#blcd review

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BLCD Review: Saezuru 7

Title: Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai 7 (囀る鳥は羽ばたかない 7)

Author/Artist: Yoneda Kou

Shop: CD + Manga

Release Date: 2021/07/28

Cast:

Hatano Wataru + Shingaki Tarusuke

Okitsu Kazuyuki

Masuda Toshiki

Ookawa Tooru

Ueda Yuuji

Satou Takuya

Miyake Kenta

Ito Kentarou

Nara Tooru

Synopsis: Adaptation of the 7th volume of the series.

Review Proper

I'm not sure what's gonna end first: the series or my fucking life.

As much as I love Saezuru, it's gone on for so long that it's starting to get old literally and figuratively. You know, I wouldn't even be mad if Yoneda Kou ended the series by killing Yashiro off in 6. 7 is still well-written to a point and the BLCD did deserve to rank second AGAIN in chil-chil 2022, but I'm not sure about the future of this series (it wasn't nominated in 2023 tho which is one of the few good things about 2023's).

I say a lot of things, but I'm still invested in vol. 7 & 8.

I don't know who I'm jealous of, BUT THAT SHOULD BE ME! This scene is in vol 8, not 7, but I wanted to include it anyway.

I do agree that Saezuru portrayal of the whole yakuza deal is the realest 'cause happy endings over there are quite rare, but this isn't a novel that comes out in one go. Doesn't help that June is ass. I've heard from several friends who've read the latest releases that it feels like it's lost its way and that just makes me sad. I'm still hopeful tho.🤧

As I've already stated, this placed second in 2022's awards. I mean, it's Saezuru. Frontier doesn't spare a penny for it lmao. All the major characters are voiced, and they managed to bring the A-listers back again. Sometimes, I forget that Saezuru is actually based on a manga whenever I listen to the BLCDs 'cause the production is just that good.

Shingaki slayed as usual. I've said this many times before, but no matter how bad or how well he does in another role, he will always be Yashiro. I just came from Tsunaida and we're in the middle of a Rei event in Nu:carnival, so I would expect myself to adjust to Yashiro, but I didn't need any of that lmao. Yashiro is truly Shingaki's magnum opus. I'm not at all surprised that he placed 3rd best seiyuu for Yashiro. Deserved.

Speaking of Nu:carnival, I will forever be obsessed with Yashiro's relationship with the other characters aside from Doumeki. Nanahara's voiced by my one true love, Okitsu, but like Yashiro, I love him for his character and not his voice. It is nice having the other veterans in here with him, too. The slut trio is complete with Daddy Complex SatoTaku, Boss Ass Chaser Okitsu, and Damel in Distress Shingaki. #BLESS I want Kamiya to end up with Nanahara.

I haven't heard Wacchan in years HAHAHAHAHA. His Doumeki is still amazing as always. My issues with the story aside, I'm really looking forward to his "break" in vol. 8. EEEEEEE

Special mention to my Ryuuzaki and Miyake Kenta who made their comebacks here too. I missed him so much! LMAO

The BLCD is pretty accurate to the... magazine at least, but June does sell the translated tanko (fortunately). Like the previous installments, reading the manga while listening to the BLCD was so smooth because it was so accurate. Now 7 does end in a cliffhanger, so I don't really advise listening to it if you still don't have 8. But if cliffhangers aren't an issue for you, then break a leg!

[blcdreviews]

KURONEKO NO ASOBIKATA

Pairing:

Maeno Tomoaki x Kondo Takashi

Cast:

Kondo Takashi as Shingo

Maeno Tomoaki as Kagami

Summary:

Impressions:

If my summary is any indication, the story kind of doesn't matter here-- but you can think Sex Pistols without the great characters and beautiful depth. Despite the pretty awesome casting pair, Kuroneko was largely a disappointment and all but a total waste of my time.

For a CD that's really only supposed to be ear-candy, the smut is so unfortunately lacking. I'm not saying it was bad, but it could have been so much better. Most of the sex scenes feel too short, have too much talking and just really aren't satisfying at all-- which sucks because, come on, Maeno and Kondo? They are both capable of so much more than what was presented here.

On the minimal plus side, Shingo did have enough cute moments to make get through what was obviously going to be a disappointment from the get-go. Honestly though, if you wanna hear Kondo voice a super cute cat, Sentimental Garden Lover is a way better choice.

