still demonstrated, which I was happy to see.

As someone who has engaged with Ai Yazawa’s works like NANA, Tenshi Nanka ja Nai (I’m Not an Angel), and Kagen no Tsuki (Last Quarter), I am very familiar with what she is capable of. Ai Yazawa has the power to write characters who are flawed but you still feel for them and want them to be well, even if you don’t agree with all their decisions. Characters who you look forward to seeing how their journey ahead will be like. Characters who aren’t pretentious and are truly doing their best at what they strive towards. So after about eight weeks of waiting to borrow ... the 20th edition omnibus of Paradise Kiss from my local library, I was shocked by how unenjoyable this manga was for me.

So, what happened? If I were to put it simply, Paradise Kiss felt like a blend between Neighborhood Story (Gokinjo Monogatari; prequel) and NANA that did not mix well. Now, you certainly do not need to read or watch the adaptations of Ai Yazawa’s other stories to understand Paradise Kiss. I’ll explore what did and didn’t work below:


Story & Characters: I usually write my reviews where the story and characters are discussed separately. But Paradise Kiss is an exception, since the characters are the story.

Yukari: When one thinks of a protagonist, they should typically be likeable. Being likeable can mean different things to different people, such as whether they’re relatable, if we think we would ever be friends with someone like them, or maybe they have qualities we like. Quite simply, we just like seeing them on our screen, including the moments where they grow. If none of that applies to the protagonist, at least they’re tolerable and they don’t destroy our enjoyment. Yukari unfortunately did not fulfill the basic requirements of a protagonist.

Yukari grew up being tailored to study without hobbies, and that showed when she got carried away (harassed) by a group of fashionistas who went to a different school than her. Yukari was exposed to an industry that was foreign to her and yielded to it on the pretense of “broadening [her] horizons” and “experiencing new things.” She wasn’t genuinely interested in modelling at the time, as she was mesmerized by this flashy society where she let others doll her up. It was okay for her to see what it was like with the Paradise Kiss crew, but she went along with being a model without doing any research or practice on her own! Throughout the series, Yukari felt like that one crayon who doesn't fit in the case at all. There are all these unique colours in that case, but she's just not part of that society and that's okay.

Yukari was a baggage to the people around her, wanting them to show love in ways she didn’t vocalize or being reckless where people covered up for her. Yukari lacked confidence, and she was a coward whenever she blamed others for situations she did not walk away from or even when people shared their genuine concern. She’s the type of person who would yell at you and want you to comfort her. Sure, she apologizes later (sometimes) after an outburst, but there was no growth in genuinely improving her interactions with others like thinking of other people’s feelings before she opened her mouth. Or at least observing people before putting them on the spot, which saves her the effort of later apologizing. In short, Yukari was a selfish and immature person who was clingy and lacked communication skills.

George: This man is a mess. He is a hypocrite for imposing his ideals, without ever seeing how he could fulfill Yukari’s needs. George does not know how to compromise in love, it’s him in his own world. Maybe there is an exception if you are his mother Yukino who is incapable of caring for herself. But besides Yukino who he doesn’t have a fulfilling relationship with emotionally, it’s obvious he prioritizes himself and his crafts. He will forget about you when it comes to work and not apologize about it, just like how his father Joichi treats Yukino. He is truly not your type of human who will emotionally support you. He goes at the beat of his own drum, and you either submit to him or you don’t. Even being friends with this dude would require extra effort because he leaves his phone off or doesn’t always have the habit of picking up, so it’s better to go to his home and hope he doesn’t have someone sleeping over.

George is seen as mysterious. Yet, what’s really in his heart? What is he thinking? When he says he likes you, to what extent is that? Is he serious about you? Or are you just a toy to him? Yukari danced around this man without settling their issues, and she can’t say with confidence what it is that drew him to her. To be honest, George was the first man who flirted with the then-inexperienced Yukari, and she grabbed the opportunity. George admitted before that he doesn’t resist when people come to him, so he didn’t try to at least present himself as the faithful dude anyone would prefer. Yet, Yukari continued going back to George even though he has been hurtful to her and they don’t even share the same preference sexually.

