Twilight Out of Focus episode 1 review: Is the new BL anime worth watching?

Twilight Out of Focus episode 1, titled A Love That Ends Before It Even Begins, debuted on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at 11:30 pm JST. The episode reveals how their life as roommates began, gradually unfolding the story of how they agreed to share a room and established three general rules.

Complications arise when Mao's film club offers Hisashi the lead role in their new BL-themed movie, and he unexpectedly accepts. Although Mao and Hisashi resolve this complication, Mao comes to a crucial realization about Hisashi, introducing new emotional challenges for him.

This Twilight Out of Focus episode 1 review focuses on analyzing the anime’s storyline, production quality, casting choices, and other elements, aiming to assess the appeal of this new BL anime.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers and reflects the author’s opinions.

Reviewing Twilight Out of Focus episode 1: Evaluating whether Studio Deen’s new yaoi anime is worth your time

Twilight Out of Focus episode 1: A brief synopsis

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Twilight Out of Focus episode 1 begins with Mao and Hisashi outlining their three rules as roommates on camera: Mao will keep Hisashi's homosexuality a secret, Hisashi will refrain from making romantic advances toward Mao, and they will respect each other's “personal time.”

The story then shifts to Mao in his film club, introducing viewers to other characters as they announce plans for their upcoming movie – a BL-themed film. Initially skeptical about the theme, the group eventually loves the plot. However, Mao faces complications when director Ichikawa Giichi selects Hisashi for the lead role.

Mao is conflicted by his emotions (Image via Studio Deen)

Mao is tasked with convincing Hisashi, but he hesitates due to their prior agreements. Mao decides to suggest a casting change, but Giichi has already persuaded Hisashi to join. Mao and Hisashi eventually discuss their concerns about working together and even promise to create a great film.

However, Mao's inner turmoil intensifies as he realizes he has developed feelings for Hisashi, complicating matters further since Hisashi already has a boyfriend. At this moment, Hisashi's boyfriend calls him, interrupting their conversation.

Narrative review of Twilight Out of Focus Episode 1: A promising beginning, but does it lack charm?

Mao and Hisashi in Twilight Out of Focus episode 1 (Image via Studio Deen)

This debut anime is a Boys' Love-themed romance drama. The narrative offers a well-rounded introduction to the story, blending romance, emotional depth, drama, slice-of-life elements, and humor seamlessly.

The opening episode develops Mao's character, portraying his emotions and internal struggles as he navigates life with a homosexual roommate and gradually realizes his growing affection for him. In contrast, Hisashi's character remains shrouded in mystery, both to Mao and the viewers, creating anticipation for future episodes.

Mao's newfound realization and growing feelings for Hisashi intensify this anticipation, setting the stage for exploring how their friendship, complicated by their collaboration on the BL film and Mao’s realization, will unfold.

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Despite its sweet and romantic theme, the narrative of the opening episode begins by exploring Mao's emotional struggles. While there are a few romantic scenes between the protagonists in this episode, they are brief and do not progress significantly.

Some audiences may perceive the pacing of the narrative as slow since it takes time to display Mao's struggle to comprehend his feelings. However, this deliberate pacing is essential for portraying Mao's changing emotions, especially since he never anticipated developing feelings for Hisashi.

At the end of the episode, Mao's acknowledgment of his feelings for Hisashi illustrates that the narrative's pacing is finely tuned. The pacing facilitates a genuine exploration of human emotions, especially for a character like Mao, who finds himself in unfamiliar romantic territory.

Twilight Out of Focus episode 1: Reviewing the production, animation, soundtracks, and voice acting

Mao and Hisashi as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Deen)

Studio Deen has excelled in the production of Twilight Out of Focus episode 1. The handling of every aspect of the story is masterful, from Toshinori Watanabe's direction and Yoshimi Narita's composition to Yoko Kikuchi's character design.

The voice acting by all cast members is remarkable, complemented by outstanding soundtracks and background music that enhance the overall experience. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka shines in the lead role of Mao, capturing the character's essence with precision, while Yuma Uchida delivers a stellar performance as Hisashi.

Matsuoka's portrayal effectively conveys Mao's internal struggles and emotions, resonating deeply with the audience. Notably, fans may recognize Yoshitsugu Matsuoka from his roles as Kirito in Sword Art Online, Souma in Food Wars, Inosuke in Demon Slayer, and many more.

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Yuma Uchida, celebrated for his roles as Kyo in Fruits Basket, Fushiguro in Jujutsu Kaisen, Kawaki in Boruto, and Uenoyama in Given, another BL series, delivers a compelling performance as Hisashi. Uchida captures Hisashi's sensual and enigmatic yet aloof demeanor flawlessly. The rest of the cast also delivers outstanding performances, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The show's music composers, Satoshi Hōno and Kaori Nakano, deliver exceptional performances. The soundtracks of Twilight Out of Focus episode 1 adeptly capture the show's theme, significantly enhancing the episode's quality by effectively amplifying the emotions of each scene.

Talented actor and singer Ikusaburo Yamazaki’s opening song, Crank Up, provides an impressive and soothing introduction while popular music duo Amber's ending theme, Unchain×Unchain, gives an energetic conclusion to the episode.

Final thoughts

Giichi reveals the film's theme (Image via Studio Deen)

Overall, Twilight Out of Focus episode 1 offers a captivating viewing experience. The episode stands out for its superb production quality, skillful storytelling that keeps viewers engaged, and exceptional sound design and voice acting that enhance its impact.

In summary, Twilight Out of Focus successfully blends entertainment with an emotionally rich narrative, effectively portraying the evolving journey of Mao and Hisashi. For fans who enjoy drama, slice-of-life, romance anime, and are interested in BL, this new Summer 2024 anime is a must-add to the watchlist.

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Edited by Meenakshi Ajith