Sugar Dog Life (2024)

Fluff Done Right

As someone who has dropped/passed over many JBLs, this year, 2024, I resolved to try them and stick them out. I have been only mildly successful, but there have been a few good ones. Sugar Dog Life is one of them! And in fact, I enjoyed it over all and completely enough that I even added it to my recommended BL list. First JBL ever on there. I still wasn't able to give it a 10 because it really is very basic, there's no depth, but it's a satisfying watch from start to finish!
On to:

THE GOOD:
- Nice casting and acting, everyone looked good and played their roles smoothly, while not being over makeup'd or acting like anime characters, and the shows LUT choice was bright with just the right amount of saturation to make things pop without being too hard on the eyes.
- A nice, smooth portrayal of an older and younger guy getting together.
- Great pacing for a friendship to attraction development.
- The food they ate actually looked edible, all of it.

There wasn't any BAD or UGLY in this, but perhaps-
THE MISSES:
- It did include one silly thing, which was the 'running to each other' trope, common in JBLs, which is always so stupid, but this one was at least short and pointed, as it was they didn't live far from one another and were always walking around to everywhere, so it wasn't overdramatic like in other JBLs where I can't help thinking 'just, take a cab bro'. So it didn't annoy me.
- If it were a deeper show, we might have seen more of Amasawa's narrative on realizing he'd been developing an attraction to Isumi, since it only seemed to hit him after Isumi confessed and then he put the pieces together of his own interest. I am a sucker for a psychological angle on character motivations though, so I would have enjoyed that, but it's not something the show needed per se.
- An episode 10 could have fleshed out their couple moments a bit more, but JBLs have often either gone full fluff or full tilt with the physical stuff, they've hardly really managed a great balance aside from a few exceptions, so I wasn't surprised to just get a few sweet kisses. No expectation, no disappointment.

THE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Amasawa-san telling Isumi to call him Kyosuke! At the end-end, after the short couple montage, when Amasawa said that, I grinned and mentally fist pumped :D I have always disliked the lack of use of names between established in couples in Thai, SK and Japan BLs, so when he said that it soothed a LONG standing irritation I usually feel for that kind of thing.
- Isumi as a character was very likeable. 'Bottom' characters are a miss more than a hit for me usually, but like Taichi from I Hear The Sunspot, Isumi in Sugar Dog Life was just so damn likeable.

Since I enjoyed every episode and have no complaints about anything and it's a VERY pleasant watch, it's 9.5 from me.

This BL doesn't ask for much because it's simple and sweet, it flows well and the MLs acted well. It will suit those who particularly like the 'everything is beautiful and nothing hurts' type of show.
Would recc it.

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Cute and cliche but nothing special

30 year old police officer inviting a 20 year old student to his house to cook for him is a bit uncomfortable.

Ignoring the age gap stuff and obvious uke - seme typing, it is a good light series.

It has almost all the usual hallmarks of a BL series; cringe fan characters, an illness episode, a random excuse to get them to stay over for the night, a female character confessing to one of them, misunderstandings/miscommunication, birthday, getting drunk and waking up together, wiping something off the face, falling into each other, closed mouth prolonged peck kisses and the baby boy - protector dynamic.

It seemed a bit rushed at times, with characters getting introduced only to drive the plot forward and then never appearing again.

There is a lot that can be nitpicked and criticised but I won't go into that.

If you want something more serious or deep with well developed characters then this is probably not the series for you.

If you want just a more surface level cute fluffy romance then this could be for you.

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Good comfort drama, not-so-good love story

The story felt bland and monodimensional, without tangible character development or a love story. It's a comfort drama, very Japanese, where MCs heal their past scars, so the viewer feels almost hugged by the wholesomeness of the story while being entertained by the lighter side of the story.

That said, one cannot deny some issues in the story's development, including the non-existent romance.
I'm all down for a good slow-burn romance, but the problem was that the romance was non-existent until the last episode, so I could sense the story becoming more and more draggy as the episodes passed.
This lack of progression made the series shift more like the story of two strangers who developed a friendship rather than a BL with a romantic attachment. And I would have been perfectly fine with that if not for the fact that I started watching this, thinking I would see some cute and comforting romance sparkling between stoves.
Also, this so-called romance seemed like a one-sided crush to me. The viewer gets only Isumi's POV throughout the story, while Amasawa-san treats him like a little brother or a friend.

I would still recommend it, but I would also suggest not having big expectations for the love progression, as this series takes a very Japanese approach.

PROS:

- Food;
- Comfort drama;
- The lighthearted moments with other characters helped ease much of the draggy feeling of the overall progression between MCs;
- I enjoyed the opening by SUPER★DRAGON.


CONS:

- Lack of progression and development of the love story;
- The ending might be dissatisfying for some viewers;
- The monpa and gamer friends were more present than the love story.

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A Flavorful Blend of Love

"Sugar Dog Life" is a delightful Japanese BL series that explores the transformative power of food and human connection. As a university student and a lonely police officer forge an unlikely bond over home-cooked meals, the series offers a heartwarming and flavorful narrative that connects with us.

The series' central focus on food is a delightful aspect that sets it apart. Isumi's culinary expertise is showcased through a variety of mouthwatering dishes, each one serving as a metaphor for nourishment, comfort, and shared experiences. From the hearty stews to the delicate desserts, the food in "Sugar Dog Life" is more than just sustenance; it's a language of love and understanding.

The characters of Isumi and Amasawa are beautifully portrayed by Tawada Hideya and Tanaka Koki, respectively. Their chemistry is palpable, and their growth throughout the series is heartwarming to witness. Isumi's unwavering dedication to providing Amasawa with delicious home-cooked meals reflects his genuine care and compassion. Amasawa, in turn, is transformed by the warmth and comfort he finds in Isumi's cooking and companionship.

