Unexpectedly Naughty Fukami (Japanese Series)

A promotion that would send Kaji to another city forces him and Fukami to confront what their casual arrangement has become. Neither can simply walk away: a relationship that began with physical attraction has acquired an emotional weight both men can finally recognize.

Getting there takes ten episodes of just 13 minutes each. The series keeps its story admirably focused, without filler, excessive drama or a crowd of random supporting characters. It’s a charming, easy watch for that reason, although its brevity comes at a cost. The story moves so quickly that there’s little opportunity to feel connected to either lead, and much of it feels rushed.

Kaji is a star salesman, admired by men and desired by women. He keeps his attraction to men secret and reserves his hookups for the best-looking, most elite guys, in keeping with his extremely high opinion of himself and his standards. When work sends him out of town with Fukami from IT, Kaji gives his nerdy colleague a zero: plain, unattractive, hopelessly dressed and definitely not someone he’d sleep with. Sorry, Fukami.

Then Kaji sees Fukami on a hookup app that night, and they admit to each other that they’re gay. Fukami emerges from the bathroom without his glasses and awkward clothes, and Kaji abruptly revises his assessment. They sleep together, and Kaji genuinely enjoys it. They agree to continue hooking up casually, with Fukami insisting on one rule: Kaji must not fall for him. Kaji, naturally, is certain that’s no danger at all.

The more time they spend together, though, the more Kaji falls, while Fukami keeps his distance outside their physical encounters. Their eventual relationship follows a familiar route from hookup to coworkers with benefits to commitment. Along the way, funny moments, clumsy romance and awkward intimacy move the story briskly forward. Early on, it’s clear why both men have trouble committing, even if they ultimately decide to do just that. There are a few deeper emotional moments, but they’re brief and scattered.

I’m happy to accept some of that unevenness in exchange for a show that doesn’t stretch itself with pointless padding. The more serious problem is the leads: despite the physical chemistry their characters are meant to share, the actors have almost none. For a series centered on two men who are supposedly sleeping together constantly, there’s no palpable passion. The sex scenes look cheap and are filmed so awkwardly that I felt uncomfortable watching them; the director never manages to create a sensual atmosphere.

The couple’s overall arc is decent enough, and they do get a happy ending. There’s no supporting-character material worth singling out, though, and the series isn’t especially memorable. Still, it’s light and easy to get through. 5/10