“Twilight Out of Focus” is a romantic BL anime that focuses on 3 couples that are involved in a high school film club. The leads are taken on a journey, from roommates/friends to lovers, enemies/rivals to lovers and the nonchalant/bubbly couple that grows on us.

Mao and Hisashi

Mao and Hisashi are roommates, and when Mao discovers that Hisashi is gay, the two enter into a pact to protect Hisashi and to keep the peace between them as roommates. The two promise that Mao will never tell anyone about Hisashi, Hisashi would never make a move on Mao, and that they’d respect each other’s private time. When Hisashi’s relationship with his predatory and abusive boyfriend ends, Mao can see that he is depressed, and when an opportunity comes with the film club for a film they were shooting, the Director asks Hisashi to join as their leading man. Although Hisashi is initially reluctant to join, Mao convinces him as he becomes keen on viewing Hisashi through his lens. Mao’s feelings for Hisashi develop quickly.

Jin and Giichi Ichikwa

Jin and Giichi are also members and directors in the film club, however, Giichi is too critical of Jin’s work, despite Jin being the current president of the film club, and almost having a cult following among his friends. When the two become roommates by chance, they realize how similar they are in pursuing their passion and Jin develops a better understanding of Giichi’s intense obsession with his work because he has been a perfectionist from a very young age and is determined to master his craft. Although they have to maintain their rivalry to the rest of their club mates, behind closed doors, the two begin to understand each other more intimately and fall in love, however, this doesn’t soften Giichi’s criticism of Jin.

Rein Inaba and Shion

Shion is a first year whose main goal is to find a boyfriend, and this leads him to exploring all the clubs at the school in his quest for a boyfriend. Although he actually excels at these clubs and becomes an invaluable member of the team, as soon as he realizes that there are no prospects of him finding a boyfriend in the club, he immediately quits. Shion finds himself in the film club, and immediately tells the members of his intentions to find a boyfriend. Rei, the outgoing-Vice President of the Film Club sternly tells Shion that he would never find a boyfriend in the club. Shion is upset and later confronts Rei for his rude remarks, however, Rei kisses Shion and asks him to be his boyfriend as a consolation. Despite their completely opposite characters, Shion agrees to this, but soon realizes that Rei is too closed off and this is not the relationship he was after. Shion does not immediately give up on Rei, and the two manage to strike a balance and make their relationship work in spite of their differences.

Although the show tackles 3 different couples, it produces three wholesome stories that are fun to follow but leaves the audience wanting more due to the short episodes having been divided between 3 different stories. While the stories may have been rushed, due to the “cliché” nature of these stories, you understand that you’re not missing much in terms of story, however, it would have been nice to have it fleshed out anyway. The anime combines three different mangas into one series, which is why some of the stories feel rushed, however, this is still a cute and fun story, a definite comfort watch.

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- Gagaoolala