Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 14

Sakamoto Days Episode 14 Review: The Boss is Back, But Sidekicks Steal the Show

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‘I’ll work harder! I’ll become stronger!!!’

Episode 14 of ‘Sakamoto Days’ with Shin comically screaming his head off as he finds himself in unfamiliar circumstances. I won’t write about what actually happens, both to keep the review spoiler-free and to preserve the impact of the opening scene. But just like before, the anime’s focus remains on the various serial killers out to eliminate Sakamoto and his crew.

Also Read: Sakamoto Days Season One Part One Review

Titled “Strong Assault”, this episode introduces an intriguing new character, Granny Miya, from Sakamoto’s golden days as a top-tier assassin. Meanwhile, the story also picks up the tense cliffhanger from Episode 13, with a deranged assassin approaching Sakamoto’s wife, Aoi, at the store. Will he hurt Aoi? Or will the Sakamoto squad arrive just in time to avert tragedy? Something quite unexpected happens!

In the last two episodes, Taro Sakamoto, despite being the titular protagonist, had minimal screen time. And honestly, that worked just fine, with the hilariously entertaining duo of Shin and Lu taking center stage to battle the bad guys. But in “Strong Assault,” the boss is back. Sakamoto steps into combat mode, facing off against one of the death-row convicts who escaped with Slur’s help. In an interesting but weird scene, the creators address Sakamoto’s weight issues, and how he tries to temporarily (and magically) lose weight to fight better, before bouncing back to his chubby self.

This episode, however, wasn’t as theatrically violent as the last two, and I’m starting to think it’s actually more fun to watch the supporting characters than Taro himself. And whenever the pacing dips even slightly, your attention shifts to the animation quality… which, yeah, as most of the ‘Sakamoto Days‘ fandom agrees, isn’t great, especially if you compare it to ongoing anime like ‘Dan Da Dan’.

The episode’s final moments follow ORDER members Osaragi and Shishiba as they pursue their next target, but not before indulging in a comical binge-eating spree.

Watch Sakamoto Days on Netflix.

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Lord of Mysteries Review: Beyonders and a ‘Beyond-My-Brain’ Pace

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

From an animation enthusiast POV: the dark-fantasy series ‘Lord of Mysteries’ was more exhausting than entertaining to watch. There’s just an overdose of visual stuff happening in the series, and while some of the frames do look great, a lot of them also either feel AI-generated, or like playing a video game.

While discussing the show with my brother, who watches more animated content than I do, he pointed out that viewers unfamiliar with Chinese animation styles might struggle to connect with ‘Lord of Mysteries’, much like how younger audiences today might not like the simple Cartoon Network-style designs of the shows we grew up with. If I have to give post 2024 examples of animated shows I enjoyed streaming, they would be ‘Blood of Zeus’, ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’, ‘Dan Da Dan’, ‘Leviathan’, ‘Love, Sex, Robots’, or even the ongoing ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’, and ‘Gachiakuta’…!

From the opening episode of ‘Lord of Mysteries‘, this is the basic plot I pieced together: Protagonist Klein Moretti is a ‘transmigrator’, someone who can travel to a different place and era. So he is from the future, where computers and cellphones exist, but he finds himself in a steam-punk, medieval alternate reality in 1352 AD. Klein needs to figure out a way to go back home in the future, so he decides to take the help of Dunn Smith, the captain of a secretive group called the Night-Hawks, that operates under the guise of a security company. Dunn Smith is also a ‘Beyonder’, beings that have supernatural powers and can rise to the level of Gods.

Also Read: The Poppy War Review: Rin Rips The Fabric of the World

The series dives deep into lore, rules, and drama surrounding the Beyonders, with Klein eventually becoming one himself. After joining Smith’s secret order, he begins working alongside them to solve cases that often involve dangerous entities. His first mission deals with a kidnapping, followed by a case involving a disturbingly powerful puppet that might remind some viewers of the creepy clown from Stephen King’s IT. While the plot of ‘Lord of Mysteries’ sounds fantastic on paper, the execution just didn’t work for me.