While the series' pacing is somewhat slow-burn, it allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' emotions and the development of their relationship. The supporting characters, though limited in screen time, add depth and context to the story.

In conclusion, "Sugar Dog Life" is a charming and heartwarming BL series that offers a unique blend of culinary delights and emotional depth. The characters are well-developed, the performances are strong, and the exploration of the transformative power of food is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Whether you're a fan of BL dramas or simply enjoy a good story with a culinary twist, "Sugar Dog Life" is a series worth savoring.

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Adorable

I don't know why the Japanese have this fascination with BL and food, but I kinda like the genre born from mixing the two together.
While Japanese BL are generally either too dark and deep or too light and fluffy, this drama falls in the second category.

What I liked about it is how light and cute it was, the relationship between everyone's good and healthy, no annoying characters whatsoever, and the two leads are so lovely, I also liked the friendship between Izumi and his colleagues, it was short, very enjoyable and have relaxing vibes, also the two leads fits together despite the age gap, you can't even notice it.

What I didn't like is the lack of proper romance, the relationship during the whole drama lies in the category of friendship therefore the interaction between the leads is so limited to eating and chatting about random things, also despite being relatively good, it's very forgettable drama because there is nothing unique or special about it, it's just like any other fluffy JBL.

Overall it's a good drama with many fluffy and adorable moments that worth watching for but nothing spectacular.

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loving one meal at a time

A heartwarming tale of two lonely people who have a slow burn romance.
Tanaka Koki in his role as Sakuraba Isumi imparts a gentle earnestness to his role as a student with a passion and talent for cooking. He has a strong supportive friend, however, after meeting the local policeman, Tawada Hideya playing Amasawa Kyosuke, he starts to find ways to be with him. Cooking and feeding Amasawa becomes a pleasure he looks forward to and visits his home often. He begins to realise the depth of his attachment and budding romantic feelings and this causes him some inner doubts.
It is sweet to note his friend Yohei already new about his sexual orientation before he did.
Both ML roles have gentle masculinity and the story avoids the usual trope of differentiation into top or bottom characterisation. They also are naive in relationship experience and it takes a confession from Isumi for Kyosuke to finally view him as a potential romantic partner,

This is a sweet tale, light on romance with the food highlighting the giving of love aspect.

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A series full of sweetness.

The Story
The story is quite simple, about love and loneliness, with food bridging the gap between them.
The screenwriter did a wonderful job teasing the viewers, constantly keeping them on edge with a taste for more, and this even happens in the final episode.
The manga was more superficial, where the character of the police officer was rather boring and far from the character in the series, who is more flirtatious, positive, and charming.
There’s significant character development here, especially for the main character. However, it’s clear that the series could have been even more perfect if it provided more perspective on what the police officer's character was going through, or focused more on loneliness during the tougher moments.

The Actors
The acting is perfect, it couldn’t be more perfect. The actors are very talented.
They have great chemistry and are a perfect match..
The lead actor has been acting since childhood, and it's clear how skilled he is. He brought the character from the manga to life in such a way that it makes you want to be his friend and fall in love with his sweetness.
The actor who plays the police officer is also highly skilled and has a charm that is rarely seen in other actors.
There’s an elegance about him that truly captivates, both in his movements and speech.
At times, he feels like an older woman with life wisdom, but this worked perfectly

The Music
I specifically didn’t like the songs in the series. One of the songs is from the lead actor’s band, and of course, he has an amazing voice, and the song is very catchy.
Both songs are quite catchy and in a modern pop style, but personally, I found them a bit banal.
In my opinion, the Japanese pay great attention to choosing music that fits the series, and while it was indeed fitting, I believe they could have put in more effort, as Japanese music is usually very creative.

Rewatching
I’ve watched this series several times since it started, and I’ll probably watch it many more times in the future because it’s very sweet, relaxing, and fun. It’s one of those timeless series you never forget and always come back to because there’s never a dull moment, and the actors are perfect. Honestly, it’s such a charming series that it’s impossible not to love—unless you’re an annoying snob.

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Unnecessary

The positive comments for this seem to be on the verge of 99 percent and I for one certainly don't get it. My fingers were itching to type something so here goes.

Cliché after cliché, character A pines for character B who is totally oblivious for 8.5 episodes. But it wouldn't be a Japanese romcom/BL if B didn't suddenly realize A is the love of his life and he has to run after him.

Stupid cliffhangers with stupid resolutions in the next episode.

The acting was fine however I don't see the chemistry between the leads. A series about a relationship between a student and a policeman is not that usual, I'll give them that.

I thought Minato's Laundromat (S1) would be my least favorite Japanese BL of all time (of the ones that I finished), but whereas it was so frustrating that I was nearly moved to tears, Sugar Dog Life was just plain boring.

I guess I watched too many BLs because I truly don't think this series was necessary to produce at all. Didn't read the manga and for sure am not tempted to.

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A good adaption!

Sweet fluff~

It follows the manga for the most part which I like :D
It's a very chill series if you'd like to watch where barely any conflicts happen nor fights~

If you've read the manga, it's exactly as it except certain scenes they change but it wasn't anything dramatic. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical the first time i saw Isumi because in the manga, he looked like he should be those softie uke that seems like a troublemaker (with a high tone voice example), BUT I am happy that I was wrong! I think they cast the right person for both Isumi and Kyousuke (the moment I saw the actor, I knew he would be perfect because he have that nice guy just like the manga lmao).

This story is just about a uni students that falls for a policeman that was nice to him, and wanting to repay him, he cooks for the policeman. Then feelings developed :DDD

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