Takara no Vidro (2024)

A sparking marble in the grass

The first couple of episodes, while charming, had me fearing mediocrity. But over time, I grew to see a surprising level of quiet depth and maturity in the leads. These young men have been hurt and are still dealing with hurt. One is more naive and hopeful, though, while the other is disillusioned with reality and terrified.

Takara's fight to not fall into the same depths as his mother and fear of himself the moment he mirrors her behaviors, even slightly, in particular, stood out to me.

"If I want something, I must have it."

What it must be like to fear your own wants and feel the need to push your desires aside in case you just might take a treasure into your hands, keep it from the world, and unwillingly crush it.

I would like others to see what I did, but I understand if you don't. Regardless, I found this a precious watch that I almost want to keep to myself. My own "treasure."

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Losing your marbles

"Nothing happens. Twice." Vivien Mercier famously said this of Waiting for Godot, but as a compliment. Of Takara no Vidro, I can say: "Nothing happens. Ten times." And that is not a compliment. Godot, in the most common interpretation of the play, is supposed to be death. Here, we wait for any semblance of life.

There is one, and only one, reason to watch this show. Iwase Yoji. If you do watch it for him, I suggest doing so at 2x speed, though even then, the show will seem slower than seeing a tortoise run a marathon. But if you care at all about plot, acting, script, direction, chemistry, charm, or some insight into human life -- rather than, as the title appropriately hints at, a vitrified vision of it -- I suggest you give it a miss.

Also, can someone please do a cut of Taishin's "Eh, Eh, Eh, Eh, Eh" set to Rihanna's "Umb(u)rella? It might not only justify the suffering he inflicted on us, but also offer a plausible explanation as to why it is the only syllable he can muster.


Reader's Digest:
DO SAY: Eh?
DON'T SAY: Oh hell no.

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From Clueless to Treasure : A warm romance! <3

The drama starts with Taishin's quest to thank someone whom he feels indebted to for past comfort. What began as an ordinary journey soon developed into a heartfelt and engaging narrative.

The two characters - Takara and Taishin were poles apart but fit together perfectly. Taishin genuine openness and persistence contracts with Takara's initial aloofness. Yes, Taishin was slow, shy and more often than not clueless about most things but he really stepped up to reassure his senpai when it mattered the most. Also the way Country Mouse stood up against everything that might hurt Takara was surprising and heartwarming to see.
Takara started off with a brusque, aloof demeanour often masking his feelings with a tough exterior. He is the classic green-flag tsundere. He had a deeply caring side that revealed itself through small and thoughtful gestures. When he confessed about his traumas, he was open to self-improvement and recognised his behaviour might be problematic.

Together they were far from perfect but each other's treasure. Also both their smiles were one of my favorite things about this drama! *_*

The pace of the story was slow but it didn't feel lagging or boring. The focus on the characters and small details about what they find comfort in drives the narrative.

But what I found underwhelming was the last episode as compared to the penultimate episode. It felt a bit random but the realisations that followed through were both precious and necessary.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this if you don't mind slow-burn romance and like your man Tsundere.

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Neurodivergent Taishin and Trauma Influenced Takara Make a Balanced Pair.

(General spoiler only at bottom of review.) This is a very good watch for people who enjoy character studies, to others it will likely feel slow. It is a slow burn romance with a slice-of-life feel. To me, the unhurried but steady reveal of layers in the lead characters (their natures, inner workings, and how they view each other) and the growing bond between them gripped my attention and I fell more and more for them over time, as they did with each other.

The psychology and nature of both boys was interesting, well thought out and written, and very well acted. They were distinctly different people yet complimented each other well. They both accepted the other as they were and gave emotional support to each other.

To me, Taishin was obviously neurodivergent, not just "a country bumpkin" or stupidly naive. Taishin exhibited many autistic traits and was a great representation of a neurodivergent mind. The screenplay doesn't point it out or discuss it though, so I can understand why this is missed by those who are unfamiliar with it.

