Love is supposed to be simple. But when it comes to gay relationships, those feelings can become complicated, messy, and sometimes even a little distorted. My Beautiful Man is a film that blends gay romance with the beauty of BL storytelling.
This is not only a sweet BL story. It shows the real side of being gay, the anxiety, the insecurity, and that overwhelming feeling of being drawn to someone you cannot let go of.
This is a queer story about an awkward, unbalanced, but deeply beautiful kind of love.
What is this BL story about?
Originally a popular BL novel, My Beautiful Man continues its story in film form, focusing on a gay relationship while going beyond typical BL tropes.
The story follows Hira Kazunari, a shy and socially anxious guy with a stutter, and Kiyoi Sou, a stunningly beautiful and charismatic young man. Their relationship started in high school, but it was never a “normal” gay or BL relationship. It felt more like worship and control mixed together.
In the movie, they are now living together as a gay couple while dealing with their future, their personal goals, and what it really means to love someone as a gay person.
Hira continues to treat Kiyoi like a “god,” while Kiyoi struggles with frustration and loneliness because he wants to be loved in a more equal way.
This mix of BL sweetness and realistic gay relationship struggles is what drives the story.
Even though they are lovers, their relationship is not equal. That imbalance gives this BL and gay story its unique tension.
Characters
Hira Kazunari
Played by Riku Hagiwara, Hira is a ****quiet and withdrawn young man who struggles to communicate with others.
He is aware of being gay, but he lacks confidence and cannot build an equal relationship.
In this BL story, he stands out as a very unusual gay character. His love is so strong that it turns into obsession and worship.
Kiyoi Sou
Played by Yusei Yagi, Kiyoi is a beautiful and charismatic figure who draws attention wherever he goes.
He is pursuing a career as an actor while dealing with his own emotional struggles.
Even though he seems perfect, he is actually very sensitive and wants to be loved and understood as a gay man.
He represents both the “ideal” side of BL and the real vulnerability of a gay character.
My Highlights
1. A perfect mix of BL fantasy and gay reality
This film balances BL romance with realistic gay emotions.
It is not just a dreamy BL story. It shows loneliness, insecurity, and emotional distance that often exist in gay relationships.
2. The theme of “unequal love”
Hira’s love is pure but unhealthy in its intensity.
Kiyoi wants a more normal, equal kind of love as a gay partner.
This gap creates a unique tension that stands out even among BL and gay stories.
3. Visual beauty and strong BL atmosphere
The cinematography, lighting, and pacing all create a strong BL aesthetic.
Kiyoi’s beauty truly defines the title My Beautiful Man.
It feels like a classic BL visual style, but with deeper emotional layers of a gay relationship.
4. Identity and struggle as a gay person
This is not just a BL romance.
It explores what it means to love someone as a gay person and questions self-worth and identity.
That depth makes it more than a typical BL story.
The Original BL Novel
The film is based on the BL novel My Beautiful Man by Yuu Nagira.
This BL novel is highly popular, but it is also praised for its realistic portrayal of gay relationships.
Many BL stories focus on idealized romance.
But this one is different.
Hira’s obsessive, almost worship-like love and Kiyoi’s desire to be truly loved create a gap that feels very real for a gay relationship.
The writing style is also unique, especially the deep inner thoughts from Hira’s perspective.
It shows insecurity, loneliness, and the emotional distortion that can come from loving someone too much as a gay person.
Because of its strong storytelling, it became more than just a BL hit.
It gained a wider audience, leading to a drama adaptation and eventually this film.
It is a story that resonated because it captured something real about gay love.
A Realistic Gay Love Story
My Beautiful Man feels very different from typical BL.
It is one of the closest BL stories to a realistic gay relationship.
Many BL works focus on fantasy and ideal love.
But this film shows both the joy and the pain of being gay and loving someone.
Hira’s character is especially memorable.
A gay man who loves so deeply that he lowers himself completely is rare, and that imbalance feels real.
On the other hand, Kiyoi’s desire to be loved is simple but powerful.
This emotional gap reflects something very real in both BL storytelling and gay relationships.
In the end, this film successfully combines the beauty of BL with the reality of being gay.
It is not just sweet. It is also a little painful, a little frustrating, but impossible to look away from.
As both a BL film and a gay film, it is incredibly well done.
It stays with you and makes you think about what love really means.
Watch here: 劇場版 美しい彼〜eternal〜 – Netflix
