August 6, 2024 (2024-08-06) – August 27, 2024 (2024-08-27)
Episodes
8
Cosmetic Playlover (Japanese: コスメティック・プレイラバー, Hepburn: Kosumetikku Pureirabā) is a Japanese manga series by Sachi Narashima. It is serialized in the monthly boys' lovemanga magazineMagazine Be × Boy since December 7, 2017. In addition, two spin-offs, Bitterness Playlover and Twilight Playlover, are also serialized in Magazine Be × Boy. A live-action television drama adaptation premiered on Fuji TV on August 6, 2024, and ran for 8 episodes.
Plot
Natsume Mamiya and Touma Sahashi work as department store beauty consultants for the cosmetics brand Romy Feerique, where they are known as the "two princes". However, Natsume is constantly annoyed with Touma for not taking his job seriously despite his potential. One day, Touma discovers that Natsume is gay and decides to use his secret to get closer to him.[2] After the two begin dating, they navigate through a myriad of obstacles in their relationship, such as rivals, misunderstandings, and their long-distance relationship once Touma begins working as a make-up artist for Romy Feerique's French headquarters.
In addition to Natsume and Sahashi, there are two side stories focusing on the relationships of other characters in the story: Bitterness Playlover, which focuses on Keigo Kakizaki (Natsume's acquaintance) and Yukito Saionji's (Touma's high school senior) relationship;[2] and Twilight Playlover, which focuses on Atsushi Nanjo and Iori Kosaka's (Nanjo's high school classmate) relationship.[3]
Natsume is an earnest, hard-working beauty consultant.[2][5] He is described as "pure-hearted".[1] In volume 3, he is promoted to manager of his store.
Touma is Natsume's junior co-worker who also works as a beauty consultant.[5] He is a former model,[5] but he quit after his senior co-workers staged a dating rumor out of jealousy for his competence. Touma is a talented and highly skilled beauty consultant, but he tends to be nonchalant.[5] He is described as having a "cheeky and cool" personality.[1] After he begins dating Natsume, he becomes a possessive yet doting boyfriend.[6] Later in the series, Touma trains to become a make-up artist for Romy Feerique.
Nanjo is a make-up assistant from the Kansai region.[7] He immediately becomes attracted to Natsume and irritates Touma, but he acts as a big brother figure to them.[7] He is the main character of the side story Twilight Playlover.
Tanouchi is a former beauty consultant who currently works in the sales department of Romy Feerique.[8] He was the person who inspired Natsume to become a beauty consultant and is his first love.[8]
Harukawa is a new employee in the sales department and is Natsume and Touma's junior.[7] While eager to work, he is very clumsy. He becomes attracted to Natsume, but he also supports Natsume and Touma's relationship.
Kakizaki is a beauty consultant from a different brand. He resents Natsume and accuses him of stealing a customer in the past, which resulted in Natsume transferring locations. Kakizaki is one of the main characters in Bitterness Playlover.
Risa is a famous model and the brand muse for Romy Feerique.[8] She is from the same talent agency as Touma when he used to work as a model. Her real name is Risako (梨沙子).
Media
Manga
Cosmetic Playlover is written and illustrated by Sachi Narashima. It is serialized in the monthly boys' lovemanga magazineMagazine Be × Boy since the January 2018 issue released on December 7, 2017.[9] The chapters were later released in eight bound volumes by Libre under the BBC Deluxe imprint.[10] The manga is distributed digitally in English through Animate International.[10]
Narashima created the concept of Cosmetic Playlover after hearing from a beauty consultant friend mention that there were men who also worked as beauty consultants.[11] A challenge she faced in drawing the series was drawing make-up products, which she soon got used to.[2]
Natsume is frustrated that his junior co-worker, Touma, is disrespectful and doesn't take his job seriously. One day, Touma discovers Natsume is in love with Tanouchi and promises to keep his secret if they have a friends with benefits relationship. Despite it all, Natsume sees career potential in Touma and advocates for him, causing Touma to declare his seriousness in being a beauty consultant so that he could show Natsume how serious he is about his feelings towards him. Later, Natsume receives harassing phone calls and rumors about his client relationships, threatening his career. With Touma's help, Natsume is able to clear his name, and he admits he has fallen in love with Touma.
