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25時、赤坂で #1

At 25:00, in Akasaka, Volume 1

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"If you're going to sleep with someone...how about me?"

Yuki Shirasaki finally lands a huge role in TV drama Afternoon Dreams after years of toiling in theater. With popular actor Asami Hayama as his costar, Shirasaki plays a gay character in a relationship. But, Shirasaki has zero dating experience with either men or women. Shirasaki struggles to express his character's feelings and takes drastic measures to become a better actor.

To better embrace his new role, Shirasaki goes to a gay bar to find someone to sleep with for the experience. There, he runs into Hayama. How will Shirasaki react when Asami offers him his body?

Provided by futekiya

ebook

First published November 24, 2018

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About the author

Hiroko Natsuno

9 books10 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca.
1,437 reviews83 followers
January 21, 2025
While the premise is certainly one that's been done before, the gentle pacing and the strong chemistry between two very likable characters sets this apart. Will definitely be reading more.
Profile Image for L. .
303 reviews10 followers
October 14, 2024
I really like manga that has a kind of dreamy quality to it, so I really enjoyed this.

Some of my more specific thoughts on the series to follow:

First and foremost, the art was stunning -- especially characters' expressions and eyes. It really helped build that soft, dreamy vibe, and I loved how the mangaka showed the filming scenes.

Second, the plot felt very wandering and slow; even though we moved through the major relationship and filming beats fairly quickly, the story itself never felt rushed due to this meandering, dreamy vibe. There was no real drama between our main characters, which some may read as boring, but I kind of liked. Even though I was expecting a bit more overt drama and relationship highs and lows, Shirasaki accepting his situation and giving up before he can get hurt makes more sense for the characters and matches the bittersweet vibe of the story much better than overt relationship conflicts would have.

I wish we would have got to see more through Asami's eyes; I love characters who are completely enamored with their love interest, and I would have loved to see Shirasaki from his point of view. I think this would have also helped characterize him a bit more, as he's very stoic and blank with only small glimpses into a more complex personality -- a more complex personality that I feel we really only get to really see at the end, when he chases after Shirasaki.

And speaking of the ending -- that whole scene kind of felt out of character for both of them, to the point where the dreamy, bittersweet vibe that carried the entire manga up to this point felt like it completely shattered in this weird tonal shift, and was replaced with an off beat attempt at comedy. I don't think it was a bad ending, and I did like it, but it just felt very out of place.

I saw another reviewer mention that this is an ongoing series that currently has at least five volumes, and to that I say, "what?" Because this was good, but I am baffled at the idea of it spawning a series. From the way the relationship was built up to the way it ended, it just doesn't really feel like there is a series worth of characters, plot, and relationship development to be had. But I am interested enough to check out the second volume, because who knows! I might be pleasantly surprised like I was with Black or White, which is another series about actors who are secretly dating that I was expecting to be a one shot and instead has nine volumes and counting.
1,503 reviews50 followers
September 15, 2024
Two things: I have absolutely no idea what the title means and feel like I missed something there - is it a reference I'm supposed to get? And I cannot fathom how this is an ongoing series with 5+ volumes out in Japan.

Honestly, this first volume feels very much like a one-shot. The pacing rushes through the production of an entire television show, with a bunch of time skips that I couldn't quite figure out. I don't know enough about tv production, especially in Japan, so I can't tell how much time is meant to have passed during the filming and airing of 9 episodes. Was it only 9 weeks? The way the story was playing out, with Shirasaki progressively tapping into his emotions (through intimate encounters with Asami) to fuel his acting, it seemed like they were filming the next episode right as the previous one was airing, so maybe.

I just don't get why, if this was going to be a longer manga series, their first show together and the development of their relationship wasn't given more space to breathe.

It was a whirlwind on all fronts: Shirasaki's popularity blowing up by episode 3, ads and sponsors and interviews and roles piling up in a way they never had before, lots of "great takes" in their acting scenes without us really seeing much of what the show was even about - or the other people in it - and a lot of Shirasaki and Asami sleeping together on a very regular basis, with this weird concept of them having not actually "gone all the way" because it wasn't full penetrative sex.

They had. A lot of sex. There wasn't much missing there.

