My BL Series 2021 Ranking [Top 10 BL Series 2021]
My BL Series 2021 Ranking [Top 10 BL Series 2021]
This blog is really the most difficult for me to write since I have to examine a lot of BL Series that I have seen over the course of the year and provide objective assessments. Before we begin, the BL Series on this list are those that I have seen and that have aired more than 75% of their total episodes in 2021. If you have a different rating, please share it in the comments area below. Let's get started without further ado.
5 Special Mentions
Manner of Death
It's actually a fairly nice BL Series with an interesting plot. Manner Of Death may have made my Top 10 if it weren't for the ranking's mechanics. Max and Tul's return BL was a far cry from their previous efforts, which were released in 2017 and 2018. Although Manner Of Death did not exactly match the book, it was nevertheless a masterpiece in its own right, and both are very delightful to read and watch.
Color Rush
Korean BLs make a concerted effort to provide viewers with unique plots and tales, yet they occasionally fall short of my expectations. The story of mono and probing in Color Rush is a wonderful one, however the implementation was not too fantastic, to be honest. The narrative may have been developed further, but due to the limited amount of episodes and run time, this was not feasible. This was one of my favorites, primarily because of the premise, but it kept me wanting till the conclusion.
Fish Upon the Sky
I don't have much to say about this BL because it's mostly a romantic comedy series with a light overall narrative. I like Fish Upon The Sky and found myself laughing a lot while watching it, however I believe the narrative was running in circles.
You Make Me Dance
There are a lot of Korean BLs this year, but You Make Me Dance is one that stands out. Despite the fact that it did not make the Top 10, this is a series that should be watched. The disadvantage of this series is that it has a shorter run length and fewer episodes than the other BLs on the list.
Be Loved In House I Do
This BL drew my attention since it focused on the stories of working people. It was nice to watch at first, but as the series progressed, it became less and less engaging. Similar to Fish Upon The Sky, I believe the narrative was running in circles and had an influence on the story's growth.
2021's TOP 10 BL Series
#10. ABSOLUTE BL
When it first aired, I didn't watch it till after reading several reviews on how excellent and funny this BL is. Cherry Magic was one of my favorite BL Series last year, and it was due of the plot's distinctiveness and the characters' chemistry. Absolute BL offered me one of the happiest times to watch a BL this time, and it absolutely struck the target. Despite the fact that the series did not have a romance arc for the main character, it was able to convey the essence of its story in just four episodes. The finale left us with a cliffhanger, and I believe it was insufficient to truly conclude the series, which is why it only made it to my tenth place. Absolute BL was extremely funny.
#9. TO MY STAR
As a viewer, it's quite aggravating to watch Korean BLs because they always have such a short run length and episodes. But, like the other full-fledged BLs on our list, To My Star was a well-developed series. Certainly, the short run length may affect one's ability to completely appreciate a performance, but I don't find it lacking in any way. The struggle between the major characters was well-established, and the conclusion came right at the end. To My Star is the second greatest Korean BL Series for 2021, despite being rated 9th on my list.
#8. LOVELY WRITER
Given that some of the BL Series on this list run for less than 30 minutes every episode, it's understandable to believe that one hour per episode would be excessive and dull. Lovely Writer, thankfully, has a lot of depth to its subject, and I believe the chemistry between the major characters is also rather solid. Some may argue that the middle section of the narrative became tedious, but this is simply a matter of personal choice. The reason Lovely Writer is ranked eighth rather than higher is due to its pace, particularly in the latter episodes. The tempo was slow at times, and I had the sensation that several sections were uninteresting. I also thought the finale was anti-climatic because they didn't come up about their relationship in public, but I suppose it was done to be more realistic. Lovely Writer is an excellent BL for 2021, and it is a must-see!
#7. I PROMISED YOU THE MOON
When I saw I Told Sunset About You last year, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions, and the same is true with I Promised You The Moon. Despite the fact that I Promised You The Moon did not receive the same critical acclaim as its precursor last year, it nevertheless managed to wow in terms of cinematography and performance. The only flaw I observed in this one was the plot's dishonesty, which was heartbreaking to witness. I Promised You The Moon may have had a better finish if the finale episode had a bittersweet ending to send the message that infidelity isn't beneficial for relationships. On the other side, I could see how Teh's character developed as the story progressed and he thought on what he had done wrong in the past. Anyway, if you can endure all kinds of drama, I Promised You The Moon is still a fantastic film.