[blcdreviews]

NOT EQUAL

Pairing:

Suzuki Tatsuhisa x Nojima Hirofumi

Cast:

Suzuki Tatsuhisa as Ashizuka Ryou

Nojima Hirofumi as Suetsugu Konomi

Summary:

WARNING LEVEL 5 INCEST. Ryou's parents divorced when he was really young and he's been raised by his mother since. The last time he saw his dad was practically ten years ago, so one summer he decides to go visit him in Kyushu. Not too long after he arrives (and the atmosphere's pretty awkward between them), Ryou trips in the back garden and time slips back 22 years in the past...

Impressions:

I just read the manga this morning and went to listen to the drama CD pretty much right after, so pardon me if I'm a little excited.

I saw the incest warning, forgot it, remembered it, then felt my heart squeeze and barf all over my chest. I guess I went into this a little unprepared, because I pretty much didn't expect anything I got. You come to expect the kind of soft and pretty atmosphere from BL works, but come on, with a summary like this, you kind of wonder what the hell kind of story you're going to get. And Not Equal was really, wow. 

He. Falls. In. Love. With. His. Dad. I couldn't bring myself to believe there was any way this story could end well. I was bracing myself for the worst because the worst was bound to happen. But, luckily for my heart, Not Equal didn't take all the dramatic turns it could have taken. The very obvious lack of a supporting cast was really great because you literally only spend time with Ryou and Konomi. And that's enough emotional turmoil, really. And you get to just enjoy the few really sweet moments between all the pain and inner conflict. 

Plus, come on, NojiHiro and Tatsun? Sold at names. Not sure if I've said this in a previous review but I love love love NojiHiro's silent sufferer voice-- because that's what I'm going to call it. He's just really good at voicing this kind of character. Tatsun was great, as usual, and he even had me going at quite a few scenes. Especially the one where he's starting to realize the futility of his plight and he just grabs onto Konomi and cries. Wow, my heart. 

There's a single H-scene and (though you should be surprised) really fucking great. Ah. 

My only complaint is that the drama stops at the manga's half-point (when Ryou is sent back to the present), but if I trust Atis and this drama's freetalk track, then I'll believe we'll get a second drama soon enough. 

[blcdreviews]

CHIRU CHIRU, MICHIRU

Pairing:

Hatano Wataru x Nojima Hirofumi

Cast:

Nojima Hirofumi as Kisaragi Haru

Hatano Wataru as Satomi

Taniyama Kishou as Enomoto Ten

Mizushima Takahiro as Takahashi Hiro

(Note: Satomi calls Haru "Shunin" throughout the CD. It's apparently used to address a person of higher rank in an office, so.) 

Summary:

Impressions:

I'm sorry. It's another Wacchan CD, but I really couldn't help it. It's my duty to head off and listen to Atis CDs, after all. But anyway, as you would expect from them, this is a fantastic drama. Also, despite being told by Haru's point of view, every character gets their fair share of spotlight and, by the end, everyone's feelings and motives are as clear and real as the Earth and sky. Noji-nii, Wacchan, Kiiyan and Mizushima all do a fantastic job with their character and-- wow it's just amazing the kind of chemistry Noji has with Wacchan in this story. 

So Haru. He's as calm and mature-seeming as most of Noji's heroes are, but five minutes in we quickly learn that he's actually extremely sensitive and prone to loneliness. He lives alone and his only family is the adorable robotic dog on the cover, Kinpira-- and it literally does nothing but say "Haru-chan, okaeri!" in a mechanical voice, but every time Haru starts talking to him it's the saddest most emotional shit ever. And Enomoto, Haru's best friend, is literally the coolest best friend character since that best-friend character from Mr. Romanticist no Koi. He's extremely blunt, asks all the right questions as soon as you want the answer, and largely pushes the plot forward. Best. Fucking. Support. Ever. Then, Satomi. He's as Wacchan-type as Wacchan gets. The younger seme who's really kind, really sweet, and very dog-like. Also, he attacked Haru twice while drunk. Small details. But still, no matter how many times Wacchan voices these types of characters, he always manages to make every experience different and perfect. You can't go wrong with him. Finally, Takahashi who, if anything just term-wise, is pretty much the antagonist. Unless we're calling Haru's cowardice the antagonist. But anyway, the biggest plot turns come around when it turns out Takahashi isn't doing so well with his boyfriend of eight years-- at once putting Haru in a position to back off and Satomi in the position of 'oh shit two guys love me'.

