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Completed
Surely Someday
6 people found this review helpful
Jun 5, 2017
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This movie has SHOUNEN written all over it. A group of childhood friends, an old crush from their childhood days, running, performing in a band, going thru dangerous moments... The pace is fast, things happen all the time, many fun cameos (most of them I didn't know beforehand, so I was pleasantly surprised, saying over again "what! that one too!" Oguri Shin sure does have a lot of friends...)

The comedy is minimal but the story was fun. It is more dramatic since the yakuza boss is no joke. But I feel like the actors had a lot of fun filming this movie, they have a lot of chemistry, and I love their friendship. The only one that overacted a little bit was the one playing Kyohei. The other 3 guys are my favorite actors anyway, they are always good. I mean, even I who knows that Ayano Go is NO IKEMEN thought he was pretty awesome here. His "killer glance" was believable, haha. It could be his hair? He looked good here. Suzuki Ryohei looked lovely silly and Koide looked cuter than ever. And Muro playing a student **giggles** All of them, actually. It was hilarious.

The role of the main girl was meaningful, thank God. Usually, in shounen movies, like "CROWS ZERO", seems like they add a female role just to have some pretty girl among so much testosterone. Thankfully, Misa-chan was important to the story. Without her, there wouldn't be any story, more or less.

Mini-reunions: Stresseman, as the father of Masami-chan XD, and Makino with 2 of the F4 (I bet MatsuJun would have loved to be in this movie, if there were any chance), Kai and Maho (from "Orange Days").

I am looking for a copy with better quality. The one I watched was lowsy, I barely could recognize Oguri Shun. The sound was a bit off as well, so I don't remember much of the music, except the one they perform in the last minutes, which was good (Koide can sing, dear boy!)

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Completed
The Long Ballad
10 people found this review helpful
Jan 4, 2022
49 of 49 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.5
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
This review may contain spoilers
Production-wise, it is a very well done drama. I liked the use of illustrations to show battles and fires and flood.... I was expecting more use of it because it was unique.

The script wasn't very good imo. It was trying too hard to sell the audience that the characters **ehemChanggeehem** were smart. In almost every episode someone was saying "you are so smart". Huh, where? Changge is making a bad decision in almost every episode, puts people in danger (better said, made them killed); she is also supposed to be a smart strategist, and all she said was "let's put this group to the right and this to the left" and the other party was "wow Changge, you are so smart, be my right-hand commander". It didn't help at all that at the same time I was watching another drama where the smart MC is actually smart, and the script is actually good, so I was like, She is supposed to be SMART ???

First episode, Changge is this intelligent, tomboy girl who knows how to fight, physically and mentally. Second episode, Changge swears to take revenge. 40 episodes later and all Changge did was saying a few blah-blah and oh, she was the smartest; as for the battles, where was the girl so agile who could fight? She was constantly saved by others; the forever damsel in distress. I was expecting Sun to save her every time she messed up, and yup, here comes the hero. I don't mind damsels in distress, but I do mind when the plot is trying to sell me this brave, strong female character that isn't. Yueyan was stronger imo.

Unfortunately I didn't fall in love with Yueyan/Hao Du as I was hoping. She has a lovely character development (she actually overcomes them ON HER OWN, unlike Changge) but the romance was... ehhh, she loves Shuyu for 40 episodes, gets her heart broken and in the same episode realizes Hao Du is the one. Ehhh.

OST is excellent. Performed by the King an Queen of CDramas OST.

This drama was 10 episodes too long; should have ended around 40 at least.

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Completed
My Family
5 people found this review helpful
Jun 20, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers
This drama was so thrilling and intense since the very first episode. You have to dismiss the realism in order to enjoy the whole drama (I am talking mainly about the several kidnappings). But I enjoyed every episode and I loved that it surprised me every time. I do think the last episode was a bit underwhelming but overall I think this was one of the best drama of this season.

None of the characters is dumb, some of them are suspicious but fortunately the cops are not useless (I wasn't expecting anything less from Tamaki Hiroshi).

