#kabe sa doujin sakka no neko yashiki kun wa shouninyokkyuu wo kojiraseteiruj

[bengiyo]

Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to be Recognized Ep 8 (Finale) Stray Thoughts

We're at the end, and I'm going to miss having a show this funny and odd in the rotation. Last week was pretty brutal with the reveals about Mamoru's internalized homophobia and the way his and Issei's feelings for each other never seem to exactly connect. Eager to see the resolution here.

Even the narrator sounds sad.

Of course the other reporter carried on. You watch two people have a painful breakup and blast it like that? Evil.

Kyo is my favorite member of Shiny Smile.

Oh look at this reporter rooting for Issay and rescinding the story.

The slight rocking of the camera in this dinner scene with Yamada is so unsettling. Great choice by the cinematographer.

I'm crying because Yamada. SHE'S A REAL ONE. FAVORITE FUJOSHI EVER.

Narrator tits man is also smiling again!

Ah, but this isn't good news for Issei yet. He's been recloseted.

This is still too many clocks.

It's FRAMBOISE!!!!! I love him so much. Favorite bit character of the year.

Mamoru finally faced Framboise and had a great exchange. It's what we all deserved.

Tsubasa of course had to go to the convention for Issei. He's kind of a dick, but he's got heart.

Okay, but can I get a copy of this book??

I love Issei so much. He's so right that idols shouldn't have to be closeted.

I just realized we didn't get the intro.

Okay, I just got emotional about the reporter too.

I'm so happy for Issei and Mamochi (who gives great facial expressions), but I'm also frustrated on behalf of Framboise who won't get Mamoru to the after-party.

That was very dramatic, very cute, and very Japanese for a reconciliation scene.

Final Verdict: 9, Recommended for BL fans who appreciate parody. Otherwise, I don't think it's easy to enjoy. The surrealism doesn't land without an appreciation for everything the show is exaggerating. Still, this cast of characters are standouts of the year for me.

[gillianthecat]

"All female fans of BL have a penis growing in our hearts." ~ Yamada, Kabe Koji Nekoyashiki Kun Desires To Be Recognized episode 2

[bengiyo]

I am honestly loving it so much. There's a particular drawn quality to Issei that I can't shake. Something about Mamo's lips also stands out.

I am absolutely in love with Framboise. Hands down favorite character of the year.

I love Kabe Koji. Episode 3 was a treat but… for a series that is supposed to be comedy it has such huge horror-movie-thriller vibes and gosh I hope that’s intentional because it’s brilliant :D

[bengiyo]

Framboise (played by Kaji Masaki) is probably my favorite side character of 2022. In a year of great older queer men in genre, from Mork’s uncles Cheep and Dej in My Ride to Uncle Man in 21 Days Theory, I’m so glad we got Framboise as well. In Framboise we see a self-actualized gay man that literally lights up the room with his energy. He is what I aspire to be in a gay elder.

When Framboise first appears, it is in a burst of sunlight and flowers as he enters the convention floor. He’s excited to see other creators, and thrilled to be near another queer creator who he’s clearly admired for a long time. Framboise is determined to get Nekoyashiki to join them at the after party for other queer artists. Though he’s constantly rebuffed (and expresses his frustration vocally), he doesn’t give up on or abandon Nekoyashiki.

Framboise, like any sort of manga/anime character, has a clear and specific style. What I love so much about him is that he is more indicative of what so many gay men actually look like. We have facial hair. Some of us are chubby. We like for our clothes to fit well. So much of what I love about Framboise’s style is how it fits with his physicality.

His joy when he moves around is about being in the space with everyone. He’s not flashing his clothes to impress others; those are the clothes that make him feel most like himself. It’s such a joy to see a heavy-set character happy and comfortable in his skin in a BL, especially one that’s older.

Like many of us, Framboise thrives on queer community so much that he takes any offerings of kindness from Mamoru for the big deals that they are. He was so surprised in the middle of the series that he was overwhelmed with love and fell down. Like many of us, we can all appreciate the attention of an attractive younger man, and yet it mostly stops at play.

In the finale, we get to see Mamoru finally relax himself enough to be open to Framboise, and can finally receive directly the unconditional love of another queer person who cares about you. It’s big and it’s joyous and it is offered in behind the back hug that takes you off your feet.

Framboise isn’t happy for Mamoru because of specific success (exemplified by Takkun), he’s happy that Mamoru finally drew something he was happy with. As a queer elder, it’s such a joy to see a baby gay figure themself out and finally appear comfortable in their skin; conversely, Framboise displays how genuine appreciation for being seen earnestly. Mamoru knows that he’s appreciated.

As we reflect on the future of BL, I will be writing about Cheep, Dej, Man, and Framboise again, because this was the first year that queer elders really contributed to my enjoyment of the genre. I hope Framboise is the beginning of us seeing older queers having joyous lives in our dramas.

