I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
This is the story of Kusakabe and Sajo. They both study in an all boys school. Studious and nerdy Sajo can’t seem to master his part for the singing competition in his all-boys high school until slacker guitarist Kusakabe, who is in a music band teaches him to read music. With both getting along, they agree to hang out and practice in free time. As the days go by, Kusakabe and Sajo become friends, as they offer up casual conversation, practice singing and they walk home together. During their rehearsal sessions, unexpected feelings emerge and the teenagers share a first kiss in a park. Neither boy knows how to react, because this is a new feeling for both of them. The mismatched pair experiences jealousy, frustration, uncertainty and denial before acknowledging their desire to stay together, although Sajo is studying furiously to get into a distant, prestigious college and Kusakabe has no plans after high school.
The story of this film is told in a series of character-driven vignettes (first summer, autumn, second summer etc), where over the course of the senior year, Kusakabe and Sajo’s relationship gradually becomes more intimate. While the romance story being told here isn’t anything original, through the initial attraction, tender and intimate moments, to the internal and personal conflicts, it is written very well and allows the viewer to become engaged within the relationship between the two lead characters, regardless of one’s sexual orientation. With Kusakabe being outgoing and direct, while Sajo is reserved and demure, the relationship is shown as loving, emotional, caring and touching, making their dynamic feel genuine, which is ultimately the core of the film. The anime is top rated here and to be fair, I would not have expected any less from Japan. The backgrounds of the high school, the park, neighborhoods, bars and train stations do a solid job at conveying a down to earth, naturalistic vibe.
Overall, it is a very simple, yet considered film with all of the elements, with nice character designs, animation, story and sound all contributing to the overall feel, without ever being overbearing. While some more world building and exploration of side characters would have been appreciated, the core characters felt fleshed and their romance was effectively portrayed. This films a very tender, heart-warming and simple story, that just warms you up. (7/10)
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