Romy Feerique is having a two-week demonstration event at their stores, and Touma is selected by the brand model, Risa Yumihara, to be her make-up artist. However, Natsume, who has only started dating Touma, feels uneasy about this, as Touma and Risa have a close relationship stemming from when they used to work as models together. In addition, Nanjo, an openly gay make-up artist, has temporarily been transferred to the store in Touma's place, and expresses romantic interest in Natsume. After clearing up their misunderstandings, Touma reaffirms his love for Natsume and gives him a pair of earrings.
Natsume is promoted to manager at the store, while Touma is transferred to the Ginza location, and because they have little time to see each other, Touma proposes that Natsume move into his apartment. Natsume is overwhelmed by his new position as he struggles with new responsibilities and a sales event, which strains his relationship with Touma. When Natsume recovers from his illness, his co-workers remind him to depend on them for help, including Harukawa, a new sales employee. Through this, Natsume realizes how much Touma wants to support him, and once Touma returns from a training session in Paris, he apologizes to him.
Natsume moves in with Touma. At an after-work dinner, Harukawa confesses to Natsume that he is love with him, causing Touma to reveal their relationship to him; however, Harukawa supports their relationship. Later, Natsume notices a stalker at Romy Feerique, to which Touma reveals is his estranged older brother, Tenma. Tenma reveals that their family runs a fashion brand in New York and wants Touma to return with him to work there. When Natsume suggests to Touma that he should talk things over with Tenma, Touma becomes angry, causing a rift in their relationship. At the fireworks festival, Natsume and Touma apologize to each other with Harukawa's help. Touma tells Natsume that he is fine with not having a close relationship with his family, but he makes amends with Tenma, nonetheless.
Romy Feerique is invited to take part in the Tokyo Style Stage, a fashion runway event, but Touma is asked to model for Tenma's brand and attracts great attention, to which Natsume learns that he is even asked to become Romy Feerique's PR model for their upcoming men's cosmetics line. Fearing that Touma will return to modeling, Natsume proposes a duel over their total sales, where the loser has to do whatever the winner says. When Touma doesn't take the duel seriously, Natsume impulsively adds another stipulation where the two will not be intimate with each other until the sales period is over, which causes tension in their relationship. Weeks after their duel begins, the two realize they cannot stay apart from each other and make up, with Touma clarifying that he turned down the offer after the organizers rejected his proposal to have Natsume as a staff member. At Romy Feerique's end-of-the-year awards ceremony, both Natsume and Touma receive rookie awards.
Aside from Cosmetic Playlover, Narashima wrote and illustrated two other side stories focusing on other characters in the series. Bitterness Playlover is serialized on a yearly basis in Magazine Be × Boy since the August 2018 issue released on July 6, 2018, and published as extra side stories in the main Cosmetic Playlover volumes.[2][28]Twilight Playlover was serialized in Magazine Be × Boy from the November 2020 issue released on October 7, 2020[29] to the August 2021 issue released on July 7, 2021.[30]
A series of audio dramas adapting the manga was released onto CD by Marine Entertainment.[4] The first volume was released on November 26, 2021.[32] The second volume was released on May 31, 2024.[33]
Television drama
A live-action television drama adaptation of Cosmetic Playlover was announced on July 1, 2024.[1] It was broadcast on Fuji TV since August 6, 2024[a] with 8 episodes scheduled.[34] Fuji TV On Demand, the channel's online streaming service, is also releasing two episodes per week.[1] The series is directed by Takehiro Shindō, with Hiroko Kanasugi [ja] in charge of the script and Kōji Endō [ja] in charge of music.[1][35] The drama adaptation is produced by NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan.[35] The theme song is "Wagamama Only Mine" by Urashimasakatasen, of which the CD jacket illustration was also provided by Sachi Narashima.[35] It was streamed internationally outside of Japan and South Korea through GagaOOLala.[36]
"Let Me Overwrite the Meaning of Your Earrings" Transliteration: "Piasu no Imi o Uwagakisasete" (Japanese: ピアスの意味を上書きさせて)
Takehiro Shindō
Hiroko Kanasugi
August 6, 2024 (2024-08-06) (online streaming)
3
"You're Pretty Unfair" Transliteration: "Kekkō, Zurui Nen na" (Japanese: 結構、ズルいねんな)
Takehiro Shindō
Hiroko Kanasugi
August 13, 2024 (2024-08-13) (online streaming)
4