Arashi: Where do I begin with this trash? For those of you who are familiar with Neighborhood Story, I’m sorry to inform you that he is Risa’s son. For those who are not familiar with Neighborhood Story, Risa is Mikako’s best friend from high school. And Mikako is the protagonist of Neighborhood Story (prequel) and Miwako’s (Arashi’s girlfriend) older sister. I believe Ai Yazawa should not have even made the Neighborhood Story connection because Risa as a person was attentive to the people around her and always supported her good friends. How did such a good person like Risa raise such a sorry excuse for a human? I cannot fathom this either.

Arashi has an inferiority complex and is immature, which shows in how he treats Miwako. Please take note that this man is your example of a toxic partner, where he’s the type to forbid you from talking to a childhood friend and even break your phone by throwing it across the room. Arashi has even forced himself on Miwako, and she goes along with his desires to satisfy him. Arashi wants control in love and he struggles with trusting his partner. Arashi knows he’s a major cause for Miwako’s psychological pain, but after hanging out with her for 18 years, I can’t tell you there is genuine progress. Why do people know they’re horrible and don’t work on improving themselves? I have no idea.

However, strangely enough...Arashi does care for Yukari. He’s bad with words, but he pays attention. Maybe he inherited Risa’s observant nature. But he mostly talks without thinking. What Miwako sees in Arashi is beyond me because there are many people in the world who can be kind AND they show it ._____.

Miwako: Another mystery to the entire series. Ai Yazawa writing that Miwako’s mother Ruriko is away for work is uncharacteristic. For those of you who are familiar with Neighborhood Story, Ruriko was attentive to Mikako as much as possible, so why wouldn’t she do the same for Miwako? Maybe Ruriko was okay with Mikako spending time with Miwako, but Mikako has her own work and family too. The lack of attention given to Miwako by her parents gives some explanation as to why she doesn’t seem to get guidance regarding her future or even Arashi. It’s also out of character for both Mikako and Risa to be uninvolved when Arashi is such a jerk to Miwako. It’s possible that Miwako keeps Arashi’s dark side to herself, but it’s odd that Mikako at least doesn’t seem to pick up on the bad signals.

Despite Miwako being called cute by Yukari, she wasn’t a likeable character to me. I admit Miwako makes the effort to be there for Yukari and she’s responsible for her family whenever she babysits Alice (niece/Mikako and Tsutomu’s daughter). But she really needs to think on her own, like she imitates Mikako without looking at who she herself is. Miwako knew how she felt about Hiroyuki (a childhood friend), yet she stayed and tolerated Arashi. Arashi says his opinion and she goes along with it, even when it’s bluntly unprofessional and unsuitable to the space.

Hiroyuki: The character I liked the most who got the short end of the stick. If you’re familiar with Neighborhood Story, he is Hiroaki’s (“Toku-chan”) son. He’s the only character who made sense to me in terms of characterization when Ai Yazawa made her Neighborhood Story connection. Just like Toku-chan who people confided in when he ran the bar, Hiroyuki is your decent man who has your back. He listens without ordering you around and he respects your decisions, even if it’s not what he would do personally. I completed this story thanks to Hiroyuki LOL.

Other characters like Isabella and Noriji’s (a friendly and caring superintendent from Neighborhood Story) return were fun. Isabella deserved more attention. Isabella was the reliable ‘mother’ of the Paradise Kiss crew who was observant and had a sense of self. I’m happy that she had a supportive worker at home who accepted her gender identity, without feeling like she had to wear boys’ clothing or call herself by a male name. Noriji continued to be reliable, wanting to be there for others without imposing. It’s too bad he doesn’t appear in NANA.


Now...I’m aware several readers are unsatisfied with the ending. I agree that the ending could have been explored. The way the ending was written didn’t make me want to look forward to the characters’ futures, where I felt like Ai Yazawa was just done with them. No character development where we get a timeskip, so we don’t know what happened in-between.

Although, Ai Yazawa’s art was pleasant overall. Her designs were all unique and Yukari truly shined on stage. Isabella was always outstanding.

