Dakaichi Was Almost One of The Perfect Bl Anime

 Based on the highly successful 2014 manga series written by Hashigo Sakurabi, Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By The Sexiest Man Alive is a boys' love anime that, despite its wide popularity and ever-growing fandom, has received quite a bit of criticism from casual viewers and dedicated fan alike. While the series managed to break away from most BL tropes, such as dramatic age gaps, unhealthy power dynamics and distasteful nudity, it still failed to address one of the biggest concerns regarding queer representation in manga and anime.

The inclusion of dubcon, or "dubious consent" referring to uncertainty surrounding a character's consent in a sexual interaction is very common within the genre. Unfortunately, Dakaichi is no exception to this. Although the series had so much potential with its nuanced depiction of an adult relationship existing outside the bounds of heteronormativity, the coercive nature of Takato Saijyo and Junta Azumaya's romantic beginnings was more than enough to turn some audiences away.

Self-discovery can be a deeply emotional and complex journey. While most BL series are centered around teens, Dakaichi offers a unique perspective by exploring how adults can also have difficulty navigating their own sexuality. Takato and Junta's budding romance is nuanced by their age, their established careers and the various responsibilities they have as adults. The characters' maturity adds depth to their experiences, and by depicting the challenges they both face as a result of their developing relationship, the series creates an opening for older viewers to relate to and feel connected with the characters on screen.

The reception of the series, even to this day, is mixed, to say the least. For every fan that can't get enough of Dakaichi's atypical approach to the enemies-to-lovers trope, there is a viewer that can't get past the first episode due to the problematic aspects of Takato and Junta's relationship. It's worth noting that those who aren't fans often point to Junta's behavior as the source of their dislike for the series. Junta's indifference toward consent, obsessive tendencies and overwhelmingly stalker-like ways drive some audiences away, leaving Takato's wholesomeness and endearing quirks as the only saving grace for many first-time watchers.

Viewers' perception of Junta often shapes their opinions of the series as a whole. As one of the two main protagonists, Junta holds the power to make or break the series. Despite the controversy surrounding Junta's actions, it's a reach to say that his character is totally irredeemable. For those who enjoyed the series enough to watch the film sequel, Dakaichi: I'm Being Harassed By the Sexiest Man of the Year - The Movie: Spain Arc, Junta's backstory and character development added dimension to his character, shifting the audience's feeling of annoyance to appreciation, or even admiration.

Although most of the criticisms aimed at Dakaichi are entirely reasonable and justified, the BL series is one that is far from the worst in its genre when it comes to the inclusion of controversial tropes. Many of the circumstances and plot points mirror those of other romance series, but by telling the story through the lens of two adult protagonists, Dakaichi presents the complexity of new-found romantic feelings and sexual attraction from a different angle. This perspective provides a different side to self-discovery -- one that is seldom explored in manga and anime, yet invaluable to queer representation for mature audiences.