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Kabe Sa Doujin Sakka no Neko Yashiki-kun wa Shouninyokkyuu wo Kojiraseteiru Episode 1
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Warning! SPOILERS AHEAD! DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED ON SOME THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE EPISODE!The first episode of KSDSNYSK as stated in the headline is a hilarious, angst-ridden, bubbly start to a series that surprisingly mirrors an earlier 2022 JP BL series that has been very popular, Senpai This Can't Be Love! We're introduced to the first of our two main protagonists, Nekoyashiki Mamoru (or Momocchi) who makes his living as the creator of a popular BL manga series. He has an intense inferiority complex and only feels satisfied when showcasing his works in the coveted wall spot of the comic convention that's apparently a must-see event for lovers of various manga. He's perpetually tired and feels little joy outside of his appearance at the convention. His world gets shaken up when he's unexpectedly reunited with classmate Kazama Issei, one of the popular boys in his old high school who is now a member of the popular idol group Shiny Smile.Now on its face, this show starts off strong. From the depiction of the main characters to the variations in color tone when contrasting Momocchi and Issei and their world, this sets up the tone of opposites attracting. I was thrown off by the fact that nearly halfway through the episode they introduce what may in fact be the opening of the show which is the idol group Shiny Smile's song. It was hilarious though and seeing the stoic Mamoru start to lose his inhibitions as the song performance proceeds in his imagination put a huge smile on my face. We also get a glimpse into Issei's world as an idol after his second meeting with Momocchi where he calls him out in public, setting off a mad dash for his fans as they latch on to him due to his status as a former classmate of Issei. Tsubasa, presumably the leader of their idol group, verbally tears into him for breaking their professional image and basically orders him to leave the group. Here though (as is also seen in the way Issei bounces back from the less than desirable reactions of Momocchi), we see his determination to exhibit a positive outlook despite the criticisms being thrown at him. You feel bad for Issei as the episode moves forward because he is clearly very attached to Mamoru and inspired by him, but Mamoru can't see it. He insists that Issei is arrogant and insensitive and keeps pushing him away. By the end of the episode though, we see that Mamoru's feelings toward the man who has sparked his inferiority complex are far more nuanced than we would suppose by the episode as we learn that in fact, he is head over heels obsessed and possibly in love with Issei. At first, I was thinking that this would be a story of the artist with an inferiority complex getting the attention of an idol obsessed with his work and we do see that in this episode, but by the end of the episode I find myself seeing this show as a fall season mirror to an earlier 2022 hit that follows a similar storyline, 'Senpai, This Can't Be Love!'. Both series deal with protagonists who look down on themselves and harbor serious crushes/obsessions/unrequited love towards their respective counterparts who are famous/popular in their fields of employment. And though their counterparts are equally enamored by them, these protagonists respond to them very coldly, pushing them away from them by any means necessary because they feel like they don't deserve the attention of these icons. I'll be very interested to see if this show continues to mirror the way that Senpai, This Can't Be Love! managed to bring their protagonists together despite the apparent barriers between them. All in all this episode is an excellent start to the series. I fell in love with each of the main characters and even though I had to suspend my irritation with the boy band element of the show (I'm not a fan of JPop or KPop groups), I found myself completely engrossed in the unfolding story. Can't wait to see more!Verdict: Episode 1- 10/10
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OMG! This episode gives all the feels, especially towards the end when a huge secret is revealed by the character of Kian (Hence the episode is title 'Ang Stigma ni Kian'). Basically this wraps up the reactions and issues related to the first episode. Lei and his friends are still at the resort when they encounter a toxic female fan who pushes her way into their group dynamic and illegally takes video of Lei and his friends. After her abrupt exit (planting the seeds for future troubles for Lei), the gang continue to bond together and during their game (basically Truth or Dare but a variant), Kian reveals a number of secrets related to his work, sexuality and health. Won't reveal it all for everyone, but it is such an amazing series of moments that really tugs on your heart strings as he breaks down while revealing his truths to his friends, who are shocked and don't see any of it coming. It highlights the bond they have as friends as they accept him wholeheartedly and despite having serious issues of their own, promise to support him and help him even with his medical needs. While the first half of the episode really annoyed me, especially when that fan shows up and sows havoc, the last part of the episode completely restored my love for this mini-series and the cast. They acted their hearts out in this episode and it shows in the quality of their respective performances. I'm so impressed by their acting and by the message that they portray in this episode. This episode is easily for me the best episode of the four to date, although we have a couple more episodes to look forward to. Most likely the next one will be especially focused on addiction, as I have the feeling that Lei as the narrator of the various stigmas he and his friends are dealing with will have his own episode dealing with the stigma of his alleged relationship as the finale. Rating: 10/10
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I held myself off from watching the sequel of Voice and finally decided to get down to it once I learned that a third season was airing. I'm mixed about the episode. In terms of it's story beats and the set up for the season, I was impressed by the way they deftly acknowledged the original season, but made it clear that changes had been made to the roster of the Golden Time response team. I think I join millions of fans worldwide who mourn the fact that the original actor who co-starred in the first season wasn't featured in this aside from a brief cameo, but the explanation of why he wasn't there was to the point and clear. I loved that some of the consequences from the original season were still in effect. What disappointed me was that they killed Team Leader Jang off so quickly. I didn't see that one coming, especially after they went to so much trouble to put him in the role of the Team Leader of the dispatch team. But it was effective in upping the stakes. The villain for this season isn't as creepy as Mo Gae Tu in season 1, but he brings another level of menace to the episode. I do love the new co-lead for this season. I've seen him before in multiple projects that I adore, so I know that he knows how to work a scene and I find that his character is as prickly as the co-lead in season one, but somehow more manic in a way? What I enjoy about his story is that it's not about a wife or girlfriend, but about his partner getting involved in something bad and dying horribly. Props to him for taking the blame for his death, all the while never giving up on hunting the criminal down. He has good chemistry with the female lead, so I remain hopeful that this season's story will live up to the glory of it's predecessor.
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