Is My Kawaii About to Expire?

Cute acting by ML, overall a fun watch but confusing ending

So really liked the ML’s acting, he really nailed it!. I feel like the writing was subpar though. It stars off good with an interesting premise (cute ML who attaches a lot of importance to his looks has been told he’ll lose it very soon by his “future self”) . It was v cute too in the initial episodes with the awkward budding romance but takes a nosedive in the later episodes and ends confusingly and rushed without doing any of the characters justice.


**SPOILER AHEAD**
Like in the ending scene, it is implied that they don’t end up together? it honestly just didn’t make sense. If the future him was so satisfied why did he return? What was the purpose? And his future self did tell the present FL that he felt ashamed about facing that someone, so why then does he not want to change it?

And like what’s the reason for the sweet romance they showed us where he genuinely falls in love for the first time after a series of exes who only cared about his looks. In the course of that romance neither of therm really talk about or confront their fears either. Like he doesn’t confess to her about his fear that he’ll loose his cuteness and she doesn’t really tell him any of her issues really? Like she just breaks up? And then returns with no explanation.

Honestly an ending where they aren’t together would have been acceptable if there was some character growth for both ML and FL to justify it but nope.

From the synopsis I was expecting to see some personal growth for ML in regards to his career and his belief that his looks are all he has! I was very interested in that but we got none. In a scene his ex tells FL that he looks cute but only cares about his himself and is narcissistic but throughout the show there is no evidence of that? Like we don’t get to see any of his narcissistic tendencies at all. From what we see he’s always thoughtful and hardworking and friendly to his colleagues and girlfriends. So that comment just seems out of blue and unfounded but I feel like it’s supposed to be part of the story. It would have been so much more interesting if it was. And through the romance if he could realise those small things it would have been so much wholesome and satisfying than just cute.

And the FL’s character was so rushed and messy. Like I still don’t understand her characters motivations and fears. I think they started explaining her character only towards the end. But when I felt like I was beginning to understand she said or did things that didn’t makes sense and then the show ended lol leaving me going HUHHH in true Japanese fashion.
**END OF SPOILERS***

So yeah I have my fair share of gripes about the shows writing but if you can ignore the ending and what I’ve mentioned it’s a cute watch, the romance is adorkable and the comedic moments are nicely done too.

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Cute Enough for what it is

8/10 is my rating. This is a 2022 Japanese Romantic comedy with 9, 30 minute episodes. Japanese title: "Ore No Kawaii wa Mousugu Shohikigen?"

Few people stay cute, pretty, and/or super attractive forever. Still, it came as a surprise to 29 year old Maruya Kosuke (Yamada Ryosuke) when a stranger pointed out he would not be cute forever. Sanada Izumi (Yoshine Kyoko) is a brilliant data analyst and was an ace product developer but her inability to manage others resulted in her taking the blame for others.

Review

It is worth the watch for how cute Maruya Kosuke is. There isn't enough to it that I would watch it again. It ends nebulous with a question as to their status as a couple. It is not an unhappy ending just not a very well wrapped up ending.

MyCutenessisAbouttoExpire

#YamadaRyosuke

#YoshineKyoko

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Cuteness has a use by date

A young man approaching 30 has had the good fortune to be considered cute in a country that reveres looks. This has enabled Kosuke to glide through life and loves with little effort and no self reflection.
His looks have opened doors for him in business and smoothed over difficulties so upon meeting a character, claiming to be his future self, who foretells that he will soon lose his cuteness panic sets in.

In quick succession events conspire to reinforce his popularity is waning and it forces Kosuke to begin some soul searching. He is basically a really nice, helpful and cheerful character so his cuteness is not his only redeeming feature but he is unaware of his strengths.
A new co worker seems immune to his charms. She is stiff, withdrawn and very results driven. They are partnered up and with his natural supportive actions Izumi gradually begins to like him. Hers is a difficult role where only micro gestures are used to convey her robotic stiffness and awkwardness. A good foil for Kosuke's more flamboyant, warm gestures.

An interesting plotline a little weird because the future Kosuke is taller(?) The cuteness factor is captured beautifully by the male lead and his personality had me rooting for his success.

Easy and fun drama with only slight exaggerated actions that are common in Japanese manga conversions. No nasty characters, Polite, consensual actions from our ML - a stolen kiss from the FL.

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WHY IS NANAMI KENTO HEREEEE

romcom between robotic, hardheaded office lady with her flexible, much cuter senior. what really made me surprised here is the appearance of nanami kento's VA, Tsuda Ken lmao now all of you nanami simps can actually see how nanami in real life.

i love the genuine and heart-warming atmosphere between the male and female character. because of the short episodes, i definitely feel like they rushes the climax and resolution of the story. I was kinda gunning for open-ending story and it kinda does? there are several characters that i don't feel the need to be there at all tho, or are there just to be plot device. just a lot of wasted potential and kind of messy plot.

i do commend on yamada's 'falling-in-love' stare tho. the smiling before kiss, soft touches, intense eye contact... wow. i still am disappointed with prolonged peck. very little jdrama actually pulled good kisses nowadays.

