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This review may contain spoilers
A Little 90s Nostalgia and a Whole Lot of Itakiss Charm!
Since Itazura na Kiss is a manga from the 90s, watching its 1996 Japanese adaptation felt like experiencing the story in the era it originally belonged to. The presentation, music, and humour have a distinct 90s charm, and I really enjoyed how the drama embraced that style rather than trying to make everything feel modern.
What I particularly liked about this Naoki is that he isn't portrayed as a complete robot or an outright jerk. He is detached, stubborn, and emotionally reserved, but there is vulnerability beneath that cold exterior. His emotions often come through his eyes and subtle expressions rather than dramatic declarations, and I really appreciated that. Kassy's performance felt natural and understated, making Naoki's feelings believable without needing to spell everything out for the audience.
You can sense that there is something special about his feelings for Kotoko from early on, so his gradual emotional development doesn't feel as though it comes out of nowhere. He is still a teenager trying to figure out his future, dealing with expectations and pressure while struggling to understand his own emotions. His behaviour can be frustrating, of course, but I found it easier to understand him in this version. He doesn't feel like someone who is incapable of love; he feels like someone who doesn't quite know how to express it.
Kotoko, played by Sato, is loud, funny, clumsy, and occasionally downright annoying, just as her character is meant to be. However, what I appreciated most was that she had a backbone. She may be hopelessly in love with Naoki, but she doesn't simply accept everything he does without question. She can stand up for herself and push back when he goes too far, including when his behaviour affects the people around him. Her affection for him doesn't completely erase her own personality.
I also liked seeing how she gradually influences Naoki. She brings warmth and spontaneity into his rather controlled world, encouraging him to open up and become more considerate of the people around him. Their relationship isn't perfect, but there is a sense of gradual change in both characters. Kotoko doesn't magically transform Naoki overnight, and he doesn't suddenly become a completely different person once he falls for her. Their development is part of what makes this version so enjoyable for me.
The editing was another unexpected highlight. I especially loved the inclusion of Naoki's dreams, which offered little glimpses into his thoughts and feelings. Those scenes were a lovely way to communicate things he would never openly say, making his character more interesting without taking away his reserved nature.
I also adored the episode opening titles. They might seem like a small detail, but the way they incorporated Yuki's drawings and idiom-related quotes gave each episode a little something extra. Some episodes even carried that charm into the ending. These touches made the drama feel thoughtfully put together, and I always appreciate when a series uses its presentation to add something meaningful to the storytelling.
And then there is the music! The soundtrack is one of my favourite aspects of this adaptation. The romantic instrumentals have that unmistakable 90s feel, and they fit the atmosphere beautifully.
The humour is very much rooted in its era, too. It relies heavily on exaggerated characters, over-the-top reactions, and circumstances that are deliberately played up for comedy. Depending on your taste, some of these moments might feel silly or dated, but I found that they suited the overall tone. The drama doesn't take every romantic moment or character interaction too seriously, giving it a lighthearted quality that I enjoyed.
One noticeable difference for me was how the supporting characters and their romantic storylines were handled. Compared with some other adaptations, the SML's feelings and confessions didn't carry quite the same emotional weight. He often felt more like a comic-relief character than a serious romantic alternative, and the friends seemed particularly interested in gossiping about the leads rather than having much depth of their own. I didn't mind this too much because the main couple was clearly the heart of the story, but it did make the surrounding relationships feel less developed.
The romance itself also has a different emphasis here. Rather than treating every development as a major emotional turning point, the drama often lets the comedy and everyday interactions take centre stage. I enjoyed that approach because it allowed the characters to feel like young people navigating school, friendships, family expectations, and their uncertain futures. It isn't always the most emotionally intense version of their love story, but it has a sweetness that works for me.
Overall, I had a wonderful time watching Itazura na Kiss (1996) I particularly loved this interpretation of Naoki, Kotoko's more assertive side, the thoughtful editing, and the soundtrack. It may not handle every supporting character or romantic subplot as deeply as I would have liked, and some of its humour is definitely exaggerated, but the overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable.
