Life in Smokey Blue – Series Review

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

First things first. I love the opening song in Life in Smokey Blue so much. Is anyone losing it over those 30 seconds of heaven or is it just me? I adore the music. Love the singer's voice. Most of all, every shot used in the opening credits is meaningful. The empty rooms… The household objects… It tells a visual story without even needing context. And then, Azuma enters the scene and embraces Kuji at the exact moment the chorus starts. And that shot of their faces so close together, but Azuma slowly pulls away a bit. Oh my god. This is ART.

It's great seeing Kouhei Takeda star in another BL. First Old Fashion Cupcake. Now Life in Smokey Blue. OMG, this guy knows how to get cast in amazing dramas! With that said, he plays quite a different character in this series. Both Nozue and Azuma are around the same age, but that's where their similarities end. Nozue was competent and sophisticated, whereas Azuma is a charming disaster. In your late 30s, there's an expectation for you to have your shit together. Yet, Azuma has no job. No money. Not even a man. It's kinda refreshing, actually! Here's an older BL protagonist who goes against the typical image of adulthood.

I know some BL fans joke that Life in Smokey Blue is "old man yaoi". But Azuma is in his late 30s. Kuji doesn't seem that much older than him. C'mon, they aren't really that old. This isn't like some BL series set in a retirement home. That said, I do like BL dramas with more mature protagonists. It makes a difference! Their love story has another flavour. We skip the usual romantic tropes that are associated with younger leads. There are no schoolboy crushes. There are no shy love confessions. Instead, these grown-ups don't waste time and jump straight into bed!

I really like the last scene of the episode. Kuji pretends he only invited Azuma over to his house to "work". Azuma cuts the bullshit and addresses their unresolved sexual tension. Kouhei was so good here! He's giving come-hither looks. He's talking in a sultry voice. Azuma is working his little butt off to seduce Kuji! While they're flirting, the series suddenly cuts to a flashback of Azuma grunting and getting pounded in bed. OMG. Was anyone scandalized by the visual!? This is like a jump scare in a horror movie, but the gay version of it!

Kuji cracks in the end. He spends the whole episode playing it cool and pretending their relationship can stay platonic. But nope, he couldn't resist Azuma's temptation! Their sex scene isn't strictly fanservice. It's the start of Kuji's character development. Ever since his father died, Kuji has been emotionally guarded. He avoids connecting with others. Then, Azuma shows up, bringing all the warmth and passion that had been missing from Kuji's life. Notice the title of the story that Kuji is translating? "Song of Spring" is a nod to exactly that. Azuma is the springtime warmth that slowly thaws Kuji's frozen heart.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

Here's my favourite part of Azuma's inner monologue: "Thinking I could understand him after sleeping together twice… how naive. I'm not at an age where I should be that naive anymore." What a powerful moment of self-reflection! You can feel every emotion packed into his words. The false hope. Disappointment. Regret. And it's kinda relatable, right? Okay, the "sleeping together" part is more of an Azuma Thing. But that feeling of wanting to understand someone, only to realize you don't know them as well as you thought? That's a mood!

I love the popsicle scene! Azuma and Kuji sit together, enjoying a cold treat. Azuma leans over to take a cheeky bite out of Kuji's popsicle. He giggles and exaggerates his brainfreeze afterward. It seems like a small moment, but it highlights Azuma's personality so well. His warmth. His playfulness. The best part is that his funny reaction even makes Kuji laugh. Kuji, who looks so gloomy all the time, is actually laughing at his antics! It shows Azuma's positive influence on him. Azuma's joy is slowly melting Kuji's icy exterior.

The popsicle scene also gives us a valuable glimpse into Kuji's childhood. "I used to think that grown-ups didn't eat popsicles. My father said they were just snacks for kids. Maybe that's why I felt the same way." The series doesn't need to show a flashback. With one simple anecdote, it already paints a vivid picture of Kuji's upbringing. He grew up with a strict father who denied him simple childhood pleasures. No wonder Kuji turns out so cold and distant as an adult. Lesson of the day: give your kid a damn popsicle! Or else you'll traumatize them FOR LIFE!!!

Kuji's father is strict, but the story avoids turning him into a one-dimensional villain. A lesser story would make him the sole cause of our protagonist's childhood trauma. But real life doesn't work like that. People are complicated. Parental love even more so. What's impressive is how maturely Kuji thinks about his dad. He can acknowledge his father's flaws without losing sight of the good. That man introduced his son to a career he loves and passed down a valuable skill. Kuji knows his father loved him, even if that love was often harsh.