Overall, I feel accomplished for completing this story LOL. I didn’t even need to read every text where there were times when I skimmed through, or even skipped pages. I could tell what was happening based on facial expressions, for example I just knew that Yukari would raise her voice and cry or George would make a comment without being committed to working together on what was in front of him. This pair took up so many pages, it’s a shame when the attention could have been better divided to other characters. I feel that the themes were present (e.g. bad parenting, feeling charmed by a hottie and considering giving up your future for them), but the execution just wasn’t it for me.

I finished this movie last night, and I could not get it out of my mind. This film has more details than the manga presented, even showing us Eishirou (Shirasu's father) whose face we never see in the manga. I want to give a shout-out to everyone who worked on this film for breathing life to the story and characters!


Story: This film is completely in Shirasu's perspective, after he fell from the cliff. All Shirasu's warm memories with the Kumo brothers flash through his mind (including the ones that were not in the 12-episode TV anime), and he recalls his upbringing prior to meeting the ... trio. This film is bittersweet, as we witness Shirasu lose his family twice: his Fuuma family and the Kumo family that adopted him for the past ten years. Like Shirasu expressed in the drama CD, happiness to him is having a place to go home to. I would recommend this film to folks, whether they love him or not, to understand him better. This movie gives a closer insight to Shirasu's feelings and really explains his devotion to the Fuuma clan, as well as why -as reasoned by his twin brother in both the manga and 12-episode TV anime- his plan failed.

Characters: I appreciate the diversity of the characters' emotions, including the supporting casts' feelings. We feel the grief they experienced after killing their kin, such as Nishiki's experience prior to fleeing the village. This film makes it clear that death not only impacts close relatives, but also dear friends - an entire community. I appreciate seeing that although the ninjas were treated as tools, they still had autonomy in their own way. I felt their frustration at the head of their clan, as well as their own turmoil at not wanting to kill their kin and feel grief after loved ones die. They felt helpless as the head of the clan refused to listen to their concerns.

-Isuke (Shirasu): I appreciate his persistence and honesty. He is someone who keeps to his word and he does his best for his loved ones. It's almost easy to forget that he was 14 at the oldest, because he was incredibly mature. He knew what to prioritize and he was someone who followed his intuition. He also didn't blame others, but rather, he chose to understand the circumstances. I felt sorry for him because of the numerous deaths he witnessed, which contributed to his responsibilities. It reinforced to me that the only time in his life, when he was able to live for himself -laugh wholeheartedly and live without fear- was when he was with the Kumo brothers. This then highlights how the love Shirasu had for the Kumo family, made it much harder for him to enact the plan to revive the Orochi.

-Isame (Kotarou): As the younger twin who grew up being hidden, I saw him as slightly sheltered. I had sympathy for him, as someone who wanted to develop his skills and become a full-fledged Fuuma in their village. However, it is unfortunate that due to the superstition of twins being a calamity, he lived his entire life in hiding. I wish circumstances were different for him to live freely and contently. Like the rest of the family, he was caring and considerate of their safety. Indeed, a good person but society worked against him.

-Rikka: I liked her honesty with her feelings. This side of her reminds me of Shirasu, as they're both very in touch with their emotions. As much as the two characters can be understanding of circumstances, they don't ever deny their feelings. I applaud her strength, not only physically, but her vulnerability as well. It's very easy for one to bottle up their emotions, so it was healthy for her to express how she was feeling in her own way, even if she couldn't be very explicit about it.

-Eishirou: He was courageous and capable. I admire his selflessness. It's clear that he was empathetic, as he pays attention to his surroundings. He was noble to me, as he acted and took risks without regrets. It's clear both of his children inherited his traits. He was also doting to his family, which is shown through his body language.

Art: This movie was produced by Wit Studio, while the 12-episode TV anime was produced by Doga Kobo. So, there was a different art style this time. I liked Wit Studio's art, but I preferred the art done by Doga Kobo. In this film, I felt that the bubbles could have been shiner. I do appreciate the eyes though! The emotions were clearly expressed through the eyes. And I did like the scenery, like how green the bushes were, which was a pleasant contrast to the dark rocks as the sun set.

