Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2 (2023)

It's a cute show, but that is it. Weak writing and a repetitive plot.

Score: 7.5/10, (+0.5 for chemistry and cuteness)

The greatest strengths of this show are chemistry among the cast and cuteness. Both Sho - Takuya, Tomoya-Inaba passed chemistry classes. Their interactions are very natural and there are a lot of heartfelt moments in the show. Acting skills are good as well, and I've seen an improvement in Takuya's acting.
Now let's talk about its weaknesses. I'm holding a lot of grudge with the writing of this show. "Are we going back to square 1?". And well, we definitely did. Compared to season 1, season 2 barely added anything new, it's like one step forward, one step back, and for ep 11, it's three steps back. Their love definitely sparked on the beach scene in ep 12 season 1, but season 2 flipped the show all over. I did expected more development in their love story or at least some character development, not just copying the same format of season 1 and pasting to another 12 eps. It's a season 1 ver 2.0.
But ofc that's not what i hate most. It's character development. The writer turned Shin - a well-mannered boy who's holding his affection towards his crush for 10 years, into a toxic pushy boyfriend with control behaviors. He left Minato's no personal space or time to think. He kept pushing forward to the point it feels so awkward and exaggerated. He behaved badly with teacher and he hates everyone coming close to Minato. Shin in ss1 was my fav but Shin in ss2 , idk him, it's not him at all.
Then there's the "selective memory loss trope" when all the logics went home. Where's Shin's phone? Why Shin is living with "a kind uncle" who keeps visiting him at the hosiptal? They have the same logical problem with Jack Frost and Minato did the same thing as Fumiya - hiding the truth no matter what and made others to help him hide it. He thinks it's good for Shin bc Shin may feel weird to forget his bf but he didn't think about what if Shin knows he is the only one who doesn't know anything. Well, adding selective memory loss trope is obsolete, unlogical, and unneccessary here. We know Shin will finally retrieve his memory but at what cost.
Overall, it's a cute show, but that is it. So much potential is wasted due to weak writing and a repetitive plot.

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Oddly paced and turned out to be more disappointing than the first.

It took me a longer time than usual to get through the second season.

The show retains its light and wholesome vibes, with much of the plot remaining fairly innocent. But with 12 episodes (the same as the first season), I was slightly bored by the meandering storyline and lack of progress in the intimacy between Shin and Minato.

What was initially a cute awkward relationship between a nervous older man and a relentless teenager unfortunately started getting on my nerves in the sequel.

It is unrealistic that Minato and Shintaro seemed to be the exact same people they were in the first installment. Shouldn’t all relationships evolve with time?

In the last few episodes, the show finally shows its hand with a surprising turn of events. I only wish the show had done so earlier because it would have provided a decent premise for the sequel instead of rushing through it at the end.

Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/10/26/minato-shouji-coin-laundry-season-2-2023-oddly-paced-frankly-disappointing-sequel/

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Start At Ep 7 For A Better Continuation From Season 1!

Ep 1 had so much emotional abuse by a ridiculously devolved Minato to Shin that I couldn't enjoy it. I skipped to Ep 7 per another reviewer's suggestion and was so glad I did! The emotional abuse starts to fade out then and it felt like a better, much more sensical continuation of Shin and Minato's relationship from Season 1. I highly suggest starting at Ep 7 if you want to be able to like Minato and be happy with the ending.

Minato continues his extremely slow character development, but it does happen. The acting is, again, supurb by all (especially Sho as Shin), and the secondary couple's progression is sweet and fun to watch too.

I rated Season 1 an 8/10 and I would rate Season 2 *Ep 7-12* at an 8/10 as a satisfying conclusion to the character and relationship arcs. I'm removing 1 star for Ep 1-6 because of the regressively poor characterizations and the unwatchable toxicity that was unnecessary and detrimental to the story's development.

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Still wholesome...

Many reviews complain, that season 2 is really close to season 1. Because there is not a timeskip you should not expect that Minato will change so soon. He is still childish, overthinking, overreacting, anxious, frightened, timid and overly shy. Yes, for western cultures this is annoying, but you should see the context and that japanse culture is different. At least I think in the finale he realizes that he can't be all that anymore and has to make a step forward.