The way Taishin follows, approaches, and interacts with Takara makes sense when viewed as Takara becoming a special interest for him (a rough definition of special interest is a long-term fascination). Taishin is candid and straightforward and divulges more than most people would in situations (not having much sense of filtering), doesn't have a good sense of boundaries, has great confusion about dynamics between people and with romantic feelings, difficulty naming or categorizing his own feelings, has difficulty regulating emotions and crying when both sad and happy, mentally overwhelmed easily, slower thought and speech patterns, spinning thoughts, unable to discern hidden or false intentions, has special interests of birds and plants (knowing lots of names and facts about them), and his pet bird was as important as a family member.

What I admired about Taishin was that he was genuine and earnest, he cared about his friends, he could find joy in small things, he showed bravery in approaching things that were potentially daunting (both his hesitancy and determination is shown in things like approaching a group of new people), and even though there were times when he feelt insecure about himself or distressed, he also had a buoyant positive nature.

Takara has a negative, false narrative about himself stemming from childhood experiences that often leads to contradictions in how he responds to Taishin vs what he feels. He is deeply afraid of his own nature, becoming something he hates, and harming others in the process. I don't want to give too much away because unraveling his character and backstory as the show goes on was part of the enjoyment. Ep 9 has more of his POV, which was especially insightful. His character was indiscernable for quite a while but he is understandable by the end.

I found the romance believable and heart-warming, and the way the characters looked at each other was very satisfying. There is some skinship, wonderful hugs and cuddles (some where they just melt into each other), and a few simple yet heart-fluttering lip presses. This is a very gentle romance, not a steamy one.

I liked the secondary characters too. The group of friends was fun and we got to get a good sense of them even though they didn't get a lot of screen time.

There were no annoying aspects of the story for me. The music was fitting though unmemorable.

GENERAL SPOILER ON THE ENDING

... ... ...

Just shy of 10/10 because the ending felt a little unfinished- the question of what would happen once Takara graduated was too much on my mind to fully enjoy the happy point at which the story chose to stop. It looks like there will be a spin off or special episode that shows more of them though, so if that can resolve the hovering question, then I may be able to give full marks.

... ... ...

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Gay romance full of light and sensitivity

