#Kimi ni wa Todokanai.

[gabrielokun]

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

Maeda Kentaro as Ohara Yamato Kimi ni wa Todokanai. Episode 1

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Currently Watching - March

aka The Masterlist

Because I love a good little list - in alphabetical order! 😊

Regularly updated during the month, latest update 30.03.2024

A little link to my favorite bl-tropes-collection 💙

I am happy about gif-requests 🌼

Here you can find all of my gifs.

Tracking: #josistag

At the end you can have a look at what we can expect in January with a MDL link and a link for a trailer (if avaible).

This is guaranteed to contain spoilers!

1. Cityboy_Log (11/? on Youtube - Korean)

Soon-to-be Idols, actors and models vlog their days of photo shoots and meetups and how they fall in love with each other. It is surprisingly good and the acting is excellent. It really feels like a "real" vlog and that is what we are all here for. I really enjoy those four men on my screen.

2. Deep Night (3/8 on iQiyi - Thai)

This is everything I was expecting, so it didn't disappoint, I guess. To be honest, I watch this for First. I guess he would have chemistry with a stick, soooo this is nice. And I hope the story, at least stays like this and won't get worse... Update: This show is a mess 😂 there is so much going on all at once and at the same time nothing really happens? It is so confusing, yet very entertaining. But Wela, my dear, it is totally okay to be pissed if one fucks with you, while you are so drunk you can't remember shit the next day... Just a thought.

3. Jazz For Two (2/8 on Gaga - Korean)

I love bls about music and about traumatic pasts. I really enjoyed the first episodes and I like the characters. Especially because they tricked us in believing something was going on in the practice room. I am really curious about the character developement and story! I know all the episodes are out on iQiyi, but because I can't watch it there (VPN does not work for me), I have to wait for GagaOOLala to air the episodes weekly...

4. Koi wo Suru nara Nidome ga Joto (4/6 on Gaga - Japanese)

Guess I am hooked and wish I just waited until it is finished airing, because I want to watch their story now! I want to know what happend in the past and how they both deal with each other in the present and what brings the future and will poor little Yuto find his happy ending too! Because I love him, but he is just a support and needs to keep his hands away from senpai!

5. My Strawberry Film (6/8 on Gaga - Japanese)

This is what I call a love triangle. And the fact that the screenwriters worked for Eien No Kinou or Jack o'Frost is promising some heartbreak and teenage angst. The acting is good, the story for me interesting. I feel so bad for Ryo. The heartbreak is so real and he still manage to do things for his best friend and his first love, just for him to be happy. I really don't know how this will end.

6. Only Boo (1/12 on Youtube - Thai)

I don't know what to think of this one right now. I cringed a lot during the first episode and at the same time it is cute? My emotions are very conflicted about this one. I don't know if I can keep up with this weekly or if I just wait and binge it. What is it with these sunday shows that they are this awkward lately.

7. Unknown (7/12 on Youku, Taiwanese)

The story about found family, childhood trauma and struggling topped with a lovestory between "brothers". They aren't really brothers so I really don't care and just enjoy this forbidden and hurtful lovestory to the fullest. This is exactly what I hoped for! The longing, tension and hurt is so good! I feel the pain in both of them and I can't wait for the next episodes!!!

Finished in March

Series

Perfect Propose

I liked this one very much! I enjoyed the episodes, the chemistry between the couple and the whole story and it wants to tell us. Work is not everything a good and healthy meal is important! Kai was my little favorite and I was happy seeing him vulnerable in the end. I don't know what it is, but this type of japanese series are always hitting the right spot in my heart and I can't see any flaws (I now there are some, but I decide not to see them). A 10 out of 10 for me.

Cherry Magic

I do love the japanese version very dearly and I tried not to compare these two with each other, because it wouldn't be fair. This was such a wholesome watch! Those two talked to each other and solved their "problems" with a good communication. All of them are total green flags and it was a delight to watch the main cp and the side cps falling in love. It was funny and heartwarming and, I am honest, I never thought we would see the chemistry chemistrying like this between TayNew! I am still in awww with episode 11! And the whole proposal was the sweetest, most perfect shit ever! A clear 10 out of 10 for me!

