2024 was indeed the year of Japanese BLs, with dramas and movies dropping left and right. With the constant outflow of adaptations, it was a difficult task to catch up with them all. Still, Japanese BLs are slowly evolving beyond the conventional boundaries and bringing us realistic stories that aim at portraying queer culture; they are diversifying, and we are reaping the benefits. Today, I will be listing my personal favorites, gems that I found in the pile of stones!

Takara’s Treasure

Stars Iwase Yoji as Takara & Konishi Eito as Taishin

Streaming on- Gagaoolala

Adapted from the manga “Takara no Vidro” (タカラのびいどろ) by Suzumaru Minta (鈴丸みんた), the show stars the main leads in a timeless romance. Taishin moves to Tokyo from his hometown of Fukuoka in order to reunite with Takara, a stranger who had consoled him in his grief the year prior. Takara is extremely reserved and his only pursuit is hiking in mountains. Despite being iven a cold shoulder by his savior, Taishin decides to pursue Takara. His undeterred efforts and innocent nature finally win over Takara, and they eventually start dating. Both actors were commendable in embodying the finer nuances of their characters; especially Eito who had to portray Taishin’s innocence and naivete.

Cosmetic Playlover

Starring Okuno So as Mamiya & Toyoda Yudai as Sahashi

Streaming on- Gagaoolala

This was one of my favorite dramas this year. Apart from the natural chemistry between the main leads, the show had a gripping storyline which was entertaining. Sahashi and Mamiya form a working relationship as Beauty Experts at the request of their company, with both consultants being star employees. However, the impolite and disrespectful Sahashi is a big headache for the senior Natsume. Their antagonist relationship begins to change as Mamiya’s patient approach wins over Sahashi. Their relationship evolves in different ways as they gain equal footing in their professional lives. The show portrays the difficulties faced by a couple when they are working at the same firm; nevertheless even if they are same sex partners. While Okuno So was adept at portraying Mamiya’s vulnerability, Toyoda Yudai was exemplary in depicting Sahashi’s inner fears and struggles.

Sugar Dog Life

Starring Tanaka Koki as Isumi and Tawada Hideya as Amasawa

Streaming on- Fan-subbed

A match made in heaven, the casting directors for this show deserve a raise. Adapted from the manga “Sugar Dog Life” (シュガードッグライフ) by Yoriko (依子), the show is an endearing love story interwoven between Sakuraba Isumi, a short, baby-faced university student who is a great cook, and Amasawa Kyosuke, a tall, sincere police officer with a natural, easygoing charm. They bound together over their love for food and slowly fall in love. Isumi falls for Amasawa’s kindhearted and caring nature, despite the age-gap, their chemistry is spot-on. This show quickly became my weekend fixation; the only glitch being its international unavailability.

Mr. Mitsuya’s Planned Feeding

Starring Yamazaki Masayoshi as Mitsuya & Sakai Taisei as Ishida

Streaming on- Fan-subbed

I was quite apprehensive when I first started this show. Adapted from the manga series “Mitsuya Sensei no Keikakutekina Ezuke.” (三ツ矢先生の計画的な餌付け) by Matsumoto Ayaka (松本あやか), the storyline focuses on Tomoya Ishida, a newbie editor at the fashion magazine Sophia Monthly. After his senior’s sudden hospitalization, he’s hastily assigned to collect a column manuscript from the famous culinary researcher Ayumu Mitsuya. He pays him a visit soon after and, to his surprise, finds an affable, older man who speaks in a Kyoto dialect. Being asked to wait, Tomoya is served a simple dish that entices his stomach. Soon, he finds himself eagerly awaiting their next encounter and gradually falls for Mitsuya. Despite their obvious age-gap which is pretty apparent, the actors portray their roles tastefully. Their chemistry shines through and the storyline is riveting!

Ossan’s Love Returns

Starring Tanaka Kei as Haruta, Hayashi Kento as Maki & Yoshida Kotaro as Kurosawa.

Streaming on- Gagaoolala

If you have been following this franchise faithfully, then you would totally understand the kind of hijinks that the main leads engage it. They are loud, preposterous and hilariously ridiculous. Haruta Soichi and Maki Ryota, who returned from Singapore, started living together as newlyweds. However, work and housework become too much for the couple, so they try housekeeping services to make their domestic life easier. But the person who appears at the door turns out to be the retired Kurosawa Musashi. The love triangle or rather the battle between Maki & Kurosawa resumes. The romcom threads these two characters in an age-old rivalry that never gets old. In this edition, Kurosawa evaluates his feelings for Maki and finally comes to a decision that settles their relationship amicably.

Love is like a Poison

Starring Hama Shogo as Shiba & Hyodo Katsumi as Haruto

Streaming on- Fan-subbed

Sadly, even though this show is streaming on Netflix, they failed to provide subtitles, which means we have to rely on our good old subbers to watch this show. Adapted from the novel “Doku Koi: Doku mo Sugireba Koi to Naru” (毒恋～毒もすぎれば恋となる～) Makino Keisuke (牧野圭祐), Hama Shogo stars as Shiba Ryoma, a genius lawyer, cleared the bar exam with the highest score while attending university and became the youngest co-partner at a major law firm. He is valued as a legal advisor to numerous major clients. One day, Shiba meets Haruto, a mysterious genius con artist, at a bar, who follows him home and blackmails him to settle in his household. As Shiba is looking for his 100th partner (he is notorious for driving his legal partners away with overworking), Haruto offers his services. Despite knowing that Haruto is a con artist, Shiba takes up on the offer. Their cohabitation leads to dangerous situations as Haruto relentlessly tries to seduce Shiba. The main leads have a sensual chemistry, especially Hyodo Katsumi whose entire body language screams seduction.

We will be back next week with a new edition. So till then, keep watching this space as we bring you more updates from the Asian BL World!