The acting was very good from everyone; of course Nino was excellent as always and I don't know if I was just sensitive watching him with a baby in his arms, but I cried a bit at the end. I loved to see him with Tabe-chan, even though I never watched Yamada Monogatari.

The truth about Koharu-chan was sadly not unexpected, so unfortunately not everyone gets a HEA.

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Completed
The Confidence Man JP: Romance
5 people found this review helpful
Dec 27, 2019
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This was so funny, I was laughing from the very beginning, I loved how Dako teases Boku-chan and treats him like her little brother.

I watched the SP before this one, which is incorrect since the movie comes first, and then the SP. The only spoiler I had was about the character of Monaco though, so it was ok. The whole gang is back, and there are even cameos (and not really cameos.. more like a small role) from previous characters from the TV show. I think it is ok to watch the movie without watching the drama, but I wouldn't recommend it (please watch the drama first! You won't be disappointed).

I can't even tell a single thing about the plot nor what I liked about it since it would all be a spoiler. But it was all so fun and cool! Dako is the best. And Boku-chan is always making me laugh, he is so silly :)

As a side note, I love Eguchi Yosuke as a villain, he is great! Will he be back in the 2nd movie? **fingers crossed**

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Completed
Joy of Life Season 2
4 people found this review helpful
Jun 10, 2024
36 of 36 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

To FX: is Guo Baokun a joke to you? :/

In spite of its flaws, JoL is still one of the best cdramas this year. I admit there are many things I was not a fan of but can't deny I enjoyed every episode (except maybe the arc with the Ming family) and I even cried a couple of episodes (ep9 with DZ and ep32 with Wang'er). JoL has so many endearing characters that every time we had a comeback of someone familiar I was like "Fei Jie!" or "Uncle Wuuuu!". Even with the Royal Princess, who has a much better hairdo this season XD

Of this season, I like that FX does not feel so much like a Gary Stu. Yes, he is loved/hated by many, but also many are just using him. And I like the difference between young FX and older FX.. he is not that cocky and arrogant as before; he matured and has seen the dark side of the world and of the people, of course he will be more serious and less playful. I love to see a MC that witness injustice and does something about it; he would have been besties with Wei Wuxian.

I also like that this season it does not feel like a harem like in S1. I am a fan of Wang'er-FX pairing, I think they match perfectly and while I adore Haitang DuoDuo, she feels more like a buddy, a best friend kind of gal.

As for its flaws, the pacing was all over the place, each arc takes a couple of episodes and then it is forgotten, like what was the point? Except maybe for S3. But the brothel arc, the examination arc, the court arc, there are so many arcs and then the main characters of that arc kind of disappear (like the princess from Northern Qi, hello?). And not only that, what was the "mission" of Guo Baokun and FZ? As much as I love FZ, his travel to Northern Qi took like a day for us audience, so it was a puzzle that he changed so much and "experienced" the lives of the people there. And frankly, I feel a bit sad fo GB because the whole S2 ended and FX STILL did not freed his father :(

The OST is ok, nothing memorable unlike S1. But what bothered me the most was the change of Ye Ling's actress. This one was so bad and nothing like Ye Ling at all. I didn't like the new Prince Li and new Yao Bingyun either (he wasn't as serious and rigid as the 1st one) but it was acceptable, unlike the change of Ye Ling.

I also didn't like the PP... I was unpleasantly surprised by it. Yoghurt in JoL? Are you kidding me -_-

But still, the acting + the mystery of the grand-masters and Uncle Wu and the awesome cliffhanger at the end left me very satisfied IN SPITE of having more questions than answers.

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Completed
Chokotto Kyoto ni Sundemita
4 people found this review helpful
Mar 29, 2020
1 of 1 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
I loved this short movie. Or should I say, this docu-movie? I am sure it is half ad-lib and half script. The ad-lib is definitely Kimura Fumino visiting places, asking good questions, eating all these delicious food/snacks and just being a tourist. The script part is the one between her and her old uncle, which was just as fun and heartwarming as the rest of the story.