In recent years, LGBTQ+ coming-of-age series have found a new, joyful and hopeful voice. Gone are the days when teenagers came out of the closet only to become victims of HIV and AIDS, homophobic attacks, parental disapproval, or increasing suicide rates.
In the new image of gay coming of age, happiness is deserved, even if there are some slips and stumbles along the way. This new positivity is welcome as both series and films celebrate LGBTQ+ relationships while drawing a line under the endless tragedies of the past.
However, some of the struggles of the coming out process, especially in heteronormative and patriarchal societies, such as Japan, where equal marriage is not yet legal, can be eliminated for the sake of positivity.
'Takara no Vidro', the series by Yuho Ishibashi ('Our Dining Table' and 'Toyko In April Is...') and Mirai Tomita ('Around 1/4'), sometimes opts for positive vibes instead of a more realistic exploration of homosexual love between two young Japanese university students.
Based on the manga of the same name by Suzumaru Minta, and scripted by Tomomi Shimo, we review a sentimental initiation series that tells the queer love story between two hiking lovers who begin to develop emotionally; a series that has the power to win your heart with its gentle charm that simply takes it to the finish line.
The literal translation of the title is actually 'Glass of Takara' (in reference to the character's obsession with glass marbles) although the name of the manga in English has always been known as 'Takara's Treasure'.
Directors and screenwriter have recreated an inspiring story. 'Takara no Vidro' has a strong sense of being a classic, down-to-earth series and doesn't try to be anything more than that. Instead, the staging develops an immersive and tender coming-of-age story with strong queer motifs.
The main hero of the series, Nakano Taishin, a shy and insecure young man who has just moved to Tokyo from his native Fukuoka to start university and reunite with Shiga Takara, a kind tourist who manages to comfort him during the summer of his third year of high school. while mourning the death of his pet. Surprisingly, this little encounter will change their lives forever.
Unable to forget that kind gesture, Taishin decides to thank him in person, but Takara acts cold and distant towards him.
"So all I have to do is keep trying until you like it one hundred percent?" With this idea, Taishin, undeterred, decides to pursue Takara anyway, and Takara finds himself increasingly charmed by Taishin's candid, direct, and honest gaze.
For his part, Takara has gone through childhood and adolescence full of internal conflicts, because after the divorce his father leaves his life and his mother looks for him whenever she wants, just to ask him for money. His grandfather is the person who loved him the most and instilled in him his taste for mountains and for small glass spheres inside whose "you can see the blue world turned upside down."
A lover of hiking, very popular among his mountain club colleagues and other university students, Takara's eyes say much more than his words. But their world is about to change forever with the arrival of Taishin.
Confident and sure of his likes and dislikes, Takara is Taishin's polar opposite, and it isn't long before a friendship and unspoken attraction develop. As they spend time together, romance begins to blossom, between the activities of the hiking club, their meetings on the university campus or the store where Masaya (Sano Gaku), a friend of Takara, is one of the employees.
Slow-burn romances, like the one the series presents us with, are sometimes predictable, but often leave viewers in suspense, wondering if the love interests will really come together. When Takara and Taishin finally realize that they are meant to be, all that waiting is worth it.
After their reunion, they begin an atypical friendship, which will unite them in the process of climbing much more than high mountains. With shyness and shocks, together they share experiences, words that until then they did not know, reflections that they had never uttered and, who knows, maybe they even discover the secrets inside the crystal balls.
Probably one of the most interesting aspects of 'Takara no vidro' and what makes it a unique series is that it is not just any love story. The audience will see the two protagonists consider concepts such as identity, self-discovery, acceptance, family, the universe, trust, friendship, helping the helpless, student camaraderie, life and death (seen in the loss of Taishin's pet, but also in that kind of loss that exists in any dissolution of marital ties). Many adolescents and young people will feel identified and understood thanks to their unusual way of seeing the world.
Little by little, the relationship between the two becomes closer, and Takara begins to wonder why she likes spending time with this boy so much that she insists on being close to him.
Following a theory from his friend Emiri (Mihara Ui), Taishi will believe that the only way to be close to the person he admires is to see himself as a "fan" of Takara and Takara as his "main", whom he cannot cause problems and who would have to be content with watching him from a distance without interfering in his life. However, Takara will tell you that the relationship between the two is not that of a main character and his follower, but between two equal people: "No one is greater or lesser than the other." He only has one request: do not hide from him and be honest about your feelings and emotions. This will bring you even closer.
The series adapts a very moving and intelligent manga, in which the dialogues are the basis of the story. Through the conversations between Takara and Taishin, two characters emerge who, although shy and insecure, will not hesitate to open up to love.
Takara and Taishin begin a journey of discovery, in which their group of faithful friends will also participate, who are united by the search for their place in the world: in addition to Eimiri, Yukawa Kenzo (Yamada Kento), Taishin's main confidant, Uehashi Minami (Kasama Yuri), the leader of the mountaineering club, Hyodo Mei (Shimoda Ayaka), and Ishikawa Akira (Asami Kazuya), Takara's best friend.
BL lovers will happily welcome this new romance in which the tireless search for love is narrated, with Taishin willing to do anything to conquer someone as seemingly distant as Takara. The push and pull between the two and the way their relationship evolves create an ideal series for fans of the genre.
Although its narrative is simple, it still works as a unique story about how to find love, understanding and warmth in the person whose footsteps you have followed over time and distance because you cannot erase them from your mind.
The music, original and catchy, fulfills its objective within the story, and helps us understand the feelings and moods of the characters.
The series is a loving and enjoyable romance that celebrates the love between two young people who discover their homosexuality through a senior-junior relationship and beautifully timed moments of drama. The chemistry between Hiroshi Iwase ('Saiko no Kyoshi: Ichinengo, Watashi wa Seito ni Sareta') and Eito Konishi ('Kabe Koji Desires To Be Recognized') as the central couple Takara and Taishin, respectively, is brilliant when the first sparks of Attraction flows between them through a shy smile, eye contact or the gentle touch of a hand. The couple adds warmth and emotion to the story.
The depiction of gay romance is full of light and sensitivity, and the series deserves kudos for that.

