#rakutan

[absolutebl]

BL Streaming - Which Service is Worth Your Money?

I’m bored and I have a little extra time this morning so it’s time for ABL to play with the spreadsheet of doom. 

Occasionally I get the question: 

If I were to subscribe to only one platform for BL which should I pick? 

This post is dated May 2023. 

First things first. I am going to be (somewhat) objective about this and not judge on quality of content. Because if KinnPorsche is all you love in life, obvs you need iQIYI, but if you are a HIStory franchise stan, than it’s all about Viki. Those are your life choices, I’m just here to play numbers games, okay? 

Secondly, some shows air on multiple platforms, particularly Viki & Gaga, but sometimes it’s Gaga & YouTube, occasionally it’s even iQIYI + others. This has only started happening in the last few years. Bed Friend was on 3 different platforms (GaGa, iQIYI, YT) - even though it was originally announced for Viki! I honestly don’t know how to track this, so I tend to log the spreadsheet with my preferred watching platform for that language, this will throw the numbers off for those platforms. 

Since I join everything my platform preference choice is based on:  

the quality of the subs/captions   

the quality of the user experience  

My subs experience tends to be: 

YT = best for Thai

Viki = best for Korean and sometimes Japanese, okay for Thai

Gaga = best for Chinese and sometimes Japanese but very weak Thai subs

My user interface preference is: 

YT, Viki, Gaga in that order then everyone else with iQIYI at the bottom. This is because I watch on mobile devices. 

ASplay, WeTV, former Line, Amarin TV, Netflix and the other smaller suppliers (and apps) will all be grouped together for this assessment. Since they have so few offerings, by default I would not recommend subbing those platforms unless you are a hard stan of all BL with disposable income. 

Super bad BLs that I watched back in the day on grey sites or YT (pre 2020 crack down) because there were no other options and I am a completest are still listed as grey. I would never suggest anyone watch these shows anyway, so I don’t care if they have now shown up on legitimate sites. If they are somewhere, it’s likely Gaga. Which means Gaga’s percentage of the market share is probably UNDER reported by my numbers. 

Movies and cinema-only releases that never got international distribution fall into the “grey” category. If I got it off an indie subber, since that too is technically illegal, it falls into the grey category as well. 

Final note: This is from a USA based IP, I don’t use a VPN, so platforms assessments are from that perspective. 

Spring 2023, current state of the spreadsheet. AKA 

Our BL Data Set 

Total # of BLs = 564

# of BLs ongoing (so finished runtime is best guess) = 18 

Just Answer the Damn Question 

Round Number of Actual BLs - % of market share

YouTube = 218 - 38.6%

Gaga = 148 - 26.2% 

Viki = 77 - 13.7% 

Grey = 53 - 9.4% 

BLs I’ve never been able to find on any platform (including grey): 36 - 6.4% 

iQIYI = 14 - 2.5% 

Other platforms = 12 - 2.2% 

Margin of error: +- 1% (look I’m just not driven to be that accurate here)

Subscription Platforms Breakdown  - % of market share

Eliminating YouTube, Grey, and missing BLs. Viki is included because I do not know which of theirs are behind the paywall and which are not. 

Total subscribe-only BLs: 257 

Gaga = 59%

Viki = 30%

iQIYI = 6%

Sml sites/apps = 5%

(rounded) 

Okay but how about actual runtime? 

Gaga = 360 hrs - 44% 

Viki = 311 hrs - 38% 

iQIYI = 98 hrs - 12% 

Sml sites = 50 hrs - 6%

Anyway you cut it... on pure BL standards...

GAGAOOLALA WINS 

Other consideration? In most places Gaga is ALSO the cheapest per month option. 

Final Thoughts

YouTube (America’s Alphabet) 

YT has the most pieces of content and longest overall runtime because of all the Thai stuff. ALSO bootlegs show up there, especially the early Chinese and Japanese stuff. They will often get taken down and you have to hunt for it again. YT takedowns come in waves, every 6 months or so.

However, GMMTV, some Star Hunter, some Studio Wabi Sabi, all the Vietnamese & Pinoy stuff (until now), and a few choice bits of Strongberry are YT content.

YT’s app is the best UX of a poor set (for me), but the web based YT at Premium level doesn’t work with Firefox. I use YT for work A LOT, so the fee for Premium ($13.99) and lack of ads + downloads (travel) is worth it for me, but I think it probubly isn’t if you’re on a budget. 

