Since I’ve watched the anime version before this one, I can’t help but compare the two, of course.

This live action version is okay it’s faithful to the anime. The memorable lines were also retained.

BUT…

1 The irritating twitching of Uenoyama’s face is clearly meant to approximate or imitate the anime character. Why??? These are REAL people now, so why try to be an anime character?

2 THE CASTING: Akihiko and Haruki in the anime are hunky, lovable characters. Here, they’re not. To think that the next focus of the manga (and the anime MOVIE) are those two! The casting here was a big mistake.

Also Yuki’s actor. Can’t they get a better looking actor? This one has no appeal AT ALL! Makes it hard to believe that Mafuyu could’ve fallen for him.

I’m also not sure if Mafuyu’s actor was the right one. He has this facial expression that is clueless or, sorry fo the word, dumb.

3. The character of Ugetsu appeared from nowhere. He just popped up without any background. We don’t even know that he is a famous violinist.

4. Mafuyu’s background is lacking. Like there’s no mention of his dad beating him up – or what happened to his dad.

5 The concert number has lots of dead air – both at the start and the end of their set. Lots of awkward silence there.

6 That SUPER DRY kiss! That’s one of the WORST kisses I’ve seen in a BL series. Can you even call that a kiss? And they shot it closeup!!

7 The song in the anime is a lot more moving that this one.

8 In the anime, it was clear in the end that Mafuyu has developed feelings for Uenoyama and in the end is hopeful for their relationship. Here, it wasn’t even evident that Mafuyu has feelings for Uenoyama.

9 The ending: Why did it end with Mafuyu and a supporting character? What happened to Uenoyama? That’s the reason why folks who didn’t watch the anime feel that this is incomplete.

I give the anime 10/10, I give this live action 8/10.