Minato's Laundromat 2 – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

Birthdays are momentous events in Minato's Laundromat. Every year the characters age up, their romance is easier to digest. At the back of my mind, the couple's age gap still bothers me. 29-year-old Minato starts dating 18-year-old Shin, fresh out of high school. Geez, Uncle Minato. At least let the forbidden fruit mature a little before you take a bite. 😒 But it is what it is. Going into the 2nd season, the viewers who stick around know what to expect from this BL drama. Despite my discomfort, I'll minimize the outrage.

"Have I been a good boy for the past three months?" Shin asks as he seduces his boyfriend with come-hither eyes. OMG, kids say the darndest things. *nervous laughter* I'm trying to be mature and respectful about this relationship between two consenting adults. However, lines like this make me feel like I'm watching something inappropriate. Despite turning eighteen, Shin's words, thoughts, and actions have an adolescent vibe. He still behaves like a teenager and needs to develop a more sophisticated mindset.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

Not Shin getting a permission slip from his mom to live with Minato! Does Shin think he's going on a middle school field trip? On the one hand, Shin works a part-time job and studies medicine. All signs indicate he's an intelligent young man capable of thinking responsibly. On the other side, there's another side of Shin that feels childish. He pouts, can't control his impulses, and throws tantrums like a kid. Shin flips between these two personas based on his mood at the time.

Shin's performer (Sho Nishigaki) is dazzling. I remember he was a good actor in Season 1. Watching Minato's Laundromat 2 refreshes my memory of how charismatic he is. All his expressions and responses seem genuine, whether happy, sad, or angry. When Shin is happy, he beams with pride and excitement. When Shin is upset, he wrestles between expressing disappointment and maintaining composure. And when feeling flirty, desire takes over his demeanour. Sho is just so spot-on in every scene!

Likewise, Minato's actor (Takuya Kusakawa) handles the comedic material boisterously. He reacts to Shin's flirting with a mix of nervousness, exasperation, and bashfulness. His responses are consistently funny. It helps that the writing is sharp, adding to the lighthearted humour of the series. There are many amusing scenarios during these early episodes. My favourite is when Shin writes mushy messages to display in front of Minato's shop: "Wishing Minato will say he loves me." I'm charmed by the playfulness of Minato's Laundromat 2.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

"Shin, the voice in your heart is spilling out." LOL. That line is funny. Minato and Shin's living arrangement is a welcomed development. It opens up new scenarios for the couple to flirt. In Season 1, their relationship scenes consist of mostly intimate encounters at the laundromat. In contrast, the characters are constantly near each other as roommates. Seeing them interact in their day-to-day routines adds a new dimension to their romance.

OMG. Minato letting Shin sip his drink is soooo sweet~ It's such a small gesture, yet it feels so intimate. Despite Minato's resistance to many romantic advances, little moments like this persuade me that he is fond of Shin. I'm gushing over this couple's cute romantic fluff! In addition, this scene is clever because it references a previous moment in Season 1. As Shin reminisces about his past feelings, it highlights how much the characters have experienced to reach this point in their relationship.

Initially, Minato held his boyfriend's hand. This public display of affection seemed like a breakthrough. Yet, he's self-conscious before a crowd. His evasiveness upsets Shin, who throws a tantrum. Soon, he calms down and contemplates. Shin comes to the enlightened conclusion that he respects Minato's boundaries. While he wants to hold hands, his boyfriend may not feel the same. Shin's introspection feels mature. The younger him would've pushed forward without considering Minato's perspective. The older, wiser Shin respects his partner's comfort.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

This episode features a fun hypothetical scenario. Minato freaks out because he believes Shin is ashamed of disclosing their relationship publicly. So far, Minato is the only one acting self-conscious about their romance. The story throws a twist, asking us to imagine Shin may be ashamed of his boyfriend too. Oh, how the turntables have turned! In the end, it's a comical misunderstanding. Shin's infatuation is his character's defining trait. Minato's Laundromat wouldn't be the same if he suddenly stopped loving Minato.