GaGaOOLaLa (Taiwan’s Portico Media) 

Of the pay to play platforms, GaGa dominates with the most BLs by all metrics. If you’re intersted in darker BL, GL and other queer content, very high heat, the history of the genre, or Japanese stuff - most of that is on GaGa. Also all of Strongberry and some of the newer queerer series (like My Ride).  

At $6.99 a month it’s ALSO one of the cheapest options. 

Gaga is based out of Taiwan, the only Asian country with marriage equality (as of 2022) AND it specializes in exclusively queer content so they need our support. If you can afford them, you should support them. GaGa is the only platform that will always have more BL, guaranteed (so long as Taiwan is autonomous). Ironically, you can follow their YT channel for previews and teasers to their latest series, short content, and acquisitions. 

Their app isn’t great, but their web-based interface is fine. That said: there’s no categories (way to organize), and the way they roll out new episodes is unintuitive. Their mobile app ALWAYS pauses not mater what you actually want it to do and the lack of the quick skip ahead is frustrating. 

Viki (Japan’s Rakutan)

Viki specializes in longer series, mostly Thai, Taiwanese, and a few of the Chinese bromances. It also now has a lot of KBLs. But in general only more recent stuff (2018 is as far back as they go).

At $4.99-$11.99 depending, it’s low to average cost. I’m not sure which one (if any) you actually need for BL. Most of my favorite new shows tend to air on Viki, and I like Rakutan as a parent company, so I don’t mind supporting them. 

They happen to have 5 of my top ten BLs, which is A LOT (since I hand out 10/10 so rarely). So for me they host the objective best BL content. 

They have the second best app (after YT, it’s kinda a combo of YT + Netflix) but the lack of a speed-up option is frustrating for many. Also the desktop version is super buggy. But they DO have categories you can name and control, which I love.

Other Platforms 

iQIYI - is Mainland China based (hello Baidu, you ugly fucker), so the platform getting/pimping BL for an international audience only is… how do I put this?… oh yeah: shitty. I will often rename it Icky, for this reason. It clearly wants to break the market, but… do we want it in the market at all? How long will they host BLs? When will they be shut down and censored? I would say it’s only worth it if you really also like Chinese dramas. And even so, Viki also has A LOT of those. Unfortunately for us, Wabi Sabi seems to have cut a distribution deal with Icky. And, of course, there is the KinnPorsche situation (so ironic that Icky hosts the highest heat). The interface is a nightmare. They have the WORST app, even when you pay, it serves ads, some of which alpha crash the platform. 

Netflix - here in the states it almost never has new BL content. Sometimes some old stuff. They tested the waters with SOTUS and Love Sick. I have a feeling they aren’t particularly intersted in this market. So if BL is what you watch, don’t bother. At last check they still had Gameboys and Your Name Engraved Herein and Wish You. 

WeTV - acts like LineTV used to, has Manner of Death and We Best Love and a few of the more obscure Thai pulps. But probably not worth it for anyone but a completest. 

Grey - Unknown or No Distributor 

Indie subbers: there’s some BLs that you can watch by supporting indie subbers who supply private links to their personal versions. This is not legal, but it is a slightly nicer way to get stuff you can’t find anywhere else. I’ve done this for some Thai and Japanese stuff.

I find the leads for these sources here on Tumblr. If someone is giffing and talking about a show and I don’t know how they are getting hold of it, I simply ask.

DramaCool (USA) & Dailymotion (France) & Bilibili (China) and others - AKA the grey space. You SHOULD feel guilty using these sites, you’re stealing, but it’s where many of us go for BL we can’t find anywhere else (in defiance of what few morals we have left). These are BLs that originally sold to very odd platforms or never got international distribution. Unfortunately, some of my favorites are in this category like Great Men Academy or Seven Days. It’s a nightmare. The ads are terrible and the virus/bug risk is high. They get taken down all the time. Or the leads are faked. I use an old computer to access and suggest you take all necessary precautions yourself.

P’ABL SOAP BOX TIME

Look I work tangential to the entertainment industry, so if you thought I wasn’t going to learn you a little on this subject, you got another think coming. 

HERE’S THE THING: 

You watch a show on one of the grey platforms, ESPECIALLY if it actually has distribution on Gaga or Viki - you better review that shit. You spread the word and advocate for that content here, on MDL, on social media, with fan art, I don’t care. You steal it, you find a way to pay back in your time and/or creativity. 

I get it if you’re poor, but don’t be a goddamn scab. Find a way to reward content creators with non-monetary support. If you had the time to watch the thing you stole, you have time to pay it forward in some substantial way. Do this even if you didn’t steal it but got it for free. Do this if you read fanfic. Do this with articles, blogs, books. Do this with podcasts. 

