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Wakatte Ite mo: The Shapes of Love japanese drama review
Completed
Wakatte Ite mo: The Shapes of Love
8 people found this review helpful
by Jojo
Feb 8, 2025
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

All allure with little depth!

Have you ever had a dessert that looks so visually stunning yet when you taste it, it's nothing more than mediocre. Still, even though it’s not the best thing out there, the overall vibe of it sticks with you, giving you a good one-time experience. This drama was that dessert for me.

As someone who enjoyed the Korean version and was excited about the Japanese adaption, I have mixed feelings. This version felt less toxic as compared to the OG and leaned more on the philosophical side bringing out the classic Japanese slice-of-life story with shades of melancholia here and there. I would call rather call this "inspired by" rather than remake because alot of details differ.

The drama gestures towards the complexity of every character and their emotions but never lingers long enough to actually explore their depths.
With only 8 episodes, there was a lot to cover and while it does try to touch those aspects, it only scratched the surface. It felt like important details were glossed over. I feel like I understood more because I saw the detailed K-version and it was easy to relate and understand what was happening on the screen and what significance it is going to hold in the story further even though it may not be explicitly shown in the drama.

But all is not lost. The acting of the leads and supporting cast and the beautiful cinematography hits home, almost distracts from the story's shortcomings.

The visuals are stunning. I am not even exaggerating when I say the entire artistic atmosphere is beautifully crafted and well-shot! From the colours to the framing, everything was so thoughtfully designed that it felt like art in motion, truly a feast for the eyes.

The chemistry between the leads feels genuine yet awkward as it should, perfectly mirroring the complexity of their characters. There was always an unspoken tension and a subtle longing in their eyes as if they both were caught between desire and hesitation. A look where they each desperately need each other but just can't fully embrace.
Yokohama Ryusei in particular, was an absolute sight to behold. This might be a bit biased, but his presence elevated the entire watching experience. His expressive eyes and delicate gestures add layers to his character despite the narrative's flaws.

Overall, this doesn’t offer much in terms of narrative depth but visuals and the actors performances make it worth a one-time watch. Just don't expect to be fully satisfied with the plot.
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