The animation of ‘Lord of Mysteries’ is a blend of steampunk aesthetics with weirdly Victorian-era styles and moods. The animation movements feel choppy, like you’re watching someone else play a mystery fantasy game online. The character designs mirror the style of Japanese anime, making the characters cat-like cute, but the episodes lack the energy, and emotional highs that make anime so gripping. Unfortunately, the voice acting doesn’t help either, as it fails to elevate the experience.

From the four episodes that I saw, the tone of the series was largely bleak, serious, dark, packing in a generous amount of demonic activities and bloodied violence. And even though I am a huge fan of mystery and horror series, each time an episode of ‘Lord of Mysteries’ got over, I didn’t feel any excitement over what would happen next. The creators jam in too much, both plot-wise, and visually, and maybe I am too simple-minded, but this show gave me a headache. It features too many characters, too many fictional places, weird fictional historical personalities, and too much name-dropping.

Give ‘Lord of Mysteries’ a chance if the idea of a guy from the future time-traveling to an alternate past, where powerful secret orders with supernatural beings thrive, sounds exciting. As long as you are a patient viewer who doesn’t mind a crazy mix of visual styles and an overload of information.

Watch Lord of Mysteries on CrunchyRoll or WeTV.

Find the writer on Twitter and Instagram for more pop culture chatter.

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Head Over Heels Episode 12 Review: Sealed With Shamanic Spells and Kisses!

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Actor Cho Yi-hyun is adorable as teen shaman protagonist Park Seong-ah in ‘Head Over Heels’, but she is even more entertaining as the troublemaker ghost Bong-su, now an evil deity residing in Seong-ah’s body. And if Yeom-hwa (Chu Ja-hyeon) is to be believed, the only way to get rid off Bong-su is by death of its host. The finale of the series is an entertaining mix of comedic antics, friendly banter, emotional upheaval, and dangerous shamanic activities.

Quick Recap of ‘Head Over Heels’ Episode 13

Seong-ah performs a ritual to expel the spirit of Bong-su from her beloved first love, Gyeon-woo (Choo Young-woo). However, things take a dark turn when Bong-su ends up possessing Seong-ah’s body instead, now transformed into an evil deity, having claimed his 100th victim with the death of senior shaman Dongcheon. Or at least, that’s what Yeom-hwa claims. Seong-ah disappears from the town, even missing her graduation ceremony, leaving both Gyeon-woo and Ji-ho (Cha Kang-yoon) devastated. Seong-ah is gone for almost three years, but her friends keep looking for her, without much success. Episode 11 ends with Gyeon-woo finally finding her at the Flower Fairy Do Ryeong’s (Yoon Byung-hee) shrine, but then he realizes it is actually Bong-su!

Episode 12 of ‘Head Over Heels’

The finale of this supernatural romance centers on Gyeon-woo’s attempt to resolve the Bong-su crisis, who’s now taken over Seong-ah’s body. Let’s call her Bong-Seong-ah, since she’s no longer the sweet, floral-dress-wearing teen with signature bangs, but an evil deity strutting around in bold, spunky animal-print outfits.

Gyeon-woo brings Bong-Seong-ah home, where Ji-ho, who is perpetually crashing at his place, is stunned to see her after all these years. His shock only deepens as he begins to grasp what’s really going on. The first few minutes of Episode 12 lean into comedy, with hilarious exchanges between the trio. When an old school friend unexpectedly drops by, word spreads fast: Seong-ah is back. This sparks an impromptu beer-fueled reunion party to celebrate her return, and Bong-su, now inhabiting Seong-ah, begins to realize the weight of stealing someone else’s life.

Just as actor Choo Young-woo was fun to watch when his broody character was possessed by Bong-su, Cho Yi-hyun also portrays the possessed teen shaman with endearing, playful charm. Of course, she’s equally adorable as the lovestruck, generous, golden-hearted Seong-ah. Although actor Cha Kang-yoon as Ji-ho is also a scene-stealer, with his fluffy portrayal of Ji-ho, loyally standing by his friend’s side.