The secondary couple does nothing for me. I don't hate Asuka and Shu, but they aren't my favourites either. Their romantic scenes occupy a portion of each episode without moving me. I don't care if they're feuding or not. A part of the problem is Shu. His robotic, emotionally stunted persona feels contrived. He behaves like an actor playing a quirky role rather than a genuine character. I also don't believe in the pair's chemistry. Minato and Shu have a warm, easygoing rapport in all their scenes, whereas Asuka and Shu lack a natural connection.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

Ooh, a hot foxy doctor~ Dr. Kirihara seems like the hilariously supersized version of Minato in every aspect. He's hotter, older, and more accomplished. Shin should fall for a guy like him based on his perfect credentials. However, Minato is also into older men. Dr. Kirihara is his type too! Suddenly, I can't decide if I ship Shin x Kirihara or Minato x Kirihara. The best love rival in BL dramas is if you can match him with either protagonist lol.

Dividing the house with red tape is childish but funny, hehe. During breakfast, they even placed each piece of tamago egg on different sides of the red line. It's so petty, but I love it! This feud is a fun way to show the couple quarrelling instead of being lovey-dovey all the time. Sometimes, Minato behaves immaturely for his age. He resembles a kid more than his youthful boyfriend. However, the mischief is part of his character's charm. This relationship wouldn't be as fun if Minato had a serious personality. He's more enjoyable as a lovable goofball.

I like that Shin can immediately whip up ten compliments for his boyfriend on the fly. He understands his partner well and keeps a mental record of his favourite qualities. Meanwhile, Minato struggles to think of anything to say besides physical attractiveness. As long as you're a hottie, that's enough for me~

Here's a list of the things that Shin loves about Minato:

1. Cute smiling face
2. Cute crying face
3. Sexy voice
4. Beautiful eyes
5. Caring & considerate
6. Vulnerable
7. Hospitable
8. Emotional
9. Helpful
10. Independent

Episode 6

Episode 6 Review

Hehe, I adore Asuka's quirky relationships with Minato and Shin. His character acts as a hilarious third wheel who comes between the leads. Asuka is overly affectionate with Minato, causing Shin to rage in jealousy. Their over-the-top reactions crack me up. I also like Asuka's scenes in this episode. He hangs out with the main characters, adding a different vibe to the group dynamics. Asuka brings out new facets of Minato and Shin's personalities that we don't see otherwise.

Once again, I enjoy Shin's thoughtful introspection at the end of the episode. Shin knows he behaves immaturely and tries too hard to be an adult. Ironically, his self-awareness is a sign of adulthood. I also like Minato's reassuring advice without putting pressure on his partner. "Take your time becoming an adult." Their chat feels warm and cozy. The last scene shows them goofing off around the house. The camera focuses on their feet as they overstep the red line. I like this visual symbolism of the reconciliation, showing their barriers have dissolved.

Episode 7

Episode 7 Review

Hehe, Shin is so adorable with the camera! The series introduces one little prop and creates multiple cute relationship moments throughout the episode. Despite being annoyed with the random pictures, Minato uses the camera to photograph Shin sleeping. Aww, that's sweet~ My instinct is to resist Minato and Shin as a couple. However, these playful scenes are winning over me. They highlight Minato and Shin's fun, easygoing rapport. It's the type of romantic fluff that I enjoy in BL dramas.

I like how this episode focuses on Minato coming to terms with his feelings for Shin. A self-conscious Minato panics after Shin falls asleep on his lap. However, he calms down and enjoys the cozy moment between them. Later, Shin prepares a homemade bento, a routine Minato used to take for granted. This lunchbox makes Minato realize his boyfriend's ongoing love and commitment. Minato wants to repay Shin and reciprocate his feelings. So, he goes public with their relationship. Minato makes a breakthrough as he grows more comfortable with expressing his affection.

Episode 8

Episode 8 Review

The humour in this series comes from Minato's bashfulness around his love interest. Minato overreacts to Shin's romantic advances or overthinks innocuous scenarios. He fights against his attraction due to self-consciousness. Sometimes, I'm annoyed with him. Don't agree to be in a relationship if you aren't ready to commit physically or emotionally. Yet, I like seeing his psychological barriers come down. Episode by episode, Minato advances on his self-acceptance journey. He gets closer to embracing his feelings for Shin.

In this episode, the leads are in a compromising position. Shin pulls away, but Minato grabs him and doesn't let go. Minato shyly implies he wants affection between them. Contrary to his neuroticism, he makes a momentous breakthrough and acknowledges his physical desires. The couple almost has an intimate moment. However, Minato is still reserved emotionally. He won't let Shin move in with him permanently, symbolizing the lingering barriers. One psychological wall comes down, but others remain. Minato still has some ways to go on his journey of self-acceptance.

