This review may contain spoilers
A Japanese masterclass in not communicating
Correct me if I’m way off base here, but Japanese culture leans heavily on indirect communication and emotional restraint, right? So you’d think that would make people masters at reading between the lines—picking up on body language, tone shifts, microexpressions, the whole unspoken symphony of human interaction.
Not in this show.
These two refuse to communicate in any meaningful way, instead committing to the art of the internal monologue like it’s a competitive sport. 95% of the runtime is just them thinking at each other, and by episode three, it starts feeling like emotional telepathy gone wrong. Sure, without this, you wouldn’t have 10 episodes of something, but I see that as a writing problem.
The pacing is sluggish, the characters are infuriatingly oblivious (one more than the other), and the chemistry? Let’s just say it’s on an extended vacation.
The main characters, for example. I could maybe understand why Asami was drawn to Yuki back in their university days, but in the present? I got nothing. Yuki has all the personality of a paper napkin, except even a napkin can be useful. “Social anxiety” is not a personality trait, but that’s about all he’s got going for him. He’s a bundle of nerves with self-esteem so low it probably needs professional intervention. Asami must be into extreme mental gymnastics because Yuki is a gold medalist in twisting reality to convince himself Asami doesn’t like him. It’s honestly impressive.
I dunno, man. The other day, I had some guys over installing parquet flooring. Conversation eventually died down, so I just sat there watching them work in silence. That was more engaging than 10 episodes of this, so do with that information what you will.
Not in this show.
These two refuse to communicate in any meaningful way, instead committing to the art of the internal monologue like it’s a competitive sport. 95% of the runtime is just them thinking at each other, and by episode three, it starts feeling like emotional telepathy gone wrong. Sure, without this, you wouldn’t have 10 episodes of something, but I see that as a writing problem.
The pacing is sluggish, the characters are infuriatingly oblivious (one more than the other), and the chemistry? Let’s just say it’s on an extended vacation.
The main characters, for example. I could maybe understand why Asami was drawn to Yuki back in their university days, but in the present? I got nothing. Yuki has all the personality of a paper napkin, except even a napkin can be useful. “Social anxiety” is not a personality trait, but that’s about all he’s got going for him. He’s a bundle of nerves with self-esteem so low it probably needs professional intervention. Asami must be into extreme mental gymnastics because Yuki is a gold medalist in twisting reality to convince himself Asami doesn’t like him. It’s honestly impressive.
I dunno, man. The other day, I had some guys over installing parquet flooring. Conversation eventually died down, so I just sat there watching them work in silence. That was more engaging than 10 episodes of this, so do with that information what you will.
Was this review helpful to you?
`