The last few minutes of ‘Head Over Heels’ take a tense, dramatic turn as Gyeon-woo reluctantly teams up with Yeom-hwa to exorcise Bong-su. However, the older shaman’s proposed solution is dark, painful, and potentially fatal. The finale delivers a colorful and theatrical display of shamanic rituals, with both Yeom-hwa and Do-ryeong (Yoon Byung-hee) performing elaborate ceremonies.

While I was definitely expecting more romance and spooky elements from ‘Head Over Heels’, the show turns out to be an intriguing blend of both. Of course, some of the shamanic plot points defy logic, but if you just go with the flow, it’s an enjoyable ride. In the end, Cho Yi-hyun’s Seong-ah gets a victorious, emotional “happy ending,” and the final moments feature the lead couple sealing their love with a few sweet kisses. Give it a watch if you’re in the mood for a genre-bending teen romance.

Watch ‘Head Over Heels’ on Prime Video.

Find the writer on Twitter and Instagram for more pop culture chatter.

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Revenged Love Episodes 15-16 Review: Jealousy? Activated. Scheming? Unleashed.

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Now that the infamous ex-boyfriend Wang Shuo (Liu Jun) has finally made his appearance in ‘Revenged Love’, it’s clear Chi Cheng (Tian Xu Ning) has a ‘type’: gorgeous little schemers!

Recap of ‘Revenged Love’ Episodes 13-14: Wei Wei (Zi Yu) and Chi Cheng start to date each other seriously, going on fun dates, while also working together in their new art company. Meanwhile, Guo Cheng Yu (Zhan Xuan) tracks down Dr. Xiao Shuai’s (Liu Xuan Cheng) predatory ex-boyfriend Meng Tao (Birgit) and forces him to come clean. Meng Tao admits he had Xiao Shuai drugged and photographed to make it look like he cheated, so they would break up. This confrontation gives Xiao Shuai closure and also brings him closer to Cheng Yu.

While Episode 13 features cutesy romantic moments between Wei Wei and Chi Cheng, trouble brews in the next chapter when Chi Cheng’s ex-boyfriend, Wang Shuo (Liu Jun), returns to town. Interestingly, Wei Wei isn’t insecure; instead, he encourages his boyfriend to sort things out with the ex so they can move forward with their lives. Episode 14 ends with a tense meeting between Chi Cheng, Wang Shuo, and Cheng Yu over drinks at their usual hangout spot.

Episodes 15-16 of ‘Revenged Love’

After a fun, comedic 14-episode run, the series has now entered its cliched era, filled with a few frustrating misunderstandings that don’t make a lot of sense. For instance, a coincidence leads Wei Wei to believe Chi Cheng might’ve spent the night with Wang Shuo, when in reality, Wang Shuo unexpectedly crashes at Dr. Xiao Shuai’s flat. And come on, we all know how chatty and gossipy Xiao Shuai is, so when he runs into Wei Wei the very next day, it’s completely implausible that he wouldn’t mention Wang Shuo had stayed over. In-fact, if Wang Shuo had cleared up the matter, it could’ve led to more insecurity and cause for concern and confusion for Wei Wei!

Titled “Who Can Resist the One You Love, But Cannot Have?”, Episode 15 of ‘Revenged Love’ begins with Chi Cheng confronting Wang Shuo about his sudden return, and why he’d been hiding it for six months. It’s clear Chi Cheng still needs closure over what happened between them in the past. New entrant Liu Jun is entertaining as the sly, bratty Wang Shuo, whose ultimate agenda seems shady, but it’s evident he wants to stir up trouble between the lovers.

Meanwhile, things get more complicated when Chi Cheng takes Wei Wei’s mother, Li Ya (Qin Yue), to the doctor and learns she has pancreatic cancer. In a cliched twist, she makes him swear to keep it a secret, forcing poor Chi Cheng to lie to his boyfriend about his whereabouts during the hospital visits, leaving Wei Wei confused, insecure, and heartbroken. Actor Zi Yu shoulders these emotional scenes with nuance and sincerity, tugging at the heartstrings of viewers.

