Life in Smokey Blue – Series Review

Azuma used to work as a medical representative (MR). He would visit doctors and sell medications for pharmaceutical companies. In his prime, he was one of the top salesmen. But eventually, his sales declined. His colleagues were getting married or moving on to other positions. Being around them made Azuma feel stuck in a rut. Azuma was so demoralized that he finally decided to quit. He had no backup plan and no other job offer. He just didn't wanna be at the company anymore.

Where does a newly unemployed guy in his late 30s go? His sister's place, obviously. Her husband is away for work, so Azuma moves in and makes himself comfortable. He's close with his teenage nephew Tamaki, who thinks highly of his uncle and admires him. His sister Fumiko is also easygoing. She's curious about Azuma, but she never pries into his personal life. Azuma appreciates that. As cozy as this living arrangement is, Azuma knows it's only temporary. He doesn't want to overstay his welcome once his brother-in-law returns, so he plans to find an affordable place to live.

Azuma is gay, but he isn't out to his family. One night, he visits a bar and meets a guy. They've only just met, but Azuma lets his guard down fast. He gets tipsy and agrees to go home with his new drinking buddy. That's when Yuji shows up. Yuji, a former coworker, steps in and warns the other guy to leave Azuma alone. Later, Yuji reveals that Azuma's drink was spiked. If Yuji hadn't intervened, the night could have gone very badly for Azuma.

Azuma almost didn't recognize Yuji. It has been eight years since they worked together as medical reps at the same company. Yuji had left his job back then. His father had been diagnosed with early onset dementia, which needed his attention. However, Yuji had already felt restless about the job. His father's illness just gave him a convenient reason to go. Since leaving, Yuji has followed in his father's footsteps and built a career as a translator. He specializes in medical publications, finding the precise Japanese terminology for complex material.

Before Yuji left the company, he hooked up with Azuma once. They shared one night of passion, but then Azuma ghosted him for the next eight years. This reunion is the first time they've come face-to-face since then. When Yuji learns that Azuma is unemployed, he offers him freelance work. It starts off with small jobs, like organizing Yuji's bookcase. Once Azuma shows interest in literature, Yuji brings him in for a bigger project. Yuji is translating "Song of Spring", a historical story. He wants Azuma to help him research the time period. Yuji will use Azuma's research to ensure his translations are accurate.

Working together, old feelings start creeping back in. They spend their days at Yuji's place, and Asuma would occasionally get flirty with him. Neither of them commits to labelling their relationship. They float somewhere between "former coworkers" and "friends with benefits" without clarifying anything. Even so, Azuma finds himself drawn to Yuji and his aura of melancholy. Although Yuji's father passed away two years ago, he's still trying to let go of the grief. He keeps his guard up and doesn't show his emotions easily. Azuma stays close by his side, trying to understand him better.

Like my favourite BL dramas, Life in Smokey Blue sits somewhere between "wistful" and "philosophical". This series stirs up a feeling inside me that I can't quite name. Nostalgia? Sentimentality? I dunno what to call it, but each episode has that hazy je ne sais quoi quality. It's there when the characters remind me of my own experiences, and I can relate to them. It's there when they say something interesting, and I pause to reflect on the meaning. Life in Smokey Blue puts me in an introspective mood, making me think about life.

I love how the story is written. This slice-of-life BL series focuses on quiet conversations and ordinary moments rather than over-the-top melodrama. Each plot feels down-to-earth, as if these are just real people dealing with real-life issues. Look at Azuma. Our protagonist is in his late 30s and going through a rough patch. Unemployed. No money. He worries about his mother's health. Sound familiar? His struggles hit close to home because they reflect some of our most common fears. What if I lose my job? What if something bad happens to my loved ones? It's easy to connect with the main characters and understand their emotions.

I feel like I know Azuma and Yuji so intimately. The story takes its time developing the people around them too. There's the father who saw Yuji as his protege. The brother who treats him as a rival. The nephew who idolizes Azuma. The mother who tries not to be a burden. Every supporting character adds a new layer of history, giving both leads complex backstories. While I'm interested in the relationship dynamics, some of you are gonna find this boring. The series doesn't have an exciting plot. There are slower stretches where nothing really happens except chit-chat.

I adore Azuma & Yuji's odd little situationship. These two grown men don't do cutesy couple things, but they still stay involved in each other's lives. Azuma is warm and charming, while Yuji is cold and distant. With such different personalities, there are always sparks when they interact. A witty conversation here. A flirty moment there. The best scenes are simply watching how these two get along. They have sex in Episode 1 and connect physically, but it takes them longer to build trust. Part of the fun comes from Azuma coaxing Yuji to open up. Let's warm the ice king's heart!

The visuals? So atmospheric! The opening song? So soothing! And the cast? Fans of Old Fashion Cupcake will love seeing Kouhei Takeda return to their screens. He delivers another magnetic performance, bringing so much warmth and effortless charm. His co-star (Kento Shibuya) also wins me over. He plays his role with an air of sorrow, like a weathered man who feels cynical about life. However, the couple's kissing scenes aren't on the same level as Old Fashion Cupcake. Sorry! The intimate moments are standard BL content and probably won't break the internet.

Recently, another Japanese BL drama came out. It explores the idea of finding your soulmate. Your life partner. I like the way Life in Smokey Blue handles this concept better. It highlights Azuma & Yuji's emotional bond without ignoring their physical affection. They live separately, but they're still there for each other's big and small moments. They navigate challenges that gay couples face, like coming out to a friend, without angst or melodrama. Life in Smokey Blue just feels so mature. So down-to-earth. This casual romance feels more relatable than many other love stories.