Eien no kinô

This is a sad story, with a sad beginning and, unsurprisingly, a foreseeable sad ending. I sort of liked the plot, but I am rather indecisive regarding the acting. The story is just a miracle which happened due to love. So far so good. It becomes clear from the onset that this miracle has an expiration date and that it is all about coping with sadden loss. The idea is rather genuine (although it bares similarities for instance with "Ghost", staring Woopi Goldberg and Patrick Swayze), but the realization is quite stylized in a typical Japanese manga fashion. Unfortunately, the developing of the characters (mainly of the one left behind) is unsatisfying - after 8 episodes the mourning lover has not come to terms with what happened, in fact he has not really progressed at all. If the story had some comic instances in-between, I might had forgiven this, but alas this is not the case. So we are left with an unresolved emotional burden (no catharsis, no absolution, no new hope). Perhaps, if the penultimate scene replaced the last one, we would at least have been left with a shimmer of hope.

Generally, the story feeds on the emotional distress induced by the sadness of the event (but not the ensuing plot), offers a predetermined unavoidable course of events. It generally falls under the definition of a kitsch movie/series, namely one that gives no food for thought and just evokes tears through pre-chewed emotions (very much like your typical tele-novella, simply in a more artistic Japanese style).

I haven't seen such a beautiful series in a very long time. I cried so much during almost all of the last half of the last episode like never before. So beautifully made overall, wonderful characters, great actors. Real love. And so emotionally touching. Let yourself in the story which is basically sad, but also just wonderful. Experience growing heartfelt love of the two boys to the fullest, while they know how it might end.

What a gem this series is. My first 10/10 in a very long time, and it will stay in my head for very long. A must-see.

The best BL from Japan in 2022 which is quite different from the others, but this is one you will never forget.