Another poignant storyline is Kuji mourning his father. His dad died two years ago. Before that, the dementia made caring for him incredibly difficult. The story never shows us any flashbacks of the illness. A lesser drama would have Kuji sobbing at his father's bedside or something equally angsty. Instead, this series picks up two years later after the worst of it is already over. Kuji's father is gone, but his traces are still everywhere. The abandoned wheelchair. The untouched books. Kuji's arc is about learning to let go, starting with his father's possessions, then eventually the house itself, and finally coming to terms with the loss.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

Azuma drops an interesting line near the start of the episode: "The way I see myself versus the way others see me… The gap is huge."  This comes after his nephew just praised him to high heaven. The kid thinks Saku-chan is the coolest uncle ever! Yet, Azuma can't accept the compliment. Not in an "aww shucks" humble pie way. More of an "Azuma has low self-belief" kind of way. Even though Azuma has achieved so much in his life (i.e. scholarship, successful career), it's sad that he feels so defeated and can't take pride in himself.

One of the story's most interesting topics is aging. As your loved ones get older, what can you do to help them? We don't see this in many BL dramas. Most protagonists are young, so their parents are still healthy. But around Azuma's age, you face a different reality. Your mom or dad is getting more fragile. You fear every illness and injury, but your worries don't even need a scary medical diagnosis. It can be a small detail of their decline. Like Azuma noticing a dirty cup his mom forgot to clean. Life in Smokey Blue feels relatable because of moments like these. It devastates us with just an ordinary observation from everyday life.

Kuji offers ideas to help Azuma's mother. Let's change the kitchen lights. Let's install handrails in the bathroom. Kuji knows what he's talking about because he used to look after his own elderly parent. What's interesting is Azuma's reaction. "Wanna kiss?" Out of nowhere, he asks for hanky-panky! It seems random until you look at the context. Kuji gave advice to make Azuma's life easier. He was being really sweet. So sweet that it makes Azuma wanna kiss him! I love how the kiss wasn't inspired by a big romantic gesture. Azuma simply found Kuji's empathy attractive!

An interesting moment is when Azuma says goodbye to his mother. She hesitates for a second. A concerned look flickers across her face. It seems like there's something on her mind… But then, she changes her mind and pretends everything is fine again. It bothers Azuma for the rest of the ride home. "That look on her face, like she wanted to say something, but then decided to hold it back. I've seen it a thousand times." We never find out what she wanted to say. Azuma's mother is like the Mona Lisa. Her true intentions are forever unreadable!

What did Azuma's mother want to say to him? Could be about anything. Maybe it has to do with his relationship and finances? Or something about her health issues and living situation? Whatever her concern is, she feels uncomfortable expressing it. Instead of figuring out what she's trying to say, let's focus on why she doesn't say it. The mom worries that her words might disrupt the peace. She doesn't wanna burden Azuma. She holds back her thoughts to protect her son. The "I've seen it 1000x times" line is what gets me. Azuma recognizes the look, which means this isn't new behaviour from her. She has been evasive for years!

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

The couple is growing closer! Azuma has gotten better at picking up Kuji's moods. Kuji feels anxious about meeting his brother, since they aren't on the best terms. Azuma can sense his nervousness and offers moral support. That little forehead rub is full of tenderness! At the end of the episode, Kuji opens up about his feelings instead of bottling things up. He even admits that he likes being around Azuma. The series doesn't make a big deal over this, but it's an emotional breakthrough! Kuji finally trusts Azuma enough to share what's on his mind.

Kuji's brother and Azuma's sister have one thing in common. Both characters complain about their fathers leaving behind too many books after their deaths. They think getting rid of these large book collections is a burden. Azuma's sister almost compares it to an addiction! OMG, what do these older siblings have against books!? Their critiques feel very pointed, making me think deeper about the meaning. The books could be a metaphor. They represent the emotional baggage that weighs on your loved ones after you're gone. Plus, it's often the eldest child who absorbs the most responsibility after their parents die.

Kuji's brother hates his father's book collection. He complains that it'll cost a fortune to get rid of everything. "Leaving stuff like this behind is just a burden on everyone else." His statement makes me so sad. The dad was obviously a huge lover of literature. He spent his whole life collecting these books. Each one comes with a lot of history and meaning. It's devastating to hear the brother treat these cherished possessions like worthless trash. It makes me think about my own belongings, and how others might not see their value after I die. C'est la vie. 😢

Kuji's brother is an interesting character because of his duality. Around Kuji, Minoru acts like a sourpuss. He walks into his brother's home and makes disparaging comments. Ugh, the mouldy books! That cigarette smell! Everything looks so GLOOMY! Um, how rude!? Worst of all, Minoru plans to take the family home away from Kuji. He's gonna kick his brother out and demolish the house. From our perspective, Minoru is the villain. I speak for all BL fans when I say, "How dare you!" This place is supposed to be where Kuji & Azuma grow old together!