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slow pacing with unbelievable characters (watch suggestions)

Overall: one character was unbelievably naive and then the other was oddly cruel in episode 7. 10 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4529/takaras-treasure-2024 except Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and Philippines

Watch Suggestions
- watch episode 1
- watch episode 2 beginning to 2 min, 4:30-5, 15-16:35, 17:30 to the end
- watch episode 3 at 4:30-6
- start episode 4 at 8 minutes
- watch episode 5 at 17:40 to the end
- start episode 6 at 8 minutes
- watch episode 7 at 4-8:20 and 14:40-15:35
- skip episode 8
- watch episode 9
- episode 10 was oddly anticlimactic, you could just watch at 22:40 to the end

Content Warnings: see the comment under a spoiler for 2 of them, stalking

What I Liked
- that it didn't start with a flash forward or back
- meet-cute subverted trope
- I did laugh at the terrible hiding skill in episode 4
- episode 9 was good

Room For Improvement
- Taishin was unbelievably naive (he still asked that question in episode 10, what on earth) and Takara was oddly cruel for not telling Taishin the truth in episode 7
- a glacial pace with their relationship
- odd how very similar behaviors were categorized differently
- nonsense stuff: how they carried tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, food, etc in those small backpacks

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I don't get the hate.

Honestly I liked this show. I can understand some people's concerns with the characters or even the acting at times however, that doesn't necessarily mean the show is horrible it simply means you didn't like it. I understand that Taishin is very naive and doesn't seem to know or understand a lot about the world but, he grows and he learns especially from takara. So I understand the criticism and dislike however I think you guys are overlooking other sections of the show and just focusing on this one aspect.
Now, onto takara, while most of the criticism for takara comes from him being too mean or brutal or whatever he is an interesting character and there is depth and reason to why he is that way. Takara has deep rooted trauma from his mother, who is extremely greedy and definitely is insecure. Takara has a deep fear of becoming like his mother and that adds to his relationship with taishin in a way. After takara starts to realize that he likes Taishin he begins to feel that fear more and honestly I understand it.
TLDR
Good things:
-The wholesome moments: the couple is extremely cute and honestly I love their chemistry in many of the scenes
- the portrayal of past trauma and fear of becoming something you hate: takara's character is a great example of this omg
- the ost: the ost is really good and I always caught myself jamming out to the ending credits or the opening song bc they were such cute songs

Room for improvement:
-characterization:some of the characters are very dumbed down and only really have small personality traits
- acting: acting wasn't terrible i've just seen better and know that the actors could have done better.
- story pacing: there was a lot of moments that could've been cut or the episode could've been a lightly longer to elaborate on a one scene a little more but sadly that doesn't really happen

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Understanding the characters

you have to understand the Characters and then you will understand why they are the way they are it's so amazing they Have to help each other it's so amazing I cont what for the Other episodes I didn't have one complete just be Patient i understand these characters I can Relate to both of them thank you for this amazing Series I hope to see them both together in anther series after thus one is finished they work so amazingly well together and the story is amazing I love how this this episodes show not everyone is happy are can Communicate with everyone and not everyone has a happy childhood

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Taishin Is A Blubber Mouth Bumpkin

Okay, so like, we are ignoring that Taishin is a stalker right? Good. Cuz, he’s like the worse stalker ever. Homeboy walked up to the guy he’s stalking and went ‘...eh... I came to this school because of you… do you wanna go hiking senpei?’ LOL, he’s a naive, adorable blubber mouth and I love him.