It isn’t hard to be a decent human and support creators. Don’t you dare just TAKE. If you’re that kind of person stop reading this blog immediately. I don’t want anything to do with you and you don’t deserve my words or my spreadsheet of Doom. 

/rant 

MORE ON THIS TOPIC WITH FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS

Original post on this subject that I adapted for this post. 

(source)

[egvyume]

🖤🤍🖤 ¿Manchas? ¡No! Que se las queden los dálmatas 🖤🤍🖤

Que sí, son muy monos con sus manchitas, pero precisamente por eso que se las queden ellos. Las manchas preocupan, y no sólo la que te queda cuando se te cae el café 😅 . Así que si el tema te interesa, ya seas novata (yo lo soy) o pro (ps,ps si sabes algo que yo no, chíavamelo, porfa),  bienvenid@ y quédate un ratito a leer este post hecho especialmente para ti. ¿Empezamos? Pero antes, un…

[rakutane]

Leo used intimidation. It's not very effective. Pose reference by: https://twitter.com/mellon_soup @mellon-soup

[absolutebl]

It begins! 

Honestly @heretherebedork do you remember a time when we were complaining there weren’t enough office set BLs? Like, we got excited about Top Secret Together. 

How innocent we were. 

Now it’s like a firehose of cubicles, elevators, and natty suits.  

The New Employee (2022) | Episode 1

[human-dlc]

I think one of the more fun things about media that’s been out for a long time is seeing all the weird spin-off or side material that has been made of it

like for higurashi there is:

higurashi tactics (mobile rpg, lost media, references tomitake princess one level, you can find some gameplay and the soundtrack though, I highly implore you look at the title screen it’s soooo scuffed!!!)

The higurashi mini games (truly the most how 2 code test object thing ever)

The dwango releases like Niesagashi and kokorozushi which are original arcs with the deen anime’s art style specifically made for i-mode phones

The taito releases that include 2 new characters that are never seen again after this (Mayumi Kimiyoshi and Shimiko Makino both drawn in original art style) and a bunch of random other content (tomitake ramen timer, watanagashi festival outfits/events in og style, new mini game with better coding)

The remake released on rakutan (ew) that never beat the tracing allegations but also generally has vaugly funny composition when using their own art style anyway, higurashi chuu!

Uchikoroshi (from dengeki festival 7)

Which is a lcd baseball game (YouTube link which is video source)

[burakku-jakku]

NEWS: A new Osamu Tezuka character sofubi figure by DINER has been released. This time, it’s Chao from Unico. She’s for sale on Rakutan and Yahoo Japan Shopping, you can find links to those here.

DINER also has two Unico sofubi figures they’ve released in the past.

[adampage]

me watching a rakutan holiday commercial: now why are they trying to dilf-ify santa

[absolutebl]

Excellent. I was wondering when this one would drop. First came on our radar as just “Liquor” 

All the liquors Coming 2 March on Viki

starring Kim Joon Hyung and Won Do Hyun

Depicts the story of Park Ki Hoon, a skilled chef with low alcohol tolerance meets Han Ji Yu, an employee of a beverage company who likes drinking alcohol

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BoysLoveUpdate 🏳️‍🌈 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 (@allabout_boyslove)

New Korean bl!

@absolutebl @aliceisathome @bengiyo @gillianthecat @heretherebedork @iguessitsjustme @weekendatennuis

[absolutebl]

Jun & Jun

It’s happening again. 

Korean BL is driving me feral!

Suits!

Pining seme. 

Ex-idol cute patootie that EVERY boy wants. 

That thing he does with the glasses. 

Scent is their love language. 

[sporadicalpacachild]

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Unlike various other hotel chains, 2 grownups and 2 kids can remain without increasing the price of the area. Hyatt uses a few of the most sought-after hotels on the planet, such as the Park Hyatt Sydney and also Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome. These hotels can cost upwards of $1,000 per evening, but you can schedule them beginning at 30,000 factors per night.

Do resort incentives set you back cash?

They are free to join and enable consumers to make points each time they remain at a particular resort or group of resorts. A lot of programs have multiple tiers of membership condition & #x 2014; the more points you earn, the higher your condition and the better the rewards.

Hotels.com does have its use though if you are remaining someplace without a chain, or where the chain Hotel is also expensive. The plan is really helpful for corporate visitors-- you https://www.hotelsandrewards.com/ obtain a great return on your invest, as well as your firm will compensate the overall rate revealed on your resort invoice. I prefer making use of hotel's very own program's merely since they credit really promptly, implying less time spent tracking down missed out on factors. I utilize hotels at all times in Asia, especially when the international brands are 3-4x the price compared to local hotels. Add Rakutan 8% money back ideal as well as 3 factors from Chase Sapphire!