Episode 9

Episode 9 Review

Aww, the matching bracelets are sweet. My favourite moment comes after Minato gives away the birthday present. Shin is too busy admiring his new gift, which annoys his boyfriend. He gets petulant and demands a hug. It's a cute reaction from him, hehe. Minato overcomes his hang-ups about physical affection as the couple shares a kiss. Minato also allows Shin to move in with him, indicating he wants emotional intimacy. Minato has made the biggest breakthrough in this episode, shattering the last of his barriers!

This episode's theme deals with expressing your love in words. Previously, the shy Minato struggled to say "I love you" to his boyfriend. Back in Episode 5, the only compliment he gave Shin was his hotness. Minato learns the significance of stating your appreciation from various scenes. First, the students give him a thank-you card, putting their gratitude into words. Then, Shin solves a crossword puzzle where the buzzword is love. Later, the climax is when Minato gathers the courage to confess his feelings. He finally vocalizes his love and articulates how much Shin means to him.

Episode 10

Episode 10 Review

WTF. The memory loss storyline sucks! Firstly, it's ridiculous. Spare me the fictionalized amnesia where you remember everyone but your love interest. 🙄 Secondly, the blatant plot device creates artificial drama. The couple's conflict doesn't arise naturally. And thirdly, it halts the narrative's momentum. After Minato & Shin finally reciprocated their love, I looked forward to seeing them face new challenges as a united couple. Instead, the series undoes all the progress as Minato goes back to feeling insecure.

Shin's infatuation used to be his defining trait. Without it, he seems unremarkable and unrecognizable. The memory loss removes the unique essence of his character. Also, the angsty drama is boring. I enjoyed the first nine episodes because of the cheerful, lighthearted tone. Minato's Laundromat entertains me with its comedic fluff. However, the amnesia storyline is too solemn, especially in this episode. As Minato and Shin mope around, the series loses a lot of its signature playfulness. It doesn't feel fun to watch anymore.

Episode 11

Episode 11 Review

A few scenes are cute in this episode. I like seeing the couple reenact their iconic encounters from Season 1. When Shin tries flirting with Minato in the laundromat, he claims their interaction feels weird. I chuckle when Minato chimes in, "Yeah! You were really weird!" However, I can't get over how unnecessary this memory loss storyline is. None of this drama needs to happen. I'm not excited about Minato & Shin rebuilding their relationship because the scenario feels contrived.

It's the second time this year that I watched a BL drama introduce an amnesia storyline during the last few episodes. Both series were enjoyable until they suddenly made the lead characters forget their memories. Please don't use this trope anymore! It sucks! 😭 Minato's Laundromat 2 would be enjoyable if it were just 12 episodes of romantic fluff. If it wanted to do a dramatic storyline, explore the relationship's societal stigma. Show how the leads overcome family disapproval, peer judgment, or neighbourly gossip. This type of tension is more relatable than a memory loss plot.

Episode 12

Episode 12 Review

The series instantly became better from the moment Shin restored his memories. The last few scenes brought back the lighthearted playfulness I enjoyed. I crack up when Minato says he's ~installing information~ while making out with Shin. Hehe, I love that quirky description! 😆 However, a few morsels of romantic fluff can't offset my annoyance with this storyline. Even when the characters had an emotional argument, I couldn't engage in their drama. This nonsensical plot took me out of immersion.

The one positive of this storyline is that Minato becomes sure about his feelings. After the risk of losing Shin's love forever, Minato learns to cherish their relationship. He acts more assertively, such as initiating their kiss in the final scene. That's an enormous sign of character growth, something the old Minato hadn't dared to do. Also, his gift reiterates long-term commitment. Shin's eating utensils indicate Minato wants his boyfriend to settle down with him. Minato's Laundromat 2 ends optimistically as the leads are on the same wavelength, embracing their blissful future together.

While Minato's letter is very corny, I like that he reaffirms his love. He gives a long list of compliments, even lengthier than what Shin said in Episode 5. Although Shin fell in love first, Minato fell even harder. He just needed some time and motivation to express his feelings openly.

Here's a list of the things Minato loves about Shin:

1. Appearance
2. Straightforwardness
3. Mental strength
4. Persistence
5. Compassion
6. Honesty
7. Emotional support for Minato
8. Comfortable being myself when I'm around you
9. Cute smile
10. Family-oriented
11. Good cooking
12. Arrogance
13. Sleeping face
14. Groggy expression after waking up
15. Steely gaze
16. Determination
17. Continues to love Minato