Zetsuai 1989

On his way back from his late-night job at a gas station, Takuto Izumi spots a young man passed out drunk on the side of the road. He feels compelled to take the person to his apartment to recover; however, he is shocked to find out the next day that the person he rescued is the incredibly popular musician and model, Kouji Nanjou. Takuto would rather end their relationship there so he can focus on dominating high school soccer, but something about Takuto's eyes compels Kouji to stick around.

When Kouji learns that Takuto's mother murdered his father and Takuto was the sole witness, his fascination with him only increases. As their paths continue to intertwine, Kouji's feelings start to change from admiration to a dangerous obsession.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Nanjou, Kouji Main

Hayami, Show Japanese

Izumi, Takuto Main

Koyasu, Takehito Japanese

Shibuya, Katsumi Supporting

Yamaguchi, Kappei Japanese

Izumi's Father Supporting

Suzuki, Katsumi Japanese

Adoptive Mother Supporting

Yoshida, Miho Japanese

Izumi's Mother Supporting

Munakata, Tomoko Japanese

Sensei Supporting

Ishii, Naoko Japanese

Horiuchi, Serika Supporting

Nishihara, Kumiko Japanese

Minamimoto, Mieko Supporting

Igarashi, Rei Japanese

Izumi, Yuugo Supporting

Nishimoto, Etsuko Japanese

Maruyama, Masao Producer

Endou, Takuji Director

Honda, Yasunori Sound Director

Urahata, Tatsuhiko Script

Reviews

Apr 25, 2020

Akira_999

Recommended

I will defend this yaoi till the day I die. The art style may put a lot of people off. Yes, the art is wacky with their long limbs and fingers that resemble the art of CLAMP. Nearly almost all characters in BL series from the '70s-'90s were hilariously drawn that way. There's nothing wrong with liking feminine-looking boys (if you're under the age of 18 ofc) and men. Get over yourself if you perceive all men should fit your standards of being extra masculine. Go watch some Bara or other yaoi if you see that the image cover isn't right for you. And yes, ... although I do understand pretty gay men is considered a negative stereotype; I appreciate old yaoi because I can look at modern shounen-ai and other yaoi and see how far they've improved in the animation. I can also compare and contrasts the diversity of gay men drawn in manga and comics as well which brings pure happiness to my little gay heart.

The music from this OVA is wonderful, I still listen to the extra soundtrack to this day. I guess because I am nostalgic for an era that I've never witnessed. If you like cheesy 80's music like me then I'm sure you'll enjoy it too. I was in the closet when I watched this as a teenager and this anime helped me cope with being closeted. Especially when Nanjo who was mostly a player with the ladies suddenly realizes the girl he's been searching for all along is a boy his age. The boy, however, resents Nanjo and rightfully so because he's not sure why Nanjo looks at him that way and why he won't leave his life.

It's a cliche storyline. Rocker pretty boy falls in love with an athletic pretty boy, but athletic pretty boy doesn't reciprocate those feelings back until one day their life turns around and everything changes. You know that sort of cheesy thing. As a young cold-hearted homosexual, this anime definitely pulled several heartstrings. Therefore this anime will always have a special place in my heart and was one of the reasons why I decided to come out.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Apr 3, 2024

build-a-buta

Mixed Feelings

Let me be the trendsetter and be the first one with mixed feelings towards this anime.

First, concerning the somewhat "off-putting" animation style, it's really not as bad as it could be--IF you're used to 80s and 90s animes. I'm not talking about well-known ones like Bepop and Lain; I'm talking about the majority of anime series that were buried amidst the 2000s wave of really influential household anime names. It definitely takes some getting used to, but not enough to be an eyesore. (And it's still not as bad as its sequel with their razor-sharp chins.)

The biggest problem for me is pacing. And I get ... it--only 45 minutes to shove in a few chapters from the manga. But it does play a part on how this anime is perceived. Takuto in particular comes off as overly cagey and defensive. Then, three-fourths in, after Kouji sacrifices yet again for Takuto, he suddenly switches to warming up to Kouji, which leads to the finale.

On the other hand, Kouji is pretty stable throughout; he's true to his desires through and through. He's obsessive and possessive, and his desperation increases as the story goes on. Although Takuto is technically the one with the sad backstory, it's easier to sympathize with Kouji.You see the sacrifices he makes to Takuto without any prompting, and you feel for him each time he gets rejected.

Their messed-up relationship is supposed to set the stage to mirror Takuto's past, allowing him to make a crucial decision in the end that...is left to our imagination. Because they cut it off right at the end. I guess it's good they decided to air the sequel so we're not constantly wondering what's going to happen next.

Overall, Zetsuai is an anime with a good premise, but doesn't leave much of a lasting impression (except for a character study). Because I was interested enough to go to the sequel, I could find some resolution with this anime and say I wouldn't mind watching it again. Rated by itself, though, this OVA's performance is average at best.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Dec 26, 2017

MeganeBoya

Not Recommended

Funny

this is ridiculous! I don't like it! I hate it! I hate it! I hate it! I can't say enough times I hate it!

I don't know why they say it's yaoi. it's a one sided love only in the end it looks like that the white guy is about to rape the brown guy but in the end even that doesn't happen. the brown guy has only showed hatred to the white guy based on nothing literrally nothing. the brown guy found the white guy passed out between some garbage and just ignored him only for later to come back for no particular reason and ... when they woke up the brown guy is suddenly angry at the white guy.

there is no good explanation about the past. The mother murdered the father because she loved him! No you didn't read that wrong it's literally what happend. I was also like wtf is happening.

there is no logic in this anime and maybe it's me maybe I have to high expectations of yaoi because I happend to see one really awesome yaoi and got all hooked up on the manga because there were only two episodes. No, no it's not me, or is it? let me think a second. Yeah... I still don't think it's me.

the animation is horrible there is one part that they are playing soccer and the white guy is like standing in front of the goal and everyone knows that when you stand in front of the goal you tend to jump right?! Yeah well this guy is hanging in the air upside down is you don't believe me go watch the ova and look very carefully the minute is 30:33 just look it up you gonna be amazed by his football technics

I'm so disappointed you guys

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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