I do like the overall idea behind their relationship. It was extremely obvious that Shirasaki was the person Asami had been "unable to forget" and was still emotionally hooked on, since he'd inspired Asami to pursue acting instead of going into a purely modeling career. And I liked the gradual (sort of) development of Shirasaki realizing that he had genuine feelings for Asami and was devastated by the idea of their real life relationship ending when the on-screen one did.

Loved Asami showing up with bedhead and pajamas the morning after their "first time" going all the way - at the close of production - because he wasn't going to let Shirasaki run out on him that easily. Their conversation was almost amusingly awkward, because as soon as they actually started talking, there was no room for any misunderstandings. Shirasaki is pretty perceptive and blunt, so with Asami starting things out with an "I love you," there wasn't much to agonize over.

And there's definitely a certain amount of sweetness to their relationship, with Shirasaki not knowing that Asami was awake every time he was secretly smooching him "in his sleep," and Asami just thinking that was Shirasaki being his usual weird self. Meant affectionately, because Asami adores that bluntness and odd behavior. They both have really good personalities that simply aren't shown enough.

I don't know. If this had been a one-shot, I don't think I'd want to keep it...it's interesting but pretty average storytelling, without nearly the level of depth it needed to be memorable for rereads. But I am curious what's going to happen in another 4+ volumes. Is the pacing going to be this frenetic for all of them? What kind of drama will be introduced? I hope there won't be any messy love rivals or breakups.

I genuinely have absolutely no idea where it would go from here, or what the narrative point of the series is. I guess it'll be more about their actual acting careers, rather than the will-they-won't-they of the romantic relationship? That could be interesting, if the rest of the volumes calm down a little and actually show the acting bits and more of them talking to each other.

Honestly, this whole thing feels a lot like Dakaichi, but started from a more modern BL landscape of explicit consent and milder storytelling. I suppose that's not the worst thing in the world.
Profile Image for Florence.
910 reviews11 followers
January 2, 2020
Un joli manga pour commencer l’année. Les dessins sont fins et bien faits, l’intrigue tient la route. J’ai beaucoup aimé les personnages et leur évolution. Une histoire toute douce.
Bref, une première lecture de bonne augure pour cette année 2020.
Profile Image for Nayli.
560 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2023
Me encantaron :’) quiero leer más.
Reelectura porque BL AWARDS 2023
Profile Image for 任煦涵.
252 reviews18 followers
April 7, 2025
Just typical romance but I like the mc a lot.
Profile Image for psyche.
85 reviews
July 7, 2025
Ahora entiendo la razón por la que Asami es el rey de los tops, sí sí ❤❤❤ Una serie que quería leer como tal desde hace tiempo y el dibujo con la historia la hace **chef kiss** Lo bueno es que tengo 4 tomos más de ellos y toca gozarlo a lo grande jejejeje
Profile Image for Iyas Utomo.
532 reviews11 followers
April 19, 2024
The art is so good, both Hayama and Shirasaki look beautiful. But, I just can't find something new about the story, I mean the story is quite entertaining but there's nothing special, in the end it's just so-so.
Profile Image for Karen Reyes.
1,915 reviews8 followers
October 22, 2021
Aaaaahhhhh son hermosos, los amo 💕💖 me encantó la drama, cómo el chico se dió cuenta de sus sentimientos, fue hermoso 😻
Profile Image for Tachan.
2,520 reviews23 followers
October 29, 2023
Comme avec Ambre Flottant, j'ai vraiment apprécié de suivre ici des héros adultes, qui travaillaient et avaient des préoccupations et une maturité différentes d'au lycée, avec Shirasaki et Hayama deux jeunes acteurs en herbe qui vont travailler ensemble sur un projet de série.

Depuis ma découverte de Laura ou la passion du théâtre enfant, puis de Skip beat plus tard, j'aime beaucoup l'univers du monde spectacle pour mettre en scène des protagonistes dont on cherche à percer l'âme à travers le jeu.

Ici nous suivons, Shirasaki un jeune acteur à qui on vient de confier son premier rôle majeur alors qu'il n'a pas encore fait ses preuves et qui retrouve pour cela un ancien camarade de fac qu'il ne connaissait que de loin mais qui l'a précédé : Hayama. Ensemble, ils vont devoir incarner un couple homosexuel.

