#Mr. Sahara & Toki-kun

[bengiyo]

We are headed into our final Drama Shower show of the season. How do you rank the shows we got this season and how are you feeling about the direction of the project?

What is Drama Shower and Why Does It Matter?

Before we get into rating these shows, I want to do a breakdown of what this is. To give you a sense of how big a deal Drama Shower is, fans are regularly updating a Wikipedia page for it with relevant links to follow the project. Also, there is a dedicated MDL page for it.

Drama Shower is a dedicated half-hour programming block on MBS, a Japanese broadcaster that is over 70 years old, in conjunction with Kadokawa, a Japanese publisher and holding group, that plays BL content at 1:30 am on Fridays. The project's main producer is Kaoru Azuma, who is a self-described long-time BL fan. He wants to show that BL can do a variety of stories in genre, and has recently stated that he wants to produce original content through the project as well.

We originally had six shows air through year one: Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice But to Kiss!, Senpai, This Can't Be Love!, Takara-kun to Amagi-kun, Eternal Yesterday, Candy Color Paradox, and Jack o' Frost.

I originally reviewed these shows as overall a mixed bag, but showing great promise. I liked that they got more comfortable with depictions of m/m intimacy over time. I thought Mr. Unlucky was legitimately funny (9), Senpai never found its footing (6), Takara and Amagi mildly squandered their premise (8), Eternal Yesterday was extremely poignant (10), Candy Color Paradox had ambitions that exceeded its talent pool (7), and Jack o' Frost was a really strong finish (9.5).

MBS seemed to enjoy the performance of this project enough to continue it for another year.

For me, I think it's very significant to give BL itself a time slot to see how audiences are responding to BL as a concept compared to the pitch of individual shows. I'm really encouraged by MBS doing this. Even if you don't care about the name MBS, you have interacted with their content, because they are also behind Full Metal Alchemist and Haikyuu! anime adaptations.

Rating Year 2

I actually liked the way year 2 started, even if I'm a bit mixed on the end. I really loved opening with Tokyo in April is... I liked that they had BL trying to be topical. I think the show unfortunately conflates some things it shouldn't, but I loved TIAI and I loved Ren and Ryunosuke's experience being gay men. I liked the changes they made to the source material. This show was dark in a way that it owned, and I really like that. I gave it a 9.

We then moved to My Personal Weatherman, and that went over well for the people who like to see really hot people go at it with each other. I actually enjoyed how much Yoh and Segasaki actively misunderstood each other even as they were speaking to each other. I don't know that they exactly completed their story, and I suspect that there may be a future outing for this show. Despite enjoying it, I think it didn't get all of its pieces together fully and gave it an 8.5.

We then crossed over into uncertain territory with One Room Angel. Despite enjoying a lot of what was going on in this show, I don't actually think it's a romance. It's my understanding that the angel character is a lot younger in the source material, and so they may have been a little shy about how much they did with these characters on screen. I also don't think the storytelling was balanced between the leads. However, because I am susceptible to complex stories about grief, I gave this show an 8.

Now, we have Sahara-sensei to Toki-kun. I hated this show so much. I think it makes the unfortunate mistake of asking me to care about how homophobia and public perceptions impacts people through its flashback drama, but then does nothing with that in the front. It sucked so hard, and I'm really disappointed because I thought this show had some of the most potential, and I thought Toki was one of the most watchable characters Drama Shower had produced. I ended up giving it a 4.

Our next and final show (I think) for this outing is called My Strawberry Film. This one will also be in a high school, but I know little about it, other than we may have a GL plot in it.

So, overall I'd give Drama Shower an 8. I think fans of BL, and especially Japanese BL, should continue to show up and support it. The fact that we have a dedicated programming block is important. The fact that none of these shows has felt like a retread so far is super important. Drama Shower is varied. There is something in here for almost everyone. Drama Shower is the biggest commitment to BL we've had from a distributor other than GMMTV's ongoing BL slate. Taiwan has Vidol doing is four projects, but Drama Shower is the first time I know of that a Japanese distributor has focused on BL in a meaningful, ongoing way. We should stick with it.

