Pickled Radish

I used World Shopping for proxy buying since the novel is already sold out on CDJapan. World Shopping searches for listings ranging from new to second-hand, and you can choose the option you prefer.
https://www.worldshopping.global/

Hope it helps!

Hi! I have my own copy of the novel and have read it in Japanese, but I recently came across a blog comparing the novel to the drama adaptation. The blog doesn't translate the entire novel, but it does a great job of covering many important aspects of the story from the novel. As someone who has read the original, I found it insightful and well-done.

https://thesapphicloner.blogspot.com/2025/02/episode-1-call-me-by-no-name-from-page.html

please drop a thank you, it would definitely cheer up the blog owner and brighten their day!

Yes there will be. It will be later today. Both for global and domestic Japan (Tver)episode will be aired today (or tomorrow depends on timezone)

This should be a mistake as only Netflix JP has the episode 12. Netflix JP is the only one who has 先行配信 (Advance distribution). So local and global release should be on 23rd.

I kind of feel the same way. I read the manga, and If I remember correctly there were even scenes where they went shopping together, with Hikaru dressed as a girl. I get that it's hard to fit everything into a 20-minute episode, but even a short montage showing their life over those five years would’ve made the experience so much more satisfying. Just knowing they're still the besties/couple we’ve known and loved since episode one would’ve really hit home.

Episode 12 (Final Episode) is now available on Netflix Japan.

I think the story wrapped up quite nicely. Given the typical time constraints of midnight dramas (usually under 20 minutes and fewer than 12 episodes), it did feel a bit rushed, but overall, they managed to bring everything together and deliver a satisfying conclusion despite the alloted time they had.

I’ll definitely miss looking forward to this every Monday at 11 PM PST. The official broadcast wraps up next week (September 23), so I’m guessing they’ll post a wrap-up message on their social media around that time. Netflix being a week ahead means I’ll be grieving in advance 😭 I hope they will still do at least one last IG live for the finale.

Osaki's getsu9 drama ended yesterday as well. Im lost 😭

Haruka and Haruka mama is literally mother and child. Even from her brief appearance, it’s clear where Haruka gets all her charm. I can totally see why Hikaru wished to be born into their family.

Episode 12 will be aired next week. Netflix JP did not release 12 this week. They stated on their IG that 来週は放送がお休みとなります (Broadcast for next week will be on break) But final episode will be available next week on Netflix. (September 16). So basically, if I'm getting it right, the global release and regular broadcast will be the next after. (September 23).

I’m glad it resonated with you! And yes! as long there are no comedies, characters won't act all animeish. I’m not really a fan of this over-the-top character either, which is why I rarely watch comedy or romcoms. But I want to point out that this kind of performance isn’t really the actress ‘acting’, it’s more of a genre expectation and pretty much the standard for comedy series in Japan. I can understand criticism if the performance lacked skill or didn’t do justice to the role, but I’ve read the Cinderella Closet manga, and Haruka really pulls off a lot of anime-style expressions and movements. It’s actually a faithful adaptation of the source material.

Excited for the last episode as well. I hope it will be wrapped up nicely despite of the fast pace. 😊

I agree that the show gives off a gender-queer vibe. There’s some nuance in the scene where Hikaru tries to clear up Haruka’s misunderstanding. Hikaru says, 「俺は好きなのは女の子だよ」, which can be translated in two ways:

“I like girls.”

“The one I like is a girl.”

Both translations are technically correct, but the intended meaning shapes how we understand Hikaru’s sexuality. It really depends on what he meant, and that subtle difference reveals a lot about his identity. I interpreted the scene using the second translation, since a clear declaration of preference feels a bit out of place in this context. (The subtitles going around tend to use the first one, which isn’t wrong per se, but it feels a bit off for this particular scene.)

His conversation with Shuu doesn’t confirm anything about his sexuality either. Hikaru tells Shuu he’s grateful because Shuu helped him understand himself better. When Shuu asks, “Understand what? If you like girls or boys?” Hikaru simply replies, “I’m sorry.” He then clarifies that he likes Shuu as a friend, but the one he really likes is Haruka. I appreciate that the series doesn’t close the door on his sexuality, whether he’s straight or bisexual remains open. One thing is clear: he likes Haruka.

On the other hand, Haruka’s line,「光が男でも女でもどんな姿でも好きだよ」 (I like Hikaru even if he’s a man or a woman, or whatever form he takes.) was so powerful. Haruka is clearly seeing beyond gender and connecting with Hikaru as a person, whether she's presenting as a woman or a man. I absolutely loved that scene. It showed that Haruka’s feelings for Hikaru go deeper than surface-level attraction, especially when you compare it to his more shallow infatuation with Kurotaki. With Hikaru, it’s real and emotionally grounded.

The novel doesn't just imply, but directly acknowledges that Kotoha has been terrified all this time due to the fact that she believes her attraction to Megumi is linked to the trauma she experienced from her mother, who is also a woman.

This confusion is common among those who’ve experienced abuse from someone of the same gender. (being a family member adds a more complicated layer) It's causing confusion as they might think their attraction is not genuine and can be just a result of the abuse.