Sound: With experienced voice actors on board, the sound was pleasant. The concern Rikka and Eishirou had for their children; the heavy breathing when characters ran; the anguish cry when a loved one passed away; Shirasu's desire to be with his biological family and his longing for his past with the Kumo brothers, are examples that come to my mind. The song that played during the ending credits was gentle, which gave me the space to gather my thoughts.

Enjoyment: I enjoyed this movie as questions were answered. We learn where the mask that Isame/Kotarou (Shirasu's twin) wore came from. We witness what Nishiki and her family lived through, which lets us see why she ran away from the village. We learn what happened to Shirasu following his departure from the Kumo brothers. Notably, we learn what were the circumstances that led Shirasu and Isame to be the co-heads of the clan.

Overall: I left this film feeling grateful to have watched it. But it was bittersweet to see how unfair life was to the characters. I'm glad that after the ending credits, there were moments of the next movie being shown. It gave me something to look forward to. - One word that comes to my mind right now is acceptance. To accept the past for what it is and to keep it in our hearts, while we continue living.

This was my second time reading the story tonight, and I especially applaud Tamaki Yura for her depiction of BDSM.

Story (8/10): There was delicacy and care placed in the story. There was clearly research done on the sex toys and the various techniques that could be done. There was emphasis on communicating and understanding your partner, to provide them pleasure and the right amount of pain, without doing anything that they hate or do not consent to. A safe space was highly emphasized between all six friends.

I saw how the main couple, Marlon and Doug, developed a greater understanding of each other, through the encouragement ... of their friends. We see some events after the couple is engaged, where they continuously cherished each other.

There was respect as well, including leaving the space whenever a couple was having their private time, and validating each other even when somebody was not your partner. This story had a positive message of accepting yourself and being open to explore yourself in a safe and supportive environment.

Art (8/10): I was conflicted whether to give the art a 7/10 or an 8/10. Since this was written from 1992 to 1998, the art style is understandably different from what we see today. However, I decided to give the art a higher rating because of the detail placed on the toys and it was usually clear where everyone was positioned. I applaud the leather especially, because it always looked shiny and was wrapped nicely around a character's muscles.

Character (9/10): I like that all the characters are consenting adults, so they know what they are agreeing to be a part of. There was care and patience. The point was not to hurt and abuse each other, but to arouse each other and for everyone in the room to have fun. There were also distinct character traits, like Charlie who is cheerful and amazing at cooking, and Lewis who is a calm and sensible doctor. Randy and Phil are the wilder members who know to respect the rules that the group established during playtime. Whether someone engages in BDSM or not, it was pleasing to see a group of people gather for a common passion and to share their knowledge and experiences with each other.

Enjoyment (10/10): I enjoyed this story better than I expected. I have read previous stories that attempt to demonstrate BDSM, but they off-screen many moments; characters are inexperienced and scenes end quickly; characters misunderstand BDSM for rape (no, the sadist is not supposed to force the masochist; the sadist should learn how to please the masochist's desires); characters have poor communication, including no safe word or do not stop altogether when they have gone too far. So, this story serves as a role model of how BDSM can be presented.

I liked how healthy this story was, and that everyone knew each other, so they did not hurt each other. Communication occurred in every single chapter, and everybody knew what the other person was doing. Without that group unity, playtime could have easily been very dangerous, which the characters prevented. Every person even had their health checked, so they knew everyone was HIV negative. Many stories do not show the characters getting checked, so clearly, the characters made sure everyone was safe and then engaged with each other safely.

Overall (10/10): It only takes me one hour to read this story. So, it's easy to engage with. It's light in terms of its length, and the sincerity of the characters. This story helped expand my knowledge on BDSM toys, and it showed me ways people can engage with each other. This story also helps to dismantle the misconceptions of BDSM’s only purposes are to hurt or control each other, for the sake of feeling powerful. This story presents that BDSM is one way where people can be true to themselves (if they desire it), and that it is perfectly okay to do so.

This series managed to be very sweet within the five minutes each episode had. There wasn't just smut - there were also emotions, and portrayed problems that single parents can face from being solely responsible for their child and meeting someone new.

Story (7/10): The manga is currently untranslated, so I can't speak for any possible changes that occurred in this animation. There wasn't one rigid problem throughout the series, but there were problems that gradually developed overtime that the protagonists faced and resolved, either individually or together.

