You Always Haunt My Heart Episode 1

6.0/10 - Powerful female lead.

Now I got a few raised eyebrows when I add this to my PTW, and more surprise when I started it. Maybe it's when I talk about strong female leads all the time. The issue is I don't think people understand the reference to strong female lead. I mean a character who is well thought out and fleshed out. Who is true to her character. One that doesn't suddenly change because the writers decided they needed to tick off some tropes in the drama story box. So far Ogawa Kyoko is probably one of the most well fleshed out and thought out female leads I've watched in a while. We know who she is, how she thinks, and most importantly feels. I for one have intense empathy for her character.

Though I understand that her personality is not for everyone, but that's the thing. Even if you could never be like Kyoko the power of storytelling is to turn someone you don't understand, and might actually dislike, into someone you can understand. Even feel for. Even if their personality is totally opposite from you or their choices scream "WRONG!" for you. You understand.

What's more is that the male leads are much the same way. Kyoko understands Hoshina Ren. The monster from her past and the person that wants to possess and destroy her. Taking advantage of her personality. The flashbacks to their past and what he did to her is chilling. She didn't know him then and now she does. Hoshina Ren is the person she most wants to escape, and most desires. This is a psychological mess. Hoshina Ren knows how to take advantage of Kyoko's mental disorders. He knows how to make her desire him even as he hurts and ruins her.

The new male lead is up front a better guy. But much as Hoshina Ren told Kyoko in a chilling flashback: "She doesn't really know him." So that echoes in my mind as Yoshizaki Kojirou slowly turns to liking Kyoko. We're getting glimpses of him. We know just a tad more about him. Such as he might have a past with someone he can't give up. While Kyoko just sees a person that is okay being himself and not caring.

I honestly wonder if Hoshina Ren hunted down poor Kyoko to her work so that she couldn't escape him. She's trying, but Ren has a point. She's wearing the scarf and it's like a nose to me. Which aptly represents their relationship up to what I've seen.

The setup and story being presented is powerful to me. I'm curious to see how Kyoko can affect change and to escape the monster preying on her mental disorder. I can see clearly that she should leave her job. Though it would be tragic as she clearly loves her work, it would be something that he takes again. Though she's not strong enough to take working with him like that. I'm curious to see what will happen and already completely invested.

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