While Episode 15 might be the weakest installment of ‘Revenged Love‘, dragging slightly in pace, Episode 16 is more entertaining, reintroducing some of the show’s comedic tone. One of the funnier surprises (especially for those who haven’t read Chai Ji Dan’s novel Counter-Attack) is when the bratty Wang Shuo shows up at Wei Wei’s art installation company, as a client.

Jealous yet curious to learn more about the ex, Wei Wei slips into scheming mode and agrees to visit Wang Shuo’s home, where he ends up befriending Wang’s older brother. But not just that, Wei Wei also discovers some old videos which lead to new revelations about Chi Cheng’s messed up equation with Wang Shuo and Guo Cheng Yu. So we get some comedic scenes between Wei Wei and Xiao Shuai wondering what really went down between the three men.

Fans who’ve been patiently waiting for the romance between Guo Cheng Yu and Dr. Xiao Shuai to progress might feel rewarded: they’re finally officially a couple in the series. Some credit goes to the mischievous Wang Shuo for escalating things between the pair. I am not sure how much space this secondary couple had in the novel, but they could’ve definitely used some more scenes in ‘Revenged Love’, since the chemistry between Zhan Xuan and Liu Xuan Cheng is pretty cute.

Although, damn, I said in my review for the first four episodes of ‘Revenged Love’ – Xuan Cheng and Tian Xu Ning have great onscreen chemistry too, which is making all characters curious about the exact nature of their ‘friendship’. Because not just Dr. Xiao Shuai, but it seems Wang Shuo was also insecure about the proximity between the childhood friends.

The climactic moments of Episode 16 indicate that Wang Shuo might not be as evil as everybody assumes him to be. Overall, these two episodes of ‘Revenged Love’ were engaging, even if not as chaotically entertaining as the earlier editions.

You can watch ‘Revenged Love’ on YouTube or Viki.

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The Poppy War Book Review: Rin Rips The Fabric of the World

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

It took me three days to finish the first 400 odd pages of ‘The Poppy War’ by R.F. Kuang, and another 3 to finish the last 100 pages. And that’s really one way to review the book: absolutely riveting and gripping for the first 75%, after which the plot gets slow, repetitive, bland and slightly disappointing. And if readers made a game out of drinking a shot every time the author wrote a variant of ‘it would rip the fabric of the world’, you’d be reasonably hammered by the end.

Set in a fictional empire called ‘Nikara’, ‘The Poppy War’ is about teen protagonist Fang Runin AKA Rin, a war orphan who burns the midnight oil to clear the Keju exam, her ticket to the prestigious Sinegard academy, an elite military school which trains future war generals. Life at the academy, however, isn’t a dream. Rin is mocked for her peasant background, ridiculed for her accent, and dismissed by masters who can’t look past her origins. But she’s determined to prove her worth, no matter how high the cost.

A stroke of luck (or destiny?) brings her under the wing of Jiang Ziya, a reclusive lore master who, despite being perpetually absent from his classes, decides to personally mentor her. Jiang prepares Rin for combat and is easily one of the most entertaining characters in ‘The Poppy War’. He’s a rebellious outlier, the classic “misunderstood genius” who refuses to play by the rules and is constantly underestimated by those around him. So when war comes knocking far too soon, Jiang’s unorthodox training gives Rin her chance to shape history… or burn it all down. Or, as the book puts it, “rip the fabric of the world.” (Feel free to try the drinking game while reading this review.)

R.F. Kuang builds a rich, imaginative world filled with lore, history, powerful deities, superhuman shamans, cultural divides, and racial tensions. The Nikara Empire comprises of 12 provinces, each ruled by a warlord, who are under an empress known for her hypnotic powers and part of a legendary trio with shamanic powers. But peace is fragile in Nikara, with the island nation of Mugen, led by merciless commanders, constantly threatening invasion.