Dead Friend Forever

Usually I don't watch horror-stuff, but this was quite okay, nothing really scary, but it was an intense ride nevertheless. The story was good and the acting was good too, most of the times. I needed some time to find a way into it, but in the end, I had a great time and there was Ta's naked ass on my screen, whic was unexpected, but I don't complain, because it was a nice ass! The only thing I really hated was what they did to White... I give it a good 7,5 out of 10.

Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka

This one was a fine show, but nothing special. If you want to get hungry and crave some delicious-looking japanese dishes, you're not going to be disappointed! If you want a nice romance story with two handsome and kinda quirky guys fall in love with each other, go ahead, this is yours! Something was missing for me, but that is just me and I can't really pin out, what exactly was missing. But because of that missing feeling I can't give this more than a 6,5 out of 10.

Kimi ni wa Todokanai. aka I cannot reach you.

This was such a wholesome and fast watch. Really a sweet little show about first love and best friends and being true to yourself. I had such a good time watching it. It is well written and well played and the characters are very lovely. I enjoyed this very much. It is funny how easy and wholesome some of japanese bls are and how flawless in my eyes. I give this a sweet little 10 out of 10.

Anti Reset

The premise was promising and I love how obvisiously attracted both were to each other. The story about the AI Ever Nine who turns the life of an emotionless professor upside down has a really nice start. But after a while it got boring and they overpowered the romance aspect a little bit. I love romance, but this was not my kind of show. It was too heavy and the show itself was too clean and to sterile. I don't know how to explain it, but it feels a little bit too artificial. I get why some might like this, but for me it is a 5,5 out of 10.

Short Film

Movie

Dropped in March

1000 Years old (2/13 on Gaga - Thai)

Let's be real for a moment, I won't catch up with this. I keep this to binge watch later, so I can fast-forward the boring parts. It started quite cute, but lost my interest on its way. For now, it is on-hold.

Looking forward to in March

Koi wo Suru nara Nidome ga Joto aka Love is Better the Second Time Around (March 5th)

Born to be Y (probably cancelled) - Trailer (March 6th)

Deep Night - Trailer (March 7th)

23.5 - Trailer (March 8th)

Two Worlds - Pilot (March 21st)

High Demand (March 23rd)

The Star (March 28th)

Only Boo - Trailer (March 31st)

Wuju Bakery - I don't know how many times this was on this looking forward list... I don't know if we will see it sometime soon... But for the moment it should be out in March...

Blossom Campus - sometime in March...

Jazz for Two - Trailer (March 27th)

[lurkingteapot]

Won't get through to you 君には届かない。 Ep 8 (Finale)

Liveblogged this to @sandorara in dms, copypasting here, minus 6-10 keysmashes and various romaji bs. Don't expect coherence, do expect squee.

AAAAAAAH!!!!

my BOY Yamato

FUJINO you HORNDOG

oh dear oh dear

KAKERU well DONE!!!

Hosaka ijiwaru~ he just loves to tease Yamato, and tbf, RELATABLE

94 points!

aafdaafds KAKERU HAS "DATE" on his CALENDAR I love him

MIKOTO!!!

Yamato has made so much progress?? I'm so proud. both Yamato and Kakeru, really, but for Yamato to open up like that???

I love these siblings

oh NO the girl tagged ALONG?!

I hate herrrrrr! I mean no but. Yamato. My boy. please. couldn't you have extended your assertiveness to "sorry, you can't come with me, my date is waiting for me"?!

ooof

oh Kakeru, oh nooooo

oh that's what the preview was for

oof

ooof

oh noooooooo

!!!!!!!!!!

