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Breathtaking in every way...
I love everything about this story, I am a massive fan of both the lead actors and they did a phenomenal job with these lead characters. Their chemistry was natural, and brought the story to life in a way I feel like only they could. I haven't felt this attached to a Wuxia Fantasy in a while, one of like 3 in all of 2025 that really crept into my heart and nested there. I am so sad it is over, but I would rewatch this one just for the beautiful storytelling, believable acting, amazing chemistry, and the magic and creatures in this story were so well done. I Love the concept of this unwinding love that transcends through thousands of years over and over again, no matter how our leads met. It was thrilling to watch them fall in love three times over, and in unique ways each time. The story itself just worked for me in ways not many do.It was literally shaping up to be one of my all time favorite cdramas before the last two episodes completely decimated me. I am actually crying over this one. It hurts my soul that it ended this way. I don't even know what to do with myself in this moment. If you want to see a happy ending, stop before you get too far into ep 39 and you can live in la la land. I almost wish I had held off on the ending now but I also love that I did them justice in seeing it through despite my heart break, because even in the ending we get to see the depth of such a love.
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Kleenex in hand, take the dive.
What a love, what a friendship, what a story. 🥹🥹Aptly titled, Taste and Tears will burrow into your heart and wound your soul, just to mend it stronger than it was before you began. This story is beautifully wound, the acting is great, and the overall ending is very satisfying. I am very glad I experienced this story, I found it so poetic.
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I totally fell for it - Again
Let me preface that I have not seen the original J Drama, and normally that would mean I'd be rushing there to see it after learning of its existence - except I am not sure I have the heart to re-live it. I came into this drama blind, the title and cast caught my attention, I added it to my list and then saw a scene on social media that made me realize I wanted to watch it. I did not expect what came with it, I envisioned this a light hearted story of young love, of which it is - but that is not the whole of it. Like with 20th Century Girl, of which I walked in blindly as well - I was completely decimated by the tragedy that awaited me. I'd grown attached, found genuine beauty in the gradual love built by these two and his choice to continue to give her all the best memories, day by day. It felt a lot like 50 First Dates but without the promise of the ending these two deserved.These stories hit harder usually because of the tragedy awaiting, they make us feel so much more than the traditional romance story, because it is weighed down by the loss of that hard fought love.
I understand that, truly, but yet I cling to the hope of a beautiful ending in which happiness can be found. However, I am left forever maimed by this encounter because I cannot forget it and all of the beauty that came with it. I still inevitably love stories like this, though I never go in willingly to them. They just happen to find me, tug on my heart with promises before yanking it up into my throat where it will throb endlessly from the experience.
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Deep, yet Depraved Love That Will Light Your Fuse - In ALL the ways.
To My Shore is raw, twisted and complicated, just as most people are. These two are soulmates, who go through hell in the process of discovering themselves, and the depth of their connection! It is about the merging of two complicated individuals and watching that initial spark ignite into a flame that dares to consume them both, scorching the audience's souls along the way. For those of us who enjoy powerful stories like this, it is a MASTERPIECE!!This story is based on a novel, so there is a cult following of fans from the books into the drama. It follows the original story well, though it is not for the faint of heart but instead for those of us who can appreciate the art of a love like theirs.
Newcomers >>> Welcome! If the headline of this post doesn't intrigue you on sight, that means you've stumbled into the twisted and dark side of dramaworld, and here we live on the edge! Hopefully you can appreciate the mastery of this story and its storytelling style the way we all have.
If you can't, that is okay too! No one is asking you to branch out of your comfort zone, but please do not judge this story based on your own perceptions of what merits as good/bad. It is either your cup of tea, or it is not. There is no judgement here, but if you dare to take this ride - please come back and tell us how it impacted you. Be it in a positive or negative way, this experience will not leave you unscathed. That I can guarantee.
If you loved this story, they are making an EP 16 for us to get our fulfilled Happy Ending that our characters deserve after going through all the chaos, destruction, and growth that comes only with lived experiences, making and learning from mistakes, and allowing ones instincts to push them past the limits of conventional expectations only to come out the other side, forever changed.
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Best Anime Of All Time
The storytelling is phenomenal, not a filler episode in sight. Each flashback you endure is brief and has a reason for being there, it fills in blanks as the plot thickens. I havent seen storytelling like this since Wheel Of Time [books not the show] and you can only get what I mean if you finished that masterpiece too. Every single piece fell into place, the action is hard hitting, and the character development is fantastic. I will be rewatching it, buying it, loving it forever.If you feel like its slow, [IMHO it is anything but slow] then get yourself to ep 8 & 9 of S1 and the pace will never feel slow again. There is so much forshadowing but you wont see it as that until later, and you won't be able to predict the story behind the beginning just yet.
I stand by this, as someone who carried 2 classic favorites above all the others for a decade+, AOT swooped in and stole the number one spot in my anime loving heart. If you have not seen it, watch it.
Be thankful that you were not among the folks who saw it as it aired because it took 10 years to finish. [I would have lost my mind!]
My husband and I binged the entire series in 3 days. It has been 4 days since we finished and it is STILL ALL WE CAN THINK ABOUT! We have finished 2 animes and started a third since we ended it but nothing compares. I dont even know how or if anything else could, and I am a massive Solo Leveling fan... which skyrocketed to my #1 spot and turned my top 2 into top 3 favorites of all time last year. I didnt think anything could surpass SL for me until AOT did that and more.
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I NEED SEASON 3
The ending of season 1 left us all hanging on a cliff, but unlike most I only had like 5 seconds before I could see what happens next, since it was already out and I was in binge mode.This season starts slower, but by the end you see why you had to let it build up. It was disheartening to see our Thorfin so defeated for a time, but inspiring that surrounding yourself with good people can truly bring you out of the darkness. After being alone for so long, it dulls the ache for all us watching, who endured beside him, knowing all he has lived through. To finally see him building genuine relationships, growing as a young man, and finding his way despite it all.
When the plot picks up, just like in season 1, it is consistent in sweeping the rug out from under us viewers. I wasnt sure where we were going but it all comes to a head in a great finale.
I need season 3, buuuut it ends in a way that leaves room for more to come or could be an ending suitable for the saga. It is open ended, with the knowledge that he is the man out to realize his dream whether we get to witness it or not.
2026 is supposed to bring news as to whether there will be more seasons, so keep an eye out. This story is already a Saga in that it spans 16 years of his life, but the title leaves room that there is more to come.
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Prepare for tears, gore, amazing action scenes, and great storytelling!
This journey is brutal, heartwrenching, as it is inspiring and heartwarming. It truly deep dives into the Viking world to give you various enlightening perspectives. Full of great characters, world building, and a story arc you won't be able to see coming until it is upon you!This kid, Thorfin, will steal into your heart faster than you expect, and you will love him like he is your own son/brother!
The journey is long. Once the action kicks in, it stays consistent for most of s1. Ending on a cliff hanger but s2 is already here to show you the next phase of Thorfin's journey. My heart breaks for the kid who has seen too much too young, and had to endure hell just to survive. The young man he becomes is truly worthwhile to see in s2 though! The people he meets as he goes have great character development too. You will find he way he reshapes the world around him just by existing in it, truly is done so well. The best of all, the character development of Thorfin himself, is stupendous, bring tissues for the ride.
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