To have the "side couple" play a more active role is also a positive for me and and at least here the adult steps out of his confort zone and he's trying.

So for me, this was really a very good BL and I hope they will continue with another season where we would see a more grown up "Minato-san" and how his life changes with Shin.

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Manga world came to real life

I loved this season. In this season, the main couple continued with their perfect chemistry with an addition of both the main leads taking a significant amount of initiative in the relationship. It makes you realise that confession is not the "happy ever after" of a relationship, but at the same time, it makes you understand that being true to your feelings with yourself and your partner is the key to any healthy relationship.

The last few episodes may look cliche to many but for me it was an essential trope to bind the whole story together. There were so many scenes in this that I had read in various mangas and always imagined "what would they feel in real life (live adaption)?" (P.S I love mangas and they themselves are full-fledged motion pictures that leave you a huge impact like any film or TV drama) However, I still craved to see these scenes with actual human beings (especially the famous and magical summer festivals of yaoi mangas)

This show had its own pace that may test the patience of certain people but overall it was such a delight. It has great rewatch value and keeps you warm in a cold night.

P.S, this is the only show where I didn't skip the intro song for any of the episodes due to the "epilogue" kind scenes added to the intro related to the previous episodes. It was a cherry on top to this feel-good cake!

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The unexpected path of a romcom series

For a person who watch Japanese Boys Love from time to time since Takumi-kun era and witness how Japan progressively making drama and movie with this specific genre, I think Minato Shouji Coin Laundry is one of their well-made drama with this theme.

Minasho 1-2 receiving so much loved from local audience. The followers of its social media increased continually and most of them is Japanese. On the other hand, this series is much criticized by international audience mainly because of the age-gap plot, the absence of intimate and rated scenes, Minato’s personality, also lately, because of the amnesia path the story took-which also surprised myself, tbh. But when you are following Japanese BL (actually, not only BL) drama, movie, manga, anime, I think people out there would find that many of their plot is unique and probably, unacceptable.

But here I am defending this drama, again. Already did the same thing last year for previous season.

To begin with, 2023 was welcome by BL that is a total flop manga adaptation, followed by another one or two flop adaptations. It was frustrating. There was one drama that good enough to watch, but the others are a let down. Why a let down? The anticipation I had as the manga’s fans is wasted, not because of the screenwriting, but the way the actors delivered the emotion to me.

With Minasho, it is different. Of course, Minato Akira is annoying hahaha but by me feeling annoyed by what he did, the actor succeed to pull me into the story. Kusakawa Takuya is consistent in this aspect. Nishigaki Sho, the Katsuki Shintaro actor, showing many side of his acting skill in this season. He shows his ability to convey various emotion this time. Also, Kusakawa & Nishigaki’s crying scenes are beautiful. Compared to some BL I’ve watched before, I can still count how many actors can shed tears properly for their heartbreaking scenes.

Season 2 is an original script, written by the manga author, because the story in its manga is way behind. We expected their cuddly daily life after being boyfriends, but nah, we did not get it as easy as flicking fingers. Especially, if we fully understand how Minato Akira’s personality is, and for that deeper understanding, you have to be a fan of the manga or at least, the previous season of this drama.

This series is a serotonin booster because of their fluffy interaction. But it can’t be helped if most people’s preference to boost their mood is by watching hot bed scene, this series will not fulfill the need since it’s a romantic comedy. Even the supposed-to-be-a-bed-scene is amusing.

The opening sequence is interesting. They recorded it with phone and slipped some of the Minato and Shin’s daily life video. I love the concept, not the over-cheerful song, tho.

The ending sequence is on another level, but same concept with season 1. It’s a symbol of the progress of the main couple’s dynamics. The song is easy-listening and unexpectedly fit in every mood in this season. It sounds like a happy song, but it can make you cry when the episode is frustrating, as in EP 10-11. In ep 12, too, but in a good way.

So, before started watching, I hope you find this review to be able to decide if this drama is your cup of tea.

See you in another review!

