Two things: I have absolutely no idea what the title means and feel like I missed something there - is it a reference I'm supposed to get? And I cannot fathom how this is an ongoing series with 5+ volumes out in Japan.
Honestly, this first volume feels very much like a one-shot. The pacing rushes through the production of an entire television show, with a bunch of time skips that I couldn't quite figure out. I don't know enough about tv production, especially in Japan, so I can't tell how much time is meant to have passed during the filming and airing of 9 episodes. Was it only 9 weeks? The way the story was playing out, with Shirasaki progressively tapping into his emotions (through intimate encounters with Asami) to fuel his acting, it seemed like they were filming the next episode right as the previous one was airing, so maybe.
I just don't get why, if this was going to be a longer manga series, their first show together and the development of their relationship wasn't given more space to breathe.
It was a whirlwind on all fronts: Shirasaki's popularity blowing up by episode 3, ads and sponsors and interviews and roles piling up in a way they never had before, lots of "great takes" in their acting scenes without us really seeing much of what the show was even about - or the other people in it - and a lot of Shirasaki and Asami sleeping together on a very regular basis, with this weird concept of them having not actually "gone all the way" because it wasn't full penetrative sex.
They had. A lot of sex. There wasn't much missing there.
I do like the overall idea behind their relationship. It was extremely obvious that Shirasaki was the person Asami had been "unable to forget" and was still emotionally hooked on, since he'd inspired Asami to pursue acting instead of going into a purely modeling career. And I liked the gradual (sort of) development of Shirasaki realizing that he had genuine feelings for Asami and was devastated by the idea of their real life relationship ending when the on-screen one did.
Loved Asami showing up with bedhead and pajamas the morning after their "first time" going all the way - at the close of production - because he wasn't going to let Shirasaki run out on him that easily. Their conversation was almost amusingly awkward, because as soon as they actually started talking, there was no room for any misunderstandings. Shirasaki is pretty perceptive and blunt, so with Asami starting things out with an "I love you," there wasn't much to agonize over.
And there's definitely a certain amount of sweetness to their relationship, with Shirasaki not knowing that Asami was awake every time he was secretly smooching him "in his sleep," and Asami just thinking that was Shirasaki being his usual weird self. Meant affectionately, because Asami adores that bluntness and odd behavior. They both have really good personalities that simply aren't shown enough.
I don't know. If this had been a one-shot, I don't think I'd want to keep it...it's interesting but pretty average storytelling, without nearly the level of depth it needed to be memorable for rereads. But I am curious what's going to happen in another 4+ volumes. Is the pacing going to be this frenetic for all of them? What kind of drama will be introduced? I hope there won't be any messy love rivals or breakups.
I genuinely have absolutely no idea where it would go from here, or what the narrative point of the series is. I guess it'll be more about their actual acting careers, rather than the will-they-won't-they of the romantic relationship? That could be interesting, if the rest of the volumes calm down a little and actually show the acting bits and more of them talking to each other.
Honestly, this whole thing feels a lot like Dakaichi, but started from a more modern BL landscape of explicit consent and milder storytelling. I suppose that's not the worst thing in the world.