I definitely recommend this movie to anyone who likes Japan, specifically, Kyoto. People who has never being there will want to go there, like, tomorrow. It is a very traditional and cozy city, with people very proud of their old establishments (some as old as 100-years-old!) and food and water. People who was being there will definitely want to go back. I consider myself lucky enough to say that I've been in Kyoto during momiji season, so seeing the MC going to shrines and walking next to the river with the beautiful views of colorful trees was very "natsukashii".

Places I took note to visit, mainly because of the elderly bosses, are the shop with the kamamochi, the one with the mackerel sushi and the coffee shop.

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Completed
Cold Case: Shinjitsu no Tobira
4 people found this review helpful
Sep 28, 2017
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This was a really, really well done remake of the American TV Show  (which I used to watch). All episodes were engaging, there wasn't any  dragging, and they were all well narrated. The dark tone fit the show  perfectly. Awesome cinematography. It's been a while since I wanted to  watch a WOWOW dorama; from what I've read, they are mostly well received,  with talented characters and a big budget.

The characters were  excellent played. I liked all 5 main characters, and I found the serial  killer so creepy I think I will ever see him (the actor, who also is in  variety shows) as a creepy guy. There wasn't any overacting at all, even  the children did good. The songs were mostly great, some were  American/English, some were Japanese. All cases were interesting, some  were sad, and some were hard to watch (the poor students, for example).  And I absolutely loved that this was set in Yokohama, one of the most  beautiful cities I have ever seen and visited.

I think this is  one of those dorama that anyone would like: young people, older  people... I am glad they are having a second season.

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Completed
JIN Season 2
4 people found this review helpful
May 26, 2017
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers
I wish I could un-watch this so I could watch it again, but after crossing out some of my to-be-watched doramas in my list. I don't think I have ever or will ever seen a more wonderful dorama as this one. Everything was perfect (the cast -my, that cast!-, the story, the setting, the soundtrack).

**POSSBILE SPOILERS BELOW**

I don't feel like this was a 2nd season. It was pretty much like an extension of the 1st season, so it is kind of hard to rate them separately. Maybe the only and biggest difference is that in 2nd season, Jin-sensei is not struggling so much with medicine and it repercussions in history. Since the photography has vanished, and his actions don't affect Miki's life anymore, he doesn't have any worry about the "what will happen if...". He is happy living in Edo period, he is happy with the Jindo-you (?), he is happy being friends with Ryoma-san. If he can save Ryoma-san from his assassination, he will do it, without a doubt, no matter the consequences.

Only in that aspect I prefer the 1st season to the 2nd. JIN has more medical cases, there were more surgeries and wow, awesome scenes that looked, if not entirely realistic, very good to the point of make me feel boneless. I love how Jin-sensei was so much aware of every one of his actions and what would happen if he did XX thing. 2nd season is more about political issues than medical ones. While 1st season is about penicillin, 2nd season is about battles and revolutions.

There is also a stronger bromance between Jin-sensei and Ryoma-san. Talk about bromance! Because Ryoma-san's assassination is around the corner, Jin-sensei is thinking about his welfare almost all the time. The love triangle between Jin-sensei, Nokaze and Saki-san is almost non-existent. Nokaze finds out the truth about Jin-sensei and Miki, she meets a foreign guy and is married in an episode (out of nowhere). Nokaze encourages the love between Jin-sensei and Saki-san, despite loving him as well.

I've read some reviews where people complained about Saki-san rejecting him. To me it made sense. She did not know when or if he would disappear to go back to the future. She decided to be a good doctor first, which was her dream. On the other hand, I've never felt that Jin-sensei truly loved Saki-san. Cared for her, yes. Loved her as a friend, yes. Loved her as a lover, no. I wouldn't want Saki-san to have Jin-sensei' heart half-arsed. And in a way, it is good, because Jin loved Miki, but he also loved Saki.

