10 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 40 - Comments & Tips

The strongest element of this series, for me, is its thoughtful approach to a mid-life crisis. The story centers on Tojo Suzume, an office worker nearing 40 who creates a bucket list of simple goals he wants to achieve before his birthday. I love that this premise focuses on the gentle journey of self-discovery, showing the courage it takes for Suzume to open up after years of solitude. The plot kicks off when his younger, handsome subordinate, Tanaka Keishi, discovers the list and offers to help him fulfill every goal. While I appreciated the gentle, slow-burn nature of this Japanese BL and the chemistry between the age-gap couple, I felt the story lost momentum later on. The main romance between Suzume and Keishi was occasionally overshadowed by distracting side plots, which kept the series from achieving a higher classification. Despite this dip in the middle, the overall message about finding love and confidence at any age is very heartfelt, making it a valuable and mature watch.