The first half of ‘The Poppy War’ is absolutely unputdownable. It’s not overly intense and delivers a familiar but entertaining story of the underdog (Rin) trying to make it big despite all the odds. The only real friend Rin makes at the Sinegard Academy is the nerdy Kitay, essentially the ‘Hermione’ of the novel, but from a powerful family: the son of Nikara’s defense minister, no less. Of course, there’s a mortal enemy too: Nezha, the arrogant, handsome heir to a powerful warlord, who brawls with Rin on day one. And the there is Altan Trengsin, a revered senior warrior who becomes Rin’s idol and eventual partner in chaos.

Rin gets a very ‘Karate Kid’ style strength training, unlocks her ‘chakras’ (yeah, no, R.F. Kuang doesn’t say that, but still), channels her inner shaman, and rips the fabric of the world. Sort of. The spiritual mechanics are vague at best, but they’re serviceable: shamans typically enter a drug-induced trance, call upon a God, and if the God responds, either their enemies are doomed… or the shaman is. “With great power comes great insanity” could easily be the story’s tagline. It’s fantasy, after all.

As Rin’s power grows through the climactic chapters, so does the reader’s fatigue with ‘The Poppy War’. What started as a compelling journey turns into a slightly bloated saga of destruction. Rin goes from being a relatable fighter to a near-invincible weapon of mass destruction, and it’s not always convincing.

For instance, there are things the author just doesn’t convincingly convey, like Rin’s anger at the world. In the second half of ‘The Poppy War’, Rin is grief-stricken over the loss of her “friends” in the war, devastated by having to watch them die before her eyes. And I’m thinking: girl, you had one friend, and he’s very much alive. R.F. Kuang needed to establish stronger friendships for Rin to make her “ripping the fabric of the world”-level vengeful rage believable. Or, better yet, just be honest about Rin’s simple, understandable thirst for power, blood, and destruction.

The final act of ‘The Poppy War’ dives deep into graphic territory. From brutal war crimes to chilling body horror and sexual violence, the book doesn’t flinch. These depictions are deliberate, meant to show the horrors of war, but they will be too much for some readers. But you cannot rip the fabric of the world without grotesquely butchering humans, can you?

Overall, the novel is an intriguing fantasy-fiction novel steeped in legend and lore, which ends on the promise of more bloodshed. I might’ve felt disappointed by the last few chapters, but this was worth a read.

Rating: 3.5 stars on 5.

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Head Over Heels Episode 11 Review: Grim Reapers and Grim Missions

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Korean series ‘Head Over Heels’ has been so entertaining so far, largely due to its charmingly cute teen shaman protagonist Seong-ah (Cho Yi-hyun), that this edition felt a bit off, because others characters get a lot more space. And also, it features some surprising twists, which take some time to make sense, including a really long time-jump!

Quick Recap of Head Over Heels Episode 10

Bong-su has fully taken over Gyeon-woo’s body, and Seong-ah can only reach out to her crush for one hour each night. The teen shaman must now find a way to exorcise the spirit and save Gyeon-woo from death. Meanwhile, Yeom-hwa (Chu Ja-hyeon) manipulates Ji-ho (Cha Kang-yoon) into giving her the ring that once belonged to Bong-su. She uses it in a dangerous ritual to summon the grim reaper and in order to send Gyeon-woo to the underworld.

Unfortunately for Yeom-hwa, her spirit-mother and senior shaman Dongcheon (Kim Mi-kyung) is determined to save her from completely turning to the dark side. So when Bong-su counter-curses Yeom-hwa, redirecting the grim reaper toward her, it’s Dongcheon who dies instead. The tragic twist unfolds because Dongcheon had secretly become a protective human talisman for Yeom-hwa, a final act of loyalty, love, and devotion to her spirit daughter, showing she would never abandon her again.

