Netflix are now increasingly becoming  our fav queer TV channel .  We’ve only just dotted the last T in our review of  (the excellent) OUTSTANDING : A  COMEDY REVOLUTION heading to are screens soon, then we learn about a potential queer must-see.  Right of the heals of Danni Minoques totally compelling I KISSED A BOY (and GIRL) comes a new same-sex dating show with a real difference.  Its Japanese

THE BOYFRIEND,  Japan’s first ever same-sex dating series,  follows nine queer men who band together to live in a beach house and work at a coffee truck for a month, as they begin a quest for love – both romantic and plutonic.

Dai Ota, the executive producer at Netflix Japan told QUEERGURU. “We started out wanting to highlight the young men’s friendships and personalities. Our focus wasn’t just on romance but also on spending time together and experiencing personal growth.” Director Keisuke Hishida. added “I discussed with the cast how growth and valuable experiences stem from shared friendships, youth and struggles, not just romance. This led to many unexpected miracles on set,”

Judging from the trailer below, Japanese gay man take things slower than their western counterparts.  And dare we say, more seriously too. 

Whilst researching the background for the Show, we were totally shocked to discover that Japan is the ONLY G7 country where same-sex marriage is still not legal. Recently the Japanese High Courts said that “enacting same-sex marriage does not seem to cause disadvantages or harmful effects,” and suggested that it was “strongly expected” that parliament would “institutionalise an appropriate law” soon.

Regardless the whole QUEERGURU TEAM have declared the program compulsory viewing as they tune in hoping for some happy endings somewhere along the line .

.“The Boyfriend” starts streaming from Tuesday, 9 July, 2024, only on Netflix.