Japanese BL/Gay - BL and Gay dramas and movies from Japan
BL/Gay themes movies, dramas and short movies from Japan.
For a comprehensive list of Asian (China including Taiwan and Hong Kong), Japan, South Korea and Thailand; see my huge list for Asian BL/Gay movies and dramas (at the moment; 771 titles and counting.) Also see my separate BL lists for each country, lists for Short movies and mini-dramas sorted by country, and other lists.
List will only contain titles in which BL/Gay/Male Bi couples/characters/themes, have at least a somewhat prominent role.
***(Titles with (only) Trans characters; not included--a Trans woman who loves men is straight, not gay.
Crossdressing has nothing to do with gender identity so titles with cross-dressing guys who like guys; included.
Bodyswap is (reluctantly) included.
Bromance if there is an implication that it is/will go beyond friendship)***
Adding titles and comments every now and then.
Note; To make it simple; I'll just call BL, even if it would be more correct to say; stories about guys who are attracted to guys.
"Gay theme" and BL are two different things.
But as long as one can tell fantasy from reality--it's a convenient word.
Another note; Included are dramas made of the manga "Hanazakari no kimitachi e". Even if it's not BL, there is a beautiful point made, which I think deserves attention because it's present in a manga/drama which has no BL connection.
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101. Seguidores
Japanese Drama - 2020, 9 episodes
Not BL - but has gay characters.
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102. Sei no Gekiyaku
Japanese Movie - 2020
Adaptation of the manga by Mizuta Yuki.
WARNING: Not for the faint of heart... This is GRAPHIC. Basically--very forceful BDSM porn, but with a story. So this piece would be very uncomfortable for the sensitive.
Subber's insert in the beginning; "Watch with headphones"... Yes. I strongly suggest you do... (Unless you live in sound proof surroundings, your neighbours are deaf, or you don't have an issue with people who overhear, labelling you a porn fiend.)I expected to dislike this--maybe even hate it. I didn't. I really liked it.
It's so graphic that I literally choked on my juice. And I am definitely seasoned when it comes to X-rated BL... Visually very daring, but even more so, it's the content that'll make you go "oh-my-gawd".
Yes, it's gratuitous--it's a porn-party deluxe, but it does fill a purpose and it's the core of the story, really. Two lonely and broken perverts crossing paths.Normally, I condemn all the rape that sadly is a staple in BL, but here it's placed in a context, and depicting a story of sexual kinks. But it takes an open mind to understand and accept that there are people who don't fit the frame of what's considered normal.
It takes maturity, a willingness to figure out these two--and perhaps experience of being screwed up, as well as a bit of a perverted streak--in order to appreciate the portrayal of a far from "normal" relationship.The acting impresses the hell out of me. Perhaps not due to overwhelming talent--but anyone brave (and crazy) enough to take on these roles--and convincingly pull them off--deserves respect...
The direction, visuals and other tech stuff--is neatly and quite aesthetically done, and the result is an eye-poppingly outragerous, yet sensitive story--mesmerizing in its super strange appeal. -
103. Sete Dias: De Segunda a Quinta
Japanese Movie - 2015
This two-part installment isn't exactly a heavy-weight, and is lacking in many departments, but I still do recommend it for anyone who loves the original manga on which it's based. "Seven Days" is one of the most beloved classics in Shounen-ai manga--with good reason. It's just so sweet, light-hearted, fluffy and cute, that you can't help but to love it.
The movies are flawed, but a good effort. The directing and technical work, as well as the lovely OST, creates an atmosphere that really catches the one from the manga. It becomes a simple movie (x2) but so is the manga. Uncomplicated and cute.
The biggest issue, or more like; the only big one--is the acting. Hirose Tomoki blows it. He's just not a good actor, period. He tries his best, but it doesn't work. When he isn't overacting, he's stiff and awkward. His co-actor does a better job, but not exactly stellar. (Except in that one scene. "I was thinking about you". If you've read the manga, you know which scene I'm talking about. There, for a moment, he totally shone.)
But overall--if one doesn't take it seriously, it's a cute watch that leaves you with a smile and pink, shiny cotton-candy-fluff feelings.
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104. Sete dias: sexta-feira - domingo
Japanese Movie - 2015
Second part of installment, see part one for comment.
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105. Shinjuku Midnight Baby
Japanese Movie - 2016
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106. Shitsuren Hoken
Japanese Drama - 2011, 13 episodes
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107. Snakes and Earrings
Japanese Movie - 2008
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108. Sori Nokoshita Natsu
Japanese Movie - 2009
Very long short-film.