Episode 11 of ‘Head Over Heels’

The episode opens in the immediate aftermath of Dongcheon’s death. I honestly thought it might be a false alarm, and that the shamans would somehow resurrect her with their powers. But the tragedy is real. A heartbroken, grief-stricken Seong-ah vows to protect Yeom-hwa, despite all her despicable actions so far. Both the younger women are devastated by the turn of events.

Still, the central focus of this ‘Head Over Heels’ episode is the teen shaman’s unwavering resolve to save her first love, Gyeon-woo, from the clutches of malevolent forces. So she takes him on a romantic park date with a hidden agenda: to lure Bong-su out of Gyeon-woo’s body and make him follow her. Once she succeeds, Seong-ah mysteriously vanishes for months, leaving everyone wondering where she went.

There’s some romance, mystery, suspense, conflicts, and lots of emotional moments in the penultimate episode of ‘Head Over Heels’. While Yeom-hwa insists the teen has turned into an evil spirit, Gyeon-woo refuses to give up, relentlessly tracking down ghosts in hopes of finding clues to her whereabouts. Although the reversal of roles, wherein Yeom-hwa tries to play the ‘good’ shaman, while protagonist Seong-ah is labeled as the troublesome one, felt a little off.

“If you see her, you should run for your life,” Yeom-hwa warns Gyeon-woo, though he clearly doesn’t take the warning seriously. And why would he? She’s made his life miserable since he was a kid. Amid all these new developments, poor Ji-ho remains clueless. Sure, some of what’s happened is his fault, but Cha Kang-yoon portrays Ji-ho with such earnest charm that it’s easy to forgive him. And even with Seong-ah gone, he continues to support and value his friendship with his love rival, Gyeon-woo.

It takes some time to grasp where these unexpected new twists are leading the story, but the climactic moments of episode eleven deliver an exciting twist. Turns out, the Bong-su problem is far from solved, setting the stage for an entertaining finale to the teen shaman’s supernaturally romantic love story.

Watch ‘Head Over Heels’ on Prime Video.

Find the writer on Twitter and Instagram for more pop culture chatter.

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Groupies Comic Book Series #Issue 5 Review

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Issue 5 of ‘Groupies’ marks the end of the comic book series by Helen Mullane and Tula Lotay, where the creators get meta and break the fourth wall to tell us how the ending twist is “kind of anticlimactic, right?” Heck yes. It’s the creators’ way of saying: we weren’t sure how to end this demonic tale of sex, music, and drugs without it being predictable, so we just threw in a randomly convenient twist to deliver a surprising-as-hell climax, so what if it’s anticlimactic AF?!

Also Read: Groupies Comic Book Series #Issue 4 Review

I cannot begin to describe my disappointment with this issue of ‘Groupies’, because I am exhausted, brain-fried, and the last thing the comic-book reader part of me needed was this half-baked finale. Seriously, this series had been pretty intriguing, with beautiful, dreamy artwork by Tula Lotay, which by the way, didn’t even stand out as much in this chapter.

Chapter 5 focuses on a groupie called Myuuzu, another gorgeous young woman who begins to seriously worry about the deaths and disappearances of her friends. She gets the boys of ‘The Moon Show‘ to confront the reality: their meteoric rise in popularity might have something to do with devil worship and human sacrifices.

As always, I want to keep the review free from major spoilers, so I won’t reveal what really happens in the climax, except to say that it was super underwhelming. Give this comic series a chance only if you’re a fan of Tula Lotay’s artwork.

You can read Groupies on Kindle Unlimited.

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‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity’ Episode 3 Review

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“When did I become someone who treats others the way I hated being treated?”

It seems the more Rintaro Tsumugi (voiced by Yoshinori Nakayama) talks to Kaoruku Waguri (voiced by Honoka Inoue), the less right his assumptions about her personality turn out to be in ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity’.

Also Read: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity’ Episode 2 Review

Titled “A Kind Person,” episode 3 starts off with Rintaro and his friend Shohei worrying about their upcoming exams, so the two of them head to the library to study together. There, Rintaro unexpectedly runs into Kaoruku. This episode focuses on the slowly developing friendship between its teen protagonists against the backdrop of exam stress, school rivalry, and their own complicated feelings.

