Ameiro Paradox (2022)

Like:
+ I love fast-paced shows!
+ a little bit of humour. Had to laugh several times.
+ I didn't expect the ending being so..steamy. Kinda. :D
-> Onoes face expressions are everything. Geez. He looks goddamn hot while enjoying Kabu-Kuns attention. Those lipbites though! T_T
+ Story wasn't really original, but I definitely enjoyed watching this show. We see different cases on which they work together and for me, they were interesting.
+ A little bonus fun was seeing the ML from "The Novelist" again. I always like to see actors in different shows.
+ Mayasan was a funny support character. Definitely like this guy.

Some scenes were really weird. I was thinking like "They did not...?!" :'D but this isn't a point I dislike. I was just..surprised?

Room for improvement/Dislike:
- Kabu looks so awkward while smoking. Same with the actor from "The Novelist". As a smoker myself it's so obvious that the actors don't smoke in real life so I always cringed a bit when I saw them smoking.
- On one hand I like the way they communicate. Like..it doesn't take a long time till they talk about the things bothering them. But on the other hand it just feels like the talk past each other.. (but I definitely don't dislike it like other people wrote in their reviews. Their opinion is still valid. But it's not that bad for me :D)
- The acting could be improved. I get that Kabu is a distant and more on the cold-side type, but still his acting seemed a little off. Like not fully into character..I don't know how to explain it. Stiff? Bored? Aah, I don't know. It's like the other extreme of overacting. It was just too little...energy? People are definitely able to act cold and distant without giving me the feelings that Kabu gave me. ^^'
But I liked Onoe! And the two guys working with them. They were funny.

Overall I had fun watching this drama and don't find it that bad. It didn't give me this fully-hooked feeling, where I can't stop watching, but that's okay. It was nice to watch, but not overwhelming great. It's just that I didn't feel addicted to the show. But it also didn't frustrated or bored me.

It's nothing I would fully rewatch (but definitely would rewatch the scenes were Onoe is enjoying Kabus touches and kisses. Geez... x.x :') ) but for a one-time watch it's definitely entertaining enough.

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NICE AND CUTE!!

The main actor's visual are stunning!! Storyline is so cute and sweet. Definitely recommend to watch this please!! Number 1 Fan <3 . The trope is enemies to lovers kind. There is this boy called onoe who was asked to be on a stake out team with kaguragi, onoe at first hated kaguragi as he thought he is a playboy etc or something like that. But after working together, he realised that kaburagi isn't what he seems like. Kaburagi is actually a kind man inside although he appeared cold. Their romance will slowly slowly take place after ep 3, and they will understand each other better i think. Can't wait for ep 5!!

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Live Action Manga

I am disappointed that this series didn't turn out better. I think the actors did a fine job with what they were given. (I even have a little crush on Masayan.) But just because this was adapted from a manga doesn't mean that we should be looking for the manga characters to come to life. It should be the same storyline, but with life-like characters. I will admit that this was done better than some manga adaptations, but still didn't hit the mark. Onoe was still an OTT character and Motoharu was still the cool, unaffected focus of his affections, as in most manga stories. With some realizations, communication, and the help of the side characters, they were able to work things out for a positive ending, but getting there simply felt like a chore. It was a bit choppy. There was character progression but I'm not sure where it came from.

I will not be rewatching this series in it's entirety....but I may go back and rewatch parts of the last couple episodes, simply because they were cute. But probably not.

I would like to see these actors in other non-manga shows though.

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comfort bl

honestly I always love me a Japanese BL, they simply know what they're doing. This didn't disappoint the story was very cute and simple. we love a good workplace romance and a slight enemies to lovers arch. Also the chemistry was pretty good. I have to say I anticipated every episode and waited every week to watch it immediately after it aired (the only reason I got a GagaOOlala subscription). I will definitely watch this again and have fun with it. I feel like sometimes you just need a lighthearted and cute BL to distract yourself and I feel like this is a perfect fit.