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So cute!

I started watching this show because the title grabbed me. And Yamada Ryosuke as Maruya Kusake is uber-cute! The way he looked at Sanada was so lovely, it really gave me all the feels.

The story was very sweet and original in a lot of ways. I appreciate that there weren't a lot of evil people/bad guys. The sales team and the way they worked together, we should all hope to have such supportive co-workers. The character of Maruya Kusake - I think he was supposed to be a narcissist at the beginning, but even early on he was a charmer. You just have to smile when he smiles. He has such an expressive face, and the script called for lots of random facial expressions, which he pulled off effortlessly. There were a lot of times I had to laugh out loud watching him.

I have to say that I felt that that character of Sanada Izumi was the weak link of this show. There's expressionless, and then there's robotic. This character was robotic - from the way she walked, the way she talked, and she seriously had no facial expression. There was one time she broke out a full-on smile and I was glad to see it.

Ohashi Kazuya as Ichinose Kei. I really enjoyed him and his (I'm hoping) intentional overacting. He was loud, emotional and a ton of fun to watch.

The storyline was very sweet. It was a fun and easy watch. I was somewhat disappointed in the ending, but it's a little open to interpretation, so I choose to go the happy ending route.

If you want a cute romantic comedy, you can't go wrong with this one!

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Cuteness Overload

The ML was puppy dog cute and worth watching the drama for; the actor owned the role of a narcissist who dealt with the world relying on his looks. When ML was confronted with his future, ugly self, he was first horrified and in denial. As time went on, and he began a romantic relationship based on caring rather than looks, he began to change. I love character growth in dramas; it gives me hope for some people I know.

I was wishing for a better ending, but it fell flat, just like old beer. Who wants a rom-com to end with a stiff, off-putting romance? Who wants the adorable ML to become an ugly, old man? It's a downer ending to a cute drama. I waffled on how many stars to rate after my disappointment. I considered 6.5, but the lead was engaging. I decided to award 7 stars, but I gave another half star because of the lead's cuteness factor. I'm allowed; don't judge me.

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Perfect

Usually, I'm not a big fan of characters who deliberately act cute. However, unexpectedly, I wasn't bothered at all by the ML's behavior. They found an actor who was perfectly suited for the ML and FL roles. The FL is actually my favorite character in this drama. Everything was perfect, even the unexpected ending.

Everything was perfect, but being the greedy person that I am, I wished this drama was longer because I enjoyed it so much. I had a serious case of post-drama syndrome after watching this. Even months after finishing the drama, I unconsciously kept searching for a drama that could give me the same impression, but I never found one :(

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Ang Cute Naman

Okay, I give 10 stars for Kyoko Yoshine. Yes I am biased with her. LOL! She's my favorite actress and whatever role will be given to her, she always nailed it! Whatever is given to her role I will love it! Even, her role as Ms. Izumi Sanada is unfairly unattractive to me. Ms. Izumi Sanada, she seems selfish to me, she only think of herself. Yes, she self-doubted and distance herself from others. She's not making effort to approach anyone because she self-destruct. And here comes Mr. Kosuke Maruya, always backing him up to make her belong to the group. Mr. Kosuke Maruya was right when he said she's not so much unsociable but rather has a personality problem. LoL! Ms. Izumi do loves Mr. Kosuke but because she don't trying to understand him, she just easily neglected him. So sad! Annoying but since Kyoko Yoshine is Ms. Izumi Sanada, I'll just let it go. Hahaha.

Pairing up with Mr. Ryosuke Yamada is a wonderful experience to watch. Mr. Ryosuke is a great actor especially in comedy. His cute face drawn me to fall in love every romantic drama/movie he made. (Filipino/TagLish words ahead) Nakakaawa naman sa part ni Maruya, Kosuke na nasasaktan siya sa huli. Kun'sabagay, 'pag mahal mo ang tao, do'n ka talaga iiyak. I think, its unfair naman sa part niya dahil siya pa ang lalake, siya pa ang nag-e-effort, siya pa ang iiyak.


Maganda ang kwento, ay hindi pala, hindi lang sa simpleng maganda ang kwento, kundi kamahal-mahal din. Bawat episodes ay walang dead part na mabo-bored ka, every seconds ay kaabang-abang lalo na sa romantic scenes. The last episode, is kind a disappointing, paraan na hindi naman talaga sila nagkatuluyan, parang kaibigan na lang ang dating after 30 years. Kaloka! Hahaha! Pag mahal mo talaga, gagawin mo ang lahat makasama siya sa hinaharap kahit may pangarap pa ang bawat. Hindi naman minamadali ang hinaharap at hindi rin minamadali ang pag-ibig, pero tatagal ng 30 years ang paghihintay, eh galaw-galaw naman! Hahaha!

'Yon lang. Sa sobrang direct to the point ng kuwento, disappointing na sa last! Hahaha! Mag-ri-replay ako sa mga episodes, ngunit doon lang sa part na kilig. I am biased eh! Hahaha!

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