Happy of the End – Series Review & Episode Guide

Chihiro is 26 years old and currently unemployed. He used to be romantically involved with Matsuki, a wealthy older man who allowed him to live in his apartment for free. Behind his lover's back, Chihiro has been messing around with another man. He's having an affair with Shunichi, his high school crush. Despite their passion, Shunichi only sees their relationship as a casual fling and plans on marrying a woman.

Matsuki evicts Chihiro from the apartment after discovering his lover's betrayal. Before leaving, Chihiro steals a fancy card from Matsuki's wallet. He believes it is a credit card, but it's not. Now single, Chihiro visits a gay bar. He forms an immediate connection with the mysterious Keito, who flirts with him and wants to have sex. Chihiro and Keito find a place to hook up, but their encounter doesn't go according to plan. Chihiro is shocked and horrified by what this handsome stranger does to him.

Despite their failed one-night stand, Chihiro continues to rely on Keito for support. With no income and no home, Chihiro doesn't have other accommodation options. His family has disowned him for being gay, leaving him with nowhere else to turn. Keito allows Chihiro to live with him in a small, dinky apartment. Although the living conditions are shabby, Chihiro appreciates having a place to stay for free. He occasionally cooks for Keito to thank him for his hospitality. They also become fuck buddies and have sex regularly.

Keito's career is dodgy. He works for a crime syndicate, helping them recruit vulnerable women for sex work. Due to the precarious nature of his job, Keito must relocate a lot. Chihiro moves with him each time, and the roommates continue living together no matter where they go. Chihiro also meets Kaji, the colleague who introduced him to this line of work in the first place. From chatting with Kaji, Chihiro learns more about Keito and his traumatic upbringing.

Eventually, Keito opens up about himself. His mom was a prostitute, but she had abandoned her child to pursue a better life. Left to fend for himself, Keito entered the sex industry at a young age to support himself financially. His violent encounters with clients led to physical and emotional trauma. Keito also reveals his current name is an alias. His real name is Haoren, which Chihiro uses from now on, signifying the growing trust between the two roommates.

Don't let the cheerful title fool you. Happy of the End is one of those BL dramas that makes you wonder what the hell you're watching. The story begins with two guys having a one-night stand, which seems innocent enough. Well, not so fast! Their hookup takes a shocking turn. Get ready for some gruesome violence! The characters also get up to all kinds of depraved activities. Happy of the End isn't shy about exploring the sleazier side of life. In fact, the series seems to take pride in how far it can push the boundaries.

Early on, I knew Happy of the End wasn't my cup of tea. The characters kept getting into bizarre situations, but I couldn't take the nonsense seriously. The writing is so clumsy that I feel second-hand embarrassment while watching certain scenes. Take the dialogue, for example. Have these people ever had a normal conversation? Instead of talking naturally, they dump awkward information about themselves. The storytelling is just as messy. Events unfold with little logic. I'm confused about why the characters behave so ridiculously. Did the writers come up with random scenarios and expect us to go along with them?

Happy of the End deals with dark topics, including physical abuse and child prostitution. The series doesn't sugarcoat the brutality, showing how vulnerable people can suffer horrific exploitation. Some scenes are chilling, making me squirm as I watch the violence unfold. If you're sensitive to disturbing imagery, this BL drama isn't for the faint of heart. Yet, I wonder whether Happy of the End has much to offer beyond its shock factor. If the characters aren't involved in some scandalous incident, my attention wanders. Quick, somebody do something outrageous!

Chihiro and Haoren have questionable morals. Some of their behaviour makes them difficult to like. However, it's hard not to feel sorry for these two troubled souls once we learn about their tragic pasts. They've suffered so much. Sometimes, the writers are checking off every angsty trope in the BL handbook. Abusive childhood? Check. Another horrible tragedy? Of course! Still, I sympathize with the characters. The actors capture their vulnerability, especially during intimate moments. Haoren's lead (Rei Sawamura) is less convincing when asked to show intense emotions.

If you're looking for a BL drama with lots of sexy scenes, Happy of the End delivers. Chihiro and Haoren begin their relationship as casual hookups, so there's plenty of juicy eroticism throughout the series. We even get a quick glimpse of Chihiro's bare ass! Ooh, how cheeky! Eventually, the couple develops deeper feelings. In theory, I should enjoy watching these two damaged men find comfort in each other. Unfortunately, the awkward writing makes these exchanges feel stiff. I wanna be moved by their growing affection, but the romance rarely gives me butterflies.

Happy of the End gives Chihiro and Haoren a happy ending. The last few episodes focus on their redemption journeys, but the story gets too ridiculous before reaching that conclusion. Some scenes are action-packed, while other moments are so absurd I burst out laughing. LOL, what the hell is going on!? By the finale, I've given up trying to understand the logic. Happy of the End wants to be a gritty BL drama that shocks viewers with its dark story. Beneath the provocative content, the writing feels amateurish. I can appreciate the ambition, but the execution is a mess.