I understand you can suggest truth cash money worth of the hotels.com benefits considering that we never ever pay complete price with cash money. The means I see it, I can book a resort space nearly anywhere I need to for regarding one third off. Their ideal rate warranty is usually easy to take advantage of. Also on pre-paid nonrefundable rates, they will certainly refund the distinction if the rate is lower on their website or any other site-up to the day before your keep I assume it is. They will not, nevertheless, honor participant only ranks from hotel chains or anywhere else. I can see why it would be good for options and also at the very least you'll get a cost-free evening after 10nights.

Make Reward Points

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The plan is actually helpful for company tourists-- you get a wonderful return on your spend, and also your business will certainly repay the overall rate shown on your resort receipt.

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Stunning beaches as well as lush greenery await you at this tropical heaven.

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Marriott Bonvoy Limitless ® Charge Card ($ 220 Value)

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Legit Means To Make Additional Cash Money

If you do make it to Silver, it's absolutely worth seeing if you can obtain your holiday a bit cheaper though!. Each stamp is made at the worth of the price you have spent for that evening's stay. Once you have actually struck 10 stamps, you obtain a "complimentary night's keep" on your next reserving with Hotels.com which is a reduction off a booking of the typical rate of the 10 evenings. Obtain 75% perk factors for every single eligible hotel purchase, including room rate, eating, medspa, as well as more. H Incentives is a versatile program that adjusts to the various requirements of our brand name household and also various needs of guests. It provides members access to exclusive deals and also events from our national and local cooperation partners.

Dreamy St. Thomas all-inclusive resorts for a stress-free vacation - The Points Guy

Dreamy St. Thomas all-inclusive resorts for a stress-free vacation.

Posted: Thu, 09 Mar 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Or redeem as a declaration credit scores for travel acquisitions like air travel, resorts, rideshares, gasoline station, restaurants as well as more without power outage days. In spite of having one of the most costly yearly costs on the bank card market, this card features a collection of benefits that can be worth it for constant tourists. CloseOur authors, editors and also sector professionals rack up bank card based on a variety of variables consisting of card features, incentive offers and independent research study. Credit card issuers have no say or impact on just how we price cards.

The loyalty program features PointBreaks properties every two to three months. With this promotion, you can reserve an award night with just 5,000 factors. Yet you have to remain at the PointBreaks residential or commercial property within the adhering to couple of months.

[rakutane]

Donnie sketch to feed my hyperfixation 🐢

I don't exactly know what mission he's doing, but he's ready to obliterate whoever bad guy they're after

[eatsowhat]

(via EAT SO WHAT! THE POWER OF VEGETARIANISM eBook by La Fonceur - 1230003229958 | Rakuten Kobo)

[vilaspatelvlogs]

जापान से बाहर निकलने की तैयारी: वॉलमार्ट ने सुपरमार्केट चेन सीयू की 85% हिस्सेदारी बेची, 1.65 बिलियन डॉलर में हुआ सौदा Ads से है परेशान? बिना Ads खबरों के लिए इनस्टॉल करें दैनिक भास्कर ऐप नई दिल्ली4 मिनट पहले

[stellarflex]

1st episode was AMAZING

[jbhemlock]

100% agreed. I’d like to point at (and shout out to) Rakutan Viki for doing this right. They put together whole teams to handle translating and subtitling the shows and movies that they stream. These teams do an amazing job writing and sequencing subtitles that often include cultural cues, brief explanations, subtitles for songs (kept separate from the dialog). Their subtitles are world class, and I’d like to see other productions strive to that level of quality.

I, a hearing person who likes subtitles just as a preference, shouldn't have to read a subtitle that's obvious nonsense, go back a couple seconds, and listen again in order to figure out what's going on. An accessibility feature should not be the most half-assed part of a professionally made production. Scripted media has absolutely no excuse for not having subtitles or having subtitles that aren't perfectly verbatim. Professional captioning services should be ashamed of the shoddy work that they put out. Captions should be treated as a part of the production, just like filming, editing, audio balancing, etc - and anything that releases with missing or bad captions should be seen as unfinished

[bigtiddygandalf]

did I miss something? How did Shen Shen and Zhao Jing recognize Zhou Zishu in episode 8? They only met him with his beggar disguise so how did they know it was him after he removed it?