Which leads to... isn't their love story almost the same as Inuyasha and Kagome? The love triangle Jin/Miki/Saki = Inuyasha/Kagome/Kikyo. Jin/Inuyasha cannot forget their first love (Miki/Kikyo) which I admire because that is what loyalty is about, but at the same time, I pity Saki/Kagome for loving this fool guy so much and for never been able to have their hearts at 100%.

I don't know yet how to feel about the final chapter. The romantic in me is screaming internally in despair. I have to admit I got a bit tearful (who wouldn't?). It was a touching scene, that part where Jin is reading the letter from the past. And also when he was reading these books and found the photographs of the doctors in Jindo-you. I also wanted to say "minna..." with tears in my eyes...

On the other hand, the practical me says that it couldn't have ended in any other way. It was good, it was convenient (the thing about Miki). It was a bittersweet ending (more bitter than sweet).

About the acting. Ayase Haruka is truly a wonderful actress. She has "the vein" that only exceptional actresses have (like Angie). When she is struggling with her feelings, or when she is suffering, "the vein" (on her forehead) appears. She can cry so nicely, and she can smile so angelically as well. It is impossible not to feel empathy with her.

While in season 1 the acting of Miki (Nokaze) impressed me, her role in 2nd season is less prominent and she pales somewhat with her previous acting. Although I admit that she was superb when her baby was born. I don't think in real life anyone would have endured such a painful experience but her tears and determination to have her baby made me remember the Nokaze I fell in love with in Season 1.

Other actress that impressed me was Saki's mother. This actress, Asou Yumi, has such the face of a mother who had to go through so many painful things in her life. She looked a bit tough, especially on her children but also always on the verge of tears. The episode where she was sick was excellent, and she deserved an award for her performance.

My favorite actor has to be, maybe again, Kiritani Kenta. He is so funny without being a comedy character. His accent -the way he lisps-, his bulging eyes when he is shocked. I also love his character, how much he was into medicine, as well as all the other fellows in the little clinic.

No doubt it is the best dorama I've seen so far. True, I have others I liked as much as this one (probably I love Nodame Cantabile a bit more) but in terms of quality, clothing, setting, story, acting, this is the best there is. The kind of show all people should watch. I don't think there will be one single person who wouldn't love this dorama. It has medicine, politic, good battles, a bit of romance, friendship, family matters, Japan history (not sure of the accuracy but overall I learned a lot).

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Completed
Black Butler
4 people found this review helpful
May 19, 2017
Completed 3
Overall 2.0
Story 2.0
Acting/Cast 2.0
Music 2.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
WOW the reviews in this site are way too generous.

The first time I've read there was going to be a Kuroshitsuji movie, I was apprehensive. It could be either awesome or entirely wrong. Then I read the plot and I was all "wait, what???" and I knew it; I knew it was going to be a disaster.

Being a huge fan of the manga, I am very strict when it comes to adaptations. The anime was OK, but just OK, in my opinion. Why the need to change so many things? I cannot understand it, the plot and characters are perfect. The first season was... fine, I enjoyed it, but S2... it was a mess. Who the hell were Alois and his butler!? And that end.. **cringes** OMG, total disaster.

So back to the live-action. There are so many things so wrong in this movie, but I have to give credit to some good stuff. I will start to point out the ONLY good point of the movie, and then all the sins the director and staff of the movie made ti this wonderful manga.

GOOD:

- The fights-scenes: True, Sebastian has 2 fights only (and with only 1 knife! instead of several) but the one with Rin was AMAZING. I love to watch tiny Japanese girls kicking asses of several guys (and if they are in a costume, like a MAID costume, even better!) . It was very well done.

BAD... BAD:

- Sebastian: I like Hiro Mizushima, I honestly do. I loved him in HanaKimi, he was perfect as Nanba-sempai (weren't they all perfect in their respective roles in this dorama?). But he is a BIG NO as Sebastian. First of all, his hair. Sebastian with a messy hairstyle? Secondly, his dark skin. Wait, what? Sebastian, who has the palest of skins? Add to that the problem the actor had with this eyes (he looked ridiculous, why did he have to squint his eyes like that?) + the way he spoke (was that supposed to be Sebastian's manner of speaking?) and he looked like he was trying waaaay too hard.

