Japanese BL Starter Pack

Japanese BL Starter Pack

It’s been awhile since I dropped a rec list, so I am here today to share one that is very near and dear to my heart—a Japanese bl primer for those who are new to the jbl game. I created this for @neuroticbookworm to help her on her journey when she decided she wanted to start getting into Japanese works. The fandom (on Tumblr and generally) tends to focus primarily on Thai shows because they are the easiest to access for international fans, since Thailand is working its way toward world domination via ql media and wants us all to be able to watch. But there is a lot of great stuff to watch beyond the easy access Thai channels, and Japan is the country where this genre originated, so its shows are important for anyone who considers themselves a bl fan. Japan doesn’t cater nearly as much to the international audience so tracking down the shows sometimes takes some ingenuity and can-do spirit, but that’s part of the fun!

And so, the list! Bookworm is about halfway through it and having a ball, so I figured it was time to stop hoarding it and share it with anyone else who would like to dip their toes into jbl and isn’t quite sure where to start. A few notes: 

I am not here to teach you about the deep roots of the jbl genre or give you a primer on yaoi manga. I am by no means an expert and there are other places to find that information. Start here with this great post by @nieves-de-sugui and then maybe wander over to @absolutebl to read up more on the evolution of the genre.

This list is by no means an exhaustive accounting of every important Japanese bl ever made; it is simply a nice sampler platter of the cream of the crop among various styles you will find in jbl. Watching through this whole list will not only expose you to some fantastic shows, but also give you a sense of what makes jbl unique and how the country’s style differs from others, and point you toward the types of jbl you’ll like most (they tend to put shows in pretty specific style and tone lanes and once you find the ones you like there are lots more where that came from). 

If you’re coming to this post as a jbl lover and you don’t see your favorite here, I promise it’s not because I don’t love it very much; I simply had to make some choices to get this down to a reasonable shortlist. Feel free to leave extra recs for others to find! 

I’m putting these in a loose suggested watch order that will take you through the various jbl lanes in a kind of popcorn style, because I always think it’s good to change it up so you don’t get too stuck in one mode, and it works its way up to most of the extremely Japanese stuff (you will know what that means by the time you finish). But do what’s in your heart and change up the order if you want, friends, I am not the boss of you! 

Cherry Magic (Crunchyroll or grey)

gif by @liyazaki

I believe everyone on Tumblr is pretty familiar with this one, which is not a coincidence—this is one of the most accessible jbls. Not in terms of actual access to watch it, mind you (we’ve all jumped through shady internet hoops to watch it) but in terms of its content and style. Cherry Magic is a classic workplace romcom with a magical twist, and it is charming af. It’s a great exemplar of Japan’s light and zippy comedy lane for bl—a lane in which, importantly, the romances stay chaste even when the actual plot is about sex, or lack thereof. My friend @waitmyturtles would kill me if I didn’t make sure you know that Cherry Magic also has a lovely follow up film. And bonus: there is now a Thai remake airing so if you watch the original you can get in on the discussion about the different adaptations between countries. This is pretty easy to find these days in all the usual places, but I strongly recommend watching it here.

Old Fashion Cupcake (Viki)

gif by @liyazaki

Moving on to a slightly more mature workplace romcom. Old Fashion Cupcake, another Tumblr favorite, is an age gap boss-subordinate romance, and it’s both very adult and somehow wholesome af at the same time. Sure, there is a lot of carnal desire going on here, but there is also a lot of wooing via fluffy pancakes. It’s a tight five episodes and a fantastic example of what Japan, with its extreme technical precision in writing, directing, editing, pacing, and acting firing on all cylinders, can do in two hours. There’s not an ounce of flab on this thing and you’ll want to watch it over and over again.

Utsukushii Kare (Viki)

gif by @wanderlust-in-my-soul

Time to get a little weird! Weird is a key feature of Japanese media, and lots of jbls explore unusual relationship dynamics rooted in complex psychology. This is the first show on the list that will likely feel very Japanese if you’re new around here—my advice is to lean into it and finish the show, even if you get uncomfortable along the way. In Japanese media, discomfort always serves a purpose. This is a high school story with a twisted relationship at its center, and I’m not saying any more than that. Don’t spoil yourself and go watch it! This one also comes with two sequels—one short second season and one movie—that continue from the original story. They are less essential but still excellent.

I Cannot Reach You (Netflix)

gif by @my-rose-tinted-glasses

Next up, another high school tale, but with a totally different vibe. This show is kind of a revelation in its willingness to tell a story about overwhelming desire—including sexual desire—with young protagonists. It’s rooted in a classic but often misunderstood trope, friends to lovers, and takes the angst of it seriously, giving us a low stakes story that feels extremely high stakes to our leads. It’s also gorgeous and uses a classic Japanese visual style (bokeh) that you’ll be dying to learn more about. 

