Shimbashi Koi Story – Series Review & Episode Guide

Tatsuya is a gay bachelor in his late thirties. He frequents a bear bar with his best friend, Kotetsu. The chatty Kotetsu has an outgoing personality and likes socializing with other patrons at the bar. In contrast, Tatsuya is shy and doesn't approach others easily. As a result, he often feels lonely.

One evening, a new customer visits the bar. Jun-nosuke's appearance catches Tatsuya and Kotetsu's attention. Kotetsu quickly introduces himself and befriends the newcomer. Jun-nosuke explains it's his first time visiting the bar. As they chat, Tatsuya remains quiet. He's too shy to open up and interject in the conversation.

Jun-nosuke leaves for the night. Kotetsu and Tatsuya are annoyed because they forgot to ask for his contact information. The bartender reveals he doesn't know how to communicate with Jun-nosuke either. Jun-nosuke doesn't show up at the bar again as the days pass. Tatsuya is secretly disappointed because he looks forward to seeing his crush.

Finally, Jun-nosuke reappears and explains that he has been busy with work. Kotetsu chats eagerly with him, while Tatsuya remains a quiet bystander. However, Tatsuya musters the courage to join the conversation and finally converses with his crush. After the night is over, the three men depart. Suddenly, Jun-nosuke surprises Tatsuya by asking for his phone number. Jun-nosuke is interested in getting to know Tatsuya better.

Shimbashi Koi Story stands out due to its casting, which goes against industry standards. Many BL dramas feature young fit studs in the leading roles. They often have muscular torsos with six-pack abs or lean physiques with slender waists. In contrast, this bear-friendly series includes mature men with a different demographic and body type than usual. Shimbashi Koi Story puts bigger and older guys at the centre of its love story, providing a welcomed representation in this genre.

Unfortunately, the casting may be a double-edged sword. Made by a real-life gay bar, Shimbashi Koi Story uses its employees to film the BL drama. None of them have prior acting experience, which is sadly evident in their rookie performances. They struggle to emote, converse, or behave comfortably on camera. The leads don't look relaxed, from stiff body language to stilted line delivery. Their visible nervousness takes me out of immersion in each scene. Compared to professional performers, the acting in Shimbashi Koi Story is embarrassingly amateurish.

The most disappointing aspect of Shimbashi Koi Story is the generic plot. Every storyline is terribly bland and uninspired. The series lacks originality, copying all the typical cliches in the romance genre. Where's the imagination? Based on the unique profiles of the cast, this drama has the opportunity to tackle fascinating topics. Some ideas include embracing bear culture, exploring the dating scene in your late 30s, or examining prejudices and discrimination. Yet, Shimbashi Koi Story rehashes the usual tropes of love triangles, jealousy, and misunderstandings.

In addition to the dull storylines, the quality of the writing is subpar. The clunky scenes flow awkwardly and pointlessly. I'm perplexed whenever the leads respond unnaturally or behave irrationally. I can't picture someone reacting this way if the fictional situation occurs in real life. Another problem is the characterization, which feels too simple. Tatsuya and Jun-nosuke have cookie-cutter personalities that never develop beyond a few traits. They aren't charismatic, endearing, or memorable. Nothing sets them apart from a generic BL protagonist.

Tatsuya and Jun-nosuke have a sweet yet superficial romance. Their relationship scenes are too plain and ordinary. Many mundane interactions don't explain their compatibility or what they find attractive about each other. While the actors share little chemistry, they resemble two regular guys falling in love. The couple looks remarkably different than most pairings in the BL landscape, from age to body size. Their distinctiveness is one of the prominent selling points in this series. You may appreciate seeing lead characters who aren't pretty boys or athletic hunks.

The Shimbashi Koi Story crew doesn't work in the entertainment industry. They have little experience filming a BL drama, resulting in clumsy shots or awkward angles. The series lacks polish compared to professional productions, although everything still looks presentable. I admire that a real-life gay bar steps outside its field of expertise to create three seasons of a web series. These indie filmmakers have challenged themselves and completed a project with considerable difficulty. Shimbashi Koi Story deserves my respect, even if there is much room for improvement.