One of the most entertaining, and low-key hilarious, moments in this episode of ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity’ (seriously, they should’ve gone with a shorter title) is when Rintaro and Kaoruku’s friends nearly come to blows. Or at least, it looks like a comedic showdown is about to unfold after Kaoruku’s friend from Kikyo, the elite all-girls school, assumes Rintaro is heckling her, simply because he’s from Chidori, the public boys’ school that Kikyo girls seem to consider a school for losers. The timing couldn’t be worse, because just then Rintaro’s friends appear at the spot and gear up to confront the girls.

While we’ve already been introduced to several of Rintaro’s friends, a fun group of high school boys who enjoy karaoke and sports, this episode is the first time the anime properly introduces one of Kaoruku’s friends. Subaru, a new student from Kikyo with silver hair, looks like she belongs to an action-packed anime. She cuts a tall, cold, and imposing figure next to the short, cute, princess-like Kaoruku, who she is instinctively protective of.

Except for the overtly high-pitched voice acting by Honoka Inoue, I love everything about Kaoruku Waguri: she is cute, optimistic, straightforward, and, as we learn in this episode, also a hard-working student at the top of her class. And the desserts she so joyously devours at Rintaro’s family-run bakery? Kaoruku pays for them with the money from her part-time job, not pocket money handed out by her parents. Yoshinori Nakayama’s calm voice as Rintaro thankfully offers a pleasant contrast.

Given that it’s only episode 3 of ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity’, the romantic moments are yet to kick in, but the awkward bond between the protagonists is very cute. Towards the climactic moments of this episode, Rintaro gets a call from Kaoruku, and the boy practically gets butterflies in his stomach. One can easily imagine a live-action adaptation of this high school series, which so far is proving to be a cozy weekend watch.

‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity’ is on Netflix.

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‘I Became the Lead in a BL Drama’ Season 2 Review

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Abe Alan and Akutsu Nichika are back as the hilariously awkward protagonists Akafuji Yuichiro and Aoyanagi Hajime for season 2 of ‘I Became the Lead in a BL Drama’ (‘BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita’), which remains just as entertainingly un-serious as before!

Directed by Kumasaka Izuru, the new season spans six episodes and follows the comedic struggles of its lead pair who’ve entered the ‘dating phase’ of their relationship. Akafuji Yuichiro (Abe Alan) is a popular rising star in the industry, but he still behaves more like a ‘fan boy’ than lover towards boyfriend Hajime (Akutsu Nichika), leaving the latter confused, frustrated, and questioning their status. Meanwhile, the clueless Yuichiro, boils in jealousy over Hajime’s cozy rapport with new co-star Haibara Ryunosuke (Furuya Robin), a handsome senior actor.

Honestly, ‘I Became the Lead in a BL Drama’ (‘BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita’) isn’t even romantic-comedy, it’s just comedy, packed to the brim with silly jokes and funny moments. Interestingly, the subplot between Hajime’s manager Kijima Joji (Watanabe Shu) and Yuichiro’s manager Yukari Hiroomi (Ogoe Yuki) sees more romantic development than the leads themselves. Even their relationship leans into an idol-fan dynamic, as Hiroomi is revealed to be a closet fan of Kijima, a former star turned manager. Both couples may remind viewers of Utsukushii Kare (My Beautiful Man), which shared a similar setup, though that was a much more serious drama, and its protagonist, Hira Kazunari, belongs to a whole different league.

‘I Became the Lead in a BL Drama’ (‘BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita’) thrives on comedic awkwardness, insecurities, and the sheer inexperience of its leads when it comes to romance. For instance, while Yuichiro gets jealous and competitive with Haibara over his proximity to Hajime, Hajime on his part begins to doubt Yuichiro’s cozy rapport with new director Yamabuki Wakaba (Oshida Gak). One of the most hilarious sequences in season 2 was when Yuichiro and Haibara play a ‘who knows Hajime better’ quiz, complete with props and Hajime stickers.

