The years 2006 and 2007 are the peaks of Boys Love or yaoi films and movies. About a dozen boys love- themed works have been released within the two year-span and more are on the way. In my opinion, this is the only time I have seen BL films to be released at such a fast rate, successful or not.

It might not be a coincidence that most of the BL dramas, if not all of them, released in the previous two years featured Tenimyu actors. After all, the stage adaptation of Prince of Tennis is a mine of ikemen, or gorgeous young men, and most of them are just starting their careers and waiting for a big break to the big screen or television. Aside from their looks, they are also talented in singing, dancing, and acting, making them versatile targets for the industry that had always been bent on keeping the female part of the fandom happy: Boys Love.

If casting Tenimyu actors in BL is a tradition or a coincidence, we may never know. But really, who wants to find out the answer when we’re all busy watching?

Here are the 2006-2007 Boys Love-themed dramas and movies that casted Tenimyu actors as the main cast or sub cast. Cameos are not counted:

Princess Princess D (June 28, 2006)

A TV adaptation of the popular manga by Mikiyo Tsuda (Zaou Taishi), Princess Princess D is about a young man’s adventures of acting as a “Princess” with his friends in an all-boys school and trying to keep his status despite the challenges from the autonomous “Dark Princesses”. This drama is full of comedy, utter crack and shounen-ai references between the characters. Of course the pretty boys in lolita dresses are a plus. This drama features the Tenimyu actors Kamakari Kenta (Shishido), Saitou Takumi (Oshitari), and Adachi Osamu (2nd!gen Kikumaru).

Boys Love 1 (November 2006)

Released only as a DVD, Boys Love 1 tells the story of a magazine editor and a high school student-model who fell in love with each other. This is a slightly graphic (bed scenes, backside nudity) and overly dramatic movie and the acting abilities of the main characters Kotani Yoshikazu (2nd!gen Kawamura) and Saitou Takumi (Oshitari) were pulled out quite well.

Sukitomo (February 2007)

A part of the long line of BL projects Saitou Takumi (Oshitari) has done, Sukitomo is a shounen-ai movie that is centered on Saitou’s character Tomokazu, a college student and a boxer, and his relationship with his sister and his best friend, played by Aiba Hiroki (2nd!gen Fuji S.). The story is mainly about the subtle rivalry between the best friend and the sister in attracting Tomokazu’s affection. Incest and yaoi are rather controversial topics, but they are delivered in the movie with subtleness and warmth. This movie was screened during the 2007 Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Water (March 2007)

A rather rarely-mentioned BL movie, Water is interesting and attracting because it is centered on two members of a school’s swimming team. These two members of the swim team have been together as friends for a long time, and when it was time to decide on their future, they have different goals. However, one of them is not happy that they’ll be separated one day and decided to make a bold move on his best friend. Men in trunks and involved with each other is too much to pass up, right? The main role is played by Takiguchi Yukihiro (3rd!gen Oishi).

Ren’ai Shindan (July 2007)

A late night drama, Ren’ai Shindan is a series divided into four arcs, each of the arcs tackling a plot centered on the theme “dangerous love.” Episodes 1-3 is about love between three men, starring Yanagishita Tomo (3rd!gen Kaidoh), Shiozaki Airu (Amane), and JURI (Akutsu). Episodes 4-6 is about incest, with the guy played by Shiozawa Hidemasa (Mizuki). Episodes 7-9 is about girls love or yuri. Episodes 10-12 is about boys love again, starring Kawai Ryunosuke (Hiyoshi). Quite angsty at times, this drama gives thought-provoking scenes and quotes that will probably make a yaoi/yuri shipper enamored with it.

Boys Love 2 (September 2007)

In response to the wonderful feedback from Boys Love 1, Kotani Yoshikazu (2nd!gen Kawamura) teamed up with the director of Boys Love 1 again to come up with Boys Love 2 for cinemas. This movie has a new cast except for Kotani and revolves around a new plot. Unlike last time, this movie is centered on a teacher who falls in love with his student. Tenimyu actors in this film are Kotani Yoshikazu, Baba Tooru, Kiriyama Renn and Kawakubo Yuuki.

Ai no Kotodama (October 2007)

Based on the manga of the same name by Konno Keiko, Ai no Kotodama is about the relationship between two men confessed their love for each other and lived together. When with each other, they seem to be at ease at practicing their life as lovers. However, when one of them meets an old friend, a girl, he shunned his lover and denied being with him. Tenimyu actor Saitou Yasuka (Hirakoba) plays one of the main roles in this movie.

Itsuka no Kimi e (October 2007)

Starring Saitou Takumi (Oshitari) again with Kawai Ryunosuke (Hiyoshi), this film is one of the few BL films that actually has a visible happy ending. The story revolves around a man who falls in love with another guy — and his twin. Or was it a different issue altogether?

Mousou Shoujo Otaku-kei (November 2007)

Based on the manga with the same name by Konjou Natsumi, this movie is not really purely BL. In fact, the main character is a girl and she is partnered to one of the guys. The problem is, she is a yaoi fangirl and she fantasizes that the guy who likes her is frolicking around with another guy! This movie stars Nakayama Masei (3rd!gen Inui) and Baba Tooru (Yagyuu) as the two main guys.

Takumi-kun Series - Soshite Harukaze ni Sasayaite (December 2007)

Based on the manga of the same name by Ohya Kazumi, thie typical yaoi school manga is about the develop of a romantic relationship between an aloof guy with a rather dark past and a jolly rich guy who has his own secrets. Their adventures against love rivals, with genius friends and other issues are all intertwined in the movie and their love for each other is tested at every turn. One of the biggest BL films of 2007, this film stars the Tenimyu actors Yanagishita Tomo (3rd!gen Kaidoh), Takiguchi Yukihiro (3rd!gen Oishi), Aiba Hiroki (2nd!gen Fuji) and Saitou Yasuka (Hirakoba).

Wasn’t 2006 and 2007 years full of BL goodness? What is in store for 2008? Well, there’s Kindan no Koi (DVD) starring Katou Ryousuke (Kisarazu twins) and the stage adaptation for California Stories starring Irei Kanata (Saeki).

Tenimyu boys frequenting BL projects. Do you think their casting in such roles are just coincidences? Or BL is really a stepping stone of actors to show off their real talents and potential? Does it bother you to know that an actor you know is doing BL?

References:

1. Princess Princess D

2. Boys Love

3. Sukitomo

4. Water

5. Renai Shindan

6. Ai no Kotodama

7. Mousou Shoujo

8. Takumi-kun Series