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109. Sukitomo
Japanese Movie - 2007
Old school generic Japanese BL.
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110. Summer Vacation 1999
Japanese Movie - 1988
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111. Surrogacy
Japanese Special - 2021, 1 episode
Not BL perhaps--but seems to have a big gay theme in the plot.
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112. Tabu
Japanese Movie - 1999
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113. Taiikukan Baby
Japanese Movie - 2008
Old school generic Japanese BL.
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114. Takumi-kun Series 1: And The Spring Breeze Whispers
Japanese Movie - 2007
Old school--from when Japan was the only place to go for BL and most of you were in diapers ;P ... By today's standards; the series of movies is crappy.
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115. Takumi-kun Series 2: Rainbow Colored Glass
Japanese Movie - 2009
One of many sequels for old school Japanese BL-junk-adaptation of the "Takumi Kun" series of manga.
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116. Takumi-kun Series 3: The Beauty of Detail
Japanese Movie - 2010
Another sequel of the adaptations of the "Takumi Kun" series of manga.
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117. Takumi-kun Series 4: Pure
Japanese Movie - 2010
Yet another sequel of the adaptations of the "Takumi Kun" series of manga.
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118. Takumi-kun Series 5: That, Sunny Blue Sky
Japanese Movie - 2011
...aaaand yet another sequel of the adaptations of the "Takumi Kun" series of manga.
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119. Teiichi's Country
Japanese Movie - 2017
Not BL in itself. Contains gay characters? I don't know, since I haven't read the manga upon which it's based. But I might watch this... for one reason. I used to work as a redrawer for the scanlation of the manga... (Which I probably shouldn't mention, but whatever.)
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120. The Actor and the Model
Japanese Movie - 2016
Short.
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121. The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese
Japanese Movie - 2020
Based on one of the best BL/gay-themed mangas ever written.
(Two volumes, by mangaka Mizushiro Setona--which recently were released in English by Seven Seas. And immediately landed in my book shelf. I had to wait 10 years for that...)I was equal parts thrilled--and nervous--before watching it. But I was pretty sure that even if it might turn out crappy, it's still an adaptation of a phenomenally good comic--so I would probably love it no matter what.
So... how'd it end up, then...?
I loved it.
Not just because I'm happy every time I get live action adaptations of my favourites--but because it's GOOD. I have absolutely no idea why some people disliked it, and the ratings are fairly low. It caught the manga very well, and the direction and acting was pretty great.
I'll definitely update with an elaborated mini-review when I find the time...
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122. The Family Complete
Japanese Movie - 2010
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123. The Secret to My Silky Skin
Japanese Movie - 2014
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124. Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
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125. Tumbling
Japanese Drama - 2010, 11 episodes
Not BL, but is supposed to have gay characters. I've got to say that the premise sounds quite irresistible--and very unique. I haven't been able to find it, though.
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126. Udagawachou de Matteteyo
Japanese Movie - 2015
This does belong on the list. The MC likes guys and does not identify with, nor does he want to be, a woman. (Which would have made him straight.) He wants to be a guy (who crossdresses) and likes guys = he's gay.
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127. Vida - Amor em Jogo
Japanese Drama - 2020, 4 episodes
I literally went "OHMYGAWD!" when I saw that this is coming as a drama. YES! YES! YES!
Based on an absolutely lovely one-shot manga--and this mini-drama turned out quite lovely, too. A bit of a different flavour compared to the earlier years of Japanese BL--fully in line with the freshness and "closer to reality makes it more beautiful, not less so", that they've delivered during the past couple of years.Sweet, quite simplistic and lacking all that over-the-top melodrama/exaggeration in acting and direction, that used to wreck far too many Japanese productions. An EXCELLENT choice of manga to adapt to a Live Action--and an excellent result, as well. It managed to catch the air and feel of the original work, bringing it to life with dedicated and believable acting and script.
Yay!
(Btw; If you read comics and decide to read/have read the one this is based on--do not miss out on the larger work which this one has more or less copied. "Complex", by Manda Ringo. Get through the first, messy part--and you will be rewarded with a knock-out of a BL...)
DO NOTICE the extremely gratifying cameo in the end--our (at least my) beloved boys from Taiwanese BL-drama "HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count" make a quick appearance! :D (I literally shouted and jumped up and down). Without spoiling too much--it was somehow a little bit of comfort to see them in an "alternative universe" as opposed to the actual drama...
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128. Zipper and Tits
Japanese Movie - 2001
Haven't watched it, but I just gotta' say; How epic is that title?