Cherry Magic! (2020)
Eiji Akaso and Keita Machida star as Adachi and Kurosawa in the 2020 Japanese series, CHERRY MAGIC! THIRTY YEARS OF VIRGINITY CAN MAKE YOU A WIZARD?! The series is based on the 2018 “Boys’ Love” (Yaoi) manga of the same name by writer/illustrator Yuu Toyota.
The series follows an office worker named Kiyoshi Adachi (Akaso) who, upon his 30th birthday, develops the power to read minds through touch. Adachi receives this power because he’s still a virgin at the age of 30.
While at work, he makes physical contact with his handsome coworker Yuichi Kurosawa (Machida) and, after hearing his thoughts, realizes that the man has romantic feelings for him. At first, Adachi is uncomfortable. But he finds himself drawn to Kurosawa and soon he begins to fall for him as well. The problem is Kurosawa doesn’t know Adachi likes him back, so it is up to Adachi to gain the confidence (and overcome his shyness) to show Kurosawa how he feels. The series also follows a secondary male couple in a similar scenario.
It’s a wonderful adaptation of Toyota’s manga, and the chemistry and tension between Adachi and Kurosawa is intense. My only complaint is that the tension never builds to much on screen intimacy. The credits roll, or a cell phone will ring, any time they come close to sharing a kiss. It’s a strange creative decision to have your secondary gay characters kiss, but not your leads. Despite that, the series is truly lovely and heart-warming.
CHERRY MAGIC! was also adapted into a drama CD in 2019, received a film continuation of the TV series in 2022, a Chinese radio drama in 2022 as well, a live-action Thai TV series in 2023, and a fantastic anime series in 2024.
You can find the series streaming on Crunchyroll.
CHERRY MAGIC! THIRTY YEARS OF VIRGINITY CAN MAKE YOU A WIZARD?!
Episode 8
2020. Japan.
Director: Hiroki Kazama
Teleplay: Yuu Toyota & Erika Yoshida
Based on: “Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!” (2018) by Yuu Toyota
Starring: Eiji Akaso, Keita Machida, Kôdai Asaka, Yutaro & Ryô Satô