Minoru confides in his wife and admits he isn't close to his family. The father played favourites. Minoru hated that his brother got all the attention. He knows it isn't Kuji's fault, but he still feels bitter. This scene is humanizing. It gives an antagonistic character a vulnerable side, leaving us conflicted about how we feel toward Minoru. We also see him as a doting dad. Around his daughter, he treats her like a princess. He won't be like his father and neglect his child. Life in Smokey Blue excels at creating nuanced characters. We see Minoru's imperfections alongside his positive traits. Even if we don't like him, we still understand him.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

In Episode 5, the story introduces Azuma's friend, Tajimi. He offers Azuma a new teaching job at a cram school. Professionally, this is a good opportunity. Instead of freelancing, Azuma gets to earn a decent income in a stable career. It's an upgrade for him. But romantically, it's an EMERGENCY CODE RED CATASTROPHE!!! This new job means Azuma must stop working for Kuji. Our couple won't have an excuse to spend time together anymore. Kuji, someone is stealing your man from you! You gotta fight back!!! 😭

Azuma spends the whole episode trying to quit smoking. It's no coincidence this happens in the same episode he quits working for Kuji. The story wants us to see these two decisions as one and the same. On paper, both choices make sense. Quitting cigarettes saves money, and taking the cram school job over Kuji's freelancing gig means a stable career. Yet, Kuji has become a habit, just like cigarettes. Kuji is a comforting ritual that's hard to give up. Azuma keeps making excuses for "one last cigarette." He also invents new reasons to go back to Kuji, even after starting his new job. He can't quit his Kuji addiction!

Since Azuma's brother-in-law is returning, Azuma doesn't want to impose on his sister's family. To be clear, they aren't kicking him out. Fumiko says he's welcome to continue living with them. Tamiko loves having his uncle here. "We have to stay together forever!" The nephew means well, but he's thinking like a kid. He wants everything to stay the same because it feels comfortable. Azuma knows the mature thing to do is to stop inconveniencing his sister. Being an adult means being willing to make changes, whether that means moving out, changing jobs, or quitting smoking.

Azuma and Kuji have one last cigarette together. Azuma asks casually, "If I leave right now, you'll be lonely, won't you?" He's trying to play it cool, but the real question he wants to ask is: WTF DO I MEAN TO YOU??? So far, these two haven't put labels on their relationship. If Kuji wants Azuma to be more than just a fuck buddy, he needs to state his feelings. Sadly, this is Kuji we're talking about. King of repressed emotions. He won't answer. Azuma doesn't pursue it. They sit in silence, hands merely inches apart. So close, yet so far apart. 😭

OH IT'S SO OVER. 😭😭😭 These two grown men don't know how to communicate, so their situationship never becomes official. They spend time apart, clearly missing each other. Azuma stares at a phone screen… Kuji gazes down at the slippers… It feels like they've broken up, even though they were never actually a couple. Thankfully, Azuma makes the first move. One random phone call later, they're back together. We see Azuma smoking again, and the story hints that he can't quit his desires. Kuji also takes the initiative by asking Azuma to move in with him. OH WE'RE SO BACK!!! Domestic couple era, here we come!

Episode 6

Episode 6 Review

I thought we were gonna devote the entire second half of the season to Azuma & Kuji's domestic bliss. They would live together and be adorable househusbands together. Yay! Imagine my shock when their living arrangement didn't even last one episode. We get a cute moment where Kuji feeds Azuma in the kitchen. Aww, how sweet! Five seconds later, Kuji is already asking him to leave. Apparently, they're getting evicted because of Kuji's book-hating, house-wrecking brother. That bastard!!! How dare you ruin my domestic BL storyline!?

Minoru is on a mission to get rid of his father's book collection. Like an evil emperor from ancient times, he's gonna destroy all the literature! Thankfully, a few people actually appreciate the old books. First, a work acquaintance admires Kuji's father and feels honoured to keep some of them. Later, Azuma saves an old dictionary, which includes handwritten notes. I'm reminded of the proverb, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." I'm glad someone out there can see the value in these books. It's reassuring. Even after we're gone from the world, the things we cared about might still find the right hands. Hopefully!

