With the Japanese so steep in traditions, rich in culture, and bursting with beautiful folklore, it is no wonder that they have a tale surrounding a mystical mirror that would allow you to enter into a world where you would become your idealized self where you are then the person that you really want to have others see you as. At a turning point in his life, Kano (Daigo Kotaro) takes the path to the mirror and makes his wish- that others in his just newly transferred department would see him differently. More like one of them than an isolated loner. In particular, he would like his ace and mentor Ogami (Nakagawa Daisuke) to view him more favorably than he does.

Something indeed magical happens the next day after he makes his wish. Whereas he had been ignored before or even dismissed by coworkers, he is apparently treated as their equal. Initially shocked, he realizes he now might have crossed over into a parallel universe. What a happy place this is! In this world, one lives in a world where one faces no problems; it is a safe realm. Yet it slowly begins to feel so much like living inside a fantasy bubble. Sure, Ogami is attentive, and they are getting close, but it is a closeness not based on a natural force but one that is artificial. There are no challenges to the development of their work or to their budding relationship. Everything feels off and uneasy. It is not based on any verisimilitude.

Unsettling in the sense that it does not feel earned. Kano realizes that what he misses is what the other Ogami was trying to make of him in his previous world. The best possible version of himself. He realizes that the Ogami of that world is unquestionably the one that is real, genuine, and honest, and would accept him fully for who he is – both his strengths and weaknesses.

Therefore, he goes back to the mirror and wishes to return to the way things were. His wish is granted. Having learned some lessons while he was in the parallel universe, he understands the old Ogami better. Their relationship is now based on a sense of truer selves, living in a world that is flawed and imperfect. What it taught him was to understand and accept his own strengths and to accept that there are limitations to those strengths. A part of living and growing is to ask for help from others when the task becomes greater or may lead to failure. Perhaps asking for help from others is all a part of learning how to get along, as well as may stem the notion of going it alone, which leads to disunity among others.

This is mostly a story of the two protagonists who both do an admirable job with their parts. The supporting roles were also characters that came across as quite believable and relatable. The story is presented in such a fashion that when Kano is in the two different parallel worlds, we can see two different personalities to him and individuals reacting to each of his characters accordingly. We see him struggling internally as he knows the parallel universe, while good, is not challenging. And he is an individual who needs challenges in life.

This is a beautifully written and choreographed story that flowed so appealingly. Its screenplay is sharp and witty, and we believe fully that Kano has entered the parallel universe. Even the development of the relationship between Kano and Ogami was so endearing, coupled with the fact that both men are so astonishingly handsome, and we were naturally rooting for them to be a couple.

The story flowed just so aptly, up to a point and then it- just crashed and burned to the ground.

Pardon me if I seem overemotional here, but I was utterly disappointed in the ending scene where they are supposedly consummating their relationship. I am familiar with the prudishness and reservedness of the Japanese culture, but seriously, their kissing scene was the worst I have seen in recent memory. Both obviously fine actors who could not even muster an honest kiss? They were ‘dead-fish’ kissing with each looking exceedingly uncomfortable even doing that. Sorry, but that is a sign of bankrupt and disengaged acting and shockingly docile directing skills. This was deliberate. It WAS a kissing scene. So, kiss! Shameful.

While they then pretended to romp around in bed acting like a couple of rabbits in heat, they honestly displayed no serious screen chemistry except play-acting. Please stop doing this. If you cannot make do with a simple kiss and make it genuine and believable, then what makes you think we can believe you otherwise in other intimate scenes? We cannot; or at least I could not. Then do not take the roles. This was labeled as a BL. Act the parts!

As a gay man and despite how it is marketed, it is a GAY story! We must demand more from production companies, directors, and ACTORS! Stop doing trickery. You took an astonishingly brilliant premise and made a sham love story out of it because, apparently, the two actors were unwilling to represent that they were in love with even a modicum of intimacy. I, for one, am tired of watching this over-and-over and making excuses for it. It is time for this to be called out for what it is. A ruse.

This would have been an exceptionally good series, but it is again another insulting sham. And it has nothing to do with cultural sensitivities or norms. These are all conscious efforts to present half-stories to look whole, and I am tired of this trickery.

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- Viki/Gagaoolala