Art (8/10): I liked the light blushes on the characters' faces, and the art was simple. The anatomy was ... fine too. If you're fond of sex scenes, you may enjoy that aspect as well. My favourite art must be the images in the ending theme song, where we see the main couple and Ichika (the child) together. I enjoyed seeing the simplicity and joy in the ending theme song images.

Sound (10/10): The ending theme is just so adorable and wholesome. I'm glad the voice actors sang together! It's heartfelt and really expresses the family vibe that both protagonists, along with the child bring when they're together. And I have no complaints for the voice acting. There were moments when Naruse sounded genuinely conflicted or worried, and other times when he was assertive and sincere. Asumi sounded serious and genuine too, and his persistence was made clear from the bottom of his heart.

Character (8/10): Due to how short the series is, we don't know a lot of things about the characters or know them extremely well as individuals. However, their feelings and the way they interacted when they were together were genuine. Naruse, as the older person and as a single father, had his own anxieties that older partners sometimes have. Asumi, as the younger person who can probably meet other people, certainly had his own reflections too. Despite the reasons why they may have chosen not to be together, it was nice to see both parties enter a healthy relationship, and they both care for Ichika.

Enjoyment (8/10): It's not so common to see explicit BL animated, so I was happy about that. There were moments when I was curious about what would happen in the next episode, or I finished an episode feeling content. I enjoyed this series for what it was.

Overall (8/10): This series was worth my time. If I'm in the mood to watch something short and sweet again, I would consider this. There was an overall feeling that love doesn't always have a specific age attached to it. Sometimes, people don't dream of dating and finding a life partner again after they divorce or if they're a single parent, so it's nice to see that indeed, love can still happen. There were father-son moments between Naruse and Ichika which were one of the highlights to me lol, so it wasn't just the romance that got me. After seeing this series, I’m open to seeing more stories that feature single parents falling in love.

I considered watching this series because of the ending theme song. The lyrics of Aimer's song include, "In my dreams, you're always laughing / Hey, why won't it disappear?" and "If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't have experienced such a heartrending clenching in my chest, but still... / If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't have learned of strength and kindness." These words and the way Aimer sang her song resonated with me because it depicts remembering or longing for someone. Loving someone so deeply that you feel sadness, joy, and you experienced growth... You feel and experience so much with someone, like ... a beautiful angel you feel you were fated to meet and they change your life forever. There is no regret in ever meeting them. However, what do you do when that person dies? How do you cope with their death? What does it mean to move on from their death? (ending theme: 10/10)

I appreciate this series for trying to demonstrate answers to these questions. ^ Keep in mind that I originally gave this series a 9/10, but then it went down to a 7/10, which I hope I'll make clear as to why below.


Story (8/10): This series had an intriguing setup. Should there ever be a point when you should give up in pursuing someone, because you know they're still grieving over their dead spouse, and if -strangely- you could see their dead husband's ghost? What kind of love are you looking to have with them, when you are aware that they love their spouse so deeply and haven't moved on? What about the dead husband? This series focused a lot more on Atsushi and Rokka's relationship than any interaction between Rokka and Hazuki. I would even say that love is a theme, not the entirety of the series. This anime challenges the complex topics of life and death themselves, including love after death and life after death.


Characters (Atsushi: 9/10, Rokka: 6.5/10, Hazuki: 4/10):
Atsushi was the character who grabbed my heart. The dead are supposed to rest in peace, but why did Atsushi become a ghost? What would be the point of that when Rokka can't even see him? Atsushi may appear childish and even possessive for watching over his wife, and even trying to stop Hazuki from his advances initially. However, none of that is foolish - Atsushi has a very deep and unconditional love for Rokka. Maybe Atsushi is 'crazy in love,' although it's understandable because Atsushi and Rokka are very, VERY compatible. The two shared the same interests and wanted to have a future together, but Atsushi unfortunately passed away, leaving Rokka as a young widow. If not for Atsushi's early death, the two would have lived many longer and happier years together. Maybe Atsushi's devotion to Rokka is viewed as sheer stubbornness, but it was touching to me because he cared for her well-being and wished he didn't die so early, because he wanted to stay by her side and take care of her. We receive monologues from Atsushi's perspective where he mourns over what little he could do for her, such as not even being able to put a blanket over her when she's asleep. Atsushi was stuck in his own way.