The plot of this show is nothing to write home about. Nothing really does happens, the episodes are short, and pretty much most people will find it super boring and meh. I did at first too, but this show grew on me. At first I was a bit annoyed and was like, come on son, no one your age is that naive. No really, Taishin’s so innocent it’s pitiful. But then he got me with his constant 'Eh and adorable-ness-ness.' Cuz how could I stay annoyed at a guy who’s best friend is a parrot, his idea for the perfect first date is Bird watching, and his favorite food is pudding. HAHAH WHAT?? PUDDING and BIRD WATCHING? Even his interests are bland. But he’s what he is and I accept him.

Taishin comes off as a village bumpkin who’s seeing traffic light for the first time. He came to the big city with a goal: getting closer to Takara, and he’s made it his whole personality. I respect that, but like, does he even pay attention in class? Lol, homeboy with his doe-eyes looks like he doesn’t know what’s happening half of the time, and he’s just here to fill space and breathe air. Though, even with how smitten he is with Takara, I'm happy he's bold and brave enough to speak his mind when he needs too. Which gives him more colour as a character.

I’m sure many people will found his naivety annoying, as well as how constantly he puts himself down, because he’s put Takara on a pedestal and borderline worshiping him. Normally, I would nitpick at it with a microscope, but I found I’m enjoying the un-heaviness of the whole show that I don’t mind it. And the two leads have good chemistry as well, which makes it even more entertaining to watch. They didn't need any over the top sexual stuff to make the watcher feel their chemistry, which was refreshing to see.

Plot wise there’s nothing much happening. Basically, the story is about Taishin who uprooted his whole life and moved to the city to go to the same school on a chance he could meet the guy he met on the mountain one time. Sure it isn’t as stalkish as that one bl character who collected the trash of his crush, but this is also a form of stalking. But Taishin did his with those doe-eyes and blurted it out so fast that it doesn’t really count. I doubt it would hold up in court :)

Oh and in-between Taishin trying to get closer to Takara, we see the man himself playing with some marbles and remembering his mother who doesn’t like marbles? and thinks he sucks, so he's dealing with that and trying to move on from her. So yeah, not much happening. But I did enjoy the journey of seeing Takara come to like Taishin to the point he felt possessive and jealous. I liked seeing him struggling to not turn out like his mother, and having Taishi reassured him that he'd tell him whenever he does something he doesn't like. They communicate in their relationship, instead of following the pattern of over-done misunderstanding trope, which again made me enjoy the show.

I like Takara. His personality is to look as nonchalant as a cucumber, still he’s there for Taishin, which is a green flag in my book. He’s not mean about Taishin’s cluelessness and is patient with him.

I'm not gonna write an in-depth of what I liked/ didn't like about this drama. After the first two episode, I decided to watch it for enjoyment purpose only, and just went along for the drive. So if you want some in-depth reviews, other reviewers on here have done that quite well, so check them out. This one is just me gushing over Taishin.

So yeah, if you’re looking for something deep, my brother go look elsewhere. This show is good for rewinding after all the heavy currently airing bls. It’s light, with a simple plot. And except for the two lead characters, all the supporting cast are like background props, but still, I’m enjoying myself watching it.

There's a spinoff apparently, so I'm looking forward to seeing these two again, cuz these episodes were not enough. I wanna see how their relationship developed after they both admitted their feelings for each other. Would there be more pudding and bird watching dates? I'm excited.

Anyway, I love leads that blurts out whatever they are thinking, whether embarrassing or not, therefore causing no misunderstand and our Taishin has no filter whatsoever, and I love that loser for it.

I’ll recommend this to anyone who is looking for an easy watch and something to unwind and not think too much. Give it a chance if you have time, it's cute. This is definitely going on my list of guilty pleasure dramas.

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