I usually get my stuff from a private torrent site. I'm not sure where to check it online but i think dailymotion has it on english subs. Both the movie and the drama. Hope it helps.

TBS Late night dramas usually does not exceed more than 12. It ranges from 8 - 12. Unless Asadora which can go up until 100+. With its preview nothing mentioned about being the "Last Episode" (最終回) so it might be until Episode 12. Hopefully they could wrap up nicely even though only 2 episodes left which spans for only 20mins. 😔

You can try Kuragehime (Princess Jellyfish). It has a very similar concept to Cinderella Closet, except the FL is an otaku (FL and her friends are actually on the extreme side). The franchise has an anime, a live-action movie, and a drama adaptation, and I've watched them all. My favorite! (very anime/manga-coded, so the acting in the live-action versions can feel a bit over-the-top , like it’s straight off the pages. If you don't mind that, its a nice watch after getting into CC)

Another one that’s quite close in vibe is Colorful Love: Genderless Danshi ni Aisareteimasu. The ML doesn’t cross-dress, but he's very feminine and stylish. The story is super wholesome and uplifting, and it touches on a lot of important social issues around gender and identity.

There are a lot more titles out there with similar themes, but these two are ones I've personally watched and really enjoyed. 🥰

Couldn't agree more. The balance between innocence, purity, and that slightly airheaded vibe was portrayed really well.

Hope to see more from this actress.

Some people find Haruka's acting annoying or fake because of her portrayal here. (hello to all the newcomers to J-Drama, lol). Just so you guys know, this kind of drama doesn’t represent J-drama as a whole. Cinderella Closet is a LA adaptation of a shojo manga, and when it comes to manga or anime adaptations with romcom or comedy themes, exaggerated acting is pretty common. I've seen even more over the top characters over the years of watching J-dramas, and honestly, this one’s fairly toned down. But personally, I see this as part of the charm of J-drama, especially in the comedy and romcom genres.

I remember an interview from the series, Osaki (Haruka) mentioned she sweat a lot during the taping as the role requires so much energy. Her natural voice is actually lower compared to most Japanese actresses, who typically have higher-pitched voices. For her character, though, she had to perform her lines in a higher pitch to capture the innocence and purity the role demanded. The same goes for her movements, she had to pull off exaggerated actions for the role, which she mentions, made her feel like she was "exercising."

I truly admire actors/actresses who take on such roles. These types of characters require so much energy compared to those in non-comedy dramas. Exaggerated roles are no easy feat. It’s much easier to play a more laid-back, nonchalant character. Big kudos to everyone who’s taken on the "annoying lead" role, it’s definitely a tough one.

Btw Osaki also appeared in Ashita wa Motto Ii ni Naru, which is airing at the same time as Cinderella Closet. In this drama, she plays a neglectful single mother, and the range is insane. She’s almost unrecognizable, there’s no way you’d guess she’s the same actress who played Haruka.

It’s totally fine if this kind of acting annoys you, but just remember, exaggerated performances are pretty typical in J-drama. And if Haruka's acting already annoyed you, it might be best to skip LA adaptations dramas under comedy genre. It’s done this way for a reason.

That’s a great point, and I agree. That explanation definitely fits when talking about why she changed her name. I approached it more from the angle of why she hid her real name from others, which I saw as something tied to emotional pain and shame from the abuse.

1. Why kotoha hide her name?

For someone who has experienced abuse, acknowledging and confronting it can be incredibly difficult. It’s not something people usually feel proud of, and survivors often struggle with feelings of low self-worth and insecurity. Her real name is something that reminds of the abuse she went through.

2.why she hates her mom?

I'm not sure if the drama lacked on emphasizing about it, but Kotoha was sexually abused by her mom when she was young. The person that should be taking care of her has been taking advantage of her since young. And the law not recognizing the abuse adds layers to her resentment.

3.How did megumi find her real name?

There were a bunch of hints throughout the series. Like when Megumi says "Yo" at the convenient store. Kotoha’s reaction kind of gave her away. Plus, Kotoha’s connection to Scheherazade and One Thousand and One Nights ties into her own story, especially the idea of surviving every night by sleeping with anyone.

The sexual assault that you guys hated so much in ep1, is a very important part of the series as we could see through how Kotoha perceives sex. She mentioned the police wont take them seriously because they are both girls, referencing how the law did not recognize her abuse. And her name is so much tied on what she went through. Megumi started to piece it together from those little things.

4.why kotoha didnt stay at her own house? Why she was living in another's and did that s@x work?

Kotoha mentioned she's afraid of night, rain and thunder. It reminded her the first night her mother assaulted her (it was raining as well that night). In episode 2 she said "before its a proof, but now its my destiny". People who have gone to this kind of abuse, is either becomes hyper sexual or who is someone who's afraid of sex at all. I believe Kotoha sleeping with anyone is is a way to reclaim her own body. It's a defense mechanism, a control, an authority to make her believe she still owns her own body. But lately she realize (because of her name as well being Yotogi which has a very bad meaning) its her destiny to live like that. She also believes that her mother gave birth to her just because for the sole reason to take advantage of her. So before meeting megumi, she felt like its her obligation to carry out the meaning of her name. Because its not just a name, its a fate given by her at birth.

I hope it helps you to understand the series more :D