HE CONFESSED!!!!!

the sneeze!

taking a BATH at your BOYFRIEND'S PLACE wow these kids move fast 😂

oh god Yamato's gonna be insufferable now, huh. both of them, really

oh I like this mirror shot

oh god that lean-back-eyes-up is LETHAL, wow, Kakeru

REPRAISAL OF THE "Someone's gonna walk by/in" I am!!!!

like that curtain thing is ANY LESS CONSPICUOUS

adsfsadfasdf Kakeru

if this isn't dating, what is?

noooooo not another injury

but man real talk I twisted my ankle SO BAD with those stupid school slippers at one point

afdadsfas these two

kids you're at SCHOOL --

KAKERU HOLY SHIT

THE REGISTER SHIFT HALP

god they're so bashful, it's so cute

I love the back and forth with the echoes this episode

(cheesy? YES. do I care? not at this moment)

I wanted a Kakeru initiated kiss gdi

Murasennnnnnn

Also GO US (@sandorara, @twig-tea, Lee) for going "this title has gotta be short for 俺の気持ちは君には届かない"

I'm docking (very few) mental points for the ending because that felt weirdly rushed, but other than that? love it. I could've done without Yamato going back and forth on the boundary-respecting – I just don't like the "no no no yes" stereotype, and they had Kakeru play to that one too many times imo. but. I wish we could get rid of that trope, and I REALLY wanted Kakeru to initiate at least ONE kiss (or at least for us to get one that wasn't dead-fish-y on his part, I guess), but that's about it for complaints (and I know jdorama aren't big on kisses most of the time anyway).

I'm going to miss this little show!

[nagumoshoma]

I haven't been able to stop thinking about that day. I can't even sleep because of it. I keep thinking and worrying. But I'm sure you've worried much more than I have, so I need to take you seriously. Before this, I've only every thought of you as a friend. Honestly, I'm not sure about dating yet. But I want to consider it. I want to think about what I want us to be.

I CANNOT REACH YOU / KIMI NI WA TODOKANAI (2023) dir. tanazawa takayoshi

[jimmysea]

Why are you so calm, Yamato? I haven't been able to act normal since then. I'm so overwhelmed. I don't have it easy either, because I'm in front of the person I like.

KIMI NI WA TODOKANAI (2023) 君には届かない。 dir. Tanazawa Takayoshi

[usertoxicyaoi]

"This story is about the exploits of the solitary lawyer, Shiba Ryoma, in a serious legal drama ... or rather ..."

DOKU KOI: DOKU MO SUGIREBA KOI TO NARU (2024). EPISODE ONE.

[loveisactivated]

I CANNOT REACH YOU (2023)

[absolutebl]

Best & Worst BLs of 2023

My Top 15 BLs of 2023 are (in order)

1 Our Dating Sim

Korea Viki

Nerds in love, deadlines, gaming, teasing, pining tiny idiots, casual affection, linguistic oops, ADORABLE. If you haven't watched this, it's a must. A perfect short form KBL, an office set reunion romance featuring geeks that really suits 8 eps with no fluff and no chaff. Just comforting and yummy.

I adored every aspect from the casting to the pristinely simple premise to the quietly smooth execution. Sure it’s low stakes, but that makes it high domesticity and extremely warm and gentle. This is a fuzzy blanket of a story - a cozy BL. It lives in my rewatch pile and you know what’s best about it? Every single episode is in that pile. There’s no skipping with this one, it might be good natured and calmly sweet but it’s tight and the pacing is excellent.

Also recieves my 2023 award for best giggle.

2 I Cannot Reach You

AKA I Can't Reach You AKA Kimi ni wa Todokanai

Japan Netflix

This classic friends-to-lovers BL is everything Japan does best. Angsty. Emo. Aching. Driven by real thirst. Yamato is deeply in love with his childhood bestie, Kakeru, and has been for ages, unable to hide his ungainly damaging high school need. He wants Kakeru in every way possible and it oozes off of the screen.

Kakeru is silly and a little simple, but not frenetic or overly camp about it. He is earnest, and genuinely wants to keep Yamato in his life which means giving a romance (and gayness) a fair chance. We watch him realize his affection and what form it can take in a truly authentic way.

This show was impossibly kind to both of its lead characters and I felt almost honored that I got to watch something so lovely and rare play out on my screen.