#6. UTSUKUSHI KARE (My Beautiful Man)
I binge-watched this BL later this month when it aired, and I was immediately engrossed in the tale. To be honest, I thought the narrative of this BL was a little strange, not in a terrible sense, but it was distinctive and easy to follow. My Beautiful Man's narrative went from infatuation to love, with a bit of misunderstanding thrown in for good measure. That may appear to be a poor description, but it is actually a progression in the broader plot. I was waiting for Kiyoi's in-depth history on its character, which is why it's only in the sixth position. Although there was an explanation in the subsequent episodes for why he has that sort of character, I was perplexed by his abrupt character transformation in the closing episode. It wasn't horrible, but there was a lack of explanation. Overall, My Beautiful Man delivered a unique love story in the form of a Japanese BL.
#5. KIETA HATSUKOI (My Love Mix-Up!)
I was wondering whether to put this on the 4th or 5th slot, but I think this rating is more appropriate for this series. I binge-watched the entire season in one sitting since the first few episodes were truly fantastic and engaging. Despite the fact that the middle and end parts of the series were not as great as the first, the essence and major narrative were still there throughout the entire program. My Love Mix-Up reminded me of Cherry Magic without the fantasy element, and it was a very enjoyable experience to watch. The lack of development on its plot is most likely the cause for its fifth-place finish. I felt the same level of intensity and excitement from episode to episode. This Japanese BL could have done better if the narrative had more dynamism, but it's still a really decent BL Series.
#4. WE BEST LOVE
We Best Love is the epitome of the foes to lovers trope, which has always been one of my favorites in a BL. It's not difficult to enjoy stories of rivals to lovers, but to stand out among them is a different story. Most of the time, extraneous dramas are inserted into the storyline only to make it interesting, but We Best Love is a straight to the point drama. There was no need for a colorful story twist. This BL's selling point is the plot, acting, and chemistry of the major characters, and it's simple to notice this stuff. The dynamics of its personalities and storylines are We Best Love's only advantage over My Love Mix-Up. The episodes piqued my interest at numerous levels, which is a strong sign of a solid program.
#3. A TALE OF THOUSAND STARS
The Top 3 of my rating are my most favorite BL Series for the year, but I still need to rate them correctly. A Tale Of Thousand Stars provided us with a heartwarming and delightful drama, and I can still recall the nice events that occurred during this series. The touching story of Tian and Phupha taught me that it's simple to fall in love, but it's far more difficult to dedicate your heart for the rest of your life. Even if the series wasn't flawless, the sequences were well-thought-out and well-produced. A Tale Of Thousand Stars, in my opinion, is a masterpiece in and of itself, and will go down in history as one of the finest Thai BLs ever created. For some, the continual drama of this BL may be off-putting, but I believe it is one of its strengths and highlights.
#2. BAD BUDDY
Bad Buddy hasn't completed aired yet, but it's already one of the finest BL Series of 2021 in my opinion. The last three episodes are the sole reason I'm putting this BL Series in second place. Bad Buddy might have a gratifying or anti-climatic finish because the story's climax would focus primarily on the finale. Another reason is because the tensions on Bad Buddy are quickly handled in each episode, which reduces the story's intensity. Being honest isn't a negative thing because we saw a lot of pleasant and nice moments from the main characters. Furthermore, Ohm and Nanon's chemistry is simply the greatest for this year. Their chemistry alone is enough to propel them to the top of our list.
#1. LIGHT ON ME
I'm not sure why I'm placing this BL as my #1 selection for 2021, but here we go. The first reason I chose Light On Me as my number one is that I found it to be quite enjoyable. I've always wanted a Korean BL that is well-made in terms of narrative, cinematography, storyline, and soundtrack. Light On Me delivered all I had hoped for, and it even beyond my expectations. Unlike last year, when I based my top 1 on technicality, this year's top 1 is solely based on the show's emotional significance. That isn't to say that both Bad Buddy and A Tale Of Thousand Stars didn't have it, but Light On Me was the one that genuinely satisfied me. Our BL may have a light tale in comparison to others on this list, but it was nicely done.
And those are the BLs for 2021 that I'm most excited about! Let us know your ranking in the comments area below. What are the BLs you're most excited to see in 2022? Thank you for joining me for our BL Series rating. We'll see you next year! Everyone have a happy and profitable new year!
There are BL lovers from all around the world! What nation do you come from when you read this blog?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, ranking my top three is the most difficult. I couldn't make up my mind till last night. 😭 Which BL Series do you think is the best this year?
ReplyDeleteIt's time for our last blog of the year! What BL Series do you think will be the most popular in 2021?
ReplyDelete