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In Love is an Understatement

Even if for whatever reason I wanted to hate this season, I can't. With everything in me, and just like the first season, I absolutely loved it. In all of it's terrible miscommunication, cat and mouse chasing, adult-baby glory. Minato Shoji Coin Laundry Season 2 proves once again to be just the bitch.

Let's Dive In.

Now nowhere is it as perfect and seamless as the first season, with Shin and Minato getting used to each other's company, more so Minato with dating someone so young, and Shin just being -- well Shin. But this season, we get those repetitive tropes for what seems to go on the entire season. Akira is still not okay with being open and honest to Shin about his feelings, can barely look him in the eyes, and doesn't think for a second he's okay with the most minimal amount of touching. It's very annoying, it gets to be draggy, and maybe they could've stopped that by like episode 5. But sadly this drags on until the end of the series with Akira just having this weird thing about intimacy, but like in the most immature way possible. But again, because I love these characters so much I really don't mind that cat-and-mouse chase (to some extent) and Akira being a silly little goofy ball of idiocy.

No onto the amnesia storyline..really? Was it needed? No, not at all. But did I love it? Did I absolutely love seeing Akira fall apart and come to the realization that he should've had a long time ago? Did I get teary-eyed at Akira's note to Shin and then the way he paralleled back to all their moments? Did I kick my little feeties when they met again at the beach to parallel their first season ended by playing in the water? -- yes, yes I did. Nowhere was that something we needed and yes to some degree it was frustrating, but oh my god, I love them, so it was so good.

Moving onto the side couple, Asuka and Shu, I think they were cute. I wasn't head over heels for them, but I think they had their moments and then some. I especially liked the way Shu came around to his feelings for Asuka, without the weird chasing and more just a realization and acting on it. We loved to see it.

So yeah, it wasn't perfect, and to any regular fan that's not literally smitten with these characters and the plot and the overall series, then this was probably rather the most annoying and unnecessary second season to a series ever. However, because I'm NOT a regular fan, I loved this season, I loved seeing my boys again, and I'm content with what I received.

Ratings:

Story: 7.5/10: Akira's little voiceover at the end coming to the emotions of the episode to the forthcoming news of the laundromat is kind of everything to me. Anyways, the story itself (me trying to be as unbiased as possible) was eh. It was just pretty much a glorified season 1 but they were dating -- kind of. The side couple was a nice addition, and I think they matched perfectly with the tone and flow of the series.

Acting: 9/10: Urgh, I love Akira's acting. It's so irritating and so full of emotions. Gosh, Takuya is too good. Same with Tomoya (Asuka) who did an excellent job too. Of course, the same goes with Shin and Shu's actors too.

Music: 5.5/10: I don't pay much attention to it, but I know the intro is a little much for me.

Recommendation Value: 9/10: Honestly, no one really needs to watch it because it's pretty much that unnecessary and very repetitive, but because I loved this, it's getting a high score.

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If you like the couple, watch it

Don't listen to others' reviews, good or bad. Why? Coz, everyone is different. What you like is different than what I like

I also realized a trend in MDL where people tend to spend time hating dramas and all. It's puzzling why someone keep on watching something that they hate? Like, you know you can drop it right? Anyway..they can say all they want, but don't let what they say, take away the joy that you could have from watching what you want!

I'm glad I came back to watch S2 despite the hate towards this show. I was under the impression this went real dark, but it's far from the truth!

In fact, I like it better than S1!! It's so fluffy, sweet, endearing and there's definitely progress in both couples.

I love the ending for everyone here.

The OST Is so good that I actually stayed on without skipping the intro. Also, the kawaii dance that goes along, esp on last episode

I mean..this show, it warms my heart, make me cry, yet make me laugh, all at same time

Mostly, it really shows the purity of love once again, which is often forgotten in today's drama filled with toxicity

Just because this drama doesnt have complicated 3rd party story, or NDC or anything extreme like that, it doesn't make this drama has less of a story plot!

It just depends on how dramatic you want a plot to be

If you love the couple, and love how they flirt, bicker and play around, then stay on for S2, and hopefully...S3 or a bonus episode!

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