Absolute BL (2021)

Quirky and funny

(AKA: A Man Who Defies the World of BL Season 1)

This is one of the BLs about BLs that are released this year. It has quite an interesting premise: the main character realizes that he exists in a BL world and tries his darn best not to be “contaminated”—which means that he has to avoid falling in love with a man. Of course, we know where this is going: if he even has to try not to fall in love with a man, he might as well give up.

There is potential for this short series to both entertain and disappoint. The main character’s efforts to avoid falling in love with guys are funny. Sometimes his attempts cause other characters to become couples (so there’s good deal of BL even though there isn’t a focus on a particular couple throughout), and his attempt to prevent his brother from being “contaminated” are a total failure.

On the other hand, some may not fancy watching an hour and a half of the main character’s gay panic only to have a cute part at the end in which he does fall in love with a guy anyway. There is supposed to be a second season that promises further development for this relationship—I don’t know if it will eventually be made, but I think the series is one of those that will be better when you get to watch all the seasons at one go.

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I'm... not sure this was consentual

I came here for a good love story, instead, I got something that ridiculed love stories and basically bashed gay relationships. I know it intended to bash BL, I came ready for that. I am a prodigious basher of BL (I can only watch and read it if I also recognize and vocalize its many faults and issues), but this one... it went too far. As someone who is queer, and is able to healthily bash BL, it feels very uncomfortable watching this. And it all boils down to this feeling that none of it was consensual. Like there was a higher power author playing puppet master with these men's lives ...against their will. hear me out. TMC spent 3.75 episodes not in love with anyone and very comfortable and fully in his non-BL life. Successfully fighting it with all he's got with no challenges in sight. THEN you see him confessing to a person he meets 1.5 times for a matter of seconds like a day ago, and has barely interacted with? While in his head shouting and struggling against it with all his might? Not only was it the worse love story BECAUSE IT WAS NON-EXISTENT, but it was so unbelievable he'd be in love with this stranger (who was your name?) out of thin air! And what makes it worse is this feeling that there is a higher power that is the author playing around with these men. Each of them "falls in love" instantaneously, with no pretext, no context AND there is that guy with the binoculars... and the fact that he's there in the final scene and says "you didn't escape." Ugh. But in the end, he doesn't want to fall in love, He doesn't fall in love, but all of a sudden he's confessing to someone (who is very cute by the way) protesting all the way? That doesn't seem like it's happening under his own will. And the one thing I hate most in this world is a lack of consent. Being forced into a relationship, to love, to have physical interactions with someone against your will. Nah-ah, not ok.
What's worse, is they could have made the falling in love consensual, or seem consensual. He could have actually MET the love interest. He could have slowly, obviously come to a decision that he loves the other dude and SHOWS he loves the dude for actually visible reasons or interactions, and he could have willingly, nay ENTHUSIASTICALLY come to confess his love. I came here for a good love story, instead, I got something that ridiculed love stories and basically bashed gay relationships.

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The main draw for me here was Inukai Atsuhiro playing the lead, 'Mob'. Mob, as in the 'extra' in a BL manga. The character who's there but doesn't really add anything to the story. And he's just fine with it, thank you very much.

Gosh, Inukai and his facial expressions were the cherry on top of an already hilarious plot. The way he hunched over, narrowed his eyes and almost wrinkled his nose, expressing his "Pah, lovebirds!" feels, had me in stitches. I loved how he dodged his own love encounters, refusing to become a "trope victim" while "sacrificing" others for the greater good - and wishing them all the happiness in the world!

But also, Mob's relationship with his brother honestly warmed my heart. He loved Ayato and Ayato loved him, dearly so, that much was obvious. And though Ayato couldn't help but see his big brother as a bit of a nutjob - really, no wonder! - that didn't change anything. And even their parents - also eyeing Mob with suspicion - were sweet. At the center of this mad thing truly was a sweet, loving family. Which was what ultimately sold me on this drama, its solid center.

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Short and a comedic relief

July 6, 2021

Phew, that went by quick. I literally watched this series in one settings. And here’s my take, very funny. Like I was laughing for the majority of the part, I really love how they make fun of the BL cliche troupes. That was something to look forward to!

My only concern was that there was not really any love story for the main character. He’s literally like us except he is facing these BL romances in real life.

But I guess for a short drama like this, it was surely a funny and interesting ride. Probably won’t rewatch it unless I need some laughs and giggles but yea.

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Real comedy!

I hate myself for watching this late, 5 months after its official released. This is completely the world where BL lovers wish to live at. The table has turned, the usually hetero environment became unusual, and homo couples became the new norm.

“In this BL world, it’s so hard to remain straight.”

When I started to watch this, I was surprised and welcomed by that joyful intro song. The MOBU tune is so catchy and until now the image of five boys dancing in a disco bar still marked in my mind. As well as the refreshing Bubble Love by Da-iCE! Two great and remarkable OSTs.

