[🇯🇵JAPAN] 📘 Life In Smokey Blue 💙 Episode 8

[u/nana-shi-74]

https://i.imgur.com/82qDPtk.jpeg

📺 Watch Life In Smokey Blue Episode 8 on GagaOOLala (🌏 except Taiwan, Japan & Korea), FOD & TVer (Japan)
⏰ New episode every Tuesday 8:30 AM (GMT+8)
🌐 Visit the Official Drama Webpage
Twitter: @dramaDiVE_ytv | Instagram & TikTok: @dramadiveplus_ytv

☆ STARRING ☆
Kouhei Takeda as Sakutaro Azuma
Kento Shibuya as Shizuka Kuji
Takeshi Masu as Yoshiharu Kuji
Mayumi Asaka as Yoshimi Azuma
Ryuto Yamamoto (ICEx) as Tamaki Morimoto
Mayu Sakuma as Fumiko Morimoto
Koutaro Tanaka as Minoru Kuji
Haruna Iikubo as Hazuki Kuji
Kazuma Sano as Yasuyuki Tajimi
Shun Aoi as Masora Takeichi
YOUNG DAIS as Shinichiro Nukita
Asuka Kurosawa as Tomoka Hara

⁠☆ STAFF ☆
Directed by Natsuki Takahashi (Jack o’ Frost, When It Rains, It Pours), Ere Nakada
Screenplay by Mari Hiraki (I Cannot Reach You, When It Rains, It Pours), Erika Aoki
Music by Tomohide Harada (One Room Angel, Mr. Mitsuya’s Planned Feeding)

☆

SYNOPSIS (GagaOOLala):

Sakutaro Azuma, once a top-performing salesman, now struggles with his career. One night at a gay bar, he nearly finds himself in danger–until he is rescued by his former colleague, Shizuka Kuji. Eight years after their last encounter, Kuji reappears in his life. His sharp tongue remains unchanged, but now he has long hair and works as a translator. As two men who once competed fiercely in the workplace reunite, the one-night connection they buried eight years ago begins to resurface...

☆ Starring BL fan-favorite Kohei Takeda and acclaimed actor Kento Shibuya bringing a mature romance to life

☆ Adapted from Kamome Hamada's million-hit manga, directed by Natsuki Takahashi (When It Rains, It Pours)--a new masterpiece of adult BL

☆

Opening Theme 🎵 「最大幸福度」(“Maximum Happiness”) by Hina Aoki Spotify | Youtube MV
Ending Theme 🎵 “Black out” by CROWN HEAD Spotify | YouTube

The BL manga series “Smoke Blue no Ame nochi Hare” (Sunshine After Smoke Blue Rain) by Kamome Hamada is available in Japanese via Comic Fleur.

Previous On-Airs: EP 1 | EP 2 | EP 3 | EP 4 EP 5 | EP 6 | EP 7

[u/ocean_lullaby]

This series just continues to be so relatable and the leads are fantastic. The overarching theme of connections and how they impact people, as well as the loss of some connections over the course of our lives. 💛

[u/WingedGrasshopper → u/ocean_lullaby]

When he asked if life from here on out was a series of losses, I really felt that as someone on the older side where it feels like most reunions are at funerals now. It doesn't prevent me from making connections with people but maybe stresses the need to be more clear and honest in all my relationships

[u/ocean_lullaby → u/WingedGrasshopper]

I started feeling that way as a teenager (four deaths in the span of six years), and it definitely impacts how you view relationships.

[u/Safety_Haven → u/ocean_lullaby]

My people. Yes. Yes it does.

[u/YakLongjumping9478 → u/WingedGrasshopper]

Yes as someone who has already lost both parents, 2 sisters, 1 brother and my husband that line hit me hard

[u/TiredAndStillTired → u/WingedGrasshopper]

Yep. It's why he had to give that report. You can't afford to waste time. I really appreciate the show's emphasis on that. Yes, we know that they love each other, but being clear about it is important.

And there are so many people who think that confessing love is frivolous, the older you get, but I think that it, along with many other things, becomes even more important. Tell the people around you how you honestly feel.

[u/Stock_Development749]

Omg that final scene is one of the purest confessions…I mean “reports” I’ve ever seen! I just keep watching it on repeat because I can’t get enough of these two! Dare I say “My Beautiful Man” may have finally met its match in my ultimate favorites ranking!???

[u/nabbe89 → u/Stock_Development749]

Omg my heart when that scene came about. Did you see the preview for next week? I read the manga and I believe next week is going to be even better.

[u/TiredAndStillTired → u/nabbe89]

Even better? How am I supposed to cope when it's already too damn good?

[u/WingedGrasshopper]

I continue to appreciate the maturity.

We get a point blank, "is he an ex?", and the very honest yes I did have some kind of feels but at that age what was it really?

The "coming out" to the coworker was matter of fact, he didn't feel the need to apologize, over explain, it was like "giving a report". Coworker also acted like an adult and didn't feel the need to pearl clutch or offer commentary

The discussion of wanting marriage to be legal but not necessarily looking at it as your own end goal

The reflection on connections and losses

I love it all so much!

[u/nabbe89 → u/WingedGrasshopper]

Yes a show where they actually act their age...I love the subtleties and nuances. Every scene is precious.

