“Shunsuke Kazama is too cute, it’s painful” — How I fell down the rabbit hole of the drama “10 Things I Want to Do Before I’m 40”

So cute.
At this point, I can only say 'cute'.
What should I do?

“I want to write down these passionate feelings in a note, but I might only be able to say 'cute'. What should I do?”

While driven by such thoughts, I also felt a mysterious sense of duty to 'get to the bottom of this cuteness!!', so I did my best to squeeze it out.
Once I squeezed it out, it just kept overflowing, so this might end up being a long post.

With that said, I want to talk passionately about the drama I'm currently hooked on, '10 Things I Want to Do Before I’m 40'!

It’s starting to feel like a drama focused on how to bring out the cuteness of Kazama-kun (Shunsuke Kazama).
I’m sorry for being so overflowing with love for Kazama-kun.
He is exactly my type.

Hehehehe.

▶︎Watch 10 Things I Want to Do Before I’m 40

Let’s pull ourselves together and start with the synopsis.
※These are my impressions after watching up to episode 3.

Synopsis

Yes. It is what you call Boys' Love.

“I can easily sleep with you.”
This line is so incredibly BL that, honestly, I hesitated to watch it.

But! I! Love Shunsuke Kazama!!!
I’ve been watching him since his days on Kinpachi-sensei!!!!
He is always appearing in multiple dramas at once, he is a talented actor, and he can play all sorts of roles. The sense of security he provides is incredible.

And above all...
His face is my type!!!!!!!! (Scream)

So, I started watching it while thinking, 'It’s surprising that Kazama-kun is appearing in a Boys' Love drama...! Why...!?!?'

I learned later that, I see, he is teaming up again with director Chihiro Ikeda from 'Hatsukoi, Zarari'!
Understood!
'Hatsukoi, Zarari' is a love story about a woman with a mild intellectual disability and autism, and it was a masterpiece.
I would love for you to watch that too, but I will omit the introduction this time.

First of all, the setting is good.

It really is good. That somewhat subtle feeling before becoming lovers, it’s good.

It’s a classic boss-subordinate setup, but the premise of “let’s do these 10 things on my bucket list together” is great.
There are definitely heart-fluttering scenes, but I like that it’s not overly sweet.
He works properly during the day, and the fact that someone so reliable wears a costume at home is just irresistible!!

The 10-item bucket list is simply wonderful.
I even want to do this myself.

The second episode is about a takoyaki party.
To fulfill one of the items on the list, “takoyaki party,” the two go to an electronics store to buy a takoyaki maker. Then he gets forced into going to his house... and the synopsis is that they hold a takoyaki party that very day!?

It made me really want to have a takoyaki party!
I even searched for takoyaki makers thinking I might buy one. Haha.
I also successfully identified the takoyaki set used in the drama.
Yeah, this is definitely something that would get even adults excited!

Kazama-kun’s cuteness is divine

As I wrote at the beginning, Kazama-kun’s cuteness is off the charts.
Huh? What is this? What is this cuteness!!!!

He’s 39, good-looking, has a good personality, and is well-regarded at work, but he has no girlfriend.
Actually, he likes cute things, wears costumes at home, and has lots of stuffed animals...

The protagonist, Sparrow (Shunsuke Kazama), is surrounded by stuffed animals at home and wears a bear costume.
Huh? Is there any other 40-year-old who looks this good in a bear costume?? It suits him so well, or rather, he’s just cute.

Yeah! I see! A cute 39-year-old who is capable at work but wears a bear costume at home.
It makes me think, “Of course Kazama-kun would be cast for this!!!”
He himself likes Disney, after all. And he has a cute, dog-like face.
That said, he’s not *too* handsome (in a good way), so I can kind of understand why he hasn’t had a partner for years.
“I see, so it’s Kazama-kun,” I thought, strangely convinced.

He’s cute, but!
He also has a proper middle-aged vibe, some uncool parts, and moments where he’s reliable. But there are also so many incredibly cute moments...

Of course it’s Kazama-kun.

Apparently, Kazama-kun declared to Shoji-kun, “Shoji-kun, I’m going to be cute during this period.”
His character preparation is amazing! As expected! He is incredibly cute!!!!!!!!!!!

I almost fainted when I saw Kazama-kun eating this ice cream.
Holding the ice cream with both hands after saying “Hey, don’t film me,” followed by a cute smile.
Huh!? What was that!!!!! I almost snapped. (Because it was too cute)

The casting is divine

And the co-star is also the best!
He looks a bit cheeky, occasionally uses casual language, looks flashy, and seems like the type who would be popular with women.
Isn’t his brown hair a great contrast to black-haired Kazama-kun?
Isn’t the height difference also the best?

Kohei Shoji, who plays the subordinate Keiji Tanaka, Kazama-kun’s partner, was apparently chosen unanimously at the audition.
Of course he was!
It was my first time seeing him, but he’s a very atmospheric and charming person, so it’s easy to see why he was chosen!!

