Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
Koichi is cheerful and popular in the class. Mitsuru, a new student, is talented and not good at socializing. The two high school students are strongly attracted to each other due to their opposite personalities and Koichi literally forces himself on Mitsuru to be his friend. They become close and spend most time together including walking to and from school together. Sometimes, they'd hang out at Koichi's home, surrounded by his rowdy young siblings and loving family. Mitsuru enjoys the warm, inviting atmosphere in his friend's home. One morning when they are walking, Koichi is hit by a truck and before you know tragedy strikes and Koichi is dead. But surprise surprise he suddenly wakes up but sans heartbeat. Mitsuru is shocked as to what's happening because not seems like Koichi is now a living corpse whom only a few people can see. With every passing day, less and less people can see him and they both fear if Koichi is stealing energy from Mitsuru. One of the girls, a common friend of theirs, who can see spirits, helps them try t make sense of why things are happening. It turns out that the day before that it is their unfulfilled love for each other which is preventing Koichi to move on. Eventually they decide to make love because every passing day as a living corpse is becoming difficult for both of them.
Even though few people may find the story odd, but the way everything has been handled in the show, it feels like a very powerful and poignant story. The film is an excellent case study of love and grief. Everyone who has ever experienced grief in their life will relate to Mitchan narration. Main characters will take you through all the grief phases again. From the desire to spend a little bit more time together with your loved one who is not here anymore, when even one extra minute would be a the most desirable gift during your grieving journey; to being angry with the person who left, why they did it to you, how could they leave and let you be here all by yourself. I was shocked when Koichi dies at end of episode 1 and I was left wondering, how is the show going to proceed. I have to admit that I was a bt skeptical, when he wakes up again and had my worries thatches is going to be a dumb story, but the way the show proceeds with its innovative twist of a living corpse shows complexity and creativity both. Ad the show proceeded, it shows promise both in its story and imagination. We are given brief backgrounds of the two main characters, their family history and why eventually being loved by someone was so important for Koichi. But, this sophisticated BL drama inspires various emotions that mix with sorrow.
Mitsuru and Koichi make an iconic BL couple whose love persists through hellish conditions. Despite their youth, this elegant love story feels incredibly mature, defined by delicate sensitivity and thoughtful introspection. Their relationship packs so much substance, sexual tension, and symbolism in just eight half-hour episodes. If I must nitpick, the series should flesh out the early stages of the attraction even more. Regardless, I'm mesmerized by the exquisite showcase of passion and devotion. The less have an electrifying chemistry and they play their characters with tenderness and poise. Mitsuru has this fragility about him, the reasons behind his brooding character and beautiful eyes conveying hatred, outrage, love, grief amazingly well. Similarly, Koichi is bubbly, handsome and has the affable charm that would wanna make everyone wanna be his friend. The series had to have a sad ending, which is what happens, but it is so beautifully done, it is hard to explain that in words. Overall, Eternal Yesterday is a prestigious tale of love and woe. I feel like this show may not be everyone's cup of tea, but despite an unrealistic supernatural premise, the way this show has been directed in very believable and you root for the lovers. It is beautiful, heartbreaking and for lovers and a reminder to love and appreciate what you have. I am somehow finding myself struggling with right words on good the show is and how much it resonated with me, but hopefully sometimes less is more. (8.5/10)
Comments
There must have been a whole team of experts doing the background work before the actual script was written, because everything around the spiritual matters was explained well and made sense. If anything, then... if I were the sensitive girl who was called to explain the situation of Koichi from the spiritual level, I wouldn't accept the answer (Have you done anything special or different recently? - No...) since the extra sensitive helpers and lawyers are the two kinds of people you must never lie to, but then again... she must have already known. Educational for me, googled a lot between the episodes, learned a lot.
And lastly, the dialogue and narrative - amazing. It was lovely to watch how it is possible to say so much by speaking only a few words. This must be a special Japanese thing that has been practiced for centuries and every next generation inherits half of it and learns the other half. And the way Koichi half-whispers Mitchan's name is an absolute pearl. What's in a name? Everything.
They also surprised me several times. From stories that seem out of place at first but deepens the message in the end (the professor). To what's the cause of the zombie's life. I was expecting (as it's hinted , and usual in mangas) that the zombie unvoluntarily sucks life from his closed one. So Koiichi would somehow kill himself in the end to save Mitsuru. Easy. But the fact that it's Mitsuru's love that keeps Koichi alive turns everthing upside down and packs quite a punch. How would you let your loved one go if you have the power to keep him with you. Koichi begging Misturu to let him because he feels his body can no longer take it just broke my heart. Honestly I feel the message of "enjoy what you have" has rarely been stronger.
Definitely one of my favourite BL last year
"Koichi begging Misturu to let him because he feels his body can no longer take it just broke my heart" - I agree. Its the scenes like this which elevate a simple show to just magic !!