Thanks to the housekeeper's banana bread, the brothers actually sit down and talk. As we all know, pastries can heal our souls. Minoru takes a bite and becomes a softie. He talks about their dad: "I've resented him. But I'm also grateful to him." He has a love-hate relationship with his strict father, who paid for Minoru's tuition and made life easier. Kuji also remembers a childhood event where Minoru protected him. In both cases, the series reminds us of nuance. Our loved ones aren't one-dimensional. Nobody is purely good or bad, but somewhere in between.

Kuji comes home and sees Azuma in the kitchen. The image reminds him of his beloved mother and housekeeper. It's a very positive association, showing that Azuma has become one of the closest people in Kuji's life. They talk about Kuji's least favourite food. Kuji claims he doesn't even remember hating raisins. How interesting! The story is subtly telling us that negative feelings can fade away over time. Whether it's a food preference or a family grudge, our hatred becomes fuzzier as we get older. Until one day, it's gone from our hearts.

Episode 6's closing scene is one of the best in the series. Azuma gets too drunk, so Kuji gives him a piggyback ride. Azuma starts rambling, but his words are surprisingly poetic. "In your hair, I can smell the scent of your house. And the smell of an old man." What an epic line! It sounds kinda funny, because you smell like an old fart, haha. But it's also really intimate. It highlights how close Azuma & Kuji have become. By now, Azuma has learned a lot about Kuji's life. He knows Kuji's experiences so well that they feel as natural as a scent. It's like saying, "I can sense everything you've been through in the history of your life."

Azuma continues his drunken speech. "Kuji, I thought you'd live in that house forever. Become an old man in that house you're so used to. Eating in that kitchen. Looking out at the garden. And finally passing away peacefully on that veranda." Oh my god. I've fallen to my knees from the SHEER POETRY of his words! The speech sounds so poignant, especially since Kuji is about to lose his family home forever. It echoes many of the story's themes about loss, memory, aging… And the bittersweet idea that our future might turn out quite differently from what we imagined.

Episode 7

Episode 7 Review

Okay, we need to talk about Kuji's goatee situation. Like, what's going on there!? I have so many questions that I'd like to submit to the universe. Why does his beard look like that? Why does he have one in the first place? And his whole look is a mystery of its own. The sunglasses, the goatee, the turtleneck collar… Is this a disguise? Is Kuji working as an undercover spy? You know Azuma must be in love, because he's still blushing and giggling even though Kuji shows up on the phone looking like this. Oh, Azuma is down BAD!

I love how there's zero drama even though Kuji is travelling abroad for several months. In many other BL series, they would turn this into an annoying source of conflict. Oh no, will our relationship survive the long distance!? Thankfully, there's none of that nonsense here. Kuji is gone for a while, but he still calls and checks in with Azuma like a normal person. Both guys handle the long-distance thing like adults. They get it isn't the end of the world. They have enough going on in their lives to stay busy without their love interests. This is just one of the ways that Life in Smokey Blue feels more mature than your typical BL drama.

Here are my rapidfire thoughts on Tajimi's storyline… I liked his character. I didn't want him to die. I thought Azuma was sensitive with the student who had a schoolboy crush. I understand why Azuma told that little white lie, because he didn't wanna hurt the student. In the past, Azuma has joked about how he doesn't feel like an adult. He's just pretending to be one. Yet, the way he handled the distressed student shows maturity. Part of being an adult is knowing how to be considerate of other people's feelings. Azuma deserves more credit than he gives himself.

Episode 8

Episode 8 Review

Episode 8 focuses on Hara, Azuma's friend from his translation class. I love Hara's character. Her personality? So sweet and sincere! Her fashion? Those pearl earrings are fire! Her background? An inspiration! This divorced mother is rebuilding her dream career. AND she survived an earthquake. It's the type of empowering backstory that I read in women's magazines and raise a fist in solidarity. Her LGBTQ+ views? Polite and respectful. Hara checks ALL the boxes. A friendship with a soft-spoken divorcee in her 50s is what I want in my utopia!

I like Azuma's coming-out scene. The series captures how complicated it can be to come out to a new friend. There's the awkwardness of figuring out how to bring it up. There's the anxiety over whether Hara will take it well. After Azuma comes out, he becomes apologetic. "Now that I've told you this, I feel like I gave you an unnecessary burden." His self-doubt feels realistic! Hara's reaction is interesting, too. We see her processing the info in real time. Trying not to panic. Trying to be polite. The next time we see her, she's still buddies with Azuma. Their friendship hasn't changed, which is exactly what we need from her character.