Also wins the best thirst award.

These were the 2 BLs that got 10/10 from me in 2023. The rest of these got 9/10 from me.

3 My School President

Thailand YouTube

GMMTV gave us a classic high school set Thai BL with tropes like messy boys singing their feelings that made this one Love Sick for the modern age with all the gentle sweetness and pining ache, but none of the dated damaging tropes or issues. Who let my BL be this wholesome and funny? My favourite GMMTV BL offering to date. And yes, I've watched them ALL.

Received the Namgoong award for best wingman 2023.

4 I Feel You Linger in the Air

Thailand grey

IFYLITA is an exquisite BL, from filming techniques to narrative framework. Steeped in history and family drama this is an elegant and classy BL. The main couple (both as a pair and individuals) were excellent, particularly Bright (Yai) whose eye-work acting style is a personal favorite of mine. It's a marker of how great it was that it's so high on my list despite the ending which was very much not what I wanted.

Additional accolade, sexiest moment of 2023 - (the oil scene).

You could try to fight me, but you'll have no grip.

5 Kiseki: Dear to Me

Taiwan Gaga & Viki

The plot is totally ridiculous and slightly unhinged. There’s a gum-ball machine of cameos, elder gay rep, great chemistry from all pairs (everyone is queer), and a KILLER side couple. It involves all the tropes under a very offhand framework of gay mafia gangs + food = love. As a result Kiseki is a poster child for Taiwanese BL, and I happen to love Taiwanese BL. Bonus? They also managed to END IT WELL, which we cannot expect from Taiwan.

Best side couple 2023!

(thank goodness Taiwan made this list!)

6 Jun and Jun

Korea Viki

A delightful office romance about an ex-idol who joins cubical life only to find his new boss is his first love. With a snappy (sometimes even raunchy) script, enjoyable sides, a pretty as peaches cast, and descent chemistry this show made up for in style what it lacked in substance. I like fluff. I loved this. I smiled every moment I was watching.

Best flirting 2023.

AKA "the tongue knows" award

7 The Eighth Sense

Korea Viki

This one is a bit chewy and sticky and less perfect than most KBLs. It’s got a bit of an age gap, country boy/city boy, stellar acting, complex characters, and leads with great chemistry and tension. This isn’t in the KBL bubble, there’s sharp edges and lots of triggers. For a BL the darkness of the content left me feeling unsettled (which is the only reason it didn't get a perfect score) but it has a glorious ending and that counts for a lot.

2023's most likely to appeal to non-BL watchers.

8 Unintentional Love Story

Korea iQIYI

The lead, Gongchan (maknae of B1A4) is a fucking GIFT, who carried this show. He was luminous with extraordinarily expressive eyes, which he used to carry a killer plot and challenging role. Forced into a totally understandable betrayal, falling in love despite himself, put into a corner he can't get out of, the AGONY, the eyes EMOTING at us in PAIN. Driven by external conflict, social tension and pressure this story seems simple but it's actually refined and quite complex. I loved this show.

Best story structure 2023.

9 My Personal Weatherman

AKA Taikan Yoho

Japan Gaga

This is classic yaoi of the kind that really only works from Japan. Basically: boys who fell in love in college end up living together but both are so repressed they actually don't realize they're in love. It's high heat is well done, but it leaned into the "why don't they just talk for fuck's sake?" which is exacerbated by the fact that they're already fucking. Sure is sexy tho.

Best use of props 2023 for the shower of sheets.

10 Our Dining Table

AKA Bokura no Shokutaku

Japan Gaga

Lonely salaryman and talented cook gets accidentally adopted by a college kid and his little brother. It’s a quiet & cozy little parable of found family alleviating loneliness. It's lovely & sweet with the romance beats used to build a family relationship, not just couple intimacy. Special.

First prize for domesticity.

11 Laws of Attraction

Thailand iQIYI

This is a great gay suspense thriller with several solid couples, fun plot, killer characters, queer rep, and a happy ending. It’s tons of fun and I had an absolute blast watching it.

