Polyethylene Terephthalate – Series Review & Episode Guide

Ryo and Kaoru recently graduated from university. During a party, they recognize their feelings for one another. The two start dating, although they hide their relationship from family and friends. Initially, their romance goes smoothly. Ryo and Kaoru move in together, creating many special memories. From cooking homemade meals to taking baths together, the domesticated couple enjoys each other's company.

Ryo and Kaoru are struggling actors. They fail to land roles after auditioning many times. Feeling discouraged, Ryo decides to switch careers and settle for a stable office job. The busy work schedule means he spends less time with his boyfriend. Tensions arise when Kaoru doesn't contribute to the household chores. Even though he spends most of the day at home, Kaoru prefers playing video games instead. The two boyfriends become increasingly dissatisfied with each other.

Another source of conflict is that Ryo hasn't come out to his family. Kaoru wants to meet his boyfriend's mother. However, Ryo has no intention of introducing his family. He doesn't want them to know about their same-sex relationship. The lack of recognition bothers Kaoru. As the couple approaches their second anniversary, they reassess their love and must decide whether to continue dating.

Polyethylene Terephthalate is a slow-paced drama that won't appeal to everyone. The narrative unfolds quietly without bold twists or exciting theatrics. Many scenes focus on the mundane, following the couple's ordinary day-to-day routine. The story imitates the rawness in real life, capturing the subtleties of emotions and intricacies of relationships. However, some viewers may not have the patience to endure the uneventfulness of the meandering plot. Compared to other BL series, Polyethylene Terephthalate isn't as entertaining.

Early on, Polyethylene Terephthalate showcases the couple's domestic bliss. From cooking homemade meals to taking baths together, the two newly dating boyfriends enjoy a delightful honeymoon period. While these interactions are sweet, they don't feel memorable. Each exchange seems vaguely similar, forming an indistinguishable blur of memories. The BL content is there, but it lacks persuasion. The series could have done a better job of highlighting romantic affection and intimacy. Nonetheless, the story successfully demonstrates that the protagonists are falling in love.

Afterwards, Polyethylene Terephthalate gradually introduces tension in the romance. Ryo's new career triggers a subtle conflict between the lovers. Likewise, Ryo's reluctance to come out of the closet causes further resentment. These complications add nuance to the love story. As the characters navigate various issues, I become more invested in their relationship drama. Also, the series' realism works in its favour. Ryo and Kaoru's problems resemble what gay couples may face regularly. Their disagreements feel relatable and reflect genuine experiences.

The second half of Polyethylene Terephthalate focuses on the couple's uncertain future. They tread ambiguously between a breakup and a reconciliation. The audience must speculate whether Ryo and Kaoru can resolve their differences. Will they capitalize on a second chance, or is their romance doomed? The title, Polyethylene Terephthalate, describes a material used to produce plastic containers. It's also a metaphor for the love story. Like an old water bottle, can a broken relationship be repurposed? This intriguing question is the central theme of the series.

Polyethylene Terephthalate shies away from melodrama. The feuding couple refrains from heated arguments or tearful accusations. Instead, the story takes a subdued approach to navigating the relationship issues. The leads are sometimes too stoic, making me wish they'd emote more powerfully. That said, Kaoru's actor (Hinata Asai) gives a sensitive performance at the end of Episode 1 and showcases his talent. Also, I'm impressed that he wrote, directed, and edited this series singlehandedly. Bringing a BL drama to life is no easy feat, so he deserves our respect.

Polyethylene Terephthalate suffers from rough production values. I'm most bothered by the audio inconsistencies, making it difficult to hear the dialogue properly. Likewise, the filming occurs inside a dinky apartment. Some visuals look unflattering, from awkward camera angles to drab interior surroundings. Nonetheless, I'll forgive these problems from a small indie studio with few resources. Despite the lack of polish, Polyethylene Terephthalate shines with its authentic storytelling. I appreciate this flawed BL drama for examining relationships maturely and thoughtfully.