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Love Rival, Literally

The love story itself follows a familiar trope of co-workers initially disliking each other, but as they are forced to work together, they discover each other's best qualities and gradually fall in love. The characters' professions add an adventurous element to the drama, making it more engaging. However, the conflicts in the love story are somewhat predictable, revolving around miscommunication, which is a common theme in Japanese dramas.

While the overall drama is enjoyable, there are some areas that could be enhanced. The choice of background music in certain scenes does not always complement the characters' emotions, and the lack of variation in set design and scenery can make the drama feel monotonous.

Improving the script could prevent the love story from becoming mundane. Despite this, the drama remains engaging due to the characters' occupations. The acting performances are commendable, particularly Kimura Keito's portrayal of the shy, introverted, and kind Onoe, and Yamanaka Jyutaro's convincing portrayal of the kind-hearted bad boy, Motoharu.

The innocence of Onoe makes the scene at the hotel in the last episode feel somewhat unnecessary, but it does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the drama. Overall, the drama is worth watching, especially for its well-executed character dynamics and engaging storyline.

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I loved it.

First of all, yes I'm a sucker for visuals. If you are too then don't hesitate to watch! Their visuals are on my top 3 in japanese bl, number one is kieta hatsukoi and followed by my beautiful man on number 2!

Second, I didn't expect anything bcs of the rate i literally watched it bc i didn't have anything to watch and i swear it's the best decision ever. People's taste are surely different each person. Maybe because slowburn is my favorite trope? Slowburn+good visuals? I'm down! Also their acting aren't bad either? The storylines are fine too

In short, I love this drama, they give me butterflies, and their first kiss? Hands down the smoothest one yet.

Worth my time!

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A story that loses midway just to pick up steam later and lose again at the end

This is a short little story of 2 guys with a different outlook towards their work who are teamed together on assignments only for their relationship developing from rivals to lovers.

Onoe Satoshi is a reporter for a magazine who is great at uncovering frauds. He has strong morals and feels like he has the power to make a difference in the society through his exposés. Kaburagi Motoharu is a talented photographer who prides himself in getting the latest scoops on celebrities. He doesn’t shy away from using any means to get the photographs that he desires. Being such opposites in their approach to work, they clash most of the times until Onoe realises that Kaburagi is indeed a soft and caring person. He starts developing feelings for him all the while Kaburagi being affected by Onoe’s strong morals is attracted towards him. While being a successful duo at the workplace, a particular assignment wedges a gap between the two forcing them to fall apart.

This is a short series with 8 episodes of 25 min each. That is not enough time to flesh out characters and this series seriously suffers from that. The basic plot, although fresh falls into the same category of bland and fails to really pick up by the end. Kaburagi is introduced as an interesting character with an interesting back story that is hinted at but never showed. So, we don’t ever get to know the reason for his cold exterior. We don’t get to know anything about Onoe though. His past is never shown and we don’t understand his motivations and his sense of morality. This series would have gained from having more episodes or longer runtime.

The 3rd act breakup comes out of no where and you feel as if the characters are over-reacting and this issue can easily be resolved if they just have a long conversation. But that happens only during the final episode and is not convincing at all.

For me the only character that had an impact was Masayan, Onoe’s childhood friend. He is Onoe’s support system as we find him spending most of the time in his restaurant drinking beer and whining about something or the other (mostly about Kaburagi). He is the kind of friend everyone should have in their life.

In conclusion, this one is a slow burn as the series although short takes sometime to start going and be interesting. If you are able to make it past the few initial episodes you will find some interest in the next episodes. Not sure whether those final episodes are worth the wait for this slow-moving series.

