There is nothing more beautiful than finding acceptance, both within yourself and in those around you. But there is also nothing more beautiful than accepting yourself enough to handle the people who don’t accept what and who you are.
This is the message the Japanese BL Film Cherry Magic the Movie delivers to the world.
Adapted from the manga series 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii by Toyota Yuu, Cherry Magic the Movie revisits the love story between Adachi Kiyoshi (Akaso Eiji) and Kurosawa Yuichi (Machidw Keita). The film picks up where the drama left off, delving into the warm relationship our two leads have formed despite Adachi’s ability to read minds. There’s a comfortable feel to the routine they’ve developed. They are happy with each other and the tentative plans they’ve made for the future.
Until Adachi is offered a promotion at work, one that involves him transferring to Nagasaki for eight months.
The separation does not go as intended, their time apart making both men aware of the lack of communication between them while revealing the stark reality of being involved in a primarily secret same-sex relationship.
After Adachi is involved in an accident at work, only his family and the company are notified, leaving Kurosawa feeling hopeless and afraid. Hence, our two leads begin an entirely new journey as they realize that being together means talking with each other, leaning on each other, and being openly involved despite the fear of persecution.
It’s at this point that Adachi loses his ability to read minds, but he gains something so much more significant. He gains the courage to speak up, speak out, and step forward—all with Kurosawa at his side.
There is little intimacy in the Cherry Magic movie, making it a family-friendly film that is as much about advocating for the acceptance of gay relationships in Japan as it is about romance. And that’s what made me fall in love with it.
For two headlining Japanese actors to star in a film the whole family can watch in theaters all over Asia (and hopefully the world), Cherry Magic is not just a film; it’s a step toward making gay relationships more acceptable. It’s a step toward recognizing gay partnerships, and it’s a step toward allowing gay partnerships the equal right to the same privileges available to hetero partnerships, including allowing them to be emergency contacts.
Cherry Magic the Movie isn’t just a film, it’s an advocacy for rights, and I hope that the audiences watching it realizes its importance. Making this film family-friendly makes it much more universally available in countries that might forbid it otherwise.
Cherry Magic offers viewers a beautiful story about coming out, acceptance, hope for equality, and the courage it takes to love who you want to love. Not only does it delve into the relationship between Adachi and Kurosawa but also peeks into the gay relationship between their friends, Wataya Minato (Yutaro) and Tsuge Masato (Asaka Kodai) as well.
The film ended with the two leads walking down a busy street holding hands. Some people stared. Some people didn’t. Some people whispered. Others ignored them. But the beauty of that moment was in the way Adachi and Kurosawa walked proudly hand-in-hand, heads held high down a street where the only acceptance that mattered to them was their own.
And that’s power.
For a film that speaks up for the community and accepts itself for what it is, check out Cherry Magic in theaters where available. Keep an eye out for possible international platforms. It is currently available in GP+, CHT MOD, and HamiVideo in Taiwan.
Rating- 4. 5 out of 5
Fan-subbed link-
The BL Xpress 
awesome! hope for a international release for this follow up to one of my top 5 all time BL series:)
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