- Setting: it is supposed to take place in a near future, but several actors wearing a Victorian costume? The character who replaces Ciel, Shiori, wears the same clothes and eye-patch that Ciel wears. But instead, she looks kind of misplaced, like she is cosplaying. Why the need to change the period of time if it is going to be Victorian-ish?

- Characters: oh my, the Shiori girl is supposed to be a descendant of the Phantomhive (she is in control of the Funtom company) and her story is almost exactly as Ciel's: her parents were murdered, she was marked with a sign, and when everything seemed like it was done for her, BOOM! Sebastian to the rescue. She disguises herself as a boy, but her nails are long and shiny as a girl's. Tanaka the butler is there (wait, what?), **cough*Mei-Rin*cough* Rin is there (wait, what?), and Undertaker?? Like, uh-huh, is that supposed to be Undertaker? He looked like an otaku dressing up for some event. Totally ridiculous...

- Plot: it was based in the first 3 volumes of the manga: Madame Red (Ciel/Shiori's aunt, with exactly the same story with the father), her... err, butler?, also kind of invincible. And no, it is not Grell (wait, what?) but some experiment she makes in a human guy. Can we say LAME? The awesomeness of that arc was, besides Grell, that it was a reference to Jack the Ripper. Which is missed in the movie.

- No "Yes, my lord": that's right, the popular expression Sebastian uses everytime Ciel commands him something does not exist in the movie (how could it? his "bocchan" is a girl). Instead, he says "as you command" **eyeroll**.

- That end: totally OoC. Like Sebastian would do that. Yeah, right.

If it weren't any cool fight scenes in the movie, it would have been a real torture. Not recommended AT ALL to the fans of the manga.

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Completed
Rich Man, Poor Woman
4 people found this review helpful
May 12, 2017
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers
I may not be made for silly rom-com. Cute rom-com, yes. And unfortunately, due many things, this drama, although it is realistic in some aspects, it is also very silly in the romance section. I have always looked at this drama with reserve yet with curiosity, and after the lovely "We Married as a Job", I wanted to watch another cute rom-com.

**SLIGHT SPOILERS**

Story: (5.5/10) on paper, everything looked good. The company was interesting, the fact that the hero is a genious who started from nothing and became this rich, intelligent, powerful president of the company was interesting. I didn't feel the "bromance" of Tohru and Asahina till the very last episode. It is understandable that Asahina was green with envy; too bad he reacted the way he did, but I liked that Tohru forgave him very quickly, and was only hurt in like, 2 episodes. The story of Makoto, on the other hand... that she gave that fake identity (his mother's name) was low but luckily, that was resolved quickly and also, Tohru forgave her pretty quickly. That is the best quality of Tohru, he wasn't a resentful person.

On the other hand, the romance... First of all, i hate love triangles, which there are (2) in this drama. Tohru and Makoto like each other, but Asahina sister likes Tohru and Asahina brother likes Makoto. Fortunately, Asahina sister (Yoko) is not an evil bitch, she is actually mature, nice and likes Makoto. Unfortunately, she kisses him twice, while Makoto gets one kiss only in the entire drama. WHAT.

Asahina brother (Kosuke) isn't really in love with Makoto, thank Heavens. He just likes her, and I think he kind of wants her only because he sees Tohru is interested in her.

About Tohru and Makoto... omg, terrible romance. The same kind that happens in HYD, only that Makoto is not strong nor has any personality as Makino has. Tohru is such a jerk with her! Treats her like an inferior, mocks her constantly, belittles her career, her ability in other stuffs. Thinks of her as "idiot" only because she can't find any job and because she is not the genius he is. Still, she likes him since Day 1. Why? I can't see any redeemable quality about him except maybe for the last episodes. There is one scene (Episode 8 I think) where both Asahina and Tohru yell at her in the meeting room, telling her that she is worthless and won't work with them anyway starting next week. And she just stays there, weeping and not saying anything. Ugh! Made me furious. I almost quit after that.