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Expected better than what it was

Honestly I was excited to give it a watch because I got to see some scenes without context and it looked good, but after watching it, it's a very hit or miss show depending on the episode and how you feel about the characters.
The plot itself was interesting but they could've done more with it, the chemistry between them was okay and the actors can do well but we could only see that until the last episodes. I ppersonally also really liked the intro song..
However, the lack of communication gets annoying, one episode they're on good terms and the next one they avoid each other. I also noticed a lack of connection between the story and actions. Certain characters weren't really explored more than they should've to give a better perspective on things, especially Kaburagi's overall back story could've explained better his character and overall attitude, at some points I had to pause the show because of how infuriating his attitude was and how their overall relationship played out.
It's an entertaining watch if you have nothing else to do or have nothing else to watch, but honestly you aren't missing out on much if you skip it, knowing there're better Japanese bls out there.

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not bad but not good

If I'm being honest, I think watching this series with high expectations can actually make you not like it cause it has a one-dimensional story. It's a very progress slow-burn about two reporters working together, along the way they fall in love with each other and that's it.

What carried the show is most likely the visual of the main leads and their chemistry was also "not bad but not good" it feels like the world forced them to be together and it worked.

I just don't like how onoe fell in love with kaburagi so darn fast with just a smile and kindness and how kaburagi kissed onoe without his consent and act like it's not a big deal after then when onoe got harassed by a man, kaburagi was instead jealous and mad at onoe as if he liked it also how he keeps leading onoe on then be all shrug about it after cause he was passively not facing his feelings resulting to onoe being confused a lot whether he actually likes him back or what not which was consistent for almost all of the episode.

Some scenes were kinda "huh?" for me cause it doesn't make sense. It was slow but felt rushed cause of the lack of attention to details, everything felt too easy, like I was wishing they make a mistake as a reporter but all of their project went surprisingly well without a failure which is so unrealistic.

Acting here could've also been more, they absolutely need to improve cause they did not deliver or express well. It might be the director's fault too but it did not guide me to things I should be feeling on some episodes, I was confused on what to feel.

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It wasn't that bad.

I have read a lot of comments saying that this was not nice at all, but I still give it a go since I have been running out of jbls to watch. The acting in the first few episodes is awkward, and I don't know if they are supposed to act like that, but yeah I don't like the way they act. Onoe is alright sometimes, but that Kaburagi(?) guy looks emotionless. After a few episodes, I found myself smiling because they are kinda cute. I kind of like the story, but I think this could have been better. If you want to watch something that is light, and cute, and if you don't mind awkward acting at first, then don't hesitate to watch this.

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Typical BL

**Brief Synopsis**
B (Journalist): Onoe
T (Journalist): Kaburagi

Beginning: B and T are journalists in the same company. One day B is transfered to T's department and they are forced for to work together. T's job is to take pictures of celebrities and potential scandals. At first, T doesn't like B because he isn't used to this new position. B doesn't like T because he is player and thinks he's all that. But T starts proving himself to have a gentle and nice side.

Middle: They start getting more jobs together after the success of their first one. Soon they start developing feelings for each other but they show it in different ways. T kisses B and tells him it's because he wants to see how he would react. He confesses but B isn't sure what kind of like it was. They seem to ignore this confession and continue to work together.

End: The series ends with them finally addressing the confession after a while and sleep together.

**My Opinion**

THINGS I LIKED ABOUT IT
- The main couple look good together including the intimate scene, they look good together but this scene has no emotional impact on me because I wasn't invested in this couple.
- Relatively angst free viewing experience.

THINGS I DIDNT LIKE ABOUT IT
- Acting is bad when displaying complex emotions, making the scene feel unnatural.
- The lack of build up for the relationship. We have no idea how they fell for each other because there was no clue they even had feelings and the next episode B says he had fallen for T. T confesses as well but it just felt more like a joke because there was no buildup.
- The plot is predictable and cliche with no memorable moments.
- Lack of chemistry between the leads. They look really cute together but when they are together it's difficult to believe there was anything more then friendship.
- The development of the relationship confused me. The two MCs are emotionally stunted idiots who just won't talk to each other. The angst felt so forced it wasn't even funny. I felt absolutely nothing because this couple had no build up and given any reason why I should care. Their confession at the end mean nothing to me either. This whole love plot felt so forced and rushed it's not at all romantic.

**Conclusion**
Simple story with no memorable moments.

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