Review of Junjo Romantica

I'm tired of seeing reviews in which people go "This is a bad reflection of gay people!"... it's yaoi, people, get over it. It's girls' fantasies. I isn't supposed to be realistic! After reading years' worth of yaoi, I can say that nearly all of them have non-consenting relationships. This one is no different. Don't say it's "atrocious to the BL name", because nearly all BL are like that. Seriously! Why do people get so serious over an anime? It's just anime, and anime are supposed to be unrealistic to their very core. Who do you think watches yaoi and goes "That's definitely how gayrelationships are in real life!"???

Okay... done with my rant.

This anime is "different". That's the only word I have for it. You have two age gap relationships (18 and 28, 18 and 35), the first in which the seme is pushing himself on the uke and the second in which the uke tries to push himself on the seme. If you're into dominant uke, you might like this anime.

The first relationship is Usagi and Misaki, a relationship built solely on past turmoil (Usagi loving Misaki's brother but not being able to have him) and attempted rape. The relationship is built on extreme jealousy, cheating accusations, and anything but consent. Sometimes I get the feeling that maybe Misaki just has Stockholm Syndrome or something. Who falls for their rapist? But hey, it's yaoi.

There's the second relationship, Shinobu and Miyagi, a relationship built on "fate" and an age gap that the two have to overcome (Shinobu feels he's just a kid in Miyagi's eyes and thinks he's always a bother). I really don't think this is a non consensual relationship. Maybe on Miyagi's part, but Shinobu really wanted Miyagi's attention and he was the one asking to be in a sexual and emotional relationship.

Then there's the third relationship, Hiroki and Nowaki, which is a relationship full of emotional hardships, the struggle of balancing work and a relationship, and jealousy and distrust. It is a love at first sight relationship. This is probably the most pure relationship of the three as there is no real "rape" because it is obvious the two care about each other and Hiroki doesn't scream "no" or "stop" at Nowaki like Misaki does with Usagi.

This anime is entirely nostalgic for me. It was one of the first ever anime I watched, and I have seen it 7 times so far. If you're a hardcore yaoi fan, then you'll enjoy it. If you're one of those triggered gay people, don't watch it. Simple as that. This isn't an anime of lovey-dovey relationships but rather an anime about emotional distress in several forms. If you know how yaoi works (most yaoi have non consensual relationships), then watch this anime. If you're new to yaoi and dislike the concept of forced relationships, don't watch this anime.