TV Review | Chastity High (恋愛バトルロワイヤル)

“Chastity High is a surprisingly mature series with a deeply touching story that also includes meaningful gay representation. With compelling characters played by a talented cast, this is a must-watch!”

Chastity High (or 恋愛バトルロワイヤル in Japanese that literally translates into Love Battle Royal) is a Japanese series starring Ryubi Miyase (I Will Be Your Bloom), Ai Mikami and Kyoya Honda (Jack o’ Frost). The series is composed of 8 episodes and is now streaming globally on Netflix.

‘IS IT A CRIME TO FALL IN LOVE?’

Chastity High tells the story of an elite school that bans romance between boys and girls, if caught students are immediately expelled. This no-romance rule leads to denunciation among students and a “Rabbit Hunter” squad that tracks down people who have a relationship. Among all this confusion and betrayal, Ichica Arisawa (Ai Mikami), a poor student takes the opportunity to earn money by protecting couples.

This sounds ridiculous but it is actually a serious series. Even though it takes place at a high school, it is a mature series that is for young adults and adults rather than teenagers. This series tackles important topics. It’s more than just a story about students trying to fall in love in a school that forbids them. This school actually protects its own reputation rather than protecting its students. It’s a journey to adulthood for these characters and who they want to be growing up. There is also a conflict of classes with Ichica being in a world of rich people who clearly don’t understand where she comes from. It’s wrong that she blackmails people but she has her reasons. She is actually the only one of these students to face the realities of this world because she doesn’t live in opulence like them.

‘MY LIFE, MY RULES’

It doesn’t mean everything is all superficial in the world of rich people. Though it is for some of these characters, the story still finds way to make us care about them. Ryogo Maki (Ryubi Miyase) is a very interesting character. At first, he seems like a frivolous guy but he is much more complex than he seems. He is a character who hurts as his mother and himself are physically abused by his father. Ryogo yearns for a future outside of this toxic environment. And his brother is no better than his dad as he is a teacher who sexually abuses a student. Despite the toxic and dangerous males of his family, Ryogo is not like them. He has a big heart, the more we learn about the character, the more we care about him.

Ichica and Ryogo are the two characters who try to find their own path among what is going on. They both struggle in their own way and they find each other at the right time. Their romance/friendship is a touching one. It’s all about character development for them and how their shared experience changes them.

‘WHY DOESN’T GAY ROMANCE COUNT?’

I am incredibly happy that Chastity High doesn’t shy away from LGBT representation. With such a story, it is also essential to explore how it is for people who are not straight. In the first episodes, the series first explores the character of Sawa Fujino (Shiori Akita), a lesbian who is rejected by the girl she loved. As a result, she resents people who have relationships and she becomes the leader of the “Rabbit Hunters” at the school. Even though her actions are wrong, you can’t hate her because you know that she hurts, that’s the reason she does. Her story is deeply moving.

The title of episode 5 is “Why Doesn’t Gay Romance Count?” and this episode is all about the gay romance between Ruka Ichinose (Kyoya Honda) and Yuma Nashinoki (Shoki Nakayama). These two have a sweet relationship, there are several cute moments that will melt your heart. The kiss at the fireworks is perfection. However, like all relationships at this school this one is shaken up when people find out about it. Indeed, Yuma is outed as gay and clearly he wasn’t ready for it. It destroys him to the point he stays at home and skips school too afraid of what hearing what his schoolmates would say of him. This is absolutely heart-wrenching and so is the moment when Ruka finds all the pictures of their kiss posted at the entrance of their school.

The reveal of their relationship to the school affects them so differently. Ruka didn’t hide that he was gay so that’s not the problem for him. It’s how the school board treats his relationship that affects him. Unlike for boys and girls romance, neither Ruka nor Yuma are expelled. Instead, the board treats like it’s not a romance. This really hurts Ruka because he is ignored. Yes, he remains at the school but his romance is not legitimized because he is gay. It’s a pain that’s bigger than being expelled. Seeing this also affects Sawa because it would be the same for her. It leads to doubt in her hunt and reconsider her position. Episode 5 is at the same time a joy to watch because of this gay romance and a heartbreak because of what happens. This is exactly why it is the best episode. It is top-notch storytelling. But, the final episode also hits just as much with the feels due to Ruka’s heartbreaking testimony scene during the trial. This series sends a strong message about acceptance and visibility for the LGBT community particularly in Japan and for anyone in our community who needs to hear it.

CAST

Moreover, this series has gathered a talented cast lead by Ai Mikami. She shines as the lead. She understands her character and sincerely conveys her feelings. Ryubi Miyase pulls off a moving and complex performance. The duality of his character is difficult to play but he really knows how to balance both sides and get into the heart of who Ryogo Maki is. There is a lot of anger and suffering within his character that Ryubi portrays in a convincing way.

Undoubtedly, Kyoya Honda got the looks, after all he started as a model. But, he has proven time and again that he has what it takes to be an actor as well. He always yearns to improve. Here, he delivers a heartfelt performance as Ruka Ichinose. You can feel genuine love his character has for Nashinoki. The way he looks at him says it all. In fact, Honda’s eyes have a lot to say. He is also able to skilfully communicate his character’s fears and sorrow. He will make you cry during the testimony scene! It’s his best and most developed performance to date. There are several small scenes that are memorable in his performance, like when his character eagerly awaits Nashinoki at the fireworks. His gesture is everything, it truly feels natural. Or when they are together in the train, he behaves so lovingly. Small moments like these are so important.

Shoki Nakayama is also pretty good as Yuma Nashinoki. He delivers a more reserved performance as students are not aware he is gay until he is publicly outed. Yuma tries to keep his feelings for himself. The way Shoki plays it allows the audience to understand how his character feels beyond his spoken words.

VERDICT

Chastity High is a surprisingly mature series with a deeply touching story that also includes meaningful gay representation. With compelling characters played by a talented cast, this is a must-watch!