In a groundbreaking partnership, GagaOOLala, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ streaming platform, has teamed up with TV Tokyo to launch “At 25:00, in Akasaka,” the first-ever co-produced Boys Love (BL) series. Adapted from a manga that has garnered over 1.2 million sales, this series is a significant milestone in BL cinema and television. The collaboration was celebrated at a press conference on April 15th at TV Tokyo’s headquarters, marking a major event in the industry.
The press conference featured the eagerly awaited public debut of leading actors Kiita Komagine and Taisuke Niihara, alongside co-stars Takuma Usa and Shoma Nagumo. The event was graced by distinguished guests including Hiroaki Saiki, Head of International Business at TV Tokyo, and Jay Lin, Founder and CEO of GagaOOLala, highlighting the project’s global appeal and influence.
Hiroaki Saiki shared insights into the collaboration, stating, “Since 2022, we have fostered a robust relationship with Portico Media. For ‘At 25:00, in Akasaka,’ we have utilized their insights from the earliest planning stages, making strategic adjustments to enhance the series’ accessibility for international audiences, especially in Taiwan, where GagaOOLala is based.” He added, “With digital platforms, content can now quickly reach a global audience. GagaOOLala’s extensive worldwide reach is a testament to its influence, and we are eager to partner with GagaOOLala to deliver high-quality content to fans around the globe.”
Jay Lin commented on the significance of Japanese BL dramas, observing their soaring popularity and the substantial 66% increase in new BL series from 2021 to 2022. “The strength of Japanese BL dramas lies in the robust BL economy here, generating over $1.7 billion annually—a testament to the collaborative efforts among manga publishers, streaming platforms, and TV networks,” said Lin.
He further emphasized the three major advantages of the Japan-Taiwan collaboration: high economic value, superior production quality, and diverse thematic content. Lin highlighted how the partnership positively influences surrounding Asian countries and praised the intriguing premise of “At 25:00, in Akasaka,” which could captivate a broad audience beyond traditional BL fans. With the 30th Anniversary of Tokyo Pride and anticipated advancements in LGBTQ+ rights in Asia, there is a promising horizon for further acceptance and celebration of queer stories.
“The captivating element of ‘At 25:00, in Akasaka’ lies in its exploration of what happens if the BL characters truly harbored romantic feelings for each other,” Lin explained. “Would the fans mind? Would they even notice? Should the actors keep their relationship a secret, or might it endear them even more to their fans? This theme is incredibly fascinating as the core of BL is the fantasy of male-male romance, which has indeed catapulted many idols to mainstream fame.”
