I have always thought the shots used in Japanese BLs are beautiful. I felt the same way about ‘My Beautiful Man’, even the BL anime, “Sasaki to Miyano”. Now, I feel the same way about Takara-kun to Amagi-kun.

It felt like the song ‘Your name’ was playing in my head on a loop because of the shots. The way they have focussed more on things rather than the dialogues; body language, the background and the scenery, it makes the shots extra impactful. Sometimes the dialogues didn’t match. The cinematography is beautiful, but something just didn’t fit. I don’t know what, but something was missing.

Starring Sato Arata and Oriyame Nao as main leads, Takara-kun to Amagi-kun is a high school drama. Takara and Amagi are both in the same class and come to realise that they have feelings for each other. They soon start a secret relationship. What I personally did not like was that the confession scene came too soon. There were individual scenes for both of the characters before the confession, but there was not even one scene where they were interacting with each other. There was no hint that they might even like each other; those scenes came after Amagi’s confession, which could have been interesting, but it just was not.

There is also a background scene which occurs a few times in the pilot episode where Takara and Amagi are in the middle of some ‘angst’. I thought that the scene was from the future, where they were no longer together; which was true, just things were not as blown out of proportion as it was depicted in the scene. It was just a confrontation, not the deep narration I was expecting from the scene. The multiple time-skips made me feel confused, and it just felt sloppy.

About ‘missing’ something which I mentioned above, I think it has something to do with the narration. I understand what the directors were trying to show. The characters are conflicted and confused, but they always have a reason for doing things. But it just did not come out the way they wanted it to, is what I think. They do narrate their feelings, but for the watchers, it might seem oddly paced.

The second episode, however, was better. They have just gotten together and are trying to get used to the fact that they are now an official couple. Even though,it happens in secret. But with new romantic feelings comes new sexual feelings. This is what happens with Amagi. The kissing scene which they showed felt like a dream at first glance, and it was actually Amagi’s dream. He has a full-blown breakdown, starts avoiding Takara at all costs while discussing with his friend about a weird dream. Later, Amagi decides that he will conceal everything. Takara, on the other hand, grows frustrated with Amagi’s behaviour. But instead of being mad, he is just concerned. He then sits Amagi down and talks to him.

It is just the second episode, so I’m looking forward to more in the upcoming episodes.

Rating: 3 out of 5