Kimi ni wa Todokanai (2023)

Classic love story of childhood friends

The characters in Kimi ni wa Todokanai capture the delightful tension that comes with falling in love with a friend. A flick of the hair, a touch on the wrist, the way the sunlight falls on their cheeks. The slightest of gestures that make your heart feel like it’s about to beat out of its chest.

The show takes the viewers through the whole process of discovery, denial, awakening and finally, happily ever after.

But as far as stories of childhood first loves go, it doesn't quite hit the perfect combination of sexual tension, jealousy and anticipation.

Nevertheless, it's a decently well-paced show with relatable characters and an easy-to-follow storyline. It's just that nothing stands out in particular... perhaps that’s my biggest criticism of the show – the fact that it’s rather forgettable.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/12/28/kimi-ni-wa-todokanai-bl-review/

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nice slice of life series

Overall: I enjoyed two high school friends and their changing relationship dynamics. Aired 8 episodes about 20 minutes each on Netflix Asia (and then more widely released on Neflix once it was finished airing).

Content Warnings: manhandling, dub/non con touching, punch

What I Liked
- cute and sweet moments
- few funny moments like Yamato's blocks with other people
- that Yamato did try to communicate and was clear with that teen who expressed interest in him
- supportive classmates
- supportive non cliche female characters
- character growth with not being a go between for the present
- production value

Room For Improvement
- the multitude of interruptions
- Yamato was a bit aggressive though he did apologize once
- very tropey (multiple kabedons and running scenes as examples), getting sick from the rain
- the initial reluctance in nurse's office/dead fish lip presses

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Tô explodindo de amores por esse BL

O Japão arrasou aqui. Um BL simples, sem plot estrambólico, sem grandes reviravoltas, mas que na sua simplicidade consegue tocar nosso coração de um jeito terno. Me apaixonei pelo Maeda Kentaro (Yamato) de cara, como pode ser tão lindo??? E a dinâmica deles, onde o mais popular é que é gado do outro, me pegou muito. Se as famílias não estiveram presentes, com exceção da irmã de Yutaro (uma fofa por sinal), não fizeram nenhuma falta. Os amigos eram maravilhosos, até mesmo entre os que nem suspeitavam de nada, não havia nenhum tipo de toxidade. As mulheres não foram vilanizadas, nem mesmo as rejeitadas.
Em suma: conceito, coesão e aclamação. O famoso "menos é mais". Foi um drama fofo na medida certa, mostrou e despertar de Kakeru de uma forma simples e bem humorada, não deixando de citar a importância do respeito e do consentimento.
Os aspectos técnicos também merecem aplausos, com ênfase na atuação de milhões e na ost perfeita.

Recomendo muito e assistirei mil vezes de novo.

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Absolute cringefest

This drama was a huge letdown considering how much I adore the original source material. They managed to turn a fluffy wholesome BL story into a cringey melodrama - complete with slow-motion camera panning and bad special effects. And don't even get me started on the acting ? The romance between the main leads was about as believable as the Easter bunny. It may just be that I've outgrown Japanese romcom tropes but I found myself fighting back the urge to roll my eyes every five seconds. The only positive I can think of is the short episode lengths, but even then, I don't think it's worth your time. Read the manga instead - 100% more enjoyable experience guaranteed.

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Best romance show I've watched in my entire life.

I usually don't write reviews but here I am writing one because of how amazing this show was!! I absolutely loved how well-written the story was from the plot, setting, flow, characters, and everything else.

PLOT: I LOVED the tropes included in this show as they were all my favourites (childhood friends to lovers, height difference, sunshine and sunshine protector, introvert and extrovert, etc.) and I truly believe it was all written perfectly. There were no "pointless" scenes whatsoever and everything felt like there was meaning and development included.

SETTING: I liked where each episode was placed, especially the episode where they went to Kyoto because of how beautiful everything looked. I feel like it emphasized their feelings and made the story more deep.

FLOW: I loved the flow of this show a ton and it's one of the main reasons this is my favourite romance show of all time. It wasn't rushed, yet it wasn't too slow and it progressed at the perfect speed all the way to the very end. Not rushing the story let us understand what the characters were feeling and it felt like the creators put a lot of effort into bringing the reality of how people feel when having a crush on someone into this show with care.

CHARACTERS: Last but not least, the characters of this show were awesome! Every single one of them from the main characters, best friends, family, and girl characters were lovable and unique in their own way. I believe there were many moments where you could relate to them (eg. Kakeru and his lack of self-confidence) and even if you haven't experienced their situations before, it lets you empathize with them and feel the same emotions (eg. Yamato having a one-sided crush on Kakeru for more than half his life).

At first, I thought I wouldn't enjoy this show as much when I watched the first episode but the more I kept watching, the more and more I became obsessed with this show and couldn't wait for the next episode to release. Until I watched this, Bad Buddy Series was my favourite romance show and I thought nothing could ever surpass it but Kimi Ni Wa Todokanai (I can't reach you) got to the same level as it for me!!

Please please please try watching this show if you haven't as I promise you you'll have the best time of your life!

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Gay First Love Depicted Close To Perfection

I might be bias as I had a crush on my ex best friend and this drama is as close as I could get to see my dream come true in an ideal world.

I rarely write reviews but this has to be the best JBL that I have watched thus far. The story of falling in love with your childhood best friend, not wanting to cause the friendship to become different, in the process hurting yourself while watching your boy best friend look at others, sounds very cliche, but this is what young love as a gay guy would have to go through (I went through it myself, tho mine didn't end up the way theirs did). The way this entire show depicted Yamato's process of going through it all, was super relatable, at times for those who have went through it, would have also teared up thinking about how yours went in the past. The way that Kakeru was depicted, was really of that of a best friend who was confused about what was going on with his best friend, loving him but not knowing what love truly was, and how deep his love for him was. He wanted the best for Yamato, learning how Yamato felt, and giving himself time to process it all to consider giving Yamato a chance was beautiful. The entire situation between Yamato and Kakeru as they had a very thin line between best friends to lovers was also done really well. But what really sealed the deal was the cinematography, as usual, JBL does their subtle take on situations, which was really good. The entire lust that Yamato had for Kakeru was also really relatable (I mean, Haru is really cute also haha). Yamato not wanting to hurt Kakeru is also really endearing. Really a young gay first love being depicted really well!

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Very rewatchable BL series

STORY - the story is very realistic, simple yet very well executed, every scene is artistically well done.
ACTING- acting is great and natural, two talented and goodlooking actors with undeniably good chemistry.
MUSIC - The music blended well with the drama . The soundtrack is the best soundtrack i've heard from a BL
PRODUCTION - good cinematography, and aesthetic is perfect,..i love the outfits, shooting locations, all the little thing are very detailed.
REWATCH - it's one of the most rewatchable and liked drama on netflix in japan as well as other countries. No need to explain further..
ALL I NEED NOW IS A SEQUEL!!!

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