Seriously, it is HER that does most of the work, trying to get closer to him. And what does he do? Push her aside, most of the times. Laugh AT her, most of the times. Only when he is left in ruin, after Asahina's treason, he sees her value. Bastard!

The last 3 episodes are the best, since Tohru acts more like a human instead of a monster. Same with Asahina. But nevertheless, Tohru still got on my nerves... why the hell he looks for her after she says goodbye to the company and disappears? He goes to her natal town, he runs from here to there looking for her, finally finds her, and what, does he tells her he loves her? Heck no, again to square one. What an idiot.

So yeah, the romance is terrible. If I were Makoto I would have stopped crying since Episode 1 (she does cry a lot) and avoid this guy. But well, no wonder I am still single **shrugs** Also, I hate that, after struggling to get a proper job for a long time, she quits it all to be with him. By doing what? Copies. WTH, she has a degree on lab analysis or whatever her career is, and she wastes a couple of oportunities just to be with an asshole who doesn't treat her like she deserves (until the very end). On the other hand, there are no boring, dragging moments. It is easy to watch (except maybe for the occasions where you want to punch the guy and shake the girl)


Cast: (9/10) the cast is good. The match between Oguri Shun and Ishihara Satomi is nice. I like that both of them are black-haired, and that he is so much taller than her (she is no midget). Everybody was good, I can't complain. My favorite maybe me Aibu Saki (Yoko) but that's only because her character was nice, and likeable while being the rival. (I've read bad comments about her only because she was the rival and kissed Tohru twice... like WTH? She likes him too, he likes her, he is single, why can't she try? And once she realizes she doesn't stand a chance, she steps aside... Is she a whore because of that? Ugh)

Oh, and criminal-face Ayano Go has a small role. He is a stupid bastard in this one, no wonder XD Not evil, but a bitch. Suits him so well, once again. I am impressed by this guy, truly.


Music: (6/10) There is only one, and it is repeated over and over and over again, till you can't listen to it anymore. Still, it suits the drama, giving it a fun, girly, anime-ish feeling.

Cinematography: (9/10) the office is so spacious and vibrant, we get to see also the beautiful streets of Tokyo. The colors are nice, catchy, and clothes are pretty (Makoto's style is specially beautiful, very Japanese-like with the neat blouse and big skirts).

Overrated IMO.

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Completed
One Liter of Tears
4 people found this review helpful
May 12, 2017
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I read some reviews; most of them said that "they cried a litre of tears" while watching this dorama. Now, I love to cry when I read/watch inspiring/touching story, but I don't do it necessarily all the time. So I doubted I was going to with this dorama, with all the hype. And it turned out the title is not misleading at all. There was a constant runny nose during the whole 45minutes, especially around episode 5. This dorama is beautiful, touching, sweet, and everything that is positive. Sawajiri Erica is a wonderful actress (I only heard about her after "her scandal"). She has a beautiful smile, and when she cries, you will cry. In spite of her terrible disease, she smiles to encourage herself and her family. I was so mad and sad in the episode where she talks to her classmates... I dare anyone not to cry in this one.

At first I was not impressed with Ryo; he seemed to sullen and with one expression only. Besides, I've read his character was made-up; he did not exist in the real Aya's life. But eventually, I warmed towards him, and the few times he cried, it was impossible not to be moved; by his tears (my, one tear after another; he can really cry) and by this doomed love. Honestly, most of the times, I am never moved by doomed loves, but it was an exception with Aya and Asou-kun. Every time they were together I was thinking "why? why can't they be happy?".

My favorites actresses were (besides Sawajiri Erika, of course) Yakushimaru Hiroko as the mother and Narumi Riko as Ako, the sister. Poor mother, she has to face this disease with a encouraging smile for her daughter, and she had to gave in many things. I can't imagine her pain. She was the first to notice that her daughter had a problem, she was the first to know the terrible truth, and she had to stand up in school against selfish parents.

As for Ako, who is a tsundere, was a supportive younger sister, and the episode where she talks to her brother (who was ashamed to have a disabled sister) was beyond moving (I had a big lump in my throat... to be honest, that lump did not go away for the entire 11 episodes).