Hilarious! Funny! Entertaining to the highest level.

Chaotic yet cheerful vibes. We were gifted by abundant bunch of handsome and cute boys, in which all of them likes a man hahaha kawaii

The main character is so extra, his facial expression and voice intonation really mixed up the spice of humor in the show. I am so glad that the ending gives him a partner cause yeah he deserves to have one. Also, the ending may give us a second season and I’m patiently hoping for it to happen.

Japanese film makers really know how to create iconic BL shows. I just wished that it has a longer duration time cause the viewers indeed want to see more.

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Satirical and Very Funny

This really is an exceptionally funny BL series that is satirical with a tongue-in-cheek approach. It pokes fun at every trope known to the BL world. It does so almost reverently and certainly honestly. I loved this series a lot and it no doubt will make you laugh out loud. This would actually be a good series for individuals who are unfamiliar with the BL world. This will explain it with humor and depth. There are also some very poignant moments in these series that got to me and I found myself moved by the message. You will know them. This is pure entertainment and one of the best for 2022.

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Disco Mob

From the moment the intro song started playing, I was hooked.
The whole show just oozes with an incomparable style and charm that really sets it apart from any other show I've ever watched. Its makers had a clear vision of what they wanted to create and they just went for it. Never have I seen a show so utterly committed to the bit.
Every single segment is a masterclass in trope subversion, which, combined with the often tongue-in-cheek humour and some truly stellar performances from the main cast, results in a uniquely hilarious and entertaining final product.

Now I will say that if you are looking for something that is romance heavy or that goes in-depth in its critique and dismantling of the genre, then you won't enjoy this. The point of this show is to make fun - make fun of its viewers, make fun of the genre, and most importantly make fun of itself. There are a couple of digs made at some slightly more serious problems of the genre, but nothing weightier than that.

So if you're in search of a comedy that really knows what it's doing, has a few light sprinklings of genuinely emotional moments, and is just plain fun to watch then you will certainly find it in this show.
I've also re-watched the intro at least a dozen times by now, so I'd say for that absolute masterpiece of an opener alone it's worth giving this show a shot.

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A short and fun piece that jabs at BL genre without going too deep into it.

The show is an easy watch - there is no meaningful message nor constructive criticism towards BLs. What we get are 2 hours of jokes based on the well known clichés. And it's honestly all we needed. Not every show needs to be this complex masterpiece - sometimes we need silly comedy to make our day better.

The characters are rather one dimensional, though that's kind of the point. Most are supposed to represent stereotypical BL characters we usually see. Only our main lead acts outside of this BL norm, which brings lots of hilarious scenes on the screen.

The simplicity is actually the charm here. The characters are simple, the plot is simple, the jokes are simple - and it all fits well. I laughed quite a lot of times - Mob's reactions to his surroundings were just too funny to keep a straight face.

Overall, as long as you don't expect anything more than a silly comedy with funny jokes, you will like it. Granted, this is a show dedicated to BL fans - the jokes will fall flat for people who know little about this genre.

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BO-YS LOVE!

O que dizer sobre esse bl que eu comecei esperando absolutamente nada e me conquistou em questão de segundos?

É simplesmente muito divertido, além da história ser bem interessante. A forma que a narrativa brinca com os clichês é hilária, ao mesmo tempo que é possível perceber as críticas em relação a esses clichês. O protagonista é uma figura, a maneira como ele sempre arranjava um jeito de "escapar" do mundo bl me fez rir demais! Eu adorei esse personagem e sua forma caótica e dramática de lidar com as situações.

Esse bl também me deixou paranoica, toda hora que aparecia um novo personagem eu achava que o protagonista iria se apaixonar por ele ou vice-versa. Acredito que isso tenha sido proposital, o que causou uma grande imersão a ponto de ficarmos paranoicos que nem o protagonista! kkkkk

Gostei das atuações, acho que os atores se encaixaram bem em seus personagens, mesmo que os secundários tenham aparecido tão pouco. Isso se deve obviamente a quantidade de episódios, que inclusive torci para que fossem mais, que bom que terá segunda temporada!

Uma peça chave desse bl para mim foi a trilha sonora, a música de abertura é muito divertida e gruda na mente! Adorei. Também gostei da música de encerramento.

Enfim, me surpreendeu de uma forma muito positiva, gostei bastante. Esperando pela segunda temporada!

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A light hearted series you would want to watch if you don't want plot heavy things

As par normal of japanese BLs, this show delivered what it has to deliver. The struggle of a man who doesn't want a man love interest. We, the audience, knows that he would fall for a man at some point and the thrill of finding out who will be the love interest of the ML with a mix of humor is definitely a good show to sit if u want to watch something mindlessly but still be invested in. The only downpoint is I feel like the ending comes too soon and I don't get to see the love developing between the two. AND WE NEED THE SECOND COUPLE's LOVE STORY.

Overall, a good show. 7.5/10 not because of the show is not good enough but because there is not enough material

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