Nearly half an episode of ‘I Became the Lead in a BL Drama’ (BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita) is devoted to producer Yayoi (Iriyama Noriko) and her colleague hitting up karaoke and fangirling over Hajime and Yuichiro’s characters from the BL drama they worked on. The two excitedly scheme about pushing for a second season (yes, the meta angle is genuinely funny), all while being completely unaware that the actors are dating in real life. Instead of falling back on stereotypical vampy female roles, the show offers a refreshing twist by portraying them as enthusiastic BL fans.

After two seasons of ‘I Became the Lead in a BL Drama’ (BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita), I’m still not sure if Abe Alan and Akutsu Nichika share any romantic spark, but they are a riot to watch (in a good way) as bumbling actors stumbling through their first attempt at love. Having previously seen Abe Alan as a creepily predatory antagonist in ‘Smells Like Green Spirit’, it’s easy to gain a newfound appreciation for his comedic turn as the harebrained, celibate Yuichiro. Meanwhile, Akutsu Nichika is especially endearing, infusing Aoyanagi Hajime with a sincere, childlike charm, blissfully unaware of his own appeal and the effect he has on Yuichiro.

The bizarre background music, which feels like an auto-tuned, goat-bleating sound, and served as a running gag in season one, returns in the new episodes and is just as hilariously absurd as ever. If you enjoyed the first season, you’ll be entertained with this follow-up too.

Rating: 7.5 on 10. The show is on GagaOoolala.

Find the writer on Twitter and Instagram for more pop culture chatter.

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‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ Episode 4 Review: Festivities and Secrets

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

‘I might not be able to replace him. But I’ll always keep you safe.’

At this point of ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’, non-manga readers still do not know much about the exact nature of the supernatural entity inhabiting Hikaru’s body. But one thing is clear beyond doubt: it has grown attached to Yoshiki.

Quick Recap of ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ Episode 3

Yoshiki meets Rie, the perceptive woman who senses he’s nearing something dangerous and warns him to be careful. Shaken by the encounter, Yoshiki begins to distance himself from Hikaru, grappling with the unsettling truth that this isn’t his childhood best friend, but something uncanny wearing his face. Hikaru soon picks up on Yoshiki’s coldness and confronts him, triggering an intense, out-of-body exchange between the two. The episode closes with Hikaru in tears, desperately pleading for Yoshiki to stay by his side, confessing that the line between itself and the real Hikaru has blurred, and that it cannot exist without him.

Episode 4 of ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’

Titled “Summer Festival,” episode 4 opens with a comical scene of Hikaru luring a cat with some treats so that he can pet it, while Yoshiki looks on. The episode focuses on Hikaru attending a village festival with Yoshiki and his younger sister, emphasizing their reconciliation. Meanwhile the elders of the community worry about the supernatural events plaguing their lives, including a recent death. They villagers turn to consult Tanaka, the guy from ‘the company’ to investigate the eerie happenings.

The conversation between Tanaka and the locals sheds more light on the Indo family’s tradition of going to the cursed mountains to perform a mysterious ritual. There’s a cult-like sense of kinship, secrecy, and shared understanding among the locals, who clearly know more about the strange happenings in the region than they’re willing to admit. The slow-burn suspense of ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ is going to be a challenge for impatient viewers, but I am thoroughly enjoying the pace and intrigue.

The bits that feature Yoshiki and Hikaru in this episode are largely light-hearted and comical, filled with warm scenes of festivities and the teenage friends trying out local food. But toward the end, Yoshiki reveals a major secret that forces both Hikaru and viewers to see his grief and denial in a new light.

Be sure to stick around after the end credits for a haunting flashback of Hikaru’s final moments in the mountains. While the animation feels a bit off in a few scenes, the anime continues to be thoroughly engaging.

Watch ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ on Netflix.

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