I Cannot Reach You – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

Damn, I adored the first episode. I'm such a sucker for these sentimental love stories between childhood best friends. Whenever a BL drama dangles this romantic trope, I swoon and fawn over the relationship dynamic. The premiere contains all the essential components in the playbook, from tragic adolescent memories to chummy interactions. My favourite moment is when Kakeru offers his popsicle to Yamato, an intimate gesture that lets my imagination go wild. Ahhh, I'm excited for the rest of the series!

Oh, Kakeru's actor (Haru Kashiwagi) is super cute! He looks telegenic on camera, very fitting for a teenage protagonist in a romantic drama. The performer is blessed with a pair of expressive eyes. He can switch his gaze to convey various emotions, including innocence, impishness, and immense joy. The performer also has a bright charisma, exuding natural warmth, giddiness, and enthusiasm. He injects loads of personality into Kakeru's character. This young star is a keeper! Cast him in more BL dramas!

Kakeru meets Ayane in his episode. She's supposed to be his love interest, the rival whose existence makes Yamato jealous and insecure. I crack up at one of Ayane's first lines to Kakeru: "You remind me of my little brother." LOL. That's an awkward pickup line to use on a guy at a couple's mixer! Ayane and Kakeru get along, forming a connection. Yet, Kakeru doesn't give her the doll since he wants to hold onto Yamato's memento. So far, I like how the story sets up the love triangle with the characters. Let's see how Kakeru chooses between Yamato and Ayane. 

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

This episode covers the same points as the premiere, not evolving Kakeru and Yamato's relationship dynamic that much. Even so, I still enjoy their interactions. I like how the series explores both perspectives and alternates between their thoughts. The story doesn't only focus on Yamato's unrequited love. Instead, it also reveals how Kakeru copes with his friend's crush on him. Their feelings for each other aren't on the same wavelength, which creates an intriguing tension in the narrative.

I liked a few trivial moments during this episode. These aren't significant scenes in the grand scheme of things. However, they add more insights into how Kakeru and Yamato feel about each other.

• In the first scene, Kakeru feels self-conscious about Yamato's hand touching his. Later, he subconsciously grabs his friend's hands before pulling away again. Kakeru's reaction is interesting. He seems conflicted because he doesn't know how to navigate the ambiguity with his friend.

• In the video game scene, Kakeru notices Yamato's aloofness around him. Kakeru cracks a joke to make his friend laugh. After breaking the ice, he once again asks Yamato what's wrong. I like how Kakeru navigated this exchange. He uses humour to diffuse the awkwardness before communicating with his friend. Although Kakeru often acts silly, he shows moments of emotional intelligence.

• Yamato gets feisty when his sister challenges him about Kakeru. He retorts, "Kakeru is my friend. He's MINE." I reacted sharply to his statement. Yamato is already getting possessive over his man, even though they haven't started dating yet. Oh damn, this boy is smitten!

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

OMFG. These teenagers are behaving so dramatically over a secret crush. In the last episode, Kakeru runs to the school rooftop and clutches his friend in desperation. In this episode, Yamato drags his partner to a dark corner of a shopping mall to embrace him. From the emotional music to the forlorn expressions, the overblown theatrics are hilarious. I don't know whether to laugh or roll my eyes at their antics. Guys, confess to your friend or reject him if you don't feel the same way. It's not that serious!

How long will the story drag on this angsty relationship drama? I'm tired of the repetitive inner monologues and conversations about unrequited love. It's a constant loop of "You should confess!" vs "But I can't! He's my best friend!" Oh my god, can we get other story developments besides rehashing the same points!? Yamato's behaviour is also aggravating. He refuses to admit his feelings. But then, he gets jealous and interrupts his friend's date. I'm over him moping around and pitying himself. Either spit out your confession or put distance in your relationship.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

The characters haven't evolved since the series began. Yamato is still yearning for his unrequited love. Likewise, Kakeru keeps panicking over his friend's secret crush on him. Since their relationship dynamic remains stagnant, they repeat the same thoughts episode after episode. The story doesn't add new dimensions to their perspectives. Also, the plot never strays far from relationship drama. Aside from their love lives, we learn little about Yamato and Kakeru as individuals. There's no growth or development from either of them.

I like the moments that focus on Kakeru and Yamato's friendship. Their interactions are natural and comfortable without the complication of romantic feelings. I still believe in this couple and their relationship, but I need some new material from them. The final scene is in the right direction. It's an amusing scenario where the leads find themselves in an unusually intimate position. This is the closest they have been together on a physical level. Give me more lighthearted BL scenes in a similar vein, teasing the romance between them.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

This series has an annoying habit of disrupting pivotal moments in the plot. Like in this episode, the leads start arguing. A friend suddenly appears, causing the drama to stop midway. If you watch closely, you'll notice this happening a lot. Whenever Kakeru & Yamato are about to confront their feelings, someone walks in on them at the precise moment. It was a funny coincidence the first few times. However, the story keeps using this same narrative device to interrupt significant conversations.