Une fois de plus, nous sommes face à un schéma on ne peut plus classique mais porté par la subtilité et la poésie des personnages imaginés par l'autrice, dans ce qui se révèlera être non pas un oneshot mais le premier tome d'une série en 4 tomes que l'éditeur est en train de sortir. Un premier tome ma foi fort réussi qui m'aura d'emblée séduite grâce à la dynamique de ses personnages, de leur relation et de leur travail.

J'ai autant aimé voir Shirasaki et Asami se retrouver sur scène pour incarner leurs personnages qu'en dehors pour les préparer, car Shirasaki va prétexter de travailler son personnage pour entrer en relation avec Asami, le premier homme à le faire vibrer. Sauf que celui-ci a autre chose en tête, notamment quelqu'un qu'il n'a pu oublier. Avec ce mélange de sentiments et d'intentions contraires et conjointes l'autrice nous embarque dans une belle valse de sentiments où l'un d'eux va être à fleur de peau, désireux de plus et jaloux en même temps du succès de l'autre et de ce qu'il lui cache. C'est gentil pour tortueux à souhait.

J'ai pris un réel plaisir à voir les sentiments de chacun et en particulier de Shirasaki éclater à l'écran lors du tournage de leur série. le voir progresser dans sa capacité à incarner un personnage et exprimer des émotions est un réel plaisir surtout sous la plume et le pinceau fin de la mangaka qui sublime alors ses traits. Il dégage vraiment une belle douceur, renforcée encore quand ils sont ensemble, ce qui a fait fondre mon coeur.

Je craignais au début que ce ne fut qu'un oneshot, je suis ravie que l'autrice ait poursuivit son histoire pour en faire une série et pour voir comment va encore évoluer cette relation entre deux acteurs à la popularité naissante, ce qui va nécessairement apporter des questionnements qui vont m'intéresser. Pour l'instant, c'est une romance émouvante portée par des personnages sensibles à l'évolution pertinente comme acteur et amant, sous un trait fin et clair comme l'illustre la couverture.
Profile Image for ℂ ✧.
2,375 reviews
September 2, 2024
Un manga que havia començat a llegir amb unes expectatives massa altes i que m'ha acabat decebent una mica... Típica situació en què un actor novell ha d'interpretar un paper i s'hi acaba ficant tant que el límit entre la realitat i la ficció es dissol. També hi ha altres clixés massa vistos com ara que són antics companys d'universitat i que l'actor famós n'està enamorat des d'aleshores, però no s'atreveix a dir-ho i dona lloc a malentesos. En aquest cas, ha d'actuar en una sèrie BL amb l'estrella del moment, que és obertament gai a diferència d'ell, que no ho porta gens bé. El ritme és assossegat i les escenes tenen il·lustracions amb frases precioses, però tot i així no he acabat de sentir aquell "uau" que m'esperava. Seguiré llegint la sèrie per veure com continua, però hi ha altres sèries amb la premissa dels actors que són molt més intenses i addictives com ara Black or White, Vol. 1 o Embracing Love, Vol. 1.
Profile Image for Calista.
5,430 reviews31.3k followers
June 28, 2025
A Japanese Drama love story set in the world of actors filming a TV show. Hayama and Shirasaki are the two leads in a BL. Things are heating up off screen as much as on screen.

The two knew each other in college and have re-connected for this TV Show. One was very famous and the other has his first lead role in a major production. He's just been background characters until now.

The artwork is lovely and the character work is strong. I enjoy that. I do think Black and White is doing this much better. I love that manga. This is a good start. Both characters are lighthearted. There wasn't a whole lot of behind the scenes. It would have been nice to see a little more.

Anyway. A great Manga. It does seem like there are endless Manga coming out of Japan. More and more are added. It's impossible to catch up.
Profile Image for alessia kacbufi warner.
652 reviews6 followers
June 1, 2021
«I can tell where my heart is.»
«I feel the same way.»