Azuma & Kuji confirm they don't wanna get married. Azuma even says, "A comfortable distance. A comfortable relationship." I'm a sucker for BL couples when they get domestic. But I also love seeing them stay together without cohabitation or marriage, since that's often the reality for LGBTQ+ couples. Azuma still finds a way to declare his long-term commitment, "I always want to be with you." Kuji's reaction is hilariously unromantic. "Oh. Okay." He still smiles and puts an arm around Azuma's shoulder. He doesn't say it out loud, but we know the feeling is mutual!

Episode 9

Episode 9 Review

The last episode ended with Azuma saying that he wants to be in Kuji's life forever. Aww, how sweet! This episode begins by showing us what happened right afterwards… They're screwing on the couch! That's so real of them. If you drop an epic line like, "I always wanna be with you", then yeah, you're getting laid tonight! Although Azuma and Kuji had a one-night stand in Episode 1, this is actually the first sex scene since then. The series has been holding back on the couple's physical intimacy moments. Better late than never!

Mikami, the housekeeper, moves into a nursing home, but she asks Kuji not to visit. She wants to preserve his loving memory of her. It's a matter of dignity. She doesn't want Kuji to see her get weaker or sicker. Mikai is also protecting him emotionally. Watching someone deteriorate is painful. She spares Kuji that grief and not put him through a slow goodbye. The same logic goes for Azuma's mother. Despite her health issues, she doesn't want to be a burden. Azuma feels helpless, but all his mom wants is to know he's happy. Just hearing that he has a good life is enough to give her peace of mind. I'm getting a little misty-eyed! 😭

Azuma and Kuji get into a small argument, but don't worry, they kiss and make up at the end. Look at how far Kuji has come since the start of the series! Old Kuji would've bottled up everything and made no effort to reconcile. Now, Kuji talks about his feelings and communicates with his partner. A cute moment is when Kuji finds out he read the same book as Azuma back in middle school. It's such a useless trivia fact. Nobody else on the planet would care. But when you're head over heels for someone, you'd want to share this random little coincidence with them.

Episode 10

Ending Review

The couple wakes up to a sunny morning. Kuji is still in bed, gazing fondly at his lover. Azuma stands there with sunlight pouring in behind him, casting his shadow across the room. Wow, this visual! Hang it in the Louvre! As Kuji takes in this happy moment, he says, "The number of days I never want to forget keeps growing." This might be the best quote of the series. And then, the opening song starts. Did you catch how they changed one of the shots? Instead of the usual flower bud, it blooms into a full flower for the finale. Absolute cinema.

I love seeing the contrast between the past and the present. We get a flashback from eight years ago, back when Kuji was spiralling because of his dad's illness. Azuma tried to be kind to him back then, but Kuji snapped at him. Kuji walked away after their one-night stand, refusing to let anyone get close. Now? It's a different story. The darkness has lifted. These days, Kuji can open up to Azuma, confiding in him when he feels vulnerable. He also listens to Azuma's troubles, offering the same emotional support. The most telling moment comes when they sleep together. This time, Kuji doesn't get up and leave. He learns to hold onto Azuma.

Azuma doesn't win the competition. He's disappointed until he gets a job offer. It's an example of how life is filled with ups and downs. When Azuma calls his mom to check on her health, she has a similar life philosophy. "Some good days. Some bad days. But that's just how it is." That's the whole point of the series. We go through highs and lows in life. Instead of focusing on the bad moments, the mom talks about her recent trip to the rose garden. That's the lesson we can take away from this story. Worry less, and spend more time on cherishing our positive memories.

I love the scene where Kuji gives Azuma a key to his house! That's a big relationship milestone. Azuma jokes that it feels like a proposal, and he isn't wrong. This is Kuji's way of saying he's in it for the long term. You'd expect Azuma to react with his usual enthusiasm, but he plays it surprisingly cool. He keeps things casual, acting like this is no big deal. Still, Kuji catches him holding onto that key with a pleased smile. He's clearly over the moon, even if he's trying hard not to show it. It's a really endearing moment, hehehe~

My favourite moment of the finale is the coming-out scene. Azuma comes out to his nephew and casually mentions he's dating Kuji. The vibe is relaxed. Azuma talks about it matter-of-factly, like it's just a simple announcement. But then, Tamaki starts crying. These are TEARS OF JOY because he's so incredibly happy they are a couple. MY OLD MAN YAOI GHOST SHIP IS A REALITY!!! 😭 Tamaki is still crying when Kuji suddenly starts crying too. Before you know it, all three guys are bawling their eyes out, even though everyone is actually happy. This scene ends up being so sweet and wholesome, but also really hilarious!