Love in the moment often feels like a beautiful thing. Stirring. Rich. Heart Fluttering real. Love, when remembered, is often nostalgically painful, even if it is full of joy in the moment rather than heartbreak.

The Japanese BL My Strawberry Film combines these emotions, pulling viewers into a present-day love story that feels more like a memory of painful feelings that can’t be put into words than an in-the-moment love story.

Set in a tranquil high school backdrop, it explores the intricacies of hidden emotions among its characters. Fukada Ryusei’s portrayal of Ichikawa Ryo is poignantly sad yet hopeful, as he grapples with his unrequited feelings for his friend Hikaru (Yabana Rei). Yoshida Mizuki as Nakamura Chika brings a subtle yet powerful presence, her painful feelings for Ryo becoming a nostalgic narration that tugs at the heart. And, although the enigmatic girl from the 8mm film, Murasaki Minami (Tanabe Ririka), doesn’t have much in-person screen time in the first two episodes, she leaves a deep impression, deep enough to make her presence in the story as potent for the viewers as it does for Chika, Ryo, and Hikaru.

The discovery of the 8mm film is the catalyst for a chain of events that unravels secrets and stirs emotions, creating an atmosphere of longing and discovery that immediately pulled me into its web. The first two episodes set a captivating stage for an angsty emotional journey into the complexities of youth and hidden desires I’m looking forward to undertaking.

For a nostalgic series that promises pain and joy, check out My Strawberry Film now on Gagaoolala.

Rating- 4 out of 5