Since I'm already getting into it: story. Plot-wise, this drama was pretty much a shoujo in disguise. Besides the atmosphere and characters, every thing else felt like I was reading a shoujo manga instead of listening to a BLCD-- which, you know, is pretty fucking refreshing. It's story about actual gays who are actually just shoujo characters in the bodies of men who act like men. Trust me, that'll make sense when you listen to the CD. BL largely presents us with characters who aren't really gay but just in love with that one special guy or with stories that don't discuss sexuality at all, so you know, this is nice. Though, I can't help if every plot twist in this drama had me crying in both laughter and tears about the extreme shoujo-ness of it. I mean, literally, as soon as the "guy likes guy who likes other guy" scenario came in-- it's just: SHOUJO. And with Enomoto playing the role as protag's best friend who's pretty much always going "GO GET YOUR MAN, GURL"-- well, it's just all very shoujo-like. 

The pacing is also really good here. It never feels like nothing's happening and, at the same time, it never feels like events are pulling by too fast. The twists and turns may feel gimmicky, but the execution fits with the shoujo of it all and you just kind of forgive it. Besides, it's hard not to fall in love with the chemistry these characters have. Clap clap to the seiyuus! We're also given three pretty fucking sweet h-scenes and boy, boy, Noji-nii can work his aegi. But, you know, we know that already, haha. They're not too long or super explicit or anything, but they feel just right.

All in all, another perfect title to Atis Collections perfect catalog of perfect drama CDs. I know in summary Chiru Chiru, Michiru, probably doesn't sound too exciting-- but trust me, you're in for a fun load of emotions with this one. Even if the story is attractive, the character chemistry and great voice work should be enough to get you on this one. 

Highlights:

Kinpira is the cutest robotic dog and my heart dies whenever Haru talks to it

Enomoto's every line

Satomi lying about knowing how to cook

Drunk sex

That breast cancer plot twist gimmick

hearing Noji-nii say 'bai-bai'

Haru NOT OPENING THAT GIFT AND EVERYTHING THAT ENTAILED

Kinpira

[blcdreviews]

FLUTTER

Pairing:

Hatano Wataru x Kondo Takashi

Cast:

Hatano Wataru as Asada Masahiro

Kondo Takashi as Mizuki Ryunosuke

Summary:

Asada's been admiring this guy who works at the same company as him for a while now. Some day, turns out Asada gets to work with the object of his admiration-- a handsome man named Mizuki. After an awkward conversation with Mizuki, where Asada asks him if he's married due to the ring on his finger, Asada finds out from some co-workers that Mizuki's gay and out of the closet. Not that it matters. Asada gets to know Mizuki better and finds himself getting more and more drawn to him and a roller-coaster of feels set in a pretty slice-of-lifey atmosphere takes your heart and squeezes until you can't breathe anymore before letting it pump up again with happiness.

Impressions:

So yeah I kind of had no real idea what to expect from this drama and I was amazingly surprised by it. FLUTTER was refreshing in terms of story and character treatment. Compared to most BL, this drama was mostly realistic-- which is a nice pull-off from our usual utopic BL world.

Kondo Takashi uses a really smooth, cool voice here that mostly reminds me of Sakurai Takahiro's cool prince voice. I don't think I've ever heard the tone on him, so I found it amazingly sexy. His character, Mizuki, is pretty complex. He's a normal businessman, admired and accomplished-- yet gay and out of the closet-- which is refreshing. He's pretty tough to fit into an archetype, so I'm just not going to try. He has a terrible self-loathing side, a fairly brisk attitude and maybe a lack of belief in others, or perhaps low self-esteem. He's neither incredibly forward or too shy. And his actions and words sometimes make you rethink his personality-- but mostly just adds to the depth of the character. He ain't no one-trick-man. 

Asada, on the other hand, is a little simpler to understand. He's friendly, kind of a dork with a sincerely naive side. More importantly, he's fiercely blunt, honest and pretty much doesn't hesitate about anything. He realizes his emotions for Mizuki pretty early on but doesn't dwell or panic. The calm manner in which the actual romantic feelings are dealt with is incredibly slice-of-lifey and just... mostly... really realistic. I mean, not to say there ain't no drama in FLUTTER. Just that it's all dealt with peacefully that it truly feels like a real-life story.

The bulk of the plot relies of Asada getting to know Mizuki more and more, until finally finding out about the ring Mizuki wears and how it's related to his ex-boyfriend (who we know as 'sensei' until we find out his name is 'yoshino'. Mizuki's backstory is pretty much like a BL manga gone totally wrong. I could sum it up really bluntly, but that really wouldn't be doing the story justice at all. Also, only in the bonus track (set a while later) do we get a curt sex scene-- which made me incredibly happy because realistically you can't have buttsex with someone on the spot-- a fact we tend to ignore because sex scenes are hot.