Charn wins my favorite character of 2023.

12 La Pluie

Thailand Viki

This BL takes to task the fated mates trope and what it means to have love chained intimately to predestination. It’s about how faith in destiny before choice diminishes the authenticity of emotion, relationships, and connection. This is a high concept to examine through the lens of a BL. With good chemistry and decent acting all around, plus some excellent high heat and representation of consent and a few other rare tropes, this one has to (like it’s sibling show My Ride) earn high marks.

Most interesting concept 2023.

13 The New Employee

Korea Viki

So good, SO QUEER, so soft, a near pitch perfect office BL with conflict derived from that setting. Also found family and a lesbian bestie. This is what I wanted from this new crop of office set KBLs ALL ALONG. Rainbow rice cakes forever!

Best overall queer rep from Korea.

14 Step By Step

Thailand Gaga & YouTube & Viki

This was Thailand’s answer to The New Employee, and everything I loved about that show I loved about this one. This was an office romance between stern boss and sweet subordinate that felt more authentic to an office environment than previous Thai BLs of this ilk which added tension to the narrative and character development.

Chot wins best queer character 2023.

15 Love Tractor

Korea iQIYI

Most of this country-set BL had me feral for the beautiful broken city boy and his hot young farmer. Hyung romance, puppy/cat pairing, open frankness meets jaded reserve, language play, water hose frolicking, only one bed = all my favorite silly tropes.

Biggest "he so pretty" gasp of the year award.

10 Worst BLs of 2023 (that I watched)

My Blessing

My Universe: Casanova Begins

Boyband the series

Cafe In Love

Chains of Heart

Hit Bite Love

Only Friends

Senior Love Me

The Luminous Solution

The Promise

Yes, you read that right. I know I'm against the flow but I really did not like Only Friends. Everyone's taste is different.

However I DNFed faster and more BL's this year than ever before, so that means my 10 worst probably aren't quite reflective...

10 Probably Actually Worst BLs (I dropped 'em)

My Story

The Day I Loved You

Beyond the Star

Crazy Handsome Rich

Dinosaur Love

House of Stars

Mr Cinderella 2

Love Bill

Stormy Honeymoon

The Star Always Follow You

Codicils in General

I only carefully track/watch Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. Other countries are not fully represented.

My Numbers

So my spreadsheet chronicled 138 BLs that finish airing in 2023.

101 = watched & reviewed

2 = still in the docket (WDYEY2 & Love Syndrome III)

15 = CNF (could not find)

20 = DNF (which also accounts for how few very low scores I handed out in 2023 as opposed to previous years, I just stopped watching). Speaking of which...

Ratings spread

(# of stars. #of BLs given that rating)

0 (see the DNFs instead)

2 - IT'S DEPRESSING they killed the gay, save yourself

7 - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM WATCHING AND NEITHER DOES IT

7 - FATALLY FLAWED but still basically BL, however… do we want to support this kind of behavior?

9 - WATCH IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO but don’t expect much, it’s a total hot mess

17 - WORTH WATCHING BUT FLAWED probably around the ending or in narrative structure/cohesion or censorship

14 - RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS i.e. isn’t quite BL, convoluted, not strictly HEA, too short/long, or chemistry issues

30 - RECOMMENDED some concerns around tropes (like dub con) or story structure but still satisfies as BL

13 - ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED probably a few pacing issues or one flaw

2 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED faithful to tropes, happy ending, good chemistry, few flaws, high rewatch potential

(source)

[itagakimizuki]

MAEDA KENTARO & KASHIWAGI HARU KIMI NI WA TODOKANAI 君には届かない (2023) | ep 8

[forcebook]

You’re always the first thing I see.

I CANNOT REACH YOU / episode 1

[gabrielokun]

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

No matter what happens, Kakeru will be there for me.

[lovetune]

君には届かない。/ I CANNOT REACH YOU (2023) Episode 1 dir. Masahide Izumi

[respectthepetty]

Real question: Are these two dating?

They are, right?

[allovelyhappily]

Yamato & Kakeru_I cannot reach you