Japanese Dramas & Movies from the 90s and early 00s❤

Checked all the boxes for a good love story, and yet it ended up being mediocre because I couldn't grow to root for the characters. 

Disappointing in every way. I do not recommend it.

If you liked the vibes of movies like 'Love Rosie' / 'Harry Meets Sally' or dramas like 'In Time With You', then you might enjoy this. Otherwise, don't bother.

For a romance dorama, this surprised me initially with unpredictable twists, likeable and earnest characters, and a star-crossed romance of 2 stubborn and flawed individuals who constantly loved and yearned for each other yet somehow 'missed' each other. Sometimes it's not as simple as just saying 'I love you' because they clearly did all the time, yet isn't it the most important.. The first 5 episodes were great.
It got tedious and overtly frustrating in the middle and some introspection for the leads would have been great to avoid the detours, but the sincere performances by all 4 leads kept me going. It's quite a paradox that despite some important conversations being avoided, the characters were pretty honest and true to who they were. I was glad when it was finally over because it felt like it took forever. The ending, too, was unfortunately lackluster and in the end, we barely got to understand or hear why they went through so much pain / angst.
"Love shouldn't be something you have to work at. It should bring people closer naturally."
This dialogue accurately sums up the drama and the leads' journey for me.
This isn't a drama for everybody. There are far better 90s dramas out there. You have been warned.

P.S Mental note to myself: Avoid this screenwriter's works like a plague LMAO

Mediocre drama, with a charismatic and beautiful FL and a ML who was miscast. This had the potential to be better.

I wanted to love this, but I struggled to even like it. It went downhill in the 2nd half. I loved the FL initially and rooted for her and I think that had a lot had to do with the actress. She had an innocence and silent strength to her. But I grew to dislike her towards the end of the series. I also disliked pretty much every other character in this drama, especially both the male leads, and the so called friend Naoko. The romance was also subpar and unconvincing.
The ending theme with the dogs playing was the most random thing ever, but probably the best thing about this drama. A close second, would be the character development for Shima. He went from controlling and abusive, to a much more calmer and empathetic person.
Miyazawa Rie deserved a better script :(

When your central characters consist of a bank executive who is a call girl at night, a rapist who makes AVs, a journalist, a shady bar owner running a prostitution wing, and tons of sexist men, you can expect this to be WILD. And yes, it was wild. This is one of those trainwrecks that hooks you till the end because it was so unpredictable and thrilling. But it leaves a bad aftertaste in your mouth at the end because of its repulsive message of how men get away despite all their wrongdoings while women are judged and pay for every mistake they make.
I do not recommend this. Watch with caution if you choose to.

This was such a waste of my time. Nothing really happened in this movie, not until the last 15 mins or so. It was painfully slow & had some problematic elements that did not add/contribute to the story at all. Given the genre, I expected more thrill & intensity. Most importantly, the film didn't answer the basic question of why she was being stalked & harrassed by the doctor (whose face we never ever get to see). Best thing about it was the street shots of Tokyo at night; gorgeous cinematography there. The score was cool too.
Don't bother with this one unless you have nothing better to watch.

Dropped it about 30 mins in.

Beautifully filmed, but boring and devoid of soul. Too bad, because I love watching a young Takenouchi Yutaka.

Dropped at E5.

The screenwriter must really dislike a strong, competent FL who is trying to live her life by working hard and taking good care of her kid. The title is 'Miss know-it-all' but the ML is actually the know-it-all who thinks the world should revolve around his views.

Dropped at E4.

Dropped at E3.

on hold

On hold.