Unpopular opinion time!

Theory of Love had the better opening credit sequences than Dark Blue Kiss.

Let me explain!

I LOVE the Dark Blue Kiss intro. It's super thematic and very indicative of the narrative. I can't hear it without imagining myself walking the corridors of a Castillan home with an oversized robe billowing behind me.

However, I started feeling like certain aspects of it felt a little too on the nose the more I progress into the series.

It's literally telling you where the story is headed and where the conflict lies.

I may come off as an OC freak because of this next bit, but hear me out.

Near the end of the sequence where there's a stacatto of closeups as the music builds up--- it's kinda weird how half the cast is smiling into the camera in a manner that doesn't feel in character...

...within the context of the intro. It felt inconsistent with the ominous and foreboding tension capped off with that impeccable shot of New crying as Kao.

Again--- I LOVE the Dark Blue Kiss intro, and I'm not hating.

But then get a load of Theory of Love's.

Where production value is concerned, Theory of Love's opening sequence is lacking by comparison. It's a straightforward montage that even I could make if you gave me enough time.

But how does it outshine Dark Blue Kiss for me?

It's the simplicity.

Unlike Dark Blue Kiss, Theory of Love succinctly establishes the story NOT by showing the audience flashes of symbolism pertinent to the narrative but it makes you FEEL it.

THAT'S a rare distinction in BL series.

And how is that done? The music.

The Dark Blue Kiss opening soundtrack is ambitious, bold, and daring.

Theory of Love's opening soundtrack is a stark contrast to Dark Blue Kiss'. It's subtler but very atmospheric, and consistent with the emotional impact of the narrative and the characters.

Listening to Theory of Love's opening track feels like an emotional journey. The slower melody invokes a sense of nostalgia over memories you've never experienced yourself--- memories and feelings of friendship, anguish, love, hope...

...the exuberance of being young and a little dumb, and the feeling of looking forward to tomorrow despite its uncertainties.

I personally think that it transcends its narrative purpose because anyone could listen to it and feel something.

Listening to it makes me feel the way I did after watching Call Me By Your Name for the first time.

'Show, don't tell' is a common concept in storytelling.

The provocative feel of Theory of Love's music exemplifies how the appropriate musical accompaniment can elevate the concept of show don't tell--- make them feel, don't show them.

The opening itself is very simple--- to its barest bones, it could have come off as formulaic. BL opening sequences are no stranger to using montages of clips.

This is where the music comes in.

It establishes the pace, and lays the groundwork for the last aspect that makes it so effective--- the editing.

As someone with professional video editing experience, I cannot stress enough how important editing is to any production.

The series protagonists' love for film is a focal point of the series, and it's made incredibly apparent with how the opening sequence is edited.

The importance of film is made obvious, but it's subtle enough that it's not too obnoxious or pretentious.

And the one accent that really brings it home for me? The use of light leaks.

While it may not be as bold or ambitious as Dark Blue Kiss, all those components together make it its superior.

Ultimately, it takes you through the characters' journeys without ever showing you anything suggestive.

It gives us the impression that the production truly understood the story--- making Theory of Love one of the best BL series out there.

And why am I saying all of this? It's because I realize I never got to finish Stand By Me and was instantly reminded of what I thought about the matter at hand as soon as I heard 'oh-oh woaaaaah'