His (Viki)

gif by @gabrielokun

Time for a break from high school, and we’ll sprinkle in a movie for some added flavor. His is a jbl film featuring a second chance romance between a stoic, introverted man who moves to a remote town to start over, and his ex-boyfriend who follows him there unexpectedly, adorable child in tow. Importantly, this movie does not take place in what we often refer to as the “bl bubble” where homophobia doesn’t exist; the leads’ experiences of being gay men in a homophobic society are hugely important to the plot and themes of the story. It’s a beautiful film and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it. @bengiyo would surely also like me to tell you that this film follows a brief prequel show called His: I Didn’t Mean to Fall in Love about the characters originally meeting in high school; I do not think it’s really necessary to watch it but completists can start there.

The Pornographer series (Gaga)

By now you should be ready to get into some classic Japanese fucked up psychosexual material, right? Right! The Pornographer series is told in five installments in this order:

The Novelist, a six episode miniseries

Mood Indigo, a six episode prequel series

Spring Life, a 15 minute short

Pornographer: Playback, a two hour film

Spring Life Continued, a 15 minute short

Confused by that distribution model? So say we all; sometimes Japan likes to make us work for it to make sure we really appreciate its many gifts to us. The story across these installments is about a very difficult to love protagonist, what makes him the way he is, and the also-unhinged-but-in-a-different-way man who finally gets through to him. It’s an extremely satisfying love story and one of the best character arcs I have ever seen, full stop. For this one, you’ll want to just pull the word problematic out of your pocket and store it in a drawer; nearly everything that happens in this story is problematic and that’s the point. Lean in! All of these installments except for the film are on Gaga, if you get that far hmu and I will supply you with the final puzzle piece.

Our Dining Table (Gaga)

You could probably use a break after those last two, so it’s time to shift over to a heart-tugging twofer: family trauma mixed with the cutest shit you’ve ever seen. ODT is an example of another classic type of Japanese show: the food drama (you will see the GOAT in this category at the end of this list). In Japanese culture, food is love, and the act of preparing food for your loved ones is a common path to romance. You’ll love this story about an isolated office worker who meets a pair of brothers, learns to cook as a way of connecting with them, and begins to heal from his own trauma as a result. The image above is a scan from the manga, which @troubled-mind curates to make extremely cool comparison sets like this one. Many jbls are faithful adaptations of yaoi manga source material, so it’s good to have a bit of familiarity with them.

Minato’s Laundromat (Gaga)

gif by @liyazaki

Japanese media loves to explore taboo, and often manages to do it in a way that is surprisingly light and chaste. This is an age gap romance between a teenager and his adult neighbor that explores internalized homophobia, emotional repression, and falling in love across seemingly impossible social chasms. It’s also a great example of old school yaoi seme-uke dynamics that still show up across the bl genre. Also, take my advice: end your journey with this one with the first season and just pretend season 2 doesn’t exist.

Eternal Yesterday (Viki)

gif by @wanderlust-in-my-soul

Remember what I said about weird? Time to do that again, but with a heaping dose of grief and pain on top. It’s not a spoiler to tell you this show involves a major character death; a major character death is, in fact, the root of the entire story. This is a magic realist tale of first love turned tragic, and it will hurt and heal you. It is one of my favorite dramas of all time.

Restart After Come Back Home (Gaga)

And now for a break for your poor exhausted brain. This film is basically the jbl version of a Hallmark original movie, about a city boy who goes back home to the country and falls in love with a total sweetheart while working together on a farm. Enjoy it, bestie, you’ve earned it! 

Tokyo in April Is… (Gaga)

gif by @wanderlust-in-my-soul

You’ve probably noticed by now that emotional repression and failed communication are big themes in Japanese works. This second chance romance has plenty of both, and it’s a great example of a kind of muted emotional style that Japan does so well, where the surface of the story seems almost placid and calm even as deep emotion roils underneath. This one (and Eternal Yesterday above) are part of a special line up of jbls on Japanese channel MBS called Tonku (Drama) Shower. The shows air one after another in the same time slot on Fridays (in Japan, perhaps Thursdays for you depending on where you live) and you truly never know what you’re gonna get, but they’re all interesting. Warnings on this one for sexual assault and trauma. 

The End of the World With You (Viki)

Time for sexy and weird again, but even more so! This has to be one of the most unique bls ever made; it goes to some truly divine and strange places, and it feels incredibly queer while doing it. Made by the same screenwriter/director of the Pornographer series with a lot of the same sensibilities, but in a more heightened apocalyptic setting. This one has existential angst, a road trip, a redemption tale, and a variety of interesting side characters in the mix.

