If you're a BL fan looking for a fun, romantic anime with a bit of drama, Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odorarete Imasu. is the answer. The story follows a top actor who has held the title of 'Most Hugged Man No. 1' for 5 years, only to face a new rival who steals his spot and even threatens him into submission. This series is full of comedy, sexual tension, and an engaging relationship development.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story begins when Takato Saijo, a cocky actor who has held the title of 'Most Hugged Actor No. 1' for 5 years, is dethroned by Junta Azumaya, a newcomer who debuted only 3 years ago but has a bright, friendly smile that inexplicably irritates Takato. The two end up working together on various projects, and Takato tries to keep his distance. But one night after a party, Takato gets drunk and Junta has to take him home. That's when things take a turn: Junta discovers Takato's secret and uses it as leverage, asking Takato to 'let him hug him' in exchange for keeping the secret.
From then on, their relationship evolves from coercion into something more complex, involving jealousy, vulnerability, and hidden desires. The series portrays the entertainment industry filled with cameras and paparazzi, forcing the pair to be constantly on guard. Each episode explores the characters' emotions as they gradually open up to each other. Despite starting with threats, sincerity slowly builds in an impressive way.
Performance and Characters
The highlight of this series is the excellent voice acting, especially Hiroki Takahashi as Takato, who naturally conveys arrogance, embarrassment, and vulnerability. Meanwhile, Yuki Ono as Azumaya does a great job, with a soft and warm voice that makes the character charming and endearing, despite his slyness.
Other characters, such as Kiyotaka Arisu (voiced by Wataru Hatano), Takato's close friend who gives advice, and Chihiro Ayagi (voiced by Takuya Sato), his manager, add color and perspective. However, some characters feel shallow, especially the female ones who appear only a few times.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
This anime is produced by studio CloverWorks, known for high-quality visuals. The animation is beautiful, especially the character designs that match the original manga. Colors are vibrant, and scene details are well done. Directed by Takashi Naoya, the pacing is tight and not dragged out, but sometimes feels too fast, lacking emotional depth in certain scenes.
The music is good, especially the opening theme 'Koi no Orchestra' with its lively rhythm and lyrics about complex love. The ending theme 'Futari no Kotoba' is also melodious and fits the atmosphere. Sound effects in key scenes enhance the mood, but aren't as outstanding as the visuals.
Editorial Analysis
Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odorarete Imasu. interestingly plays with themes of power and vulnerability. Although it starts with sexual coercion (which may make some viewers uncomfortable), as the story progresses, we see that 'being forced' becomes an opportunity for the characters to reveal their true selves. The series questions whether a relationship born from deception can develop into real love, and whether submission is weakness or strength.
Another plus is the portrayal of the entertainment industry, where characters face public and media pressure, having to hide their relationship to maintain their image, adding realism. However, the fast pacing and skipping over some important moments may frustrate viewers who want more detail.
In summary, the editorial team finds this series fun and charming, suitable for BL fans who enjoy emotional tension and comedy, but not for those expecting deep content or complex character development.
Verdict
Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odorarete Imasu. is a fun and charming BL anime with excellent voice acting and beautiful visuals, but the plot can be frustrating due to the coercion theme and fast pacing. Those who like this genre will surely enjoy it.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Excellent voice acting that conveys emotions well
- +Beautiful visuals with vibrant colors, typical of CloverWorks
- +Great chemistry between the two leads, with comedy and romance
👎 Cons
- −Plot sometimes moves too fast, skipping important details
- −Theme of sexual coercion may make some uncomfortable
- −Some supporting characters have little screen time and are not prominent
Top Cast
FAQ
The series has 13 episodes, complete in one season.
The content generally follows the manga, but some scenes are condensed and additional comedic scenes are added.
There are scenes implying sexual relationships lightly, but not explicit. Suitable for viewers aged 18+.
It's suitable for BL fans who like romantic comedy with a bit of drama. But if you dislike themes of coercion or relationships starting from force, it may not be for you.
