Twilight Out of Focus is a completed manga at seven chapters within one volume. It is written and illustrated by Janome. First released in 2018, it has been serialized in Honey Milk and published by Kodansha. The English publishers are Futekiya, along with Kodansha USA, and Renta.
There are related series. A side story is Koiiro Soft Focus. Two spin-off stories are Yoiyoi Monologue, and Zanzou Slow Motion. The sequel to this series is Tasogare Out Focus: Overlap which was released in 2019, and then Tasogare Outfocus - Long Take in 2022.
A drama CD adaption was released in 2020 after the manga was concluded in 2019. On July 3, 2023 an anime adaption was announced where the cast from the drama CD would return in the lead roles. The anime announcement detailed that couples within the high school movie club would be explored, starting with Mao Tsuchiya and Hisashi Otomo from volume 1 of the manga. The Twilight Out of Focus anime commenced its airing in July, 2024.
Synopsis[]
Manga[]
Film enthusiast Mao Tsuchiya and his lone wolf roommate Hisashi Otomo make three promises:
① That Mao will never tell anyone that Hisashi is gay and has a boyfriend,
② That Hisashi will never approach Mao “in that way,” and
③ That they’ll respect each other’s “private time.”
The second years’ ground rules should ensure a peaceful life together in their dorm, but reality is never as simple as it seems in the movies, and some things are not so easily promised…
Drama CD[]
Characters and Cast[]
- Tsuchiya Mao (CV. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)
- Otomo Hisashi (CV. Yuma Uchida)
- Ichikawa Giichi (CV. Masatomo Nakazawa)
- Kagari Runa (CV. Aoi Ichikawa)
- Kagari Teru (CV. Kohei Yanagi)
- Honjo Takayuki (CV. Takeo Otsuka)
Anime[]
Anime announcement image
The anime was announced on July 3, 2023. A celebratory illustration by Janome was made available to commemorate the anime adaption. On August 10, 2023, in Honey Milk vol.78 there was a breaking news article concerning the anime adaptation of "Twilight Outfocus".[1]
Episodes[]
- If This Love Is Going to be Over Before It Even Begins... (Hajimaru Mae ni Owaru Koi Nanka/始まる前に終わる恋なんか) Jul 4, 2024
- Pick Me (Ore ni Shina yo/俺にしなよ) Jul 11, 2024
- Our Feelings Aren't Always Pretty (Kirei na dake ja Nai Kimochi/きれいなだけじゃない気持ち) Jul 18, 2024
Characters[]
Mao Tsuchiya[]
A second year in class A, Mao promises that he will never tell Hisashi's secret though it is not exactly in a pleasant context. Finding comfort that he is in the same room and same space for the second year, Mao states he will be home late as he has club stuff to do. Three months to finish a film before the school festival is considered barely enough time. For the strange promise made, and that Mao heads out for classes, by himself he does return to speak to the camera how Hisashi is a very important friend to him. When a film project concerns a BL series, Mao is conscious of how the club members all feel Hisashi is perfect for the role. Wary of asking Hisashi to play the part he is tasked with doing, Mao thinks he might suggest to club members that he is like the main character in the BL.
Hisashi Otomo[]
In class C of the second year, Hisashi promises he will never look at Mao in that way or ever lay his hands on him. Chuckling at the promises being made, even though it was Hisashi's idea he comments on how Mao sounded so formal too. Although he thanks Mao since he can live here, Hisashi overlooks how Mao regards him given they had to make such a promise to begin with. Nevertheless, Hisashi hopes this second year will be just as great.
Gichi Ichikawa[]
Introducing himself as the director, Gichi explains their one goal is to win the competition. Gichi has set up groups but means to only read out the leaders' names. After detailing who is in charge of what, Gichi announces being responsible for the script and editing. The reason for the BL project is that Gichi happened to read one and got really into it on account of the premise. He was taken by the idea that it is what genuine love should be. Gichi says this despite not being homosexual, and he has not even had his first crush yet.
Runa Kagari[]
In the film club, Runa is announced as the Assistant Director. While he attempts to whisper to Mao what the film is about, he does not look too enthused when it is declared that it is a BL work. Although he says to ignore Gichi's views on the book, Runa does set about checking the script. When Mao and Gichi are discussing having not been in love before, Runa claims they are lacking a core part of being human. When Mao is to have Hisashi join the film production, Runa questions if he wants his help since it might be hard to ask since they are roommates.
Teru Kagari[]
Sharing Runa's name and appearance, He is the club's script supervisor (script con). Where Runa is far more talkative, it would seem Teru prefers taking notes on matters.
Noboru Yamada[]
Announced as being responsible for lightning by Gichi.
Shiinjiro Todoroki[]
Tasked with Sound for the club project.
Honjo Yukitaka[]
Also known as the man with a hundred faces, Honjo is regarded as the hope of the second-year drama club. He is playing the committee president. Stating that it is nice to meet members of the film club, Honjo encourages them to work hard together. Fully changed for the role, Honjo has longer darker hair and glasses.
Goki Agatsuma[]
Regarded as the man who speaks with his height, Goki is the second-year ace pitcher of the baseball club.
Kojima[]
The modern Japanese teacher, Kojima is said to be 42[2] and single. The club advisor and producer, Kojima says for members to not spend all of the club's funds.