I love this story. I love the soundtrack (all songs, including the one that the students sing twice). Each episode ended with the words of the real Aya, taken out from her diary, + pictures of her in school, in bed, in her wheelchair; with her family, friends...

Highly recommended. And be prepared to shed multiple tears.

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Completed
He Who Can't Marry
3 people found this review helpful
May 9, 2017
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
There is not a boring moment in this dorama. Starts good, continues good, ends good. Not really a drama, since nothing dramatic happens. Just a slice of life, people becoming friends, their day by day (my type of story), with a hint of romance and lots of funny moments.

No doubt Abe Hiroshi is a wonderful actor. He is funny without overacting, he really WAS Kuwano Shinsuke: his slouching posture, his funny expressions. In every one of his scenes, he attracts the eye of the audience. Although it may also be because he is so tall and has such a nice figure.

Hayasaka Natsumi, as Dr. Natsukawa, was as good as Abe Hiroshi was. Both of them were amazing together, and they had a nice chemistry. I love her smile (two dimples!), she was a very simple woman in terms of clothes and haircut, but I found her lovely and very pretty. I love when she forced herself to keep smiling when Kuwano has been mean to her.

One of the reasons I decided to watch this dorama was because the plot seemed similar to "As good as it gets", one of my favorite movies. And it was in some ways, but again, completely different. Yes, Kuwano is a kind of grumpy man who does not like people. Yes, there is a dog. But that's it. Kuwano is sarcastic and tends to hurt people's feelings without meaning to, he is more sympathetic. He has OCD but not too extreme. He smiles more than Jack Nicholson's character; he socializes more too. He is likeable; so likeable that two pretty women fall for him eventually.

The dog, Ken-chan, has a minor role for 7 episodes; in Episode 8 is where they get closer. I wanted Kuwano to be more affectionate (like, more petting than glances and smiles), but it was cute nevertheless.

His owner, Michiru, played by Kuninaka Ryoko was cute but I think she overacted a little bit here. She is better in "Hotaru no Hikari". And her falling for Kuwano was a bit out of nowhere. For 10 episodes she finds him rude and tries to avoid him if possible, and then, one good action and it is all "oh no, I've fallen for him".

The soundtrack was OK, the OP was OK, nothing outstanding. The whistling whenever Kuwano was doing something very-him, was funny, and it suited him perfectly.

I love to learn more about Japanese society, and this dorama taught me a great deal about its food, the pressure to single people to get married (not very much unlike my own country anyway). Poor Kuwano, he really was not interested in marriage and people keep nagging him, specially his mother. But he was never upset about it, he only made sarcastic comments and ignore them later.

So it is a funny dorama, very recommended. Light, no misunderstandings (not annoying at least, cuz when people thinks that Kuwano had a girlfriend was hilarious), cute, a bit romantic (without being really romantic. I love to read people getting to know each other, making a bong, before starting a relationship), and the end was perfect.

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Completed
Uso no Senso
4 people found this review helpful
Jul 25, 2017
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
Stories about revenge are the best when they are well done, and this dorama executed it perfectly. I love that all members that are involved in the revenge (the guilty part, the vengeful one) have surnames that start with a number. I think it was a wonderful detail, starting with the MC (Ichinose Koichi), then with the leader of the killings (Nishina) and his minions (Rokutanda, Nanao, etc).

The story was sooo good. In every chapter, something is going on. Koichi getting closer to the family, in order to get the one who ordered Koichi's family to be killed. Getting his revenge on the minions who murdered his family, on the one who almost killed him, on the detective who pressured him when Koichi was just 9 years-old to lie that his father was the one who murdered the whole family. When it looks like the villains are almost catching up with him, Koichi has an ace up his sleeve. I love when the MC is wittier and quicker than the villain. He was perhaps a bit ruthless, but I couldn't help but empathize with him.

Kusanagi was excellent as Koichi. You could feel the rage in him, and if it weren't for that tragic past, he would be a good