I'm Your Pet – Series Review & Episode Guide

Makoto is an office worker in a steady relationship with his girlfriend, Yuki. One evening, while walking home from work, he's stunned to see Yuki with another man. Makoto catches her kissing the stranger, although she doesn't know he has witnessed the rendezvous. Devastated by her betrayal, Makoto's trust is shattered. Her unfaithfulness causes him to doubt everyone's intentions.

Makoto chooses not to confront Yuki about her cheating. He keeps the painful secret to himself. A clueless Yuki continues to act carefree around him, but the betrayal silently drives a wedge between them. Makoto cannot be intimate with his girlfriend anymore after she broke his trust. He confides in Kazuya, his friend and colleague. Kazuya seems flippant, joking that jealousy can spice up a romance. Later, he advises Makoto to break up with Yuki, urging him to end the unhappy relationship.

As Makoto struggles with his emotional slump, he stumbles upon a street musician playing a heartfelt song on his guitar. Makoto is moved by the raw emotion in the performance. Later, he finds the musician, Ritsu, sitting alone on a park bench. Makoto introduces himself as a fan and buys food for Ritsu, thanking him for the song. Ritsu accepts the meal but jokes that it tastes bad. Makoto playfully expresses his annoyance, reminding him the food was given out of kindness.

The following night, Makoto and Ritsu meet again at the same bench. Makoto brings another meal for Ritsu, who jokingly complains about its taste. As their playful rapport grows, Makoto begins to open up about his sadness. While Makoto avoids sharing specific details, he speaks about his struggles with trusting people. Ritsu's song has deeply impacted him during his lowest moments. Ritsu offers him comfort, wrapping his arms around Makoto's back in an intimate hug. He thanks Makoto for his kindness and hopes that he'll feel better.

Ritsu is an orphan whose mother abandoned him during childhood. Recently, she reached out, wanting to reconnect. Ritsu and his mother moved in together, but she betrayed him. She stole all his belongings, including his cash and beloved guitar, before disappearing. Now broke and unable to support himself, Ritsu turns to Makoto for help. Ritsu asks if he can live with him. Makoto agrees but sets one unusual condition. Ritsu must become his "pet" and obey all his master's commands.

I feel conflicted about I'm Your Pet. My gut instinct tells me this BL series is poorly written, weighed down by annoying melodrama and dumb plot twists. Also, the final stretch of episodes feels rushed. These narrative flaws are easy to spot and hard to ignore. Yet, some scenes strike the right emotional chord, capturing the tenderness between the couple. Both leads were tormented before they met, and their relationship helps them heal. Their journey softens my heart, making me want to like this drama despite its imperfections.

At the start of the series, Makoto is betrayed by his cheating girlfriend and loses the ability to trust others. I disliked this storyline and hoped it would resolve quickly, but it dragged on far too long. Makoto refuses to confront Yuki or break up with her. Despite being the victim, his passive behaviour frustrates me. A plot twist midway has only made the situation more absurd, deepening my annoyance with the entire storyline. The messy relationship drama between Makoto and Yuki significantly lowers my opinion of I'm Your Pet. I hated how all the events played out.

On the bright side, I enjoyed how Makoto and Ritsu's romance develops. Both leads are mending their broken hearts, one from his cheating girlfriend and the other from his alcoholic mother. Despite the trauma, their relationship isn't defined by angst. Instead, the couple shares a playful rapport filled with jokes, banter, and light teasing. The warmth of their companionship becomes the bright spot in their lives. Occasionally, they show vulnerability and open up about their pasts. As they find support in each other, these emotional moments resonate deeply.

The leads grow closer and become roommates, but their relationship takes an unsettling turn. They define their dynamic as a master and his pet, so Ritsu must obey Makoto's commands. The term "pet" is so dehumanizing for a love interest, and I feel uneasy about the power imbalance it implies. Thankfully, their interactions are mostly harmless. Despite the weird nicknames, the romance is built on mutual support. Makoto looks after Ritsu and vice versa. While I overcame my discomfort, I still wish the story never used the "pet" label in the first place.

Both leads deliver solid performances. Ritsu's actor (Ruki Kohinata) captures his character's vulnerability, making the dramatic moments seem genuine. His co-star (Gai Aoyama) mesmerizes me, especially when the camera focuses on his eyes. Also, the couple shares passionate kisses in steamy bedroom scenes. While the content isn't explicit, it feels bold compared to typical Japanese BL standards. Unfortunately, the vertical film format diminishes the romance. Since the visuals must be squeezed into a tight frame, the ambiance is limited because you don't see much.

I was enjoying Makoto and Ritsu's romance until the final stretch of the series, which suddenly rushes the plot developments. The story becomes sloppy as it struggles to wrap everything up within a tight schedule. While the final episode delivers a poignant conclusion, it could have achieved more emotional depth with better writing. Overall, this BL drama is a mixed bag. As much as I enjoyed the couple's relationship scenes, the rest of the storytelling is too flawed too overlook. Ultimately, the negatives outweigh the positives, limiting my appreciation for I'm Your Pet.