Rokka's conflicting emotions made sense in the story. She shared such a deep love with Atsushi, he was her soulmate, so of course she couldn't forget about him easily. When you continue to run the flower shop the two of you opened together and live in the same place, there will be many things that will remind you of your dead husband... Do you have the heart to throw ALL his belongings away? That's difficult. So, I appreciate that Rokka didn't force herself in that sense. She tried to move on by continuing to live and she acknowledged when she struggled. Atsushi was very much a part of her life and influenced her growth after all. However, I was unsatisfied with the way she handled her situation with Hazuki, beginning around the middle of the series… x.x There were moments when Rokka made selfish requests or said what was on her mind without considering the other party’s feelings, which bothered me. I wish Rokka had considered the other party’s position, so both Atsushi and Hazuki wouldn’t have suffered in their own ways to the same extent…

Hazuki... The series never demonstrated why Hazuki was so determined to pursue Rokka. Yes, we saw Hazuki recalling the moments he spent with Rokka, but those were surface-level or emotions you would have for your crush. So, I found any relationship focus on Rokka and Hazuki lacking because the two were initially seller and customer, and then boss and employee. I'm not denying Rokka's feelings for Hazuki, but I couldn't pinpoint when exactly her feelings changed, because she friend-zoned him initially, and there were moments when she and Hazuki were together where she would grieve as she thought of her husband... :/ It's one thing to give someone a chance (or expose yourself to a possibility of something new), but genuinely falling in love with their character and being compatible is completely different.

Hazuki's character was intended for Rokka to move on from Atsushi. I think Rokka needed to move on in general, but it didn't need to come in the form of someone having a crush on her or a new potential relationship.

So, I found Atsushi nicely developed. We saw his perspective as someone who grew up sick, understood his love and undying care for Rokka (literally)... Hazuki came out flat, and certainly should have been more developed beyond being the-boy-who-had-a-crush-on-Rokka. Rokka was going through a complicated time after Atsushi passed away, but that meant she needed to form her own life outside of Atsushi, not that she needed someone to have a crush on her and consider being with them to move on.


Enjoyment: I enjoyed the beginning because it dealt with grieving and angst so beautifully. I felt the frustration Atsushi did at his helplessness. I felt so sad for Atsushi because he never wanted to die so early and leave Rokka as a widow. If Atsushi was given the choice, he would have lived many years with Rokka as the two could have traveled together, and even have their own children. We saw not only Rokka's struggle with moving on, but Atsushi's struggle as well. Atsushi couldn't understand why he became a ghost either, but he eventually knew he had to come to terms with that too. The living move on, including their outlooks and feelings changing, while the dead are the ones who look at the past. Atsushi only desired for Rokka to be happy :( (8/10)

However, my enjoyment began to fade and fade starting from episode 6... Due to what I've mentioned above, including Hazuki's flat characterization and Rokka and Hazuki not being very developed, it's easy to question what the aim of the story is. Should Hazuki continue pursuing Rokka? But how would anyone be okay with knowing they'll be entering a 3-people relationship, since Rokka could never forget Atsushi and Atsushi is such a significant part of her identity and life?? What is Atsushi's purpose? What difference would it make if Atsushi had the ability to talk with his wife or not? And what about Rokka? Does she consider Hazuki because she's lonely and wants to believe she loves Hazuki? (2.5/10)

I felt like half-way into the series, the story or the author herself must have given up... :/


If you're the type of person who gets drawn easily by the sound (e.g. voice actors like I do; LOL I literally paused episode 1 after 4 seconds because I recognized Nakamura's voice as Hazuki) or by the visual art, I think you could enjoy the series. One significant reason why I was so sympathetic and saw from Atsushi's perspective was because of Jun Fukuyama. Fukuyama EMBODIED Atsushi; Atsushi's pain at seeing Rokka grieve over him and wanting to protect her but realizing there was NOTHING he could do :’( ... Atsushi received the short-end of the stick LOL. But anyway, that's one example. The other voice actors played their parts nicely. Meanwhile, the art is pleasant, including the vibrant colours of the flowers Atsushi chose and the dull and simplistic hospital scenes. (7.5/10)


