Jack o' Frost – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

Damn, the opening scene is intense. Breaking up with your boyfriend on his birthday is pretty harsh, right? Initially, we only see a part of the breakup scene without knowing all the details. It's hard to judge where the blame lies. This ambiguity works in the story's favour since the viewers don't take either character's side. Typically, one character gets vilified during a breakup. Jack o' Frost paints a hazy picture, allowing you to remain neutral and observe the dynamics. You don't begin the story hating Fumiya or Ritsu.

"I don't remember you at all." Oh damn. Hearing that line from your ex-boyfriend gotta hurt. Here's Fumiya, struggling with the agony and heavy weight of his recent breakup. Sitting across from him is his long-term partner, whose memories of you are completely blank. Your entire relationship history has been erased from his mind, almost like you never existed. I'm intrigued by how this first episode sets up the plot. I can't wait to see how the story develops!

I'm excited to see Fumiya's actor (Kosuke Suzuki) in a leading role. He impressed me as a supporting character in the 2022 BL series Takara-kun and Amagi-kun, exhibiting his likable charm even with limited screen time. The dramatic story in Jack o' Frost plays to his strengths, allowing Kosuke to display his sensitivity and emotional vulnerability. After finishing the series, I regard his acting skills even more favourably. It's an excellent showcase of his talents.

Ritsu's actor (Kyoya Honda) is so cute, hehe~ The first moment his looks got to me was when he put on that knit cap. Oh my god, this twink is too adorable. 😚 Throughout the series, I'm constantly spellbound by Kyoya's angelic appearance. His bright eyes, innocent smile, and graceful demeanour sparkle radiantly on screen. There's a fragile purity to his appearance. I look at Ritsu and feel a natural urge to cherish him.

By the way, I love the recent trend of young Japanese actors starring in BL dramas to launch their careers. Years ago, gay roles weren't trendy in Japan or East Asia. It used to be a pipe dream that handsome stars like Kyoya would approach an LGBTQ+ project. Nowadays, BL dramas are almost becoming a prerequisite to a newbie actor's CV. A breakout role (see My Beautiful Man, for example) can be an excellent platform to establish your fanbase, gain name recognition, and catapult you to stardom. I just love the cultural impact BL has on the entertainment industry.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

When Ritsu first announced his amnesia, a skeptical part of me thought he was FAKING IT. *lol* The hidden soap opera fan in me jumped out and fabricated an imaginary plot twist. I had 70/30 odds that Ritsu's memory loss was real vs. he devised a phony scheme to revive their relationship. As the plot develops, the probability of his deceit decreases. All the evidence indicates he isn't pretending. Plus, his character would be irredeemable if he lied about his condition.

I like how the story juxtaposes the past and the present, highlighting how the couple's relationship has changed. When the leads first met at the cafe, their rapport was full of warmth and familiarity. In contrast, their present interactions have cooled off. Fumiya keeps secrets and doesn't open up to his partner. The riveting part of Jack o' Frost is watching Ritsu and Fumiya rediscover their passion for each other. They reignite their romantic sparks, just like how it was when their courtship first started.

In this episode, Jack o' Frost shows Fumiya's discontent with his relationship has been brewing for a while. He doesn't suggest their breakup on a spontaneous whim. Instead, little frustrations have been eating away at him. A part of his problem was that he felt underappreciated. Ritsu continued working instead of enjoying a homemade meal with his beloved boyfriend. The slight might seem relatively insignificant, but it represented a larger pattern of neglect in their romance. The skipped meal was like a tiny seed of doubt that grew into unhealthy insecurity.

Fumiya

I love the emotional depth of Jack o' Frost. This sophisticated BL series has created many layers of vivid feelings in just two short episodes. Put yourself in Fumiya's shoes and imagine the complexity of his turmoil. First of all, he suffers from guilt. Fumiya initiated the breakup, causing his ex so much distress that he injured himself. "Because I said that to Ritsu…" He blames himself for this severe accident. Fumiya must carry the burden of hurting his ex, both physically and emotionally.

Second of all, he is in agony. Fumiya came out of a fresh breakup. Ending a long-term relationship is a traumatic experience for anyone. Typically, he should have the time and space to distance himself from his ex. It's part of the healing process. Yet, Fumiya never gets that opportunity. He becomes Ritsu's primary caretaker, and they continue living together in the same apartment. On the one hand, Fumiya grieves about losing a boyfriend. On the other hand, he can't separate himself from his old romance. Their blurred boundaries must be very confusing for him.

