The Boyfriend Ep6: Welcome To A Stormy Picnic

If you haven’t been watching The Boyfriend – the gay Japanese dating reality show on Netflix, stop what you’re doing and get yourself caught up. In a country that hasn’t yet passed marriage equality laws for its LGBTQ+ community, it’s heartwarming to see such positive representation being produced by the country. Episode 5 ended with a bang, and one of the housemates opted to leave on their own accord. As we pressed play on The Boyfriend Ep6 we were dying to see the impact Usak’s departure had on the rest of the housemates. 

As the credits open, Gensei, who so far hasn’t been lucky in love in the house, says Usak’s departure has motivated him to do everything he can to ensure personal success from this experience. When The Boyfriend Ep6 opens in the kitchen, Gensei definitely takes a more aggressive approach to his flirting tactics regarding Ryota. Press play with us as we journey through this brand-new episode!

Gensei and Ryota

Gensei volunteers to work the truck today and nominates – shock horror – Ryota to go with him. He tells the audience that when they first arrived in the house, he had misjudged Ryota’s feelings for him, but even though it was clear that Ryota was into someone else, Gensei still has strong feelings of attraction toward the man. 

We have to say, these introverted Japanese queers are some of the bravest folks we’ve ever encountered. Like Ryota did with Kazuto, Gensei lays all his cards on the table while he and Ryota sit in front of the romantic ocean after their shift in the coffee truck is over. Ryota says that technically, their time together in the truck could be considered a date, and Ryota agrees. 

Then, Gensei whips out a gift that he bought specially for Ryota, like the stud muffin that he is. Gensei looks super proud of himself for being so upfront, but honestly, it’s unclear if Ryota really gets it. As the scene comes to a close, Ryota gives no real indication of whether he can sway in Gensei’s direction or not. 

But then, later as The Boyfriend Ep6 progresses, Ryota tells Gensei that he’s already told his crush how he feels, and well, Ryota hasn’t said those things to Gensei. Our heart absolutely goes out to Gensei here because Ryota has to know that Gensei is into him after the things he said to him in the truck and the gift he was given. It feels almost cruel and gutless of Ryota to tell Gensei that he’s confessed to someone else, instead of actually telling Gensie the truth about his feelings for Kazuto. It’s all so cryptic, but absolutely not at the same time, and it just feels yuck. 

Shun and Dai

We’re getting ready to sit Shun down and give the boy a stern talking-to. After telling Dai that they should just be friends, the young man is still actively seeking his attention and trying to reel him in. In The Boyfriend Ep6 when Shun tells viewers that all of a sudden he’s becoming more comfortable with Dai, the anguished noise that escaped from our mouths could be heard from afar. 

From where we sit, it seems like Shun wants Dai’s attention, but just not too much of it. Dai came on pretty strong with Shun and maybe that was a bit of a turn-off? But now that the guy has backed all the way off, Shun wants his eyes on him again. 

Dating is the worst, y’all.

Ikuo

In the wake of Usak’s departure, The Boyfriend Ep6 sees a new man in town headed for the Green Room, and he’s shaking things up. Ikuo presents himself to the coffee truck while Taeheon and Kazuto are on shift, then heads back to the house with them later. He seems rather extroverted, and confident, and he’s definitely in the Green Room to play. He announces upon his arrival that he wants a boyfriend and well, we’re here for that. 

Then, in a plot twist which we absolutely saw coming frankly, Ikuo takes a liking to Dai. Dai, freshly friend zoned by Shun preens under the attention. The house goes for a picnic to the beach and Dai and Ikuo end up breaking off from the others and wandering off on their own. Shun watches their every move and practically has kittens on the sideline as he watches the newcomer make a play for his man. 

Alan and Kazuto

Alan has picked up on Kazuto’s cooled-off mood since their overnight date together and uses the time at the beach to confront Kazuto about what’s going on. Kazuto, mature and wise that he is, is gentle in his delivery, but he tells Alan that he’s only really interested in Alan as a friend now. 

Alan seems to take it pretty well though and it doesn’t feel like there’s going to be any residual tension between the two moving forward. 

The addition of Ikuo to the house is likely to cause fire indeed. Either between Shun and Dai or between Ikuo and Dai – we predict much heat from here forth. Ryota isn’t relenting in his pursuit of Kazuto, even though Kazuto has definitely told him he’s not interested. And honestly, we can’t tell if Alan’s easy acceptance of Kazuto’s rejection is a tactic, or if he’s really just that cool. 

At this point, it looks pretty dim in the house, doesn’t it? Is anyone actually going to connect for real, or is everyone just going to keep barking up the wrong tree?

We’ll have to wait until Episode 6 drops to find out! 

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The Boyfriend is sizzling summer entertainment! It’s available to stream on Netflix globally now, releasing intermittently throughout the month of July. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!

Featured Image: Courtesy of Netflix