Anata ga Shitekurenakute mo (2023)

Interesting exploration into marriage without intimacy, before nosediving into absurdity.

This series took an interesting look at marriage and how things can break down over a lack of communication and intimacy.

Considering how things went for the two couples profiled in this, I thought their marriages had reached the point of no return. Makoto's wife was more interested in her career than having a family, and in turn denied him emotional and physical intimacy.

And Michi's husband did not want kids at all and rather work a mediocre job and play video games, while at the same time denying her emotional and physical intimacy for more than two years. In the mist of all that he decided to physically cheat on her with his colleague and had little remorse for it until she (Michi) started to pull away from him.

Makoto and Michi became emotionally involved due to their loveless marriages and ultimately divorced their spouses, but break up with each other after the divorces. Still they continue on with their lives. Makoto working on growing his career and Michi doing the same, but also learning how to stand on her own. I thought the story ended in a good place at the end of episode 10 and should've stopped there. I didn't understand why another episode was needed.

Imagine my surprise when the main couples spent all of episode 11 ignoring what had destroyed their relationships in the first place, some of which were things that could not be overcome i.e. one person in the relationship wanting kids while the other didn't and extreme selfishness by one party in the relationship. Only to get back together in the end.

It was good to see Michi try to work on herself. Thus, it was extremely disappointing to see her reunite with Yo just because he told her he loved her. SMH. Very elementary and immature of her. This guy never worked for their relationship, except when that work would result in him getting what he wanted from her. Their relationship was never about them or even her. It was always about him. Moreover, he was unambitious, emotionally stunted and extremely selfish. In no way a match for what she envisioned for her life. It made absolutely no sense that he'd suddenly decide to leave the coffee shop and open his own. Honestly, I don't know how the shop he was working for stayed in business when there was never any customers in there.

This had to be one of the worst series I've ever wasted time watching and it was all due to the ending. I honestly had no investment in Michi and Makoto. I didn't care whether they ended up together or not.

However, I did think enough had been shown to logically conclude that both of their marriages were irreparably damaged and that they needed to move on. What a cop out to have them a) still interacting with each other, not just their exes, but the exes of their former "lovers" and b) to have the suddenly realize they belong together and reunite with their spouses. It made no sense whatsoever. Overall, the only good thing about this was the acting, which was actually pretty good. That aside though, this is not a series I would recommend and is obviously not worth a rewatch.

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If you really want to watch this drama, watch until episode 10. SKIPPING episode 11 is a must.

This was one of those Jdramas that started pretty well. the story was detailed and on-point. However, the writers decided to make it different and it was good, until it wasn't.

Story:
Adultery, but in a really absurd way. We get to see two very nonfunctional couples who are struggling with their sexless lives. however, this is not the whole thing. The characters are so lost and don't even know what they are doing. The concept of talking and marriage counseling doesn't even exist( which is not understandable imo). So to find solace and peace, they cheat; one emotionally and the other physically. and cheating is somehow forgiven by both parties again without talking. the reason why I'm saying it should've ended on episode 10 is that the leads finally got out of their dungeons and decided to make things right. but right about to do so, episode 11 screws everything up :/

Acting and chemistry:
Honestly, the actors and actresses don't depict emotions much. it's nonexistent kinda. except for a short period that we see Michi and Makoto getting close and romantic( Makoto's feelings were sincere but Michi's??! she was drowned in her mind). and the worst acting award goes to the second lead ( Yo and Kaede). The childish and selfish behavior depicted was unbelievable( but that does exist in real world, so kudos to the writer)

OST:
unlike many Jdramas I watched, this drama had a few songs that were quite good.

one thing I like to mention is that by episode 10, the whole story was wrapped up. we could guess the future based on the things we saw and it was over, but suddenly episode 11 popped up and the leads were all good with their exes? what happened? just a few months passed and they suddenly realized they can go back to being Comrades?LOL
as much as I liked the first few episodes, the last episodes weren't OK.

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