Story[]
Mao and Hisahi introduce themselves before relaying their promise
Mao and Hisashi set up a recording before introducing themselves. Mao details how they are making three promises. Resembling those made under pressure, Mao declares he will never tell anyone that Hisashi has a boyfriend if he also promises to never look at him in that way. If either of them breaks any of the promises they will move out of the dormitory immediately. When Hisashi reminds him of the third promise, it is they will give one another privacy when masturbating. After laughing at how weird this all is, Mao heads out since he does not want to be late on the first day.
Thanking him, Hisashi states if Mao had not been around, he would not have been able to live here when they were first years. Feeling the same due to the familiarity of the room, Mao adds he has club duties to do for the day since there is a film to finish before the school festival. Although they talk, Hisashi reflects how they live in silence with pleasantries such as good mornings shared. Where Hisashi feels there is loads of time since the school fest is in July, Mao sees it as there only being three months.
As they leave, Mao returns alone to tell the recording camera that Hisashi is a very important friend to him. In the second-year club meeting, Gichi Ichikawa as director intends to beat the third year and win the competition. Print-outs have the groups listed where Mao is announced as the leader of the filming crew. As the responsibilities and who has been tasked with them are read out, Runa Kagai asks Mao whether he read the script. Reading it now, Mao comments how they do not do school love stories often.
Director Gichi announces the film theme to club members
Before Runa can whisper further details, Gichi declares that the theme is BL. As members of the club process this, one member frames it as that stuff that girls all drool over. As Runa points out, they are in an all-boys school so there is not much choice. Thinking there has got to be some sort of deeper reason for this, Gichi is asked to elaborate further. For the new territory, it is on account that Gichi read such a book where he found it pure and serious. While Gichi is impressed at the idea of real love, Mao does not share his view on it.
As they read the script and mean to talk Gichi out of it afterward, class members are taken at how good the story is. Sharing a high five, Mao says to Gichi that he hopes they can start this film soon. Joking aside, Gichi details how he is heterosexual yet has not had a crush before and then asks what about Mao. When Mao does not know he has loved anyone before, he does add he has been attracted to some. In response, Runa questions whether they are both still in elementary.
For the matter, it is asked whether there is anyone in here who has experienced real love. It is how this production connects to their future for whether they marry someone when they grow up, Gichi wants them to all think back to this. Gichi details how as second years in High School there may be some who still find love embarrassing. they are still giving it serious thought to create a movie with their interpretation. Given that, Gichi propounds that they should make it a good one. Mao picks up on Gichi's resolve. After Runa wonders who he has in mind for casting, Gichi turns his attention to Mao.
In the dormitories, Hisashi informs Mao that there are not many people in the baths right now. Responding to Mao looking at him as he is shirtless, Hisashi teases him as being a dirty boy. Contemplating him, Mao finds the atmosphere around Hisashi makes him difficult for others to approach. Mao feels Hisashi looks strangely lonely, and it feels like he could up and disappear at any moment. Thinking back to what Gichi wanted to discuss with him, it transpires that he had wanted Hisashi in the role. Since Mao was Hisashi's roommate, Gichi asked to get him for them.
Not sure if he could act, Mao was open to the idea but thought it was not going to be easy. In Gichi's mind, acting skills were not a problem, but they did need someone who looked like a real delinquent. Their school was full of studious or athletic types, but there was no one else who came off as naturally as Hisashi. Also, a part of the discussion, Runa felt Gichi was demanding when he had an idea for Mao to seduce Hisashi or something and bring him to the club.
When Gishi heads off, Runa discusses with Mao how there is a kiss scene in a story between two men, so they need to be pretty honest with Hisashi. To himself, Mao considers if he asks Hisashi then what would he think. On account the film is about a male lead where everyone in the club (well-meaningly) felt that Hisashi would be perfect for it, Mao is concerned that Hisashi might think he broke his promise and outed him. Additionally, concerned Hisashi might be hurt, Mao considers they can look for someone else and he and Runa can look for another guy for the part.
Within their room, Mao wonders if there is another countryside delinquent like Hisashi before concluding he does look perfect for it. Imagining Hisashi as the main character in the story, Mao imagines him moving to kiss the other character. While the characters' faces are close, the character Hisashi teases whether the other character thought he was going to kiss him, where he now resembles Mao in the imagined scenario.
Brought back to his senses in their room, Mao is asked by Hisashi whether he is alright. With Hisashi's face now close to his, Mao hurriedly leaves for the bathroom. Wondering what that was, Mao felt like a switch just flipped but that is why he thought Hisashi would be perfect for the role. Feeling he got so into it, Mao almost wanted Hisashi to kiss him.
At school, Mao approaches Runa and Tera and answers the former that rather than ask Hisashi he wants to change the casting. As Runa means to tell the director, inside the room they find Gichi with Hisashi who is reading the script. Discreetly, Runa whispers to Gichi what Mao just told him. Indiscreetly, Gichi blurts out what Mao said about finding it hard to work with Hisashi. As Runa addresses why Gichi can't read between the lines, Gichi asks Mao why. Since he is standing right there, Hisashi also wonders why Mao would say he finds it hard to work with his roommate and would not want to act with him.
Mao can only think how he was scared that Hisashi might he think he had broken their promise. Also scared that Hisashi might be hurt, Mao cannot contemplate his other reason as Hisashi is addressing him.[3]
Images[]
References[]
- ↑ Anime announcement via Comic Natalie
- ↑ Kojima's age of 42 is stated in chapter 3
- ↑ Chapter 1
Wiki Link[]
Tasogare Outfocus Wiki[]
- An overview article on the entire series, enjoy reading and documenting total coverage details on the Tasogare Outfocus Wiki!