Yamato is frustrating. He turns down his date with Kakeru and spends the rest of the time moping over his decision. We must sit through many boring conversations before both leads accept their feelings for each other. Blah blah blah, you need to be honest with yourself! Near the end of the episode, there's a cheesy moment where they frantically run around looking for each other. So cliched. 🙄 Nonetheless, I'm glad the kiss occurred because it shakes up the relationship dynamic. At least the status quo is broken, allowing for new developments.

LMAO. Fainting after the first kiss is so hilariously dramatic. Out of the many anticipated responses, I never expected Kakeru to drop to the ground and lose consciousness. The reaction is so atypical that I can't help but laugh. This love story takes the theatrics to the next level! The series may have worked better if it had leaned into its surreal humour. Insert more cheeky jokes and less angsty relationship drama. Instead, its current format doesn't work. It's not funny enough to be a lighthearted comedy, yet it isn't sophisticated enough to be a poignant romance either.

Episode 6

Episode 6 Review

I understand that Kakeru was startled by the kiss. He has every right to feel this way. Yet, his over-the-top response makes it seem like he has zero romantic feelings for Yamato. Being reminded of the kiss prompts him to wash his mouth, almost like he's disgusted. This reaction undermines the love story, making it harder to convince viewers that Kakeru is attracted to Yamato. I don't believe Kakeru when he switches his stance after chatting with Yamato's sister. The story doesn't support the sudden changes in his thinking.

As Kakeru's stance softens, he seems less opposed to a romance with Yamato. However, their feelings aren't on the same level. Yamato is infatuated with his best friend, whereas Kakeru isn't even sure about his attraction. Although Kakeru doesn't reject the confession, he remains confused and cautious. I dislike how Yamato rushes the process. He comes across as too intense, pressuring Kakeru into a relationship. Yamato's aggressive sexual advances in the bedroom reveal his lack of self-restraint. He also doesn't give Kakeru the necessary time to process his feelings.

I recently watched If It's With You, another Japanese high school BL drama with the friends-to-lovers trope. There are similarities between these series, including themes of unrequited love. If It's With You earns my respect for handling the confession scene with emotional finesse. While the protagonist doesn't reciprocate his friend's feelings, the rejection is kind and gentle. By comparison, I Cannot Reach You seems unsophisticated. The characters lack sensitivity, turning the story's climax into immature melodrama. The quality of the writing is like day and night.

Episode 7

Episode 7 Review

I admire the picturesque visuals in I Cannot Reach You. Episode 7 features a scene where Yamato & Kakeru sit on a gentle slope on a hill, enjoying a meal together. The sun's soft hues cast a warm glow on the grassy landscape. What a cozy ambiance! This series also employs wide shots to capture the entire surroundings. We see the characters as tiny figures nestled in the environment. The technique highlights their bond, emphasizing how they enjoy an intimate experience in a world of vast possibilities.

Yamato's sister doesn't feel authentic. This one-dimensional character is only there to deliver long-winded spiels about her brother's relationship. Whenever Yamato or Kakeru talk to her, Mikoto gives wise advice. You should be confident in your feelings, blah blah blah. However, her scenes come across as unnatural, almost like she's a mouthpiece for the storyteller. Mikoto has no subplots of her own. Her existence solely revolves around Yamato and his love life, like a tiny planet orbiting in her brother's universe. Mikoto's character isn't well-written, and I don't care for her.

I'm glad that Kakeru has come to terms with his attraction. He's more confident entering a romance with his friend. However, I'm skeptical about his transformation. Kakeru's feelings shift abruptly during these last few episodes. He spent the first half of the series not reciprocating Yamato's love. He even fainted after their kiss. Yet, Kakeru suddenly seems open-minded. "Maybe I like you hitting on me after all, hehehe~" Umm, where was this clarity earlier? Why couldn't his enlightenment come sooner instead of torturing us with six episodes of unrequited love? 

Episode 8

Ending Review

Here we go again, another dramatic running scene. For some reason, the series loves making the characters dash off after they come to a realization. From jogging up the stairs to sprinting across town, the storyteller thinks this is the best way to convey heightened emotions. OMG! The faster they move, the more intense the moment feels! With all the running in every other episode, the actors must've gotten a good workout while filming I Cannot Reach You lol.

I'm not into the annoying drama in the first half of the episode. However, I like the cute flirting scenes in the second half. Kakeru and Yamato's interactions as boyfriends are charming! This series has lacked sweet BL moments, which it packs into the last stretch. I wish we got more lovey-dovey content rather than excessive angst or tedious conflicts. Maybe my expectations were too high after the premiere, but I'm disappointed by I Cannot Reach You. I want to adore this couple so badly. Yet, the poorly executed love story diminishes my enthusiasm and leaves me ambivalent.