Amo questo tipo di storie: leggere, dolci e molto pacate.
C’è un secondo volume, che non ho ancora letto, però secondo me la storia si poteva fermare con questo. Non fraintendetemi, la storia è molto carina e i due personaggi sono fatti molto bene, però io soffro di ansia e lo so che nel secondo volume tutto quello che i miei due bambini hanno ottenuto qua andrà a farsi benedire. QUINDI AUTRICI PER FAVORE SMETTETELA DI FARMI QUESTO, BASTA CON IL DRAMMA E L’ANGST CHE HO UN CUORE DELICATO MANNAGGIA!
Se siete alla ricerca di un BL leggero, vi consiglio questo: disegni bellissimi, dialoghi molto toccanti e scene mooooolto spicy!😋😋😋
Profile Image for Lucifer "Argyle.
135 reviews27 followers
November 8, 2024
Well, I love the story eve. If it's been done before. I love the whole "lovers in a TV show rurning to lovers in real life" thing, I love the "I'm getting feelings for you but don't want to say so" thing, and I will never get tired of pining, ever.

The one thing that did completely throw me for a loop is how explicit the sex scenes are. The art is really good for the rest of the manga, but those explicit illustrations took me out of the story a little bit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amel.
294 reviews2 followers
April 1, 2023
4,5/5

Une relation au cœur du cinéma. Deux acteurs qui n'étaient pas destiné, mais que le cinéma à réuni. Entre fiction et réalité ils se sont perdus de la plus belle des façons. La relation ne va ni trop vite ni trop lentement, je trouve que tout était assez bien doser. J'ai hâte de lire la suite de leur histoire avec le tome 2 et 3 ! 🎭

⚠️ Pour public averti ⚠️

- Amel - 🦋
Profile Image for Amanda Leigh .
220 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2024
The art is beautiful and the style is clean and moves fluidly. The story itself was good, with standard tropes. I was a bit put off by Shirasaki for some reason. I was annoyed he was practically using Asami and refusing to look at himself and his sexuality. Hopefully his character grows and their communication improves in the next volume!
Profile Image for Henli.
58 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2025
A story about two actors who are cast as the two leads in a gay romance. The two end up fooling around as 'research' and the relationship progresses from there. This volume is pretty low drama as it explores the beginning of Shirasaki and Hayama's relationship. The two are pretty sweet together and the art is lovely. An enjoyable read so far.


Profile Image for Jenny.
553 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2025
something about this one captivates me, even though the story is pretty typical. you have an inexperienced actor and experienced actor; stuff ensues and the top (experienced actor) leads the bottom to help him. the art is nice. maybe it's the characters themselves... anyhow, this is one of my fav series. v happy it got an official eng translation.
Profile Image for Mari.
1,646 reviews25 followers
May 23, 2024
The first volume is a little rough around the edges. It lacks some emotional depth imo. But I really do enjoy the characters and story as the series progresses. I love a showbiz plot, with our characters struggling to master their craft.
Profile Image for ˗ˏˋ maddie ˊˎ˗.
1,468 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2024
2.5. I would've liked this more if it wasn't so hard to figure out who was talking most of the time - especially when you just start and have no idea what the dynamic/personalities are. Please put tails on speech bubbles, artists, I'm begging you.
Profile Image for Jayjay.
193 reviews5 followers
September 9, 2025
เสียใจมากเลย เผลอหยิบมาจากร้านหนังสือ ไม่ได้ลองอ่าน แค่รู้ว่าเกี่ยวกับดาราวายจีบกันในกอง ไม่สนุกเลยย มีแต่ฉากเรท เนื้อเรื่องไม่มีอะไรเลย รุ่นพี่รุ่นน้องในมหาลัย กลับมาเจอกันในกอง เล่นเป็นพระนาย เห็นแล้วปิ้งเลยไปเอากัน แค่นี้เลยจ้าาา 2 เล่ม เกือบ 400 บาท เอาเงินชั้นคืนมาาา
Profile Image for Rebecca.
4,286 reviews69 followers
August 8, 2024
This is the very definition of "middle of the road." It's like the Goldilocks of BL manga - neither too ___ nor too ____ in everything it does.
Profile Image for Thanh Dat.
237 reviews
December 1, 2024
Mê cái cách họ tận dụng vai diễn và lời thoại để bộc bạch cảm xúc của mik cho đối phương
Profile Image for Liz ✨.
466 reviews8 followers
December 9, 2024
I mean it was okay lol I was confused at times but the ending seemed cute!
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