Third of all, Fumiya feels uncertain about the breakup. It weighs on his mind he made a mistake and said something rash in a heated moment. Fumiya was bothered by Ritsu's inattentiveness. The last straw was when his boyfriend booked a work appointment over their dinner plans. From Fumiya's POV, his partner didn't care about him. Yet, he learns Ritsu had been planning a secret couple's getaway. Unlike what Fumiya thought, his lover was invested in their romance. A heavy expression settles on Fumiya's face in the final scene, like he regrets ending their relationship.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

The relationship dynamic in Jack o' Frost cracks me up. In all my years of watching gay love stories, I've never seen a protagonist in the closet to his own boyfriend. Fumiya is the first of his kind. Everyone else, including siblings and neighbours, knows they're a couple. Somehow, the only clueless person is the boyfriend himself. I laugh whenever Ritsu says obliviously, "We must be VERY close." Fumiya should just tell Ritsu, right? The longer he hides their history, the more awkward the secret becomes.

Do you know what else cracks me up? Ritsu in his puffy jacket with an oversized scarf. What an inspired fashion choice from the wardrobe department. I can't properly articulate the appeal, but he looks like a human in a mecha suit. Just when I think this actor can't get any more adorable, he outdoes himself. The best part is whenever Ritsu gets bashful and hides his dainty little face underneath the coat, like a tortoise. Oh my god, he is so precious that it kills me~ 😙

The series produces a sombre atmosphere with its dim lighting conditions. The lack of illumination is a deliberate choice, creating a cozy and intimate vibe between the couple. Unfortunately, I'm not the biggest fan of this cinematic technique. I don't like watching scenes shrouded in darkness, especially when the characters have a romantic encounter. It appears Ritsu and Fumiya kissed passionately in this episode, but I can't say for sure due to the poor lighting. I will gladly sacrifice ambiance if it means seeing the characters kiss more clearly. Let there be light!

Jack Frost

Temperature is an ongoing motif in Jack o' Frost. Set during an icy winter, the characters constantly yearn for warmth amid this freezing season. They drink hot beverages, light furnaces, and start bonfires. They're surrounded by heat at their holiday getaway. The thermal energy symbolizes the couple's emotional affection. In a flashback, their passion intensified until it culminated in steamy sex. They make vigorous body contact, the most primitive way of generating heat.

In contrast, that passion evaporated during the second trip to the villa. Despite their multiple attempts to keep warm, Ritsu and Fumiya cannot rekindle their sparks anymore. Near the end of the episode, there's a symbolic moment. Ritsu takes off his clothes, making Fumiya worry about his coldness. The shirtless scene isn't just fanservice. It represents Ritsu's longing for warmth. "If you sleep on the couch, you'll catch a cold," Ritsu suggests. He invites Fumiya to the bedroom, hoping to reignite the diminished passion in their romance. Unfortunately, Fumiya refuses to engage.

The series reiterates its narrative themes by alluding to Jack Frost, a fictional character in Ritsu's drawing. Metaphorically, this mischievous winter fairy has cast a wicked spell on the lead couple. He cursed them with a chilly cooldown period in their relationship, draining all the existing passion. Their romance is dying of frigidness, and they must produce warmth to keep the love alive. The story focuses on Ritsu and Fumiya thawing their frozen emotions. They learn to open up, express themselves more, and convey their burning desire for one another.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

I like Ritsu and Fumiya's cute little exchanges at the start of the episode. These ordinary moments highlight a positive change in Ritsu's behaviour. His issue in the past was inattentiveness. The old Ritsu didn't dote on his boyfriend enough. In contrast, the new Ritsu shows his appreciation. He compliments Fumiya's cooking and appearance. He even sees Fumiya off before going to work, a small yet significant gesture of love. The amnesia has wiped away Ritsu's bad habits, allowing him to convey more affection.

Ugh, Fumiya behaves like such a jealous jerk in this episode. His snide comment toward Ritsu is totally uncalled for. Even so, I still sympathize with him when Ritsu doesn't hear his apology. Please take off your headphones and forgive him! 😢 This episode shows the couple's relationship issues don't just lie with Ritsu. Fumiya also shares some blame due to his insecurities. Fumiya has trouble controlling his emotions, prompting him to say reckless things in the heat of the moment. He did it once during the breakup. He did it again during this exchange. Both times, he regretted his words.