What Did You Eat Yesterday? (Gaga)

gif by @my-rose-tinted-glasses

Congratulations, you’ve reached the end of the list and your reward is watching one of the best bls of all time, and a perfect slice of life food drama to boot. WDYEY now has two seasons (along with a couple specials and a movie that fall in between) because the universe clearly loves us. You can now get it on Gaga for easy access but I’m partial to the versions over at @kinounaniresource for better subs. Wherever you watch, settle in to get cozy with Shiro and Kenji and make sure to always eat before you hit play.

THEM BEING THEIR CHILD’S FIRST WORD - TEXTING THE LOVE AND DEEPSPACE MEN

Warnings : child’s gender unspecified, all of them spoiling their kids, reader is gender-neutral!

Genre : domestic tooth-rotting fluffff

Additional notes : WE ARE SO BACK BABY!!! Thank you nonnie for bringing back my obsession with them as dads. I’m VERY unwell about them🙏🏽 To anyone else reading this, my requests are still closed!! These are just old requests I had in my inbox🫶🏽

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⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚ Me, Myself and Him

tags: xavier x mc, mc being jealous of herself, timelines, playful teasing, angst, heartfelt conversations, character development, romance

spoilers: anecdote 3, lightseeker myth

word count: 1.5k+

It was a sunny afternoon when you had just returned from your visit to Philo, where you were getting fitted for your new secret identity for an upcoming mission.

As you walked back home, your mind was racing with the revelations Jeremiah had shared. His words echoed in your mind, leaving you with mixed emotions. Should you be mad? Or laugh at the ridiculousness of it all? How are you going to talk to Xavier without him avoiding the question?

Bursting through the door, you found Xavier helping to move some things around the house as part of the housecleaning he had offered to help with. He looked up, a smile forming when he saw you.

"Xavier, do you even love me?" you asked out of the blue with your arms crossed, feigning anger, though you'd admit that you were somewhat hurt.

Xavier chuckled softly, "Why am I here then?"

"To pass time!" You threw up your hands dramatically. "You're here to get that Protocore for the Queen."

Xavier stopped whatever he was doing, looking shocked. He asked in confusion, "How did you..."

"I asked—okay, threatened Jeremiah to tell me everything about your past relationships—and I found out that I'm the third version of me that you've been with?!" you exclaimed.

Xavier made a mental note to "deal" with Jeremiah later. He stood there for a minute to collect his thoughts. Finally, he walked over to you and sighed.

Placing his hands softly on your shoulders, he said, "I'll explain everything to you." He gently guided you down to the couch to continue the conversation.

As he sat down beside you, you retorted, "Oh, you don't need to. I know everything now. Like your first love and that you're now searching for a specific Protocore to save your beloved Queen," you grumbled, exaggeratingly scooting away from him as you looked away.

Gently, he turned your head back to him. "Yes..." He paused for a moment, then added teasingly, trying to ease the tension, "You do know that they're still you, right?"

"No, I'm me. They're them. They're the ones you hold dear in your heart," you said, pouting. Xavier couldn't help but find you cute as you pouted your way into his heart.

"How can I compare to your first love? She's the one who started it all. She's your one true love. They say that no one can ever replace your first love," you rambled.

Xavier responded, "You're not a replacement. Why would you think that?"

Ignoring his question, you continued. "Since there are already two of them in your heart, there won't be any space for me. Hmmph," you huffed softly.

Xavier smirked slightly. "My heart is bigger than you'd think," he said, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, then go find the fourth version of me to fill in the remaining space," you said.

"Oh really? Should I then?" Xavier said while pretending to contemplate, trying to lighten the mood.

"Go ahead. I'm just here for you to pass time while looking for the Protocore for your Queen," you retorted.

Xavier's eyebrows raised. "Pass time? Then darling, you're my favorite pastime," he said, nodding affirmatively.

You blushed at his words but tried to maintain composure as you cleared your throat. "Don't you try to sweet-talk your way out of this. I'm serious," you furrowed your brows in attempt of looking stern.

Xavier smiled, reaching out to gently lift your chin with his finger. "Don't pout, darling," he teased softly. "Your pout is too adorable to resist."

You huffed, determined not to let him get his way so easily. "What happens if you find the Protocore? You wouldn't need me anymore. You're just going to leave me," you said, pouting more aggressively.

"I couldn't leave you even if I tried. We're stuck together, remember?" Xavier teased but there was an underlying sincerity in his voice.

Looking at you still feeling bothered by it, his playful expression faded, replaced by a thoughtful look.

