The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days – Series Review

Yuma Kasuga and Itsuki Hasegawa are a gay couple in their late 20s. They've been dating for a year and a half. Last year, they registered for the Tokyo Partnership Oath System. This certificate gives same-sex couples some of the legal rights that come with marriage in certain parts of Tokyo. However, it still leaves out many rights that straight couples take for granted. Yuma and Itsuki apply for it anyway. They believe society needs to see that same-sex couples exist.

While applying for the certificate, a TV station interviewed Yuma and Itsuki. This telegenic gay couple quickly caught the internet's attention. Their interview went viral and attracted tons of supportive comments. Everyone was happy for them. After seeing the positive response, a documentary crew approached the couple with an offer. The project will follow Yuma & Itsuki over 100 days and document their everyday life. The footage will eventually become a TV documentary called 100 Days with Him and Me. It's meant to help audiences understand the experiences of an ordinary same-sex couple in Japan.

Shiho Kayano is the director. She's taking over the project from her coworker, Naomi, who has recently gone on maternity leave. Shiho and her cameraman, Yamada, begin filming the couple. Although the documentary is supposed to follow Yuma & Itsuki for "100 days", the actual schedule isn't that intense. Shiho checks in with them only a few times during that period. During each visit, she wants to focus on a different part of their life. Topics include their relationships with their loved ones and their experiences as a gay couple.

Yuma is noticeably enthusiastic about the project. He sees the documentary as an excellent platform for raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues. Yuma happily invites the film crew to his marketing agency, where they interview his coworkers. His boss, Kubota, is proud to show off the company's progressive workplace policies. Yuma also introduces the crew to his parents, who support their son's relationship. They've welcomed Itsuki into the family and include him in traditions as if he's already their son-in-law.

Yuma came out to his family when he was 20 years old. During university, he joined an LGBTQ+ club and befriended Katigiri, an upperclassman who's also a fierce lesbian activist. After graduation, Katigiri founded Marginal Women, an organization that advocates for marginalized groups. Katigiri agrees to appear in the documentary. She meets Yuma with the camera crew on their old university campus. During the visit, many LGBTQ+ students show up because they're fans of the couple. They treat Yuma and Itsuki almost like celebrities. Some of them even ask for autographs.

Compared to his partner, Itsuki is much less excited about the documentary. He's a former bartender who recently quit his job and now spends his time playing mobile games on his phone. During interviews, Itsuki gives short answers and barely smiles for the camera. Shiho privately admits that Itsuki is less cooperative than Yuma. The crew assumes Itsuki is uncomfortable being filmed and needs more time to warm up to the cameras. They don't realize that there's another reason for his lack of enthusiasm. Secretly, Itsuki doesn't want to be part of this project at all.

The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days begins so creatively. Instead of telling the story the usual way, Episode 1 pretends we're watching a faux documentary. We see candid footage of the couple. We listen to their first-person interviews. I love how the series plays around with the mockumentary format, which feels really different from other BL series. The later episodes are also interesting because we see what happens after the cameras stop rolling. Behind the scenes, the picture-perfect relationship gets a lot messier!

Many BL dramas only focus on fanservice, but The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days actually gives a damn about LGBTQ+ issues. I admire its intelligent stance on marriage equality, heteronormativity, microaggressions, and performative activism. On each topic, the story is well-informed and offers nuanced opinions. It also calls out the problematic side of the BL industry, especially the weirdo fans who fetishize gay men and obsess over top-bottom dynamics. The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days is easily one of the most progressive series out there. I'm amazed by its sharp and insightful social commentary.

I share many of the same views as The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days. On a personal level, the story's messages line up with my values. That said, the series can be exhausting. Like that one friend who's too woke, everything turns into a Very Serious Debate about social justice. Some conversations sound awkward because the characters talk like they're lecturing the viewers. Other scenes feel as joyless as attending an LGBTQ+ sensitivity seminar with mandatory training modules. The topics may be important, but the delivery isn't enjoyable.

At first, Yuma and Itsuki are the poster couple for marriage equality. So inspiring! Sadly, their relationship dies for the rest of the series. In one scene, both guys undress in the same room, yet they never even glance at each other. Hello!? You're half-naked! Where's the thirst? The story is cynical about their romance. It never gives us much hope that they'll rekindle their feelings. Part of me appreciates the realism, showing that not every couple lasts forever. But damn, we see so many of their negative moments. There's hardly any affection or intimacy between them.

Yuma's actor (Kentaro Ito) comes across as slightly awkward in some scenes, but it works in his favour. His earnest demeanour makes him seem more believable as an ordinary guy. Meanwhile, his co-star (Kanichiro Sato) plays the emotionally distant Itsuki. Even though he gives an okay performance, I could never really connect with his character. He just appears so standoffish and detached from the world around him. As for Director Shiho, I like the actress (Yui Narumi), who appears confident in her scenes. I also like the playfulness from Cameraman Yamada (Kento Yamada).

Near the end, I kinda lost interest in Yuma & Itsuki's relationship. Thankfully, the finale wins me over again. I love how both guys give private interviews to the camera, using the documentary format to reveal their deepest feelings. As I listen to their thoughtful speeches, I'm reminded of what first impressed me about this series. Compared to all the mindless BL smut, The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days has something meaningful to say about LGBTQ+ issues. Even if a few episodes are slightly iffy, this intelligent drama still earns a respectable score from me.