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A timeless feel-good classic!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a series that first aired in 2007, but Hana-Kimi has aged remarkably well. From beginning to end it was entertaining, funny, delightfully goofy, and simply well made. It never took itself too seriously, yet it still managed to tell a heartfelt story with a wonderful cast of characters.The story follows Mizuki, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to enrol at an all-boys school. She doesn’t go there because she’s in love, but on a mission to help high jumper Sano regain his confidence and return to the sport after he gave it up. That unique premise leads to countless hilarious misunderstandings, chaotic situations, and unforgettable comedy, while the romance develops naturally along the way.
One aspect I particularly appreciated was how the series handled the confusion surrounding feelings and identity. One aspect I particularly appreciated was how the series handled love and attraction. Throughout the story, one character openly has a crush on another boy, while another unexpectedly finds himself falling for Mizuki while believing she is a boy. Even after the truth about Mizuki is revealed, those emotions are handled with sincerity and respect, adding another layer of warmth to the series. It made the friendships and relationships feel more authentic and reinforced the show’s positive message about accepting both yourself and others.
Even during quieter moments, there’s often something hilarious happening in the background. The background actors deserve so much credit because they’re constantly adding little moments of comedy that make this a series with fantastic rewatch value. I’m sure I’d notice something new every time I watch it.
Beneath all the comedy is a positive message about friendship, acceptance, courage, and believing in both yourself and others. The characters grow together naturally, making it easy to become attached to all of them.
The farewell scenes are some of the most wholesome I’ve ever watched. They left me smiling from ear to ear and felt like the perfect ending to a drama that celebrates friendship, kindness, and happiness.
For anyone hesitant because it was made in 2007, don’t be. Hana-Kimi has stood the test of time and remains a genuinely joyful, feel-good series. It’s funny, charming, heartwarming, and absolutely worth watching.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a comedy full of laughter, friendship, memorable characters, and plenty of rewatch value.
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This is my favourite TV show ever - i gave 10/10's for a reason xoxo (very vaugue spoilers included)
Headline says it all, maybe i'll give a more nuanced take another time but i feel like all i need to say is this show was not made to be perfect, rather, it was made from the hearts of the creators - and it shows (╥ヮ╥).All of the characters are extremely likeable and endearing and the humour makes this show so so so enjoyable. Biggest comfort show, where i was also intensely invested in the plot, whilst also ADORING the special Japanese charm that the show has. It leans into its manga roots in all the right ways and i will never find another show that does it better.
I want to also give a special mention for Nakatsu who is such a wonderfully written queer character who represents a super under-represented perspective on sexuality and romantic feelings that apply not only to the LBGTQIA+ community but also demonstrate the label free perspective for EVERYONE that I have held with for a very long time. I feel like they made some ... interesting choices with the only character who was explicitly named as a gay character, but did a very nuanced and careful job creating Nakatsu's character, and kept some fun and enjoyment that all the other side character boys in the school had with their other LBGTQ+ boy.
Overall, OBSESSED and i am the actual number 1 hater of love triangles - so yk its good.
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Funny Japan
I watched this drama many time, and always entertined. This is exactly what i looking for when i watch J Drama, the typical Japanese silly scene. I love Maki Horikita, she's perfect. I hope she is happy with her family today. Miss so much her on screen.The story is simple, absolutely entertaining. No need to think too much, just enjoying each scene. Their funny charaters around Ashiya and Sano, can't stop me to laugh. The typical Japanes silly scene always soften my nerve.
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NAKATSU FOREVER
I suddenly felt like I need to have a good laugh and so I rewatched Hana Kimi (Japanese) after 16 looong years. And guess what? I was still surprised with the over-the-top humor. The comical level is so malala, it’s still incomparable to any romcoms. Oh no, I feel nostalgic rn 🥹 This piece actually ignited my love for Japanese dramas. Having been heavily influenced by its absurdity, I have also penned a few scripts in college inserting the said kind of comedic tone but at the same time balancing it with local wits and kabaliwan of Bob Ong (Whom I’m also a fan of). Well, that’s a fun throwback for me! Hmmm I’m just starting to question my maturity and sense of humor now that I’m 30. Oh crap! 😂 Hey, no judgments to any manga reading and anime loving adults here! 😏Was this review helpful to you?