[heretherebedork]

To be loved enough to be able to finally relax, to be loved and to be able to let your guard down, to be loved enough to see that you don't have to be strong all the time, to be loved enough to lay your head in his lap and just be there with him and to let him be there for you...

[guzhufuren]

what the fuck is Sahara And Toki-kun and why have i never heard of it in my life?? is it good?? it seems good

[omgtheregoesthefuckidontgive]

Ah he's so cute help

He's my all time favourite trope cry baby emotional delinquent. Like yes I can fight and can probably kill people, but I will cry because the person I like said this or did this.

LIKE AHH LOVEE

Also side note I can now actually picture what Bakugou from MHA would look like irl, with the walk and the husky voice and that's what keeps cracking me up

And sorry was I meant to believe this geezer was a high schooler, like they fully panned over to him as well??? Just exposing him

[ellsieee]

I don't know why I was expecting a back hug or something typically bl when it's Toki we're talking about.

In no universe did I expect him to put all his strength into slapping Sahara's back.

Toki is so pleased with himself.

He is adorable.

[staydandy]

Mr. Sahara & Toki-kun (2023) - 佐原先生と土岐くん - Whump List

List by StayDandy Synopsis : Toki Kanade is a delinquent who gets into lots of fights. But despite his appearance, he is a pure-hearted guy. He gains favor with handsome physical education teacher Sahara Ichiro, who he subsequently happens to fall for. As a result, he begins to go to school daily just to see Sahara. Thus begins a one-sided, earnest love situation between a refreshingly handsome teacher and a delinquent student! (MDL) AKA : Sahara Sensei to Toki-kun

Whumpee : Toki Kanade played by Hachimura Rintaro (left) • Sahara Ichiro played by Kizu Takumi (right)

Country : 🇯🇵 Japan Genres : Comedy, Romance, School, BL / Boys Love

Notes : This is a Full Whump List • Adapted from the manga series "Sahara-sensei to Toki-kun" (佐原先生と土岐くん) by Toriya Ko (鳥谷コウ)

Episodes on List : 8 Total Episodes : 8

*Spoilers below*

01 : Toki Kanade in a fight, forehead bruised … (@ 9:32 lol caught! - he really went under him?! 😆)

02 : (near end) On the ground, twisted ankle (fall not shown), carried.. foot wrapped

03 : (@ 12:30 Toki as Snow White 😆) … Sahara Ichiro splits his lip (falling into a kiss with Toki .. woops 😆)

04 : (near end) [flashback] Pain from overexertion … [present] Toki headbutts someone

05 : (replay) Headbutts someone … Sahara punched (he did ask for it tho lol) … [same flashback] pain from overexertion

06 : Toki falls down steps (not really shown), knocked out.. wakes in infirmary

07 : [same quick flashback] Sahara in pain from overexertion

08 : Toki hiding pain, collapses.. bruise on his side from a [not shown] fight … beat up

[bl-bam-beyond]

SAHARA SENSEI TO TOKI-KUN (2023, JAPAN)

Episode 1 The Premiere

The next JBL after the end of ONE ROOM ANGEL (which while good was not a BL...not really)

So here we have Toki Kaneda (HACHIMURA RINTARO) on the surface appears to be a troublemaker as a constant fighter and smoking student. Yet he has an innocent nature.

His life changes when he develops a CRUSH AT FIRST SIGHT on PE Teacher/ Homeroom Teacher Sahara Ichiro (KIZU TAKUMI)

His plan to stop fighting (as requested by Sahara) and attend classes to get see and know the gorgeous young Teacher.

But can Toki's Crush really go anywhere with his teacher Sahara?

@pose4photoml @lutawolf @bengiyo @absolutebl @thewayofsubtext @kingofthereblog-boysloveed

[priapussdick]

just watched first episode of sahara sensei to toki-kun and it's the most ridiculous thing ever and i loved it

[madeinjapan-thailand-blbambeyond]

MADE IN JAPAN

KIZU TAKUMI

HORI KAITO

HACHIMURA RINTARO

[luthienmpl]

You know what? It's not Yakuza but the chaotic gay disaster delinquent that is Kaneda Toki scratches a very similar itch so I'll happily take this offering.

