content. It also operates the similarly-themed GagaOOLala streaming platform, which carries a mix of acquired content, its own originals and shows co-produced with partners in Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, the U.S., and Germany.
The company’s “Fragrance of the First Flower” premiered as part of the Tokyo International Film Festival’s series showcase and played at the recent Taiwan Content Creative Fest. Now it is part of Portico’s pitch at next week’s ATF. While gay cinema is reported to have struggled to find theatrical audiences in recent years, website, Mydramalist says that in the six years from 2015 to 2021, the number of LGBTQ and BL series it tracks has increased from 71 to 257.
“Our geographical demographics have shifted to address the growing demand for Asian LGBTQ + BL content in and outside of Asia, as we pivot to become a streaming service that Asian content providers partner with for simultaneous global premieres.” The company is working with Thailand’s local public TV channel MCOT to carry several of its BL series outside the country.