Embracing Love Cherished Spring (2004) From the Yaoi by Youka Niita.

Warning; this review is about a Yaoi anime.  Yaoi is a Japanese art form featuring romances between men, written for and by Japanese women.  They range from sweet and romantic, to extremely steamy.  If this is not your cup of tea; well, you have been warned.

Iwaki Kyosuke and Kato Yoji are both former adult movie stars now making a go of legitimate cinema.  They both auditioned to star in the film adaptation of Mr. Sawa's Yaoi tale.  Iwaki was chosen for the lead.  But now that it is moving to a TV series Kato has been selected for the lead.  Basically, they have switched roles.

This causes some problems for Iwaki.  His pride is hurt.  And his feelings for his co star were already complicated.  Iwaki is older and Japanese.  Kato is young, fresh, somewhat clueless, and has a habit of getting lost in the role.  While making love on the camera, he is liable to really go for penetration.  Iwaki thinks he is far too bold and flighty, and only the intensity of his acting saves Iwaki's view of his professionalism.

Yoji is far more laid back; he doesn't care that his start was as a gay porn star.  And he likes Iwaki.  A lot.  And he is frustrated by his co stars sulky moods and constant rebuffing of his advances.  Despite the fact that he is younger and smaller, Kato is the Seme (the aggressive partner, the "man" in the relationship) it may be being cast as the Uke (the passive partner) that causes some of Iwaki's problems.  There relationships usually follow age and size rules, but Kato definitely has the more forceful personality.

The first episode is their very tumultuous relationship as Kato tries to win Iwaki's affections, and Iwaki protecting his feelings because he is sure that Kato is just loosing himself in the role.

The second episode starts after the happy ending, and the costars are through with the film run, and are now lovers.  Kato has a paparazzi stalker, who looks rather like Iwaki.  Kato is starring in a production with Kikusune, a famous actor who had to flee Japan for America ten years before due to a homosexual scandal.  He is surprised by how much Japan has changed, and that Kato and Iwaki are the darlings of the media.

Iwaki is a big fan of the older actor's work, and when they meet, he agrees to leave the party with him to go talk.  Kato is tangled up with meeting executives, and they figure they have a while to talk...

But Kato's loyal chronicler spots them and follows.  And when Kikusune tries to force himself on Iwaki, he gets the scoop.

There is also an interlude when Mr. Sawa wants to do some research into the dynamics of group sex with the pair and his lover, but it does not work out the way anyone expects.

Needless to say, this causes some problems between Iwaki and Kato.  The sensibilities revealed are very illuminating on Japanese sensibilities...Iwaki is far more concerned with Kato causing trouble on the set and jeopardizing his career than with his own molestation.

For a film about a gay porn stars in love, this movie is awfully tame.  There is not even a butt shot.  And while there is sex on screen, nothing is actually seen. Nipple play is as graphic as it gets.  It is safer than the tamest soft core porn.  You can take that as a pro or a con; I am just reporting it so you will know what you are getting.

No, the real focus of the story is on the emotional gymnastics the lovers put themselves through; are they a couple.  Kato votes yes, Iwaki says no, and they go round and round on the why.  Here is a clue to understanding Yaoi.  Japanese women LOVE angst.  And that is the real point of all their emotional convolutions.

The art is quite lovely, the animation good.  Both men of course are beautiful in a Manga far on the realistic side sort of way.  There is little original in the production, but it is all well done; it is a safe secure money maker proven formula rendition of a classic Yaoi tale.  But that is okay.  It is still quite enjoyable.  If you are a fan of Yaoi, you will like this.

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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age