Mood Indigo poster
#7873 This Week

Mood Indigo

Mood Indigo  ·  2019, Japan
7.0
3,321 ratings
6
Episodes
0
Watchlisted
● Completed 🕑 2019

The story begins with Shiro Kido's reunion with a former classmate, Rio Kijima, at a college teacher's funeral. In the past, when they were students, Kijima used to show talent as a novelist, even earning a big prize.…

Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Episodes
Reviews (5)

Mood Indigo is the haunting prequel to *The Pornographer* that peels back the layers of writer Rio Kijima’s shattered past. When Rio attends the funeral of a former university professor, he unexpectedly reunites with his old classmate, Shiro Kido. Their awkward reunion triggers a flood of memories, dragging us into the raw, painful years of their youth. We witness how a chance encounter with a predatory literary mentor forced Rio into a world of exploitation, and how Kido—caught between desire and cowardice—became both his anchor and his tormentor. This is not a story of sweet romance; it’s an unflinching examination of loneliness, lust, and the compromises we make to survive. Through stunning cinematography and powerhouse performances, *Mood Indigo* explores the wreckage left when love is tangled with shame, ambition, and the desperate need to feel seen. Essential viewing for anyone who wants to truly understand the broken soul behind the erotic novelist.

E01
1
Mood Indigo Episode 1
Season 1 · Jul 24, 2019
~ min
E02
2
Mood Indigo Episode 2
Season 1 · Jul 31, 2019
~ min
E03
3
Mood Indigo Episode 3
Season 1 · Aug 07, 2019
~ min
E04
4
Mood Indigo Episode 4
Season 1 · Aug 14, 2019
~ min
E05
5
Mood Indigo Episode 5
Season 1 · Aug 21, 2019
~ min
E06
6
Mood Indigo Episode 6
Season 1 · Aug 28, 2019
~ min
7.0
out of 10
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RS
rio_s_muse
July 2024
8/10
I was already hooked on Rio and Kuzumi from The Pornographer, so this prequel hurt in the best way. Seeing Rio’s vulnerability with Kido broke my heart—they had such intense chemistry, but I kept screaming at my screen for Kido to just choose him. The sexual tension is off the charts, and that taxi kiss? Perfection. Not a fluffy romance, but if you love messy, real love stories, this will wreck you.
PD
plot_doctor
March 2025
6/10
I appreciate the ambition and the gorgeous cinematography, but the pacing is uneven—episodes 1 and 2 feel awkward and slow, while the middle picks up beautifully before the rushed conclusion. The toxic mentor subplot also feels undercooked; we needed more context on why Rio stayed so long. Still, the acting saves it. Not the best BL I’ve seen, but worth a watch if you’re invested in the universe.
FB
frame_by_frame
November 2024
9/10
This is one of the most visually stunning BL dramas I’ve ever seen. Every shot is a painting—the way light hits Rio’s face in that dark bar, the rose petals after the rain, the mirrored reflections during their arguments. The director knows exactly how to use negative space and color to mirror emotional desolation. I’d watch it again just for the visual storytelling alone.
CC
critical_consent
February 2025
7/10
I have mixed feelings. The series does a powerful job showing how coercion and power imbalance can warp a person’s sense of self—especially the mentor’s manipulation and Kido’s selfishness. But I’m uncomfortable with how the narrative romanticizes some of the toxic dynamics, and the explicit scenes straddle a fine line between art and exploitation. It’s a valuable conversation starter, but not an easy watch.
MO
manga_originalist
October 2024
8/10
As a longtime fan of Marukido Maki’s manga, I was nervous about the adaptation—but they nailed the core. The emotional weight of Rio’s backstory is fully realized, and the casting is perfect. A few side plots were trimmed, but the essence of the toxic, obsessive bond between Kido and Rio remains intact. I only wish we’d gotten more of Kuzumi’s role from the source material. Still, a faithful and gorgeous adaptation.