He’s definitely going to be in high demand from now on...!!!
He’s perfect as the “subordinate who is aloof, a bit pushy, but also watches over the other person and is considerate.”
The height difference with Kazama-kun is also perfect.

Just seeing Kazama-kun and Shoji-san standing next to each other makes me grin.
Just like in “Ayaka-chan is in Love with Hiroko-senpai,” this casting is an absolute win!

Voice actress Kotono Mitsuishi’s narration is also divine.

“Suzuko,” the stuffed animal that stays close to Suzume’s (Shunsuke Kazama) heart in the story and gently nudges her forward.
The way Suzuko speaks is also just so cute!!
Suzuko’s voice is provided by Kotono Mitsuishi, well-known for her role as Usagi Tsukino in “Sailor Moon.”
The stuffed animal is adorable, but I’m also soothed by her voice.

The way she calls out to the protagonist, “Suzume-chan,” is just... it’s incredibly gentle, cute, and soothing.

The costumes are divine.

I realized this while scrolling through X to write this note.
That’s right. In this drama, the costumes are either suits or a bear (costume).
That, too, is irresistible.

Though there are occasional scenes in casual clothes!
Since they are a boss and subordinate, there are many scenes in suits.
Why is a man in a suit so good?
It’s nothing but a feast for the eyes. Thank you. (Bows)

The show and the cast’s use of social media is also divine.

The fact that so many photos and videos are posted on social media is another rabbit hole!
I’ve completely fallen for their marketing strategy.
If that’s how they want to play it, I’ll gladly dance along!

That’s how many off-shots they’ve posted.
I’m so grateful.

And above all, the posts by Kohei Shoji, who plays Keiji Tanaka, are incredibly well done. It overlaps with his slightly cheeky younger subordinate character, which is just great.
The two leads also interact on X, which makes me feel so happy even when the drama isn’t airing.
I’m just grinning.

Since it became X, I’ve been avoiding it because I see so many disturbing articles, but for this, I’m seeking it out on my own.

They did make a “declaration to become cute,” after all.

There are also many photos taken by the cast with film cameras.
Seriously! Their social media strategy is too good!

These are off-shots that really feel like “the” off-shots. Irresistible.

This height difference. Isn’t it insane?

These videos look like the characters stepped right out of the drama.
It’s just too heartwarming.

Sigh. Seriously. His face is just my type. (Should I just shut up already?)
Are they going to upload videos like this every time...?
Thank you. Thank you. (Bows)

I laughed at the interaction between these two.
Isn't that T.M.Revolution?
Isn't that the thing you want to say every time summer comes around?
(While crossing arms over the head)

I can't get enough. I truly can't get enough. Every day is blissful.
My timeline is filled with happiness and kindness every single day.

A second season seems possible, doesn't it?

At the stage of the first episode, I thought, 'I'm not sure if I'll watch until the final episode,' but this! I'm definitely going to watch until the end!!
Or rather, as someone who loves Kazama-kun's visuals, I want to save this permanently.
I want to watch it over and over again.
I'm already watching it several times a week.

I'm thinking this drama might have a second season, but there's something good about this 'will they or won't they' feeling, isn't there?
In fact, for 'Ayaka-chan is in Love with Hiroko-senpai' season 2, I'm already starting to feel... hmm...

No, no! But wait! Just imagine these two cooking and eating together.
It's just too blissful.
'What Did You Eat Yesterday?' was also overflowing with happiness, after all.

Anyway, I can't wait to see how it concludes.
At the same time, I'm terrified that if such peaceful days come to an end, I'll fall into despair.

Side note

I'm going to gush suddenly, but I think my husband has a face like Kazama-kun's.
They call it a dog-type guy, or maybe a Shiba Inu-type face.
From the moment we met, I thought, 'A person who is totally my type has appeared!?', and even now, four years after getting married, I think, 'His face is still so cute...' almost every day.
And then, it just slips out.

I'm gushing too much, even for me.
I just couldn't help it. Sorry.

The bear loungewear that Suzume (Kazama-kun) wears in the drama is actually going to be released as official show merchandise!

(I thought... I want to make my husband wear this...)

I thought that, but you know, this costume is expensive.
It costs 13,200 yen. That's just not possible.
Sniff.

In conclusion

So this is what it means to have the words flow the more you write!
Even while being plagued by the feeling of 'What on earth am I doing?' halfway through, I wrote this through with my love for Kazama-kun and my love for the drama.

My tone is different from usual, and I'm sorry.
Isn't it okay to have an article overflowing with this kind of otaku spirit?

I can't deny that the images on X feel like they were compiled just for me.
When I have a bad day, I think I'll look at this article to feel comforted.

Why not step into this world filled with the happiness and kindness of these two?
The subtle expressions and such. They are both truly skilled actors.
One thing is for sure, it's not just a simple BL drama!
I would be so happy if you didn't avoid it just because it's BL and gave it a watch!

▶︎Watch 10 Things to Do Before I'm 40