Hello again! Today I’m here to discuss with you, both the Japanese and Thai versions of the yaoi/bl series “Cherry magic” and the pros and cons of watching each of them.
30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii (Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!: The Movie(2020 – 2022)
Country: Japan
Episodes: 12 (25’ minutes each) & a movie
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Life, Supernatural
My Rating: 9/10
Cherry Magic (2023)
Country: Thailand
Episodes: 12 (45’ minutes each)
Genres: Romance, Supernatural
My Rating: 6.5/10
Adapted from the manga “30-sai made Doutei dato Mahoutsukai ni Nareru Rashii”, both versions have more or less the same plot. Adachi / Achi (Japanese version / Thai version), discovers that 30 years of virginity can truly make you a wizard, as after his 30th birthday he starts to read other peoples thoughts when he touches them. This magic, helps him finally find out that Yuichi / Karan (Japanese version / Thai version), his work idol has secretly been in love with him for many years. As that discovery confuses him a lot, it’s very interesting to watch how their relationship will develop.
Plot
The Japanese version focused more on the main couple and it gave us enough time to bond with them. The plot was more realistic and it didn’t feel overdramatic. In the Thai version though, there was a lot of unnecessary drama, some scenes that seemed childish to me and a lot of bad teasing about people on their surroundings that may be homophobic. I needed more bonding and deepness.
But what I really appreciated in the Thai version, was the coming out of the couple on their friends, family and work, because in the Japanese version they’re a little bit behind on that.
Also, I believe that one thing that totally ruined the mood for me in the Thai version, was the overdose of sponsored unnecessary scenes.
Acting
The Japanese actors were definitely more expressive. I was able to understand their feelings and feel their pain and emotions and that made it easier to bond with them. They were so adorable together, even though the second-hand embarrassment was out of hand in many scenes. Even though the Thai couple is a famous one and you can find many different series with them, I didn’t feel that bonding and chemistry I felt with the Japanese couple.
Character Development
The Japanese version focused a lot on their relationship development, but also in their characters and how they learned to depend and rely on themselves and each other. The Thai version, I believe was lacking character development and some parts of the plot was less “important” as they didn’t have a real impact on the plot or on the characters.
Second couple
Okay, let’s admit that the second couple was a bit awkward in both versions. But I believe that in the Thai version it was a bit better. The scenes between them were less embarrassing for me to watch and I found the couple more expressive.
Supporting roles
I liked more the Thai versions’ side characters. Rock, was a lot more interesting than Rokkaku and Pai, was also a powerful character, although Nozomi, the Japanese version of her, was a bit flat as a character. Rock and Pai as a couple, was a cute addition to the plot and I liked a lot their dynamic.
Parents
The scenes with their parents were very important to me and in the Japanese version, I feel that the dialogs were very well-written and deep, while in the Thai version were emotionless and the parents were kind of boring characters.
Friendship
I liked that in the Thai version, there was more investment on the friendship part. For example, the scenes between Achi and Jinta was meaningful and you could clearly feel how they communicate and support each other. On the other hand, Adachi and Masato on the Japanese version, were hiding things from each other and their relationship felt more superficial to me.
Conclusion
Overall, I believe that if you want to choose one, it depends on what you’re in a mood to watch.
If you focus only on the main couple and want to watch something more emotional, with deep relationship and character development, the Japanese version it the best. But, if you want a light version of the Japanese one, the Thai version is quick paced and easier to watch.
Best option is to watch both and develop your own opinion.
Personal opinion
For all the above reasons I listed, I personally prefer the Japanese one and I have to say that it became one of my favorite yaoi series. As for the Thai version, I didn’t know the protagonists before the series, but since they were a well-known Thai BL couple, I had higher expectations of them. Also, they had more “freedom” than the Japanese version on including more mature scenes, so I thought that the series would be upgraded. But the truth is, the Thai version couldn’t surpass the Japanese version for me.
Additionally, if you’re an anime fan, the anime version is a very good adaption as well and I really enjoyed watching it. Next stop, will be to read the manga and maybe come back and tell you which version did real justice.
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Thanks for reading this,
Utaku.