Probably because I literally just finished listening to the drama, I still have quite a few of FLUTTER's highlights in mind. Asada crying at the movie he and Mizuki go to watch being one, the rest being hilarious exchanges between the two. Like when Mizuki was like "I'm selfish and I've got a bad personality" to which Asada replied bluntly "I know"-- or when Mizuki said "you're the type of guy who gets confessed to and then dumped afterwards, aren't you?" and Asada innocently went "how did you you know!?"-- Or, on the less funny, but more emotional lines which were abundant-- when Asada gives his don't-misunderstand-my-feelings-i-want-to-be-by-your-side-even-if-you-don't-love-me speech (well, the whole 4th track was just a lot of tears actually)-- or when Asada literally just charges to Mizuki's place after hearing him on the phone crying... Fucking feels.

Luckily, shit brightens up towards the end of the last track where there's enough to cute to make you want to cry because Asada and Mizuki can finally be happy-- YES HAPPY ENDING OK, SPOILED IT. On a last note, this drama was also blessed with amazingly good background tracks. The music box track was just... so... emotional... and... I am a puddle of tears, I am.

If the length of this review and the quality of my English doesn't make it obvious, I really enjoyed this drama. It's a good recommendation to anyone. A veteran will appreciate the refreshing story and character treatment. A newbie might like the ease in since the sex scene is only in the bonus track and it pretty short and overshadowed by a monologue partway. Or you might not like that because wowee sex is hot shit. So there. Only not recommending to people who want to hear some hot karami scenes. Otherwise, go get it. 

[blcdreviews]

HONTO YAJUU 1-2

Pairing:

Nakamura Yuuichi x Kakihara Tetsuya

Cast:

Nakamura Yuuichi as Ueda Tomoharu

Kakihara Tetsuya as Gotouda Aki

Shimono Hiro as Yamase (Senpai)

Miyake Kenta as That Poor Guy who Keeps Cockblocking Aki 

Summary:

The sweet light-hearted love story between Ueda, a policeman, and Aki, a member of the yakuza. After Ueda basically catches this guy who stole his underwear, Aki falls in with him at first sight and finds him the next day all like "I love you" and Ueda's like "let's get to know each other first" so then Aki basically starts coming over to his workplace like every day and they eventually start dating. Cute shenanigans follow.

Impressions:

Wow I can't believe I haven't reviewed this after I first listened to it like years ago? Anyway, I suddenly felt like listening to it again and bam here I am. Honto Yajuu's definitely one of my old favourites because wow damn it's so cute and light-hearted and how many yakuza-involved bl stories do you know are angst-less? 

Alright so Ueda's a great character if just because his personality's so disconnected yet morally just and unbelievably kind. Then again, You-kyan (Nakamura Yuuichi) does often play this kind of character-- still I mean, if you compare Ueda's "go with the flow" personality to, say, Kyouichi's (Kyuuso wa Cheese no Yume o Miru) "go with the flow" personality... Big difference. Anyway, his actions are pretty much defined by the simple fact that he thinks people are interest, regardless of who they are and it's this kind of open-mindedness that makes him a great partner to Aki. 

So Aki has a rough, loud and brash personality-- reminding me more a delinquent than yakuza, but hey, I'm not Japanese so what do I know? So first you get his crazy out of nowhere confession of love to Ueda setting him as the blunt and honest uke, but Aki also gets embarrassed and cute at the most perfect moments and man, Ueda's not the only one mentally dying from his crazy cuteness. 

No well, I mean, basically, both of them subvert enough of their respective stereotypes to just... make... you... love them so damn fucking much. It helps that nothing is ever taken too seriously in the story. Most of the plot twists are taken care of within minutes and it's just really refreshing. I mean, about the only time something drags on a "little" long is when Ueda gets strangely angry and jealous at meeting Aki's first man. But even that is resolved pretty fucking quickly and it was actually darn cute to see Ueda's angry side. 

The dramas are also pretty fucking short and divided into cute little mini-stories (which is probably why all the "drama" gets resolved so fast). My favourite one is probably when Ueda's little brother Natsuki shows up, just because there was that one cute moment when Natsuki was heading back home and Ueda was all like "You're too young for a girlfriend!"-- I mean, really. That was kind of the only time you get to hear him pretty desperate. Ueda having dinner at Aki's place was a great scene, too-- but maybe I'm saying that because I'm listening to the track right now as I type this--Moving on.

The sex scenes in this are really hot, like yum. Kakki has a great aegi and it's actually too bad I haven't heard it in too many places. And also, the side characters (Yamase and Miyate-san's character) are hilarious despite not having too many moments. Miyate-san's character had this one super fucking funny line that went something like "Ueda, Ueda, ore wa shita da!"-- I'm sorry, I'm just crazy weak for puns. 