Overall (6.5/10): I have mixed emotions. Some parts were portrayed beautifully, including the anguish that death brings to us, both for the dead and those who continue living... What does it mean to move on from someone? Erasing them from your life completely seems impossible, because there will always be a part of them that carries on with you, including your memories. So, that's something your next partner would need to accept. But is that fair to your next partner? What is love, for it to make us struggle but be so thankful to have experienced it? What is love, for us to accept it if our partner still holds someone else so dearly in their heart, and we have no right to ask them to forget about that person from their past? Maybe the answer is that we all have an undeniable tendency to be attached to what was once so important to us, that we never want to let go of it, no matter how much time passes...

Maybe for some of us, there is no such thing as completely moving on from someone we cherish. So, we will always remember them and have reminders of their presence and the history you shared together, through your usage of their belongings or keeping your home arrangements the same. It could be strange to see people's insistence to keep parts of the dead alive, even if we continue living and develop aspects of our lives separate from them. Does that come from stubbornness, selfishness, or the love you have for the dead? Maybe that choice is a mixture of all three. Perhaps, this anime's message is simply acceptance. To accept it when someone has passed away and to accept it if you still long for them. Moving on does not mean forgetting someone and you could have your own ways of continuing your relationship with the deceased, whether it's through materials, habits, or memories alone... There is no perfect answer.

NOTE: There are more scenes in the official publication than what we have online. It gives us more moments between Arata and Maki, we see Maki's perspective on Arata, and learn more about Arata as an individual.

I was very impressed by Void. Zariya took the simplest emotions and explored them. This story displayed how complicated situations could become, from our emotions like hatred, sorrow, and love... Grieving is a process that varies from person to person. Some people may grieve for years after that person has left us. How do we handle the loss of a loved one if there is confusion and hatred, yet ... these emotions all stem from the love we had for them? Zariya doesn't excuse dark emotions as acceptable, but she allowed them to be expressed. They are part of the human experience.

I love that Zariya did NOT make the uke a character who felt worthless and constantly felt like he needed to have the seme fall in love with him, AND that the seme was NOT a traditional rapist that we're too familiar with in the BL genre. Zariya portrayed her characters as having genuine emotions, as HUMAN BEINGS. There were so many honest moments, like telling the person you love to see you for who you are; to not merge you with someone else. - It sounds simple and people should be like that, right? But we're human beings, and our emotions can't be controlled; we feel what we feel. It's even harder to separate the present from the past, when you're still affected by your past.

Besides the main characters, Arata and Maki, we do see glimpses of what happened to Ren and how he felt. Sometimes love is weird, because we can do illogical things for the person we love, even though we know that person won't love us back or that we could never be with them... Ren was a genuine character, and I truly believe he didn't have ill will towards Maki.

The characters had bravery, as they acknowledged and even confronted their emotions, whether these feelings were negative or positive. Instead of having Maki completely control Arata and his life, it was lovely to see that Maki and Arata both had power in choosing how they wanted their lives to be, as well as their relationship. It's wonderful that the two had solid communication, and space.

Besides the story and characters, Zariya's art is AMAZING. Her anatomy is A+!! The sex scenes, for example, felt SO real - physically and emotionally. Zariya successfully expressed the emotions in each intimate moment. The first two chapters and the last chapter, for example, clearly allowed readers to see how much Maki and Arata's relationship progressed. Once again, it was lovely to see both parties' voices being heard, and their behaviours and facial expressions presented how they felt, with no confusion whatsoever.

I definitely enjoyed this story. Each chapter had me emotional. I felt sorry for Arata in the beginning, but I also felt bad for Maki. Later on, it was lovely to learn everything that happened, and to witness the honesty and relationship development... I had both happy and sad moments. This story just felt so real.


Congrats to Void and Zariya, since this story will be digitally released by SuBLime! :) It totally deserves it. And the drama CD had rich voice acting too.