Takara's Treasure – Series Review & Episode Guide

Taishin is a first-year student at Nakaba University. Originally from a rural community, this is his first time moving away from his family and living in the city alone. Taishin chose to enroll in this school for one primary reason. He wanted to meet Takara, an important man from his past. Taishin changed schools at the last moment just for an opportunity to reunite with Takara.

Years ago, Taishin and Takara met on a mountain trail in the middle of the night. Taishin was crying alone after receiving devastating news. Takara, who was a stranger at the time, happened to be hiking nearby. Takara noticed Taishin's distress and came over to comfort the young teenager. Although their exchange was short, Takara's encouragement had a powerful impact. Taishin was able to stop grieving due to this stranger's advice. He carried fond memories of that evening, grateful for Takara's support in a time of need.

On Taishin's first day of school, he was exploring the different extracurricular activities on campus. Suddenly, he spots a familiar face across the courtyard. There's Takara, a senior student and member of the hiking club. Taishin is delighted to reunite with this familiar figure and introduces himself. He explains his backstory about changing schools just to meet Takara again. However, Takara seems unimpressed. He doesn't remember Taishin and thinks this random student is being creepy. Their long-awaited reunion turns sour, dampening Taishin's enthusiasm.

Despite Takara's chilly attitude, Taishin joins the hiking club's first expedition for a chance to meet again. Takara, a popular senior student on campus, has attracted other new members to join the club. Like Taishin, they all want the opportunity to get closer to Takara. However, the trek is physically gruelling, forcing many students to quit midway. Since Taishin is familiar with the outdoors, he seems comfortable during the journey. He even takes a moment to appreciate nature's beauty. Taishin's relaxed demeanour has caught Takara's attention.

The remaining hiking club members complete the trek and arrive at the camping area. Unfortunately, Taishin has sprained his foot. He tries to hide the pain, but Takara notices his injury. In a surprisingly sweet gesture, Takara visits Taishin's tent in the middle of the night to apply an ointment. As they talk in this intimate setting, Taishin explains his backstory again. He talks about how much Takara's encouragement helped him previously. Moved by his sincerity, Takara now sees the university freshman in a new light.

Takara's Treasure is a cozy BL series with a gentle touch. Each episode contains charming conversations, precious relationship moments, and thoughtful storylines with positive messages. While there's some occasional angst or tension, the emotional drama never becomes too stressful. The beautiful visuals add to the soothing vibes, especially when filming outdoor scenes. From the warm sunlight to the lush landscapes, everything looks pleasant to the eye. The soft, serene atmosphere puts the viewers at ease.

Let me use a metaphor to describe my attitude toward Takara's Treasure. This series is like taking a warm shower at the perfect temperature. Each episode gives me a mildly comfortable sensation, and I move on feeling refreshed about the next story arc. My enjoyment is consistent from start to finish, so there's no clunky episode with a sudden drop in quality. While my mood is always positive, I don't experience vivid emotions watching this drama. Takara's Treasure maintains a cozy temperature, but it never heats up enough for my heart to blaze with passion or enthusiasm.

Every episode brings Taishin and Takara closer as they understand each other better. Their scenes are sweet, sentimental, and sincere. However, the series takes its time to nurture their slow-burn romance. It's in no hurry and doesn't rush the transition from friends to lovers. As the characters' feelings develop gradually, the story dwells on every step of the relationship journey. Some viewers may not have the patience for so much build-up, especially since there's little skinship or physical intimacy. Even when there's a kiss, it's too short and may not be worth the wait.

Both protagonists have kind personalities and treat each other compassionately. Although I like them as individual characters, I don't sense romantic sparks between them. There's a flicker of interest, but their tepid relationship hasn't ignited with desire. After the couple first kissed, I barely reacted to the milestone. Despite all the wholesome chats and nurturing interactions, the sexual tension is lacking. Sure, Taishin and Takara love each other, but maybe more as friends. Their bond is similar to the platonic feelings you expect from a social worker or a service animal.

Yoji Iwase gives a solid performance, bringing Takara to life with coolness and maturity. His costar (Eito Konishi) is charming. However, he goes overboard in infantilizing his character and portrays Taishin too innocently. Taishin is only a few years younger than his partner, yet his demeanour seems childlike. Even if he comes from a sheltered background, his naivete is exaggerated. Taishin utters ridiculously clueless statements and expresses confusion over simple concepts. His lack of life experience makes me doubt whether he's ready for an adult romance.

I remained unsure of Taishin and Takara's relationship for a long time, but my stance softened near the end. In Episode 8, Takara asks, "Does dating mean we must be 100% into each other from the start?" His question struck a chord with me, and I accepted that the couple's feelings were a work in progress. Although the two may not be madly in love, I'm hopeful for their longevity. Overall, I finish Takara's Treasure with mild positivity. I like the story, the characters, and even the romance. This BL drama doesn't evoke powerful emotions in me, but it's still enjoyable.