Anyway, this is a definite listen to anyone. I'm not kidding. It's just perfect for anyone. Simple plot. Great sex scenes. But incredibly believable characters. A story that doesn't ever bog down with stupid plot twists. And, come on, humour. It's perfect or maybe I'm just weak for the whole yakuza thing.

(Note: I should probably go listen to Honto Yajuu 3 because, pause to gasp, I haven't yet.)

[blcdreviews]

NANKA, INMA NI TSUKARECHATTAN DESU KEDO

Pairing:

Hatano Wataru x Toriumi Kousuke

Cast:

Toriumi Kousuke as Miwa Takahiro

Hatano Wataru as Watase Touma

Ogata Kenichi/Suzuki Tatsuhisa as The Fairy

Kawahara Yoshihisa as Hashizume

Summary:

Impressions:

I was actually expecting something ridiculous a la Balett Star, or a la MenKui or a la Kiyosho-- but I ended up getting something amazingly sweet. The setting's just kind of ridiculous. The touch of magic in this drama feels kind of like how it was in Spirits Tea, actually.

So Miwa's your typical supposedly straight ojisan. He's hard-working, pretty strict-- strangely shy, but also strangely honest in other senses. Watase's also your usual fair of younger-seme-voiced-by-Wacchan. The Fairy's pretty fucking hilarious and I laughed quite a bit when he reverted to his true form. Tatsun's pretty boy oyaji voice was fucking priceless. That being said though, character-wise, there isn't anything too deep here. The drama's fairly sex and story-driven-- extremely simple in nature so probably an easy listen for anyone. Besides, the sex scenes are hella hot and hella plenty.

Every track is literally Miwa getting harassed by one of his co-worker/juniors and then Watase getting jealous, pulling him away to harass/fuck him himself. Even without understanding Japanese, the pattern is pretty easy to catch on to. So, if anything, I'd recommend this one because it's simple, refreshing and pretty goddamn hot. 

My favourite scene was in the last track with the whole getting-on-a-first-name-basis bit. Then again, it's one of my personal fav romance schticks so.

[blcdreviews]

BUKATSU NO KOUHAI NI SEMARARETE IMASU

Pairings

Hatano Wataru x Suzuki Tatsuhisa

Cast

Suzuki Tatsuhisa as Moriya

Hatano Wataru as Yoshitake

Summary

Yes, this is a senpai/kouhai pairing. So, one day, Moriya gets a homemade bento from his kouhai, Yoshitake. Unable to refuse free food, he accepts the bento and-- lo and behold-- it is goddamn delicious. The following day, Yoshitake asks if Moriya enjoyed it and would like it if he made bentos for him every day. Unable to refuse free good food, Moriya buys into it and pretty much digs his own grave. Yoshitake takes his senpai's acceptance as a kind of "this-now-means-we're-going-out-now" thing and starts, well as the title says, closing in on Moriya like an adorable puppy in heat. 

Impressions

This drama was fucking hilarious. Definitely one of the most entertaining dramas I've listened to in a while. It was literally scene upon scene of ridiculously cute shit happening. The setting and plot is relatively simple, so what really drives the story are the characters. 

Moriya pretty much gets trapped by Yoshitake's advances. He may have dug the hole himself, but Yoshitake definitely made the ground softer first. He essentially gets swept in by the current, consistently saying 'yes' to Yoshitake whilst not really considering the consequences. His rants are also the most HILARIOUS things ever. He doesn't complain, per se. Rather, he tries to rationalize the ridiculous situations he ends up finding himself in by trying to figure out where he went wrong in his decisions-- of course, really, all it does is show that it's pretty much his fault for going along Yoshitake's whims. And damn does Tatsun pull of the rants so goddamn well.

Yoshitake, on the other hand, is an adorable little puppy dog who really just loves his senpai so much that he would pretty much do goddamn anything for him. It's been forever since I've heard Wacchan voice an adorable wanko-like character. He even does cute puppy howls and whines. It's fucking cute as shit, I really can't even. He's super honest and always goes for what he wants without hesitation. 

Seriously, this drama just so perfectly hilarious and lighthearted. It's also fairly short and very simple. I'd definitely recommend this to someone new to drama CDs and to anyone looking for a great and satisfying laugh. This drama was seriously just so fucking ridiculously cute as crap--Also, like all simple drama CDs, there is really only one H-scene here, but Wacchan and Tatsun do not disappoint. It's dripping in adorasexiness. 

So yeah, basically, I don't care who you are, go listen to this drama CD-- It's absolutely brilliant.