For me, this version stands out because of its characterisation and the way it tells the story. It gave me a Naoki whose feelings I could actually see, a Kotoko who could stand her ground, and a soundtrack I will happily revisit.
What I particularly liked about this Naoki is that he isn't portrayed as a complete robot or an outright jerk. He is detached, stubborn, and emotionally reserved, but there is vulnerability beneath that cold exterior. His emotions often come through his eyes and subtle expressions rather than dramatic declarations, and I really appreciated that. Kassy's performance felt natural and understated, making Naoki's feelings believable without needing to spell everything out for the audience.
You can sense that there is something special about his feelings for Kotoko from early on, so his gradual emotional development doesn't feel as though it comes out of nowhere. He is still a teenager trying to figure out his future, dealing with expectations and pressure while struggling to understand his own emotions. His behaviour can be frustrating, of course, but I found it easier to understand him in this version. He doesn't feel like someone who is incapable of love; he feels like someone who doesn't quite know how to express it.
Kotoko, played by Sato, is loud, funny, clumsy, and occasionally downright annoying, just as her character is meant to be. However, what I appreciated most was that she had a backbone. She may be hopelessly in love with Naoki, but she doesn't simply accept everything he does without question. She can stand up for herself and push back when he goes too far, including when his behaviour affects the people around him. Her affection for him doesn't completely erase her own personality.
I also liked seeing how she gradually influences Naoki. She brings warmth and spontaneity into his rather controlled world, encouraging him to open up and become more considerate of the people around him. Their relationship isn't perfect, but there is a sense of gradual change in both characters. Kotoko doesn't magically transform Naoki overnight, and he doesn't suddenly become a completely different person once he falls for her. Their development is part of what makes this version so enjoyable for me.
The editing was another unexpected highlight. I especially loved the inclusion of Naoki's dreams, which offered little glimpses into his thoughts and feelings. Those scenes were a lovely way to communicate things he would never openly say, making his character more interesting without taking away his reserved nature.
I also adored the episode opening titles. They might seem like a small detail, but the way they incorporated Yuki's drawings and idiom-related quotes gave each episode a little something extra. Some episodes even carried that charm into the ending. These touches made the drama feel thoughtfully put together, and I always appreciate when a series uses its presentation to add something meaningful to the storytelling.
And then there is the music! The soundtrack is one of my favourite aspects of this adaptation. The romantic instrumentals have that unmistakable 90s feel, and they fit the atmosphere beautifully.
The humour is very much rooted in its era, too. It relies heavily on exaggerated characters, over-the-top reactions, and circumstances that are deliberately played up for comedy. Depending on your taste, some of these moments might feel silly or dated, but I found that they suited the overall tone. The drama doesn't take every romantic moment or character interaction too seriously, giving it a lighthearted quality that I enjoyed.
One noticeable difference for me was how the supporting characters and their romantic storylines were handled. Compared with some other adaptations, the SML's feelings and confessions didn't carry quite the same emotional weight. He often felt more like a comic-relief character than a serious romantic alternative, and the friends seemed particularly interested in gossiping about the leads rather than having much depth of their own. I didn't mind this too much because the main couple was clearly the heart of the story, but it did make the surrounding relationships feel less developed.
The romance itself also has a different emphasis here. Rather than treating every development as a major emotional turning point, the drama often lets the comedy and everyday interactions take centre stage. I enjoyed that approach because it allowed the characters to feel like young people navigating school, friendships, family expectations, and their uncertain futures. It isn't always the most emotionally intense version of their love story, but it has a sweetness that works for me.
Overall, I had a wonderful time watching Itazura na Kiss (1996) I particularly loved this interpretation of Naoki, Kotoko's more assertive side, the thoughtful editing, and the soundtrack. It may not handle every supporting character or romantic subplot as deeply as I would have liked, and some of its humour is definitely exaggerated, but the overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable.
For me, this version stands out because of its characterisation and the way it tells the story. It gave me a Naoki whose feelings I could actually see, a Kotoko who could stand her ground, and a soundtrack I will happily revisit.
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