Hidamari ga Kikoeru (2024)

Another solid BL from Japan

Sep 11, 2024

Another solid BL released from Japan has been made in the year of 2024. It is amazing how, the story line progressed and many have said how accurate it is from the manga. So now, it seems like I will be finding my ways into reading this manga too.

The plot is simple yet the way it was portrayed really kept me interested. Though, I really hated the Maya arc, that girl annoyed me so much that I simply had no choice but to skip some scenes.

I love the chemistry of our leads to say the least. Given how pg and very fluffy, the chemistry is chef's kiss! I need more to be honest but yea.

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I don't remember how I ended up watching this series from the start. Basically, I did not have any expectations. I was just feeling bored with Thai series and trying to forget my dissatisfaction with The Only One.

I will try to be as objective as possible. Lol.

First of all, I kind of knew this theme from another Japanese movie back in 2017, yet I don't mind repeating the same concept all over again in a series. One thing I like about the story is that the conflict between Kohei and Taichi was honestly heavier than I thought it would be. As a college student, I know exactly how hard it is to save money for college while working part-time elsewhere. I actually had the same thoughts as Taichi; I considered dropping out of college to keep working since I already had a stable job back then.

However, I had some expectations regarding Kohei's condition. But I guess the Japanese are not ready to portray a "bad guy" like the Taiwanese do. Lol.

I don't really mind the lack of (real) kissing scenes throughout the show, since kissing is not really a big deal in Japanese BL. However, I felt Motoki's performance could have been better. In comparison with Kobayashi, he seemed a bit mediocre. Kobayashi really did a good job as Taichi; I fell in love with his character, especially when he was trying to be cute but manly at the same time.

Now, I guess I need to find another series after my upcoming exam. Lol.

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A space for you and me

The story starts out with a voice – bright and clear in a crowded sea of noise. Kouhei, who has a hearing impairment, has trouble hearing others. But he hears Taichi’s voice loud and clear.

Hearing what someone has to say is the first step to being understood, but as Kouhei’s hearing impairment worsens, he quickly realises that true understanding is not always about what is spoken.

Taichi is the first hearing person to take a genuine interest in Kouhei's disability without judgement or pity.

While something more than friendship blossoms between two young men, I Hear The Sunspot is not just a beautiful romance.

It has also been lauded for being an extraordinary social commentary on disability. There are so few BLs that make disability a central theme of the series, let alone present issues in a nuanced way. The beauty of I Hear The Sunspot is in how space is created for others without diminishing the space of others.

Other BL reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/

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Heartwarming

Okay, so I have watched the movie adaptation of this a long time ago and I don't exactly remember the events but I remember the what I felt when I watched it. So when I heard there's gonna be a drama adaptation, I was beyond stoked.

The casts: I was pleasantly satisfied with the actors' performance. They all felt real and their interactions as well as how they are in their day-to-day lives all felt natural. Those nuances, little details like their facial expression even when they're just in the background or the camera is not focused on them, felt natural.

The story/plot: I have not read the manga which this was based on but I read somewhere that the drama was not far from the source material. Even Maya's appearance was accurate. Contrary to other violent reactions towards Maya, I did not find her character and her actions annoying. However, they could've removed Maya's parts and replaced it with other situations that would help or progress the relationship of Kohei and Taichi. However, I also do understand that it’s also important to have another perspective when it comes to hearing impairment.

The music: Yuuhinoue by Takaya Kawasaki is probably one of the best song I've ever heard. The first time I heard it, I immediately teared up. So imagine every time it plays in the end of every episode, I just couldn't contain my emotions. It's one of kind.

Rewatch value: Definitely rewatchable.

Overall, I did not rate this a perfect 10 stars because it was too short lol. Or perhaps they could've have made the last episode longer to give a more proper conclusion and ending. It felt a little abrupt.

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You heard my silence when I was busy hearing your heartbeat.

 This drama has a simple storyline, but the lead's endearing friendship and heartfelt love exceed expectations. It all started with Taichi when he was being a note-taker for a hearing impaired student, Kohei, in return for his delicious bento! 
 
