Vida - Amor em Jogo (2020)

Japan's big step into Real LGBT relationships.

Okay I can't praise this mini series enough. I've seen a lot of Japanese BL and they've always left me with more to be desired, leaning heavily on the drama and heartache than actual love. This though. It was so beautiful. The relationship was natural and healthy. Even the actual "drama" part felt real and true to life and hurt me like hell.

Story - The story is simple but told in such a beautiful way. Yuki and Akira meet while both eighteen and the story follows their relationship through the highs and lows. It explores the anxiety and pressure from family an individual can face in a same sex relationship, something I could relate to very well. Loving someone so much it scares you is something real and it can hurt and this drama shows that in a way that really just guts you. Honestly I have not felt so connected to drama in such a long time, I love it.

Actors - The actors were amazing. Whoever did casting was spot on because every single actor delivered. There wasn't a single moment that felt forced or over acted, and for once a bl drama didn't demonize or villainize any of the female characters. The two male leads had chemistry so it was really never awkward or cringey watching them interact, they played their characters professionally and didn't over do the scenes. Akira's sister was honestly my favorite character, she was supportive from beginning and honestly just wanted her brother to live his life freely, I LOVED HER and she was barely on screen. Yuuki's mom as well just made me feel so happy and just really good about myself and she was in ONE episode, but hey it's a short series so. Over all the acting was superb.

Music - I mean the opening has been stuck in my head since watching the series. The music in general was appropriately timed and didn't take the scene over. The songs added meaning to the scenes that they accompanied. Over all good series Score.

Rewatch Value - 100%. This will be at the top of my list for recommendations when ever a friends asks for a new series to jump into.

The only down fall to it is that it's short but please don't let that stop from falling into. Its beautiful.

Leia Mais

I first saw the trailer on Rakuten Viki before it was released and was curious to see what kind of Japanese BL drama got released worldwide on Viki. It was based on manga, so I went and read the manga first, which turned out to be a very good one.

STORY
It follows the story of two high-school students, Ito Akira and Nishi Yuuki who meet on the sidewalk white line they follow when going home from school. Akira is a serious and diligent person who is expected by his parents to live "normal ordinary life" like everyone else, meaning graduate, find work and settle down. He is drawn to Yuuki, who is carefree and child-like. The story follows their journey from high-school, university like and working life. The story is quite realistic in the way it portrays the circumstances of couples who have been in relationship for quite long, their issues and not to mention, problems related to same-sex couples. Both are pressured by their families and society to get married and settle down. The drama portrays this quite realistically.

ACTING
Both actors (Shirasu Jin and Raiku) are not very well-known actors, but Shirasu has been playing supporting roles for quite a lot of times. I have to say that Shirasu's acting has largely supported this drama, he is very good in expressing emotions with his eyes and facial expressions. I was quite touched a number of times with his acting, I really think he has a lot of potentials. On the other hand, I couldn't really feel Raiku's acting. He is supposed to be child-like, but I didn't feel that charm coming out from him. So most of the part, I kind of ignored him and just focus on Shirasu's acting. And ugh, his hairstyle is really weird, even for me who have been watching J-drama for the longest time, it still doesn't sit well with me :(

In overall, it is still a very good and decent BL drama, with good production, good story and good directing, far better than a lot of other BL dramas, it is worth watching!

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Simply Sweet!

I can't imagine not giving this show 9/10 or higher. The production was beautiful, acting was great, awesome chemistry and the music was fire (I never care about music). It's not angsty, but it has a unique time skip in only a few episodes. It's really short, so there is no reason not to give this a shot. I am a huge fan of the manga and all things yaoi, but for me this didn't disappoint. I hope to see more wonderfully done Japanese BL dramas. I find Yuki's hair to be a little silly throughout, but it makes him all the more charming/awkward. There are many levels and layers to this show, so it was a nice unpacking through the years.

Leia Mais

A Very touching Story

I really like how the story was presented even though it may have rushed a little but it is still good to watch. The actors and actresses have executed very well on their characters. It touches my heart on some scenes because of how the way Akira and Yuki tell their true feelings on their loved ones and they're not afraid on the consequences they will received because they know in the end love wins. The music they used in this series is nostalgic i could listen to them everyday. I liked the filmography they used its just vibrant not too irritating i like the afternoon love vibes it gives me fantasies. Akira and Yuki look good together.

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Cheesy ending

I loved this story. Thirty years ago I went to Japan for five years (in fact at one point I lived in Sendai), and I am also gay. It was beautiful to watch them start in high school and grow together. It reminded me of my time there, being careful to appear 'normal' - though I prefer the term usual, as in 'being gay isn't normal' to 'being gay isn't usual'.

It was the ending...they both, just by pure chance/coincidence, are in Alaska at the same time, taking a tour to watch the aurora on the same night...I'd rather they'd had a chance meeting in the city (very possible), and then have it end with the trip to Alaska.

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Wonderful!

I loved it so much! Perfect series for me.
It may seems dramatic but I write this while I'm crying because this was so well done. I don't usually cry that much in front of a series but this is a masterpiece. The emotions are perfectly communicated through the actors and I felt so much in only 4 episodes. The actors performance was really good and their chemistry was so great (no awkward silences or looks and the kisses were natural)that I cried from joy several times. Plus, the story is really well written and original. The fact it's not just a teenage love but a long build up relationship was better, it gave more depth to the characters.
Some serious subjects were approached too which is really good because it seems more real. Also, it was clearly the most romantical love story I've ever seen.
Even the musics participated at the ambiance, the lyrics tell the story with such accuracy(it's rare I notify the musics).
Also, it's only 4 episodes so it should be a really pleasure to rewatch it!

