Klementine

Being alive... together

That was wonderful. I actually didn't want to watch it in one go... but then I did. The two main characters Jin and Mikoto are very interesting and charming - especially thanks to the good acting. The dry humor and dark comedy are on point. The cinematography is very beautiful. The music is simple yet fitting. The chemistry is very good. In some scenes, Jin looks at Mikoto so warmly, so full of love and respect... I simply melted away.

What I find particularly impressive is that serious topics like death and suicide are usually talked about in a more light-hearted way without ridiculing the subject. It is taken seriously without being overwhelming or stressful for me as a viewer. The actions and dialog about these topics are cleverly and artfully done.

And both protagonists know that a student-teacher relationship is taboo. It's addressed again and again, but not overly dramatized - thanks to the comedy. It is a fictional story and if you as a viewer can handle such taboo topics in a fictional setting with fictional characters, then chances are high that you will enjoy this drama. I certainly did. I think I can even go so far as to say that Jin and Mikoto will be one of my comfort couples now.

[finished watching on 13 February 2025]

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Sweet and soft like a cherry

It was my first TayNew series. I couldn't wait to experience their dynamic. Before that, I only watched series where one of them played a role, but not both together. TayNew did not disappoint me. I enjoyed their couple and Cherry Magic TH in general very much.

I have to say that I neither know the manga nor have I seen the Japanese series adaptation, so I can't make a comparison as to which version I like better. Overall the plot is veeeery sweet. It's stress-free, happy, without angst and with many wholesome moments.

Karan and Achi are very cute together. At first they were colleagues and then slowly became more than that. While Karan had a crush on Achi for a long time, Achi was surprised and overwhelmed by it. But Karan's smile and charm quickly became irresistible. The kisses were so soft, I'm still spellbound.

Besides I like Jinta a lot. He is loud, overdramatic and can be annoying, but that's exactly what I find charming and very entertaining. Such a sweet and chaotic dork. I want a bookstore date like JinMin. It looks like so much fun.

And I really like Tanaka! Sometimes I thought he was going to have some kind of nasty surprise for his employees, but in reality he is just funny, nice and understanding. Best boss!

I'm looking forward to more TayNew content in the future!

[finished watching on 3 May 2024]

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The falling in love of two lovable dorks

Exaggerated and playful humor is my weakness, I just love it, and this series was able to make me laugh A LOT. For that reason alone I can't help but give a high rating.

Let me introduce you to the two main characters:
Hajime, 25 years old, unpopular actor, he is always associated with the orange juice commercial he starred in as a child.
Yuichiro, 23 years old, popular actor, seems cold at first, but is actually Hajime's biggest fanboy.

The two have landed the lead roles in a BL drama that is being adapted from a famous manga. Since the characters they play move in together in the story, Hajime and Yuichiro are also supposed to share an apartment for promotional purposes. Great idea? Yes, the best idea!

Over-the-top comedy is mixed with some seriousness and a simple, but very entertaining plot. There are lots of funny, creative and crazy ideas here, combined with two extremely amusing main characters who have a special and interesting personality.

I always stared at my TV screen during the scenes they shot for the BL drama and during their private rehearsals. Between all the funny things, they also had intense moments. Seeing their interactions just puts you in a good mood and makes you hope for more than 3 episodes.

What really made me feel connected to Hajime was the indoor climbing scene. Yuichiro was already at the top, while Hajime was still struggling at the bottom and ultimately flopped down from a height of just a few centimeters. I LOVE HIM!

What convinced me that Hajime and Yuichiro are meant for each other was the scene in which Yuichiro runs up a ramp (like a madman) with the Hajime standee in his arms, closely followed by the real Hajime. They filmed the whole route. Really, the whole route. It's perfection.

If you're a fan of over-the-top comedy and cute romance, you should watch this series.

[finished watching on 3 January 2024]

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Adventure is in the air

I finished watching Ultimate Note this year in February and it still leaves a lasting impression and brainrot to this day. It's the first series I've seen from the Daomu Biji universe - also called The Lost Tomb. Ultimate Note is an adventure series. It focuses on the three men Wu Xie, Xiao Ge and Wang Pangzi. Together they roam through forests, deserts, caves and many other beautiful but dangerous landscapes. They are always looking for graves, treasures and secrets.

Chronologically speaking you should actually start with a different series. But it worked for me to start with Ultimate Note. You have to be prepared to be thrown into the story without being introduced to the characters and their backgrounds. You only get a quick recap. After a few episodes, it helped me to read some guides with general information about the Daomu Biji characters. It may contain a bit of spoilers, but it's good if you want to understand more without watching the previous series or reading the books first.

The highlights of Ultimate Note are without a doubt the exciting adventures amidst breathtaking landscapes, the heartwarming bromance and the great teamwork. I was rooting for the characters and really felt the thrilling sense of grave robbing.

The bond between Wu Xie and Xiao Ge is strong and emotional - #PingXie. Even though Xiao Ge is not a man of many words, his eyes are showing all the important feelings. Both deeply care for each other. It really touches my heart.

The friendship between Wu Xie, Xiao Ge and Wang Pangzi was also beautiful. Together they are known as the Iron Triangle. Their team spirit is impressive and very wholesome.

But despite loving the Iron Triangle, my favorite characters are Xiao Hua and Hei Xiazi - #HeiHua. They stole my heart! Their dynamic is funny, crazy, warm and always puts a smile on my face. This constantly bickering couple is now among my top 3 bromances of all time.

[finished watching on 6 February 2024]

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