He had found the Protocore and it's in you.

You followed his line of sight and your heart sank. "Is it—" you placed a hand on your heart, your eyes widened in shocking revelation.

Xavier took your hand from your heart and said firmly, "No," squeezing your hand gently. Not an option, he thought to himself. "I'm still looking for it."

You sighed in relief at his answer not knowing that you indeed have the Protocore infused in your heart.

However, Xavier would never sacrifice you, not even for another version of yourself. Distraught by the thought, he quickly dismissed it.

Ever since he had been in a relationship with you, he realized that he needed to push himself to communicate with you. You needed it, and he owed it to you. It had been the hardest thing to do, but for you, it would always be worth it.

He puts a hand on your knee, his touch warm and reassuring. "Y/n, finding the Protocore is about more than just the Queen. It's about saving her, yes, but it's also about protecting the future and everything that matters in it. And that includes you," he explained, his voice gentle but firm.

You blinked, surprised by the depth of his response. "But what about your feelings for her?" you asked, searching his eyes for answers.

Xavier sighed, his gaze never leaving yours. "My feelings for her are real, just as they are for you. But they're different, too," he paused, trying to articulate what he felt.

"The Queen represents duty, responsibility, and a love that spans lifetimes. But you?" His voice shook as he continued, "You're my present, my partner. My love for you is grounded in the here and now, in the moments we share together." His voice was filled with sincerity.

You looked away once again, trying to process the information. Xavier smiled warmly, "My princess, look at me."

You refused to meet his eyes. "A Queen is better," you mumbled under your breath. "I bet the Queen is prettier because she's in finer clothes and has the riches," you said, pursing your lips in teasing resignation.

Xavier shook his head amusedly and countered, "You as a Queen is not all about beauty or riches. You're brave, kind and selfless. No different from what you are now because you are her and she is you. You are my constant. Always have been, always will be."

A playful, frustrated whine left your lips. Xavier let out a light chuckle. Any sound from you is music to his ears. "No matter if you're a Queen or a worm, I love you no matter what."

An unexpected burst of laughter escaped your lips before you could stop it. "A worm?" you said in disbelief.

"Yes, a worm. You'll be the cutest worm," Xavier chimed, beaming at finally being able to make you laugh again.

The moonlight shone on you from the windows, highlighting the soft contours of your face, making his heart melt at the sight. He looked up to the moon and smiled to himself.

As the laughter died down, Xavier reached out and tenderly placed your hands in his. In a soft voice, he explained, "My love, like the various phases of the moon during different periods of time, you remain the same moon I will ever love. It doesn't matter what timeline you are in. What I feel for you will never change—a love that knows no bounds and transcends time and space."

Seeing your softened state, Xavier wrapped an arm around your shoulder, tugging you close to his side.

"And if it makes it any better... you're my first kiss," Xavier said with pride before rubbing his neck, blushing, "and my first... you know..."

"Am I really? Have you not even kissed the other two before?" you asked as you raised an eyebrow skeptically, leaning away.

"Nope," he said, cheerfully soft, pulling you snug against him. Perplexed, you asked, "But why?"

He brushed a lock of hair from your face as he leaned in close to whisper in your ear, "Maybe because you're my favorite." He traced a finger along your jawline and looked straight into your eyes, giving you the sweetest smile that contrasted his husky whisper.

Your eyes widened in shock, he never failed to leave you blushing profusely. Xavier smiled in triumph as he saw your flushed cheeks and pulled you into his embrace, nestling your head onto his chest. He whispered, "I love you, y/n. Forever and always."

Melting into his warmth, your heart fluttered as you returned the hug. You then smiled as you felt a déjà vu moment. "I guess now I know why you were so jealous of Lumiere..."

"Do not speak of him," he said, his eyebrows furrowing. His head was slightly tilted and shaking as he gave you sad puppy eyes, which made you giggle softly.

"I love you too, Lu–" you started teasingly, but stopped as Xavier pulled away to give you a playful look of warning. "Xavier. I was about to say Xavier," you corrected.

"You'd better," Xavier said before giving a peck on your lips, then another, and another, giving you butterfly kisses until you giggled uncontrollably.

As he attacked you relentlessly with kisses all over you, you thought to yourself. Maybe he's right. Knowing that he loved every version of you was beginning to feel comforting—like he's seeing your soul and not just the superficial aspects or your personality. He loves all of it, all of you.

note: The Protocore in MC being the Protocore to save Philos is just a speculation. But man, the future angst if it were true.

here are my other fanfics tagged as #xavierbunbun fanfic, if you're interested :3 thanks for reading~

DEAD POETS SOCIETY 1989, dir. Peter Weir