Archie_A

I like how this movie takes on the idea of identity and how it shapes us. How much a name and where we are from matters, at least in society (as we see with the brother who is near obsessed with who he is as a Taniguchi and an heir and an inn-owner and all that and also with Kido's in-laws saying he's alright since he is sufficiently removed from his Korean heritage by a few generations. Those things don't tell who a person is on the INSIDE but they are markers by which society engages with itself).
And it also shows how much the PERSON matters regardless of their name or where they are from, like with the son saying he just misses him, not the name or the identity but just his dad. And his wife affirming that their time together was real even if his 'identity' was not.

I loved the scene of Makoto crying on the road, it was such a depiction of immense helplessness and desperation with no other way to let it out in that moment, it was a moving scene and made it all the more clearer why he would do what he did.
And I liked the end scene.

A really great movie with a poignant message.

I'm glad it did.
It was my first of its type so it was quite new to me, this snappy deadpan ridiculous type of dialog is something I'd see in a book but not really in a drama so it was fun to watch and adding the strange normalcy of life even with all the ridiculousness was just icing on the cake.
Have you watched Brush up Life?

I have a question for those who have watched the show?

Please what does the scene at the end of ep11 mean? It is shown after the end credits and I don't understand what we were meant to see there especially as we've seen some of it in an earlier episode so it just looks unnecessary to me. But I would like to know if I am missing something.
Thanks.

It was ridiculous right??
I actually believed for a second there... *smh*

Hope you're enjoying the show?

Okay, I understand that and I thank you for responding.

I do think their relationship was restrained but I figured it was because Karasuma couldn't let himself open up fully to someone whose ideology about their chosen career he didn't and couldn’t fully agree with.

Even with understanding Kujo, he doesn't totally agree with him especially when it comes to defending the yakuza. And the thing about situations like Kujos', is that it will probably keep going till it reaches a head which might be detrimental. And I don't think Karasuma is convinced that defending those criminals (Mibu included) is a "truly helpful thing he can do" and so he sticks with his own beliefs.
He does ask Kujo to stop several times but ultimately can’t let himself get sucked in further.

I think the drama tried to show the lengths people go, to live out their beliefs and some of the consequences (good or bad) that come with it. I think Kujo also respected him and reflected on some of his questions and words and probably tried to protect him there at the end from the consequences of Kujo's own beliefs.
Maybe if there is a season 2, we will see Kujo reshaping his ideals or following it till whatever end. Or maybe Karasuma reshaping his and opening up better to Kujo but with their current situation and beliefs, I thought their respect for and desire to protect each other was shown well enough.

Thanks again for sharing your perspective.

I really enjoyed this one. A story of sticking to your beliefs and all it entails, good or bad, for Kujo, Karasuma and Arashiyama. I have no complaint with the acting. My only gripe was with the pacing for the case for ep 6&7, it was a little off but everything else, I really enjoyed!
I hope they make a season 2.

I'm genuinely asking this but when you say the bromance fell flat, what do you mean? What sort of bromance did you expect in a story like this? And how was it not actualized?
I didn't even know there would be a bromance because the trailer on Netflix didn't show much but I thought the mutual respect between Kujo/Karasuma and Kujo/Mibu was done well. So now I'm wondering what it is that is missing when people say the 'bromance' fell flat. Please could you share your perspective?

You're right, thanks.
I was confused because this mdl page says two episodes with the dates for both and there is no other page for the series.
Plus I also hadn't read the link.

Very heartbreaking story.
Really a story of "good intentions" gone awry.
Well-acted and well told and it also explored something I don't think I've seen before.

Thanks to Irozukusubs for subbing this, I'm very grateful.

Hi.
Do you know if the series is going to start broadcasting next week? And is it with the same cast or just an offshoot of this story?

The acting in this series is just beautiful and Suda Masaki is absolutely something else.

Again with jdramas subverting my expectations and being the best thing, telling amazingly real and yet interestingly woven stories. I'm really glad I got to watch this drama.

But some Jdramas do that and so much more in 10 episodes (more or less) so I don't think its an episode number thing, maybe a writing thing, because I have thought that sometimes cdramas say nothing for episodes on end or use too many episodes to tell a story that should have been more compact.
I'm not trying to make it a country thing, just saying even a 4episode 'special' can be more impactful and tell a better story than a 40episode series.

Haven't started yet, waiting for the episodes to reach at least 10 but thank you for subbing this.
Also my first taiga!

Thanks and may God bless you.

A heartfelt YES! to that

I agree, that would actually be an interesting story and a unique spin.

They would have to talk about the logistics of moving the kid from home to home yet giving him a stable upbringing. Also what if ones' partner isn't comfortable with the dynamic, it'll be nice to see them begin to love the kid and what co-parenting would look like overall.
I'd watch that.

Thank you so so much for these. I'll be checking them out and I hope to find some gems.

I've just watched Hot Spot and I absolutely loved it and have my eye on Rebooting. so your list is in line with what I'm looking for.

And please, if you know any stories with a "good guy-bad guy" dynamic like an undercover agent working with some villain and finding common ground type story. Thanks.

Slice of life, found family and friendship are my favorite genres. But interesting stories like this movie or 'The family' (drama with Takuya) or 'The Lines that define me', are cool. I'm finding that Japan tell diverse stories in unique ways and I would love to discover as many as I can.
The only exception is romance, I don't really watch romances.
Thank you!

That's sad... a world without hope is absolutely sad. Poor Tsurumaru to feel like that but I also get it given his circumstance. It is a fitting theme for the movie because it does seem so sad and hopeless at the end there.

Thanks for your explanation.

I would love to check out more old movies if I can. Do you have any particular recommendations please?