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Though the concept of "girl-pretends-to-be-a-boy" is not a new concept after all, this drama manages to pull-off some neat "cheesy" tricks that would make some fanatics drool. It also managed to clean-out some blurry elements in the Taiwanese version, which helped out the whole version.
The cast of this show, individually, would never surprise anyone. But I must say, once you put the whole ensemble together in the screen, it's almost next to impossible not to be persuaded. I also found Nakatsu's character as somehow the life of the drama - being able to pull-off funny scenes just by doing some weird movements. Though pulling-off humorous scenes was easy for him, most of his serious ones are some of the most memorable scenes. A great character, indeed.
The drama has also created or branded particular scenes just by playing specific background songs. Every viewers would love to jam along as the drama progresses.
There are particular scenes in this show, that you would love to see over and over - but not the whole show. For some of its scenes, losses its' "magic" for some unknown reasons.
In general, the show is good - but not something that you would be thinking in your dreams.
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I liked that Mizuki was so brave. It inspired me.
Izumi got me to laugh sometimes.
Beauty Dorm Head scared me.
I liked that the hot popular chick wasnt how they usually are( but you will have to see for yourself) ;).
Wish i had seen more kiss scenes.
The worst part is that I wasnt really interested in any other character but Mizuki and Izumi. So when these two werent on the screen I felt bored.
But since the their love story was so interesting to me i just had to know how it went on.
Overall if your interested watch it. If not, well watch something better :) .
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This review may contain spoilers
DRAMA SOBRE AMIZADE
Esse foi um dos meus primeiros dramas da vida e ainda é a adaptação de um dos meus favoritos mangás.É o drama ideal para quem tá procurando um enredo sobre amizade, já que temos desde o início, o desenvolvimento da amizade da Mizuki com todos os meninos da escola e a dinâmica entre eles. Claro que tem um certo foco em romance, mas os tema central continua sendo AMIZADE. É muito lindo como a chega da Mizuki muda o Sano e até o final, ele se transforma em outra pessoa (mais agradável).
Menção honrosa: o Nakatsu é o melhor personagem da obra, é impossível não amar ele ou torcer para que a Mizuki tbm se apaixone por ele.
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Uno de los jdramas más graciosos que existen
Al principio me pareció una serie entretenida pero no la estaba maratoneando. Para el quinto capítulo más o menos, empecé a querer ver uno tras otro, tras otro, y cuando me quise dar cuenta había llegado al último, y no quería que se termine. No hubo una razón en particular, sino una suma de cosas: el first lead, que al principio me parecía un ortiva, tiene un cambio muy positivo que hizo que me terminase cayendo súper bien y me empezara a importar su trama; el second lead es todo lo que está bien, es un estallo y aunque al principio no me convencía, es de esos personajes que se hacen querer mucho. Ni hablar de todo el cast secundario, es decir todos los compañeros de campus de Mizuki: ¡este dorama tiene uno de los mejores grupos de personajes secundarios! Me encariñé un montón con ellos.Si bien hay una trama lineal, que es la historia de Sano y el objetivo de Mizuki de ayudarlo, la serie tiene también un formato episódico, cada capítulo se centra en un asunto que tiene que ver con todo el grupo de compañeros de Mizuki (y el second lead suele estar metido siempre), y esta es definitivamente la mejor parte de la serie, porque estas partes son comedia pura y, por fortuna, tienen tanto tiempo en cámara o incluso más que lo que acontece con la trama principal.
Aparte del humor, la producción es buena, las actuaciones están bien para el tono de la serie y que sea una serie vieja no le afecta en nada, resiste muy bien al tiempo y el final me encantó. Un jdrama sencillo pero hilarante y MUY lindo.
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