One for all, if you still hesitate...WATCH IT NOW! It got into my top3 (it must be like 1 place ex aequo)and will definitely stay :3

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Reality check✅

IT'S NOT A PROFESSIONAL REVIEW IT'S MY FEELINGS FOR THIS SERIES WHICH IS NOT STAYING INSIDE...

I literally just finished watching this japanese bl series and honestly if you ask me I wasn't interested in it that much the reason I decided to watch it was because I was free for 2 hours and I needed to do something so I decided to watch this series as it was only 4 episodes but after the 1episode when they became 20 years old I fell in love with this series.
This series was completely real no fantasy added I don't think any series can be more real than this maybe you might find couples who have experienced same things as Yuki and Akira except the part about them walking on the line. It was really great the breakup made me hate Akira but then him coming to his senses made me forgive him and the part of Hassan oh I loved it and the ending when they are 37 and then 40 it was really peacefull and beautifull.
ANY MISTAKE PLEASE DO TELL ME.

Leia Mais

I love this !

I read the manga before watching the series, and I would say that I love both of them !
For this mini-series of 4 ep, I find the progress a bit too fast .. Not rushed, but if they progress a bit slower, it would gives more feels to the process ..

I love the actors, they are cute but they still depicts them as a man in their own way !
I love Yuki's cute smile ><

As for the music, I don't pay much attention to it, but it's decent ..
Rewatch value .. I don't generally rewatch as I have a lot of series, movies, etc to watch ..
But for those who likes to rewatch, this is pretty good ^^

*MINI SPOILER*
As for Akira, toward the dreading scenes, I feel bad for Yuki !
However, the way Akira is brought up, with a mom focusing so much on being 'normal', living a 'normal' life, etc, it is very normal to be burdened and conflicted ..

Oh, and cheers to Big Sis ! Very supportive and wishes the best for her brother ^^
We need more of her !

The part that I find most touching is when Akira comes out to his parent, the sudden outburst from a long suppression ..
and of course, it is settled beautifully with his father's words .. A few words, but his expression when he conveys them speaks louder !

I would love it even more if the ending of the series shows more of the scenes after they finally end up together, I find those parts are a bit too short and wayyy rushed !
Presenting the ending such as one in the manga would be even more touching ><

But overall, I love this !

Leia Mais

Exceeded Expectations

Completely exceeded my expectations, especially for it only being 4 episodes...

The story was well written for the time of each episode, they definitely could've delved deeper into their relationship and the way the couple lived their life throughout the show - but it didn't deter from my overall enjoyment of the series.

I absolutely adored the first episode, my favourite by far - It was so cute and made my heart happy and warm.

The actors did a phenomenal job portraying their characters throughout their lives; the struggles and reality that comes with age is something that will hit us all eventually, so seeing how they portrayed the difference between childhood innocence to societal expectations was realistically executed in my opinion.

This brings me on the breakup, whilst it was easy to hate Akira for what he did and how he did it, I can't say I don't understand why he chose to break it off. From the beginning, we saw how his parents put the expectation of a 'normal' life onto their son, furthermore pressured by the indifferent attitude of his older sister. His point of view, although completely unfair to Yuki, was one I completely understood.
The exhaustion that came with trying to appeal to societal expectations, understanding his true feelings and dealing with it head-on is a step that not many closeted LGBTQIA+ people can take - so I'm beyond happy that we got to see this and their reunion.

The music throughout this show was so good, enough to have me looking through Spotify for the soundtrack - especially the intro song (Go Through, Grow Through by Ryu Matsuyama)

I went on to read the manga after I finished the show, which left the story bittersweet for me but added to the overall realism it depicts.
Definitely recommended to those who enjoy a sweet romance, played through the struggles of modern-day expectations.

Leia Mais

This one was okay

This BL was pretty good, but not my favorite. The couple was honestly a little toxic, but I understand why.
First I just wanna point out,
WHEN I SAW THE MODC PEOPLE I FLIPPED, LIKE, WHY WERE THEY THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT I LOVE THEM.
Anyway,
Akira was kinda mean, I do get where he's coming from but there were other ways to handle how he felt because he hurt Yuuki really bad in the end.
I was a little upset that Yuuki forgave him that easily, but I do like the happy ending. I was really happy to see how Akira stood up for his sister and himself. He was so caught up in being normal, that he didn't realize that he was unhappy with Shiraishi and would be happier with Yuuki. But when he did, at least he didn't lead her on any further and I was glad to see she ended up happily in the end.
Akira thought he could make himself 'normal' if he forced himself into a 'normal' relationship, but he just ended up hurting himself, Yuuki, and Shiraishi in the end. I honestly feel bad for Shiraishi, she didn't deserve to be led on and used as a bit of a rebound, but at least she ended up with someone good for her.
As for Yuuki, I was a little upset that he forgave Akira so easily, because I think Akira hurt him badly, but I was glad to see that Akira could get over himself enough to go back to Yuuki and be happy.

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