Top Form Review: The Thai Dakaichi We Didn’t Know We Needed
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Wait, what? For some reason, I thought ‘Top Form’ was going to be 12 episodes long, because the climactic episode had a more penultimate chapter mood to it, than a conclusive closing note. But then it also ends in a way that promises fans a season 2, so that’s something to look forward to.
Directed by Boss Wasakorn Khumklaowiriya, the 2025 Thai series Top Form is based on the popular manga Dakaichi by Sakurabi Hashigo. The eleven-part show stars Smart Chisanupong Paungmanee (he made his debut in ‘Don’t Say No’) as rising star Jin, who becomes smitten with award-winning actor Akin (Boom Raweewit Jiraphongkanon) when they work together on a series. Still a rookie actor, Jin is determined to reach Akin’s level of fame so they can be equals and lovers in the cutthroat entertainment industry. Will the ‘sexiest man’ in Thai industry take notice of the newbie?
I haven’t read the original manga, but I did watch the anime adaptation a few years ago, and it supposedly strays quite a bit from the source material, ‘fixing’ some problematic non-consensual scenes, while remaining on the steamier, saucier side. The Thai series Top Form also takes its own creative liberties with the script, but it still manages to include several frame-by-frame faithful moments from the manga and anime. If nothing else, leads Boom Raweewit Jiraphongkanon and Smart Chisanupong Paungmanee serve some solid romantic chemistry as Akin and Jin.
The first few episodes of Top Form sets Jin up as a bit of a space case, sweet-faced but stiff, which earns him the nickname “wooden boy” from Akin during their early scenes together. Akin, a top star and pro, is clearly annoyed by Jin’s lack of emotional range, though he admits the guy is easy on the eyes. In a key moment, when Jin just can’t shed a tear on cue, Akin steps in to help – and boom, Jin’s heart does somersaults. The creators slip in a very clunky CGI heart effect that is laughable, but the crying scene itself? Surprisingly tender and swoon-worthy.
Akin fits the classic “tsundere” mold – cold on the outside, secretly soft inside – and Jin’s awkward but persistent affection clearly gets to him. Fittingly, Boom Raweewit Jiraphongkanon is truly in top form as Akin, exuding a convincing mix of confidence and vulnerability. Smart Chisanupong Paungmanee (Jin) isn’t exactly stiff, but his acting can feel a bit one-note – though he more than makes up for it with strong chemistry alongside Boom. Smart has a soft, soothing voice, and a charming personality that meshes well with Jin’s character. I saw Boom last in Thai series ‘Chains of Heart’, a messy non-recommendable action-romance, but even in that, Boom had great onscreen chemistry with Haii Sarunsathorn Tanawatcharawat.
Top Form leans heavily into its showbiz setting, mixing in on-set shoots, media promos, and press interviews. Unsurprisingly, it deviates from the original Japanese manga (over a decade old now). For instance, the show weaves in Jin’s rise on social media while Akin’s stardom is already trending through the roof. But they are often affected by negative comments and online chatter about their personal lives. One of the major conflicts in the series arises when Akin and Jin become industry rivals, as they are represented by competing companies, which also poses a challenge for their love life. The head of Jin’s agency harbors an inexplicable personal grudge against Akin and goes out of his way to sabotage his career through underhanded tactics. His villainy feels exaggerated, seemingly added just to heighten the drama.
Toey Pongsakorn Mettarikanon plays Jade, the manager in charge of Akin’s career, who often appears in crucial scenes but feels underutilized as a secondary character. On the other hand, the show’s consistent focus on Akin and Jin’s romance is appreciated. The only other actor who stands out in this drama is Peanut Peeranat Veeranipitkul as Johnny, another rookie actor under the same agency as Jin, who is confident and cocky. Johnny also has a crush on Akin, so a mildly messy triangle brews between the trio, causing significant heartache for Jin.
The story begins to waver in the last three episodes of Top Form, with subplots that don’t flow smoothly and could have used some major tweaks. What works for the series is the sultry chemistry between the leads, a handful of sensuous romantic scenes, well-funded cinematography, and a vibrant soundtrack that’s surprisingly eclectic – featuring a mix of Thai, English, and Japanese tracks (though some viewers might find the combination a bit random or jarring).
Overall, this is an entertaining adaptation of a manga that’s notoriously difficult to bring to screen due to its explicit content, however, ‘Top Form’ delivers a tempered, not too smutty re-imagination of the story. The Japanese could take a page from the Thai creators and finally give Dakaichi fans a proper regional version.
Rating: 7 on 10. Stream ‘Top Form’ on WeTV.
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