Is Fumiya still sleeping on the couch? Weirdly, Ritsu hasn't questioned their odd living arrangement. If they are supposed to be "roommates", why is there only one bed in the flat? Also, isn't Ritsu curious about who owns the apartment? In addition to losing his memories, the accident may have caused Ritsu to misplace his intuition. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that your relationship isn't just platonic. At least Ritsu is finally clued in at the end of the episode. Yes, I live for this type of juicy drama! Confront his lying ass!

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

The first half of the episode is weak. The storyteller should cut the entire subplot with the (other) ex-boyfriend, who is unnecessary to the plot. However, the second half offers a dynamic rollercoaster of emotions. The scene begins festively with a celebration of love. Then, a minor quarrel spirals out of control until it destroys the relationship. The episode ends with not just one, but two breakups. I was utterly riveted throughout the epic sequence of events.

OMG, I didn't expect birthday sex! I assumed the only significant event that night was the breakup. At the start of the flashback, I strapped myself in for tears, angst, and arguments. Imagine my surprise when the leads got frisky on the couch. The way I *SCREAMED* when Fumiya licked the icing off Ritsu's lips. He used his whole damn wet, slobbery tongue! Oh my goodness, I was scandalized. This action-packed evening is full of surprises. I also love how Ritsu experienced sex, a breakup, an accident, and amnesia, all on the same day. Most iconic birthday ever!

"I can't imagine starting over with someone who hid something so important to me." Oh, what a devastating way to end the episode. Fumiya shouldn't have lied about their history. However, I understand his deceit comes from confusion and desperation. Fumiya broke up with the old Ritsu, who neglected his boyfriend and didn't cherish him. Yet, Fumiya fell in love with the new and improved Ritsu 2.0. This version rehabilitated himself, highlighting his best qualities. Fumiya remembered what he loved about Ritsu and believed their former romance was salvageable.

Fumiya didn't want the emotional baggage from their past to ruin the second chance at love. "Hi, remember me? I broke your heart before the accident!" is a mood-killer for any romance. Ritsu could have reacted adversely if he knew they were exes. Their domestic bliss and holiday retreat might not have occurred at all. Fumiya wanted a clean slate, leaving behind their troubled history. Yes, it was a selfish decision. Nonetheless, I can sympathize with both leads. I appreciate Jack o' Frost for creating a nuanced relationship dynamic, allowing me to understand their perspectives.

Episode 6

Ending Review

Jack o' Frost has a happy ending where Fumiya and Ritsu reconcile after settling their differences. However, the finale seems corny. From getting the neighbour's sage advice to running frantically across town, the events remind me this is a fictional melodrama. Also, what a ~convenient time~ for Ritsu to suddenly remember everything. If I was writing an amnesia story, I'd never make the protagonist regain his memories in the last episode. With this tired cliché, you should expect criticisms from snarky reviewers online.

Surprisingly, the most impactful moment of the finale was the relationship montage. The story includes flashbacks from Episode 1, reminding me of Fumiya's kindness. He took care of his ex-boyfriend before knowing Ritsu had amnesia. After their breakup, Fumiya could've cut ties and left Ritsu in his brother's care. Instead, he stayed behind to help his former lover navigate a crisis, showcasing his warmth and tenderness. The series has focused on Fumiya's perspective as he rediscovers what he loves about Ritsu. The finale changes POV, making Ritsu realize why Fumiya is so lovable.

I like the themes of forgiveness in the Jack o' Frost ending. As Ritsu recovers his memories, he recalls keeping a secret crush on his ex. Being honest with your feelings is tough. Ritsu learns to be more understanding of Fumiya's circumstances. Plus, Ritsu is not blameless. He has also made mistakes in their relationship. His neglect caused the breakup in the first place, yet Fumiya chose to forgive him and believe in a second chance. Ritsu now returns the favour. Part of being a couple is accepting minor offences and tolerating each other's imperfections.

"I won't start anything over." Ritsu gives my favourite line in the finale. The series has focused a lot on new beginnings. Fumiya wants to redo their relationship with a clean slate. However, that isn't the best approach. Instead of resetting and restarting a romance, it's better to learn and improve. Don't forget your past mistakes. Instead, remember what you have done wrong and try to do better. Ritsu and Fumiya shouldn't ignore their history together, no matter how troubled it may be. They must acknowledge their past and commit to a better future.