"A Life Passing Each Other By... The Two Princes Disband?!" Transliteration: "Surechigai no Seikatsu... Daburu Ōji no Kaisan!?" (Japanese: すれ違いの生活…W王子の解散！？)
Takehiro Shindō
Hiroko Kanasugi
August 13, 2024 (2024-08-13) (online streaming)
5
"Commonly Made Medicine for the Heart" Transliteration: "Zara Tsuku Kokoro no Shohōsen" (Japanese: ザラつく心の処方箋)
Takehiro Shindō
Hiroko Kanasugi
August 20, 2024 (2024-08-20) (online streaming)
6
"A New Life Where Preciousness Grows Stronger" Transliteration: "Itoshisa ga Tsunoru Shin Seikatsu" (Japanese: 愛しさが募る新生活)
Takehiro Shindō
Hiroko Kanasugi
August 20, 2024 (2024-08-20) (online streaming)
7
"Fireworks and Promises" Transliteration: "Hanabi to Yakusoku" (Japanese: 花火と約束)
Takehiro Shindō
Hiroko Kanasugi
August 27, 2024 (2024-08-27) (online streaming)
8
"The Real Duel is with My Lover" Transliteration: "Honki no Shōbu wa Koibito to." (Japanese: 本気の勝負は恋人と。)
Takehiro Shindō
Hiroko Kanasugi
August 27, 2024 (2024-08-27) (online streaming)
Reception
Cosmetic Playlover won the 2021 Digital Comic Award by Comic CMoa in the BL category.[5] In 2024, the series sold a consecutive total of over 1 million physical copies.[11]
Notes
^Fuji TV lists the broadcast date as August 5, 2024, at 26:55, which is August 6, 2024, at 2:55 AM.[1]
References
^ abcdefghij"奥野壮×豊田裕大がW主演、楢島さちの「コスメティック・プレイラバー」ドラマ化" [So Okuno and Yudai Toyoda co-star in live-action drama adaptation of Sachi Narashima's Cosmetic Playlover]. Natalie (in Japanese). July 1, 2024. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
^"楢󠄀島さちデビュー5周年原画展、「コスメティック・プレイラバー」中心に展示" [Art exhibition celebrating 5th anniversary of debut of Sachi Narashima, featuring Cosmetic Playlover]. Natalie (in Japanese). February 23, 2023. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
^ abcde"ドラマCD コスメティック・プレイラバー" [Drama CD: Cosmetic Playlover]. Marine Entertainment (in Japanese). Retrieved July 22, 2024.
^"楢島さち先生インタビュー 生意気年下×絆され系恋愛下手!! BA同士のあまキュン続編♥ コミックス『コスメティック・プレイラバー (2)』" [Interview with Sachi Narashima: romance between a cheeky younger man and a romantically challenged man!! The continuation of a sweet love story between beauty consultants! Cosmetic Playlover volume 2]. Chil Chil [ja] (in Japanese). April 8, 2019. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
^ abcdefghi"「コスメティック・プレイラバー」に押田岳ら 積極的な佐橋に棗がたじろぐ予告映像" [Cosmetic Playlover adds Gaku Oshida and others, trailer featuring Natsume taken back by an aggressive Sahashi released]. Natalie (in Japanese). July 12, 2024. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
^ ab"『コスメティック・プレイラバー』楢島さち interview" [Interview with Sachi Narashima (author of Cosmetic Playlover)]. Spoon 2Di [ja]. No. 106. Japan: Kadokawa. January 31, 2024. pp. 34–35. ISBN978-4048984997.
^"【8月9日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(August 9) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). August 9, 2018. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
^"【4月10日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(April 10) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). April 10, 2019. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
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^"【8月11日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(August 11) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). August 11, 2020. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
^"【4月9日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(April 9) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
^"【5月10日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(May 10) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). May 10, 2022. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
^"【1月10日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(January 10) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). January 10, 2023. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
^"【2月8日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(February 8) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). February 8, 2024. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
^"【9月10付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(September 10) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). September 10, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
^"【8月10日付】本日発売の単行本リスト" [(August 10) List of tankōbon released today]. Natalie (in Japanese). August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
^"奥野壮×豊田裕大、メッセージ動画&"顎クイ"ビジュアル解禁 実写ドラマ『コスメティック・プレイラバー』" [So Okuno and Yudai Toyoda release a video message and "chin grab" visual revealed for the live-action drama of Cosmetic Playlover]. Oricon (in Japanese). July 16, 2024. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
^ abc"浦島坂田船が「コスラバ」主題歌担当、奥野壮×豊田裕大のBLドラマ" [Urashimasakatasen in charge of theme song for Cosmetic Playlover, a BL drama starring So Okuno and Yudai Toyoda]. Natalie (in Japanese). July 22, 2024. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