Special thanks to @liyazaki​ for creating these gifs for me so I could share my love of this character with you all.

[gillianthecat]

The machine translated version of the Japanese title is amazing

Nekoyashiki-kun, a wall artist doujin writer, is aggravated by his desire for approval

壁サー同人作家の猫屋敷くんは承認欲求をこじらせている

He is very much aggravated at all times.

[bengiyo]

Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to be Recognized Ep 2 Stray Thoughts

Props to autocorrect for helping me type the header. I'm very excited to see Maximum Tsundere and Maximum Sunshine interact again. I will be very disappointed if Framboise doesn't show up this episode, because I think I want to be him.

I kinda understand the concept of wanting to admire people from afar. Gao Shi De conveyed some of that. I do think this is a bit extreme.

I like the short member with red hair of Shiny Smile.

I like how I'm already pre-mad about paparazzi.

I will not be skipping this intro. It's too much fun.

"Beat your own ass." Excellent advice.

Ah, homophobia. I hope this guy gets his ass beat.

YES, YAMADA! "There was a bug." Is this SPY x FAMILY?

This dude is almost too dramatic.

I do love the dynamic between Nekoyashiki and Yamada. She is amazing to watch.

"All female fans of BL...have a penis growing in our hearts." *Wink, wink, wink* Absolutely unhinged. I love her.

It's rather compelling how Issei consistently inspires Nekoyashiki. I don't think I've ever seen a show about an idol fan. Likewise, Issei is just as motivated to impress Nekoyashiki.

I'm a sucker for a montage, especially when people are working to impress the other.

When I visit Japan, I want to see one of these pedestrian railroad crossings in action.

Framboise crumbs... Hopefully we get more of him next week.

Oh good. They're going to talk more next week, though I am also concerned that he bailed on his event. Tsubasa is going to explode.

[gillianthecat]

Grump meets Sunshine

Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-Kun Desires To Be Recognized also titled Kabe Sa Doujin Sakka no Neko Yashiki-kun wa Shouninyokkyuu wo Kojiraseteiru

[gillianthecat]

Kabe Koji Nekoyashiki Kun Desires to Be Recognized episode 2

You guys, I think I might really like this show. I thought I would enjoy it and have fun watching, but after this episode I'm starting to get excited about it. Slapstick humor can be tricky for me - it often veers into areas I find annoying or cringe inducing, but the comedy in this one is hitting just right. And it feels grounded, like the humor is there to further the story and the characters, not just for it's own sake, which is how I prefer my stories.

A lot of it is that both Issei and Nekoyashiki are starting to get interesting and more complicated. They feel like real people under the cartoonish gloss of the show. Nekoyashiki is more self-aware than he initially seemed, and Issei has more to him than smiles and sunshine (it looks like we'll get a deeper dive into that next week.) These complexities make them both much more appealing to me as characters.

They didn't interact at all this episode except in a high school flashback, but it still feels like their worlds are revolving around each other. Mutual crushes! Mutual inspiration! And Nekoyashiki is too insecure to believe in Issei's earnestness (he wins most earnest boy ever) and to scared to show his own interest. So Issei believes he's all alone in his adoration (obsession?) but for him its enough simply to have his Mamochii notice him. Hmm... I think being SEEN is going to turn out to be a major theme in this. Makes sense for a show that centers on an artist and an idol. (edit: also it's literally in the title so this isn't that profound an insight, lol)

The story I think is going to be fairly simple both by genre and by necessity - there are only eight 22 minute episodes in which to tell it. But I expect we'll see a lot of character growth even in that time. I can't wait to see what happens with the shrine, lol.

I love Yamada! Yet another example of humor done really well. She's hilarious but she also feels like a person. Plus all the idol group members seem like they'll turn into great characters (I kinda ship Issei with the mean one). Even the two paparazzi seem more interesting than they should, and I'm excited to see Nekoyashiki's doujinshi enemy again next week.

Also I just really like Nekoyashiki's (Matsuoka Koudai) face.

[gillianthecat]

Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to be Recognized Episode 4 (i'm too tired to figure out a screenshot without the overlay)

This phone conversation! The intimacy of it. Their faces. Issei's honesty about his joy. Mamoru's honesty about his fears. How they don't understand each other at all but still somehow they connect. Mamoru's anxiety about picking up the phone, about reaching out at all. But he does it anyway, because he cares, because he's starting his to see beyond the borders of his own self centered anxiety.

There were many other moments of this episode that I loved, but I'm too tired to write about them now.

Oh! I do have to mention that extended love letter to artists and writers and other creators, via Yamada's impassioned rant.

And I still love Matsuoka Koudai's face. I think he's beautiful, yes, but there's also something about it I just like.

[gillianthecat]

I continue to adore Yamada. So supportive.