[u/TechnoBabelFish → u/WingedGrasshopper]

Hara's acceptance wasn't surprising to me. As a literary translation student, she has an active interest in books that originated outside of Japan. This is a trait of someone who keeps an open mind to new ideas and perspectives.

https://giphy.com/gifs/3kD2Eciolhy4VOzjRV

Azuma let out a sigh of relief after coming out to Hara, because there was always a risk that he would lose his friend. Tajimi passing and Takechi's absence from his classes were creating voids in his life that made Azuma dread losing his friendship with Hara.

[u/KuntyCompadre]

“…this is not a confession. It’s a report.”

Maaaan!! This is my kind of love. No pressure for a response or to be desired and loved back as you love the other person. Just loving and being met where you are

https://giphy.com/gifs/fwEB7wWfavrNyuTbMe

Seems like as Azuma continues to grieve and think about loss, he’s also beginning to wonder about his legacy. What’s the thing that he can pass on, if any?

Ugh! I love this show sm. I can’t wait to make all my friends watch it w me

[u/TechnoBabelFish → u/KuntyCompadre]

Maybe Azuma can be a mentor for Takechi.

[u/madego3293]

"The scent of the time spent together in that study" has got to be one of the most poetic, beautiful, and visceral lines I've ever come across in a BL. The sheer beauty of this drama is mind-boggling.

[u/KuntyCompadre → u/madego3293]

I totally agree! That line sent me back to the study, to the cigarette smoke wafting from the desk, the scratching of the dad’s pen and Kuji only seeing his dad’s back most times.

I think this was the episode where we had a clear view of Kuji’s dad’s face for the first time.

[u/madego3293 → u/KuntyCompadre]

I wish Kuji would clear up their status, tho'. I know I'm being impatient, but still...

[u/KuntyCompadre → u/madego3293]

While I know it’s important for Azuma and Kuji to have a talk defining their relationship, I actually love the pace they are going at. As someone that likes to take things really slow, I love that Azuma gives Kuji time to process Azuma’s declaration of love by calling it a report. No pressure. No need for answers immediately. And for Kuji, who seems to take some time to open up, this giving him space might be good for him.

[u/yllwgrndrcna]

I’m glad I decided to hold off for a bit to binge it. The story moves at a glacial pace and it’s kind of depressing at times but it’s a beautiful series.

There is barely any romance in it though. It’s more of just a quiet companionship. It’s a good thing that I read the reviews before watching so I could set my expectations accordingly.

I wonder how it will compare to the upcoming series The Boy and I Who Will Break Up in 100 Days. I know it’s getting criticized for its labelling (“human drama”) but I’m curious to see how it plays out.

Chosen Home also covered mature themes in an interesting way. I really enjoyed that series— which felt like it was somewhere between a BL and a LGBT drama, too. There’s often an overlap.

[u/ocean_lullaby → u/yllwgrndrcna]

It probably doesn't fit the average idea of what romance looks like, but in the previous episode when Kuji cut his trip short and showed up outside his door because he knew that Azuma needed him... that was everything.

[u/TiredAndStillTired → u/ocean_lullaby]

That scene and them sitting on the sofa, Kuji getting Azuma to talk about how he was feeling... I get nothing but love from these two.

[u/KuntyCompadre → u/yllwgrndrcna]

I find it interesting when people say that such shows have little romance when I see them as being quite romantic. I think the romance is in the giving each other space to be and to breathe. It’s in the choosing the other and letting them in to your space and mind. Idk. Maybe what I deem as romance is actually love?

[u/Rivsmama → u/KuntyCompadre]

Thats not really romance though. Maybe its love or something but it isn't romance

[u/DeanBranch → u/yllwgrndrcna]

I really enjoyed Chosen Home. The romance was barely shown. More time was spent dealing with the logistics of being a gay couple, trying to find the "clamp" as one guy called it, that would join them together legally, since same sex marriage is not legal in Japan.

[u/boksungakkot]

I have to recover after seeing this emotional episode! The Jseries are TOP!

[u/Darkchocolatelaw]

I binged this show over the past few days. It's fantastic. This episode was amazing. From Hara-San's little monologue to the "report" to the rumination over legacy.

[u/Beulah31]

❣️😎azuma clocked an old crush of kuji right off😉the charming middle school crush😉kuji meets azuma’s classmate who knew kuji’s father’s translated works that touched her life once upon a time🤔that conversation at the end sort of a confession from azuma of his desire to be forever by kuji’s side😎❣️

[u/TiredAndStillTired]

I can't deal. This show is too good. When Kuji just put his arm around him in the last scene and pulled him in... WEEPING!!!!. All reports require feedback! And that was GREAT feedback. May this kind of love find me. These characters are so good and good with each other.

Azuma using his own history to help Hara with her PTSD was such a great sign of strength from him. You see him getting better, slowly but surely. And through Hara, we also get a reminder that this is a long journey that comes with setbacks, but there is always hope and people there to support you through it.

The actor they got to play Kuji's father looks so much like him. I love this type of casting.

Kuji is so attentive and caring. One of the things that drew him to Azuma is how he was attentive and caring, but not overbearing. Knew that he needed someone there for him, but not in an overt way - hence the coffee can on the floor and just walking away. But we see how attentive he is himself. With Azuma and now with his father. I refuse to declare him perfect, but...

I think that Azuma is handling things well so far, with his thoughts on how everything comes to an end. I was worried for a bit about how he would deal with the fact that loss is constant, but I think he's ok so far, if not a little sad.

I'm so glad our student, Takechi, is back in class. Poor baby.

[u/tiredsloth007]

It's oddly comforting. My heart feels at ease watching this series. They have portrayed small pauses and silence in such a beautiful way that I can't describe it.' The sense of belonging 'I felt that scene in my bones.