Actors High! – Series Review & Episode Guide

Matsushima is an associate producer faced with an unenviable task. He's supposed to prepare to film a drama, Sunset in the Snow. He meets the two lead actors at a villa to help them get comfortable, rehearse lines, and settle into their roles. After reading the script, both stars want to back out of the project. Left alone to handle the crisis, Matsushima panics as he tries to convince the actors to stay. The other staff members, including the producer and director, have left him in charge.

Aoyama, one of the lead actors, is a well-known star famous for his roles in hero dramas. He signed onto Sunset in the Snow without knowing much about the story, eager to try something different. However, he's shocked to learn this is a BL drama. He feels uncomfortable taking on a romantic role. Frustrated, he considers leaving the villa. Matsushima tries to persuade him, emphasizing that exploring a new genre is important for actors to grow. Aoyama remains hesitant about staying.

Fujii, the other lead, has been part of a long-running series for twenty years, starting when his character was just a baby. He's known for his youthful appearance. Fujii doesn't mind that Sunset in the Snow is a BL drama, but he strongly dislikes the fact that his character is terminally ill. He finds the story unappealing. Like Aoyama, he considers leaving the villa. Matsushima tries to persuade him, arguing that tragic melodramas are trendy and resonate with audiences. Fujii remains skeptical about the project.

With both actors threatening to quit, Matsushima becomes increasingly desperate. The stress pushes him to the brink, and he begins seeing hallucinations. He encounters Heian and Bakumatsu, two ghosts dressed in feudal-era clothing. They introduce themselves as the guardian spirits of Aoyama and Fujii, respectively. Both are dedicated to supporting their actors and ensuring their dramas succeed. The ghosts pressure Matsushima to keep filming on track, warning they'll curse him if the project falls apart. Soon, Heian and Bakumatsu fall in love, becoming a ghostly power couple.

The next morning, Matsushima convinces the leads to give a script reading a try, but it quickly falls apart. Aoyama and Fujii clash over their personalities, creating constant tension. Both actors criticize the writing, pointing out unrealistic events that make it hard for them to take the story seriously. They attempt to film a romantic scene. When Aoyama is supposed to lean close to Fujii's face, he pulls back, still uncomfortable with the role. Matsushima is now completely exasperated. He struggles to find a way to salvage the project and bring the actors together.

Actors High is an acquired taste. It contains very little romantic content, so most BL fans will lose interest after reading this sentence. While the story teases some fanservice, the moments are so mild that they fail to leave an impression. To make matters worse, the series is filmed in a vertical format. It creates an awkward viewing experience that many will find annoying. With all these flaws combined, Actors High is an unpopular drama that will likely alienate a large portion of its audience.

Some viewers may be drawn to the quirkiness of Actors High. This offbeat comedy fully embraces its eccentric side. The story has a supernatural twist involving two feudal-era ghosts who stir up silly hijinks. While they don't play a significant role in the grand scheme of things, their presence adds a creative touch. It's amusing to see the spirits crack jokes or offer commentary. Actors High has an endearing oddity you wouldn't find in a traditional drama. However, the story mostly consists of goofy shenanigans. There isn't much substance, making the plot feel frivolous and inconsequential.

The humour in Actors High is somewhat amusing, but it's best to keep your expectations in check. This isn't a laugh-out-loud comedy. The series relies mainly on silly antics or lighthearted remarks. While the scenarios are often wacky, they rarely reach a level that will have you laughing in stitches. Most of the comedy comes from Matsushima's exasperation. He's stressed over dealing with the uncooperative characters, and his over-the-top reactions can be pretty entertaining. That said, I would've gladly traded some of this humour for a more substantial plot.

Matsushima actor (Ryo Shibuki) delivers a strong performance, carrying the comedy with his exaggerated reactions and goofy expressions. From his anxious looks to his desperate demeanour, he conveys a character teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown. The rest of the cast is solid and gels together as a group. Visually, the series is hindered by its vertical format. The cinematographer tries to work around the limitations, using creative compositions and unusual angles to add variety. Even so, the format feels restrictive. Everything must be squeezed into a narrow box.

The BL content is minimal. Aoyama and Fujii's interactions lack intimacy, focusing more on playful banter and frequent bickering. Their relationship improves slightly toward the end, but it never grows into a meaningful bond. Meanwhile, Heian and Bakumatsu are a confirmed couple, although their affection is limited to a few hugs. I don't understand their weird supernatural relationship. This comedic subplot is played for laughs, so I never took it seriously. I'm annoyed that Actors High doesn't include much romance and only uses BL as a gimmick.

Actors High wraps up with a happy ending. After putting Matsushima through constant stress, the characters finally show appreciation for him. While the conclusion is pleasant, I'm unfulfilled with the series as a whole. These 45 minutes passed without much BL content. The plot is so light and casual that it seems meaningless. The comedy may be occasionally amusing, but it isn't strong enough to carry the drama. Without a solid romance to anchor it, Actors High left me feeling I may have wasted my time. It doesn't meet my standards for an enjoyable series.