Jun 22, 2024
An absolutely fantastic show and in my opinion the absolute golden standard for what shounen-ai could and should be. The genre is positively lousy with so many discomforting tropes that this wholesome and mature romance is refreshingly free of.
Kurosawa and Adachi are both treated as people with valid feelings, desires and doubts that are explored instead of an entirely one sided narrative that's just rushing to a sexual liaison. It manages to avoid falling into the stale uke/seme roles. Adachi has moments of assertiveness and his autonomy as a person is treated with respect. Kurosawa likewise isn't always the perfect fairy tale fix everything with
...
a snap of his fingers hunk or an or an overly aggressive predator.
For a plot that has a magical power as it's catalyst the characters are treated far more realistic than is typical of the genre. The primary protagonists make an effort to understand and respect each other in a healthy relationship that you see grow as they become more comfortable with each other and their feelings leading to a very emotionally gratifying payoff.
The only real criticisms I would have are that the pacing can sometimes feel a little rushed. Conflicts will be introduced that feel like they will be a major source of drama but get immediately be wrapped up. I personally enjoy a story where characters actually communicate instead of languishing for multiple episodes over typical misunderstanding induced angst but it can feel a little fast paced for some. Besides that, the B-plot relationship is woefully underdeveloped and barely gets a resolution that could be described as satisfying.
Really I was extremely pleased especially after having stepped away from the genre for a while. This genre has quite a few negative stereotypes associated with it and it's not common something manages to completely do away with that and deliver something of such high quality.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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