The story isn't something that we haven't seen before, but it's well told. The first episode was fantastic but, sadly, the next few episodes don't live up to it. The second half is much more entertaining. As always, Sakamoto-sensei's dialogues are beautiful, and he's arguably the top screenwriter in Japan.
Most of the cast was great. Takahata Mitsuki's performance was probably the best, specially in the forth and fifth episodes. But I also need to comment on Arimura Kasumi's acting. I really don't understand why people dislike her so much. She did a GREAT job in this drama, she's probably the best after Takahata. Anyone who has seen this and Biri Gal knows that she's a pretty good actress when she has the right projects. Kora Kengo and Nishijima Takahiro were good too. I was really sad about Sakaguchi Kentaro and Morikawa Aoi, because most of their scenes felt like filler material, and they really didn't have much to do beside a few great scenes.
The music was solid, but not extraordinary or anything.
Overall, I think this is one of Sakamoto-sensei's weakeast dramas so far, but it's still better than most of the romantic dramas released nowadays, I recommend it to those looking for a slightly bittersweet slice-of-life romantic drama.
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(Itsuka Kono Koi wo Omoidashite Kitto Naite Shimau).
Story: In my opinion, the story was very consistent, well written, with a meaningful romance story and very well portrayed by the casting actors.
The main focus of the show is the romance story but this show can also offer a journey with hardships sorrounding love, happiness, work and life objectives.
All characters contribute to the storyline, and there's no character left behind without helping the story progress.
While i watched the story was depressing, dramatic, pleasing and very cute at times.
I experienced a lot of moments throught the show where I was frustrated how the story progressed in many ways that i can't spoil, but i can say the story was well told and the characters were very well portrayed with their own point of views, thoughts and emotions, so i had no choice to care for them, but that is just me enjoying the show in my own way.
Acting: I feel like in this case everyone's perspective on each character will be different based on your own morals, preferences, etc... So what i can say is that i loved the acting and the casting, i think everyone was outstanding in portraying their own role.
Music/Overall: Pretty decent OST so nothing to special about it.
Overall: I like every aspect in this show, also i gave it 9 out of 10, because i don't consider this to be a masterpiece, but it was very well done and very well portrayed. I recommend it to those looking for a deep story with Romance/Drama/Slice of life.
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Acting/Cast: Everyone except for Arimura Kasumi and Kentaro were new people for me to watch. I enjoyed the two main roles but the others eh weren't that good. Kora Kengo was really good in this drama,so as Kasumi.
Music: I just love the music it matches the drama soft,sad,relaxed just perfect.
Rewatch Value: I would definitely watch this drama again!
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This review may contain spoilers
One day under that brilliant dawn
When I was watching this show, all I could think of was "I wish I came across this show earlier in my life."A story with a title like this, you expect to eyeroll at the contrivances and silly over the top melodrama. However this show felt different in what it was trying to get across.
The show wasn't so much about the love triangles and tension. It was more about the story of moving towards a path in life that you can be happy about.
When the story reached its finale points, I felt that I grew along side the characters. Each one felt like they overcame something large in their lives. Oto gained her independence and strength. Ren allowed himself to express his feelings. Rihoko allowed herself to be herself. Konatsu gained her confidence. Haruta gained self esteem. Asahi gained compassion and understanding. I really enjoyed each characters arc. I liked how each of them were allowed breathing room to expand their characters. No matter how they got there, their actions made more sense as the show went on.
I felt that the characterization was on point for the majority of the show. It's funny because I'm used to Kengo being a heel in his roles and was surprised to see him as a quiet reluctant man. But then the swerve hit and I was like "ahh there it is!" Arimura was my favourite part of the show. But I'm biased towards her. She tends to run a through a gamut of emotions in all her roles. I really liked her chemistry with the cast. Especially with Kengo, they had amazing body language chemistry. Kentarou felt a little scattered but when you start to realize his character's quirks, it makes it more reasonable.
Aoi felt really great in her portrayal of someone who judges others because of her own weaknesses. With Mitsuki, I loved how her character didn't become catty or violent. The fact that she settled into the chill friend was amazing. And finally Takahiro, he felt nuanced. At first I didn't really like him. As the show went on I stayed feeling really bad for him. Then I felt like he was being too uncaring but the I was back on his side later. It felt like a rollercoaster with his character. Special shout out to Issey playing the guy with a chip on his shoulder and Mei Nagano as a cute support.
Also just a mention about the show's great mirroring. There's a good amount of scenes mirroring how similar the stories of Oto and Ren are. From what they are doing when they are texting to how they perceive people. It really showed an unspoken bond between the characters. I also liked how paper played a role in emotional damage.
It was also kinda funny because I heard the piano score and recently came off of "Umi no Hajimari"only to say to myself "This sounds so similar... " only to find out its the same composer. So if you enjoyed that Soundtrack, it's more or less the same.
The cinematography was fine for what it was. I particularly enjoyed many of the overhead shots and nights capes. The opening moments of episode 1 was also an interesting way of introducing everyone. There's some lighting issues with the general Japan way of doing the blown out sunlit characters. Either the that, it was good. A good thing about the camera work was it was always sort of moving. It created an engaging flow. There some conversations hurt by the camera however jumping back and forth so much between characters.
Overall a really piercing watch. I think I cried every episode(The mom's note 😭). But a lot of things just hit so strongly. I think because the main core of the show is the struggle to make something of yourself. And that's something we all can relate to.
P. S that ending song is one of the sweetest songs I've heard. After you finish the series, watch the music video.
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Even Sakamoto Yuji messes up
This drama has all the potential to be a great drama. Brilliant writer with a beautiful setting (Hokkaido/Fukushima), star-studded cast (who can all act), beautiful OST. But none of those things could have salvaged the really really weird, convoluted plot. Way too many characters vying for the "main character/main supporting character" spot, I don't know if it's because they're all prominent actors(ress) that he felt compelled to tell all their stories - which means no one's story got told well.The relationships here are so convoluted for no reason. By the time the 100th love triangle popped up I was so done, I thought surely this has to be a joke. Multiple love triangles/interest CAN work well as shown in Sakamoto 's very own Quartet later that year, but they have to be lighthearted and cannot be serious the way ItsukaKoi was, otherwise it's just a tangled mess.
The acting is all solid, and I really enjoyed Takahata Mitsuki in particular, but even that and the beautiful OST could not possibly have saved these convoluted shenanigans.
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