Oh no. I thought he wouldn't be invited, but he's not on the wall. Which I guess is just as much a tragedy for my most insecure boy.

See, this is how to do a voice over. An outsider (I love that it's mr. manly tits himself) adding in perspective or information we wouldn't get from watching the characters themselves. Bonus points for being funny. My Beautiful Man did it well too, even though it was the characters' voices, because it had a purpose, and a structure. (I'm still thinking about the random introduction of unnecessary voiceovers in Fahlanruk.)

I just love this show so much. Which honesty surprises me, there are so many individual elements of it that I tend to be iffy on, and the humor is this close to being over the top cringe, but somehow the alchemy of it all creates magic and it works so well.

[gillianthecat]

I unabashedly love this show. The plot is simple, but it doesn't feel shallow. The balance of humor and earnestness is just right for me, and when it's funny it's hilarious. I love all the manga stylizations and side characters, and the actors are wonderful.

I 🖤 Mamoru I 💛 Issei I 💜 Framboise, Yamada, Mamoru's mama, and all the Shiny Smile members. (I 💗 Matsuoka Koudai's face)

[bengiyo]

Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to be Recognized Ep 3

If Framboise doesn't appear this episode I will be sorely disappointed.

THERE HE IS!!!!! I WANT TO KNOW HIM! I WANT TO BE HIM! IT'S FRAMBOISE!!!!!

Issei definitely set up a stand to sneak out.

Maybe if Nekoyashiki was friendlier and let Framboise help him, he wouldn't be having such a dud of a day.

This intro is fantastic every week.

Poor Ryu. I do enjoy the Shiny Smile dynamic.

Framboise fell for a tsudere. 😂

Issei including his own drawing with his contact info is so sweet.

Mama Nekoyashiki is everything and I love her.

Well don't just tease about Issei's family drama.

I'm going to implode. Issei is throwing rocks at the window. This always gets me.

Unsurprisingly, the sunshine boy comes from a sad household, and our tsudere gave him a way to love his smile again.

This man has been running from Issei's feelings for years??

NO FRAMBOISE CRUMBS IN THE PREVIEW? 😭

[bengiyo]

Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to be Recognized Ep 5 Stray Thoughts

I've been busy all day, so I'm a bit late. When we last left off, Issei took charge of the band drama since their leader was just going to be a dick. Mamaru spoke on the phone to Issei, and we reflected on how amazing it is that their admiration for each other pushes both so hard. We did not see Framboise, and I was sad.

I'm gonna call all my BL watching and blogging research now, too.

Oh right, I forgot that Issei brought a strange woman to solve the problem. Of course she's Tsubasa's teacher.

I enjoy this intro every single week.

Loving all these impassioned pleas!

The cinematography of the Tsubasa flashbacks is really good.

Damn, that's the second truck-related trauma in J-BL airing right now.

Tsubasa talks like a protagonist or a villain. I can't decide.

I'm such a sucker for teamwork.

I love this teacher. I would absolutely request a picture with my favorite member of a boy group if this happened with one of my students.

You absolutely need someone like Issei who can lighten the mood after saying important things.

Hey, there's some progress. Mamoru was about to take a compliment from Issei and give one in return.

I'm with Yamada. This doesn't seem like his style at all.

Oh no, he's no longer on the wall.

Oh no the paparazzi follow Issei to Mamaru's apartment next week.

[gillianthecat]

The way Mamoru looks at his sunshine boy. I can't blame Issei for falling for him despite being constantly told to go away.

[bengiyo]

Kabe-Koji-Nekoyashiki-kun Desires to be Recognized Ep 7 Stray Thoughts

I had a lot to do today, so I'm late to watching my favorite show airing currently. Last week was fantastic. Yamada got to meet Issei and we got to see more Framboise. Mamoru and Issei have a dynamic that I am really into.

I never tire of the narrator also being Mamoru's fictional character he created.

I have yet to skip this intro.

I don't think isolation is going to enhance his creativity.

I love that the food baby bit wasn't a one-off.

Yamada is a real one. She's fantastic. It's sad that Mamoru can't appreciate what she's saying or her company at this time.

Of course Yamada went to Issei, and was willing to embarrass herself and fight to see him.

That's right. Issei doesn't need to say anything. He just needs to force Nekoyashiki to move around and see something else.

I am so here for the threatening aura of Issei giving the reporter food all the time.

Mamoru does care about Issei, but in such a self-degrading way. There is an earnestness to the way Issei loves Mamoru that does not care what others think.

Oh BL and your drama llama episodes. This one pains me.

I do love a self-reflective seme breakdown, but goddamn. I'm not sure what pushes him out of this self-destructive loop.

[gillianthecat]

Mamoru's mom! This whole thing has me in stitches.

I appreciate Issei's clever scheming to get a moment with his tsundere crush. There's a lot going on beneath his ever present shiny smile.

Oh, and now it's getting poignant and real...