[bengiyo]

Sahara-Sensei to Toki-kun Ep 6 Stray Thoughts

Last week, we got the Sahara backstory about how he injured his back trying to be a good senior to the junior who rejected him, and he confirmed that he reciprocates Toki's feelings. The Todo brothers are also happily speaking to each other again. We left at Sahara's junior showing up as a new teacher at the school, too.

Todo wants to join the NBA? Big dreams!

Rise wants to be a police officer? This explains him being nosy earlier.

These girls are way too forward with a teacher. Goddamn.

Sahara stay going through it. I just know this man watched Dawson's Creek.

Oh no. Sahara and this Nekoto dude have been angsting over each other for years.

Do not have a conversation at this school, especially near this vending machine. Someone is always creeping.

How often do people pass out at Japanese and Korean schools? There's always multiple beds in these infirmaries.

Constant eavesdropping! Spies and thieves! Spies and thieves!

SIR! IN THE SCHOOL INFIRMARY??? This is not appropriate at all.

Toki, you know he has a bad back! Don't slap it!

Now Nekoto is having this conversation in the open, too? Both of these men are getting on my nerves!

This show is not working for me anymore. The version of Sahara I hoped for has not materialized. He guided Todo to choose correctly not to play in that game, but he's not guiding Toki away from over investing in a romantic relationship with a teacher. This is not the kind of yearning I am here for, and it sucks because I really like Toki.

[heretherebedork]

I cannot believe the combination that Japan put into this show, between the Cherry Blossoms After Winter and the teacher/student romance but I am in love.

My beloved booooys.

HANDS

I love them so much. I adore them. How dare they be this cute.

My boy, it is.

Man y'all are lucky you're both cutie pies.

And the HUG they're so cute. We absolutely will not be getting a kiss this is Japanese BL after all but they're so CUTE!

[guzhufuren]

my dude only came to school to fuck the new teacher he didn't sign up for this shit 😭😭

[omgtheregoesthefuckidontgive]

this was so funny. With just that one look

They ran to each other, than in itself was cute. But can you imagine being the other guy

Sahara just storming off and opening the door randomly, I'd be like uh excuse me we're having a private gay conversation

And then standing there like I'd be so confused, he wasn't smooth about that at all 😂

But still. I cannot get over how cute Toki is. He's so small. And just so full of worries. The way he sits there and listens and doesn't let his emotions take over him

WHY IS IS HAND SO SMALL PLEASE and he supports the man he likes to do the right thing. Fully trusting he'll honour their agreement but at the end of the day giving him the moral support to make a good decision

And just "I don't care about being cute" he says whilst pulling the cutest face in history

Also I do want to point out I know the teacher x student thing doesn't sit well with a lot, and it doesn't with me either, like especially when they highlight I'm just a child and you're and adult but Idk I guess is just need something fluffy atm and alas this be the one cuz of Toki. Like if this actor/character was in another bl I'd be there just for him

[lgbtally4ever]

LIST OF ALL THE BL SERIES I’M CURRENTLY WATCHING.

Put a star next to Mr. Sahara & Toki-kun! Also, I realize I listed it twice. It IS on, both, iQIYI and GagaOOLala.

Even MORE to come this month!

Oh, I’m also watching a series called, Baby Vampire Blues on Viki, which is,supposedly, if not a full-fledged BL, then, apparently, BL adjacent.

And, not that I liked it all that much, but I was getting to the finale of Ghost Runner on GagaOOLala, and it seems to have vanished, like the ghosts in the series! I’m hoping it reappears, eventually, so I can watch the last episode.

************************

Addendum: Also, currently, watching Cooking Crush

and THE SIGN.

Gave up on Beyond the Star!

Won’t even continue to waste my time on TIME the Series! It looks really badly made, (produced, acted, directed). IDK—let me know, if YOU watch it past ep. 1, and it seems worth the TIME!

[ellsieee]

I didn't have high expectations for Sahara sensei and Toki-kun but it has really surprised me. It's funny and cute in a way I never expected and the overall humor is working for me in a way it didn't in I Became the Main Role in a BL Drama.

I love Toki's friend group.

And I love that Toki is actually a softy and is totally whipped for Sahara underneath his tough gangster exterior.

It's so cute!