I loved how delicately they handled the characters with hearing problems and how it affected their daily lives. Taichi helping Kohei at first was just a favour in return for his bento, but gradually it turned into affection and care. He moulded his life for Kohei so that he feels comfortable, safe, and appreciated by people. On the other hand, our quiet and brave Kohei couldn't help but fall in love with our sunshine retriever Taichi when he knew it was one-sided, yet he bravely expressed his feelings but never let that love ruin their friendship. 
 
Importantly, a character that I can't miss, i.e., Maya. At first, Maya seems annoying, and sure, we disapproved of her, but if you look at her from different perspectives, she is our deepest concern, intrusive thoughts, and fears we are afraid to face. The raw scornful attitude we hide to be accepted in society can be seen in the characters of Maya. She's immature but young and bold; she never fears to tell her honest opinions. She was open to more bullying, pitiful looks, and neglected peers. Her mantra or coping mechanism is to judge people before they judge you so that you don't have to get hurt later. I can try to understand where she's coming from. A person who's born with hearing difficulties is somewhat different from a person who lost hearing later. So honestly, she was definitely a bit annoying sometimes, but I really don't hate her character. Sometimes I feel she looks like my alter ego.
 
I enjoyed this throughout, but the last episode seemed rushed and ended abruptly. I wanted to see more of their lives when they're together; maybe a glimpse of their livelihood would have been nice. Without physical intimacy with the bare minimum skin ship, they established one of the greatest BLs of all time by just relying on their chemistry! 
 
Irrespective of the flaws, I adore these awkward kids! 

(+0.5 for Kohei's dimples and +0.5 for Taichi's puppy eyes)

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A feel good for the soul

High Points
Visuals: The cinematography was serene and aesthetic, just like most other Japanese BLs. They have a knack for making visuals pleasing to the audience's eyes.

Acting: The acting was phenomenal, pulling you in from the very beginning.

Representation and Relatability: The characters had vulnerabilities and insecurities that they learned to accept and overcome, making them incredibly relatable. From small details to certain personality traits and circumstances, there was something for everyone to connect with.

Endearing and Humorous: The drama kept you engaged throughout with its endearing characters and humorous moments, making it easy to binge-watch in one sitting.

Slow Burn Realism: The romance was a slow burn, focusing on the lives of the main characters beyond their relationship. They grappled with their own personal issues and navigated life together, creating a more realistic portrayal.

Thought-Provoking Themes: The drama explored thought-provoking themes that made you reflect on things you hadn't considered before.

Portrayal of Disability: The portrayal of the main character's disability, being hard of hearing, was well-done. It showcased the challenges faced in an ableist society and how prejudice and systemic barriers can shape one's mindset.

Low Points
Lack of Communication: While the lack of communication was partially due to the main character's disability, it was still a frustrating plot device at times.

Inconsistent Pacing: The pacing was inconsistent, with the first few episodes being fast and engaging, followed by slower episodes filled with flashbacks. This was a problem even in the manga.

Angle Kiss and Lack of Intimacy: While this wasn't a major issue for me, as I enjoyed the strong plot and chemistry between the characters, it might bother some viewers who prefer more intimate scenes.

Unsatisfactory Ending: While the ending was heartwarming, it felt rushed and could have been more fulfilling (or maybe I'm just being fussy pants)

Overall
This drama has a specific target audience. If you're looking for a fast-paced, fairy tale-esque romance, this might not be your cup of tea. However, if you appreciate thought-provoking themes, slow-burn relationships, and a focus on personal growth, it's worth a watch. The series delves into topics like friendship, love, disability, and mental health, exploring how characters overcome life's challenges. While romance is present, it's not the central focus. Instead, the emphasis is on the characters' journeys and their connections to each other. This makes it a heartwarming drama that encourages reflection and offers unique perspectives.

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Their heartbeat of love and life is heard; it is loud and concise

Its first scene from the first episode was a pouring rain and it already had an impact on me, associating with the main couple’s emotional life story. Japanese BLs always give us a heart-fluttering show with a distinguished script, truly a gem to the industry. The concept of “notebook taker” was fresh and adorable. It also showcased the struggles of people with hearing disability.

An elevated narration that focuses on Kohei’s POV. Living his life tenderly and emphasizing that living with special needs does not make someone not normal. It serves as an eye-opener to its audience that they do not desire pity but instead need warmth and embrace to treat them belong to the world.

We also got Taichi’s POV - a jolly young man with a touching background. As a child with divorced parents, this boy manages to be positive in life all thanks to his grandpa. His decision to quit the university is understandable. Education is an important part of someone’s life but not everyone has the privilege to pursue it. He even wears the same shirts revolving with text from different U.S. states throughout the show but still acts beyond grateful for all the delicious meals he has eaten. From taking numerous part-time jobs to fully committing to focus on his new employer which provides a well-compensated salary, earning money became his top priority.

Their chemistry and pairing were adorably great. An energetic cutie meets a shy and reserved lover boy. I love them so much! But as the episodes went by, I felt that the drama failed to provide a romantic progression. They focus on the youth life drama so much that I badly needed to see more of Taichi and Kohei’s slow-burn romance. They should at least give us a more passionate ending for a couple instead of just confessing and finally accepting each other’s feelings. Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that this is one of the top BLs of 2024 that brings authentic charisma and a teary-worthy life story.

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YEARNER OF THE YEAR: Kohei

The series covered the first two editions of the manga and despite being a 25-minute series with 12 episodes, I think they did great in modifying how they will portray the characters and the pacing of the story. I’m not really a fan of the slow-burn trope love story but given the character of Kohei who has a hearing disability and Taichi being unaware of his feelings, it’s inevitable that proper communication would be the hindrance to their relationship hence, slow-burn pacing.

It was really satisfying when Taichi confessed his feelings to Kohei. He finally accepted that his decision to become a better person— to dream and to have a purpose in life— was because of Kohei. I just wished they KISSED considering how they yearned for each other and the viewers deserved it also after waiting for months. Yes, they hugged but it felt so empty.

The series needs a continuation— a season 2. That glimpse at the end, of how they flirt with each other, I want to see more of that and how they are going to manage their relationship as a couple. I want to see their sweet moments!!! I'm tired of crying and being frustrated every episode!!!

Also, the OST captured the essence of the scenes!!!

Romance is not dead thanks to Kohei and Taichi.

If there’s no second season of this series, I want to see another Motoki-Tora BL pleek!

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A Nothing Burger of a Show

I watched “Silhouette of Your Voice,” the movie adaptation of the same manga, a day before the first episode of this series aired. I found the movie a bit boring as the plot felt like a whole lot of nothing, but I chalked this up to the limitations of its runtime and that a series fleshing out the plot would greatly improve on an honestly interesting story. I don’t want to say I was sorely mistaken as I think the potential is still there, but this series definitely failed to do much else with the plot compared to the film.

There’s really no excuse for this series to be as long as it is with so little going on. After watching all 12 episodes, I can’t even really tell you anything new I learned about the characters that I didn’t already know after the first two. These characters feel extremely two-dimensional which is disappointing as they have so much potential. All I know about Kouhei is he can’t hear and he feels sad because he’s different. All I know about Taichi is he loves to eat and… well, that’s about it.

Even though Taichi serves as the main character of this series, I cannot, for the life of me, understand why (outside of the idea that he is the stand-in for the hearing able-bodied audience.) He’s extremely boring as a character and the choices he makes and the actions he takes make little sense to me. Maybe it’s his actor’s fault, but Taichi always just has this completely expressionless, borderline bored look on his face whenever anything is happening. The entire series I could not tell if he was developing feelings for Kouhei because, every time Taichi looks at him, he looks bored out of his mind! It’s really a shame because I found Kouhei’s actor pretty decent especially when it comes to emotional scenes.

Even worse, all of the side characters felt pointless to the story, doing the exact opposite of progressing the plot. The only side character of any actual significance is Maya, whose purpose I didn’t really understand. She kind of just seemed like Stock Female Character In BL That Drives A Wedge Between The Two Leads And Gets Audiences Angry #372827. I think most people agree her backstory added nothing to the plot (if there even is one at this point.)

Also, I am totally fine with a lack of physical affection in romance dramas if there is enough drama and plot to make up for it. For example, there wasn’t even a kiss in “Cherry Magic” but there was enough of an interesting plot and intriguing drama that most audiences don’t care. In “I Hear The Sunspot,” I feel like they had an even bigger chance than “Cherry Magic” to have a really interesting and compelling plot to make up for the lack of a *proper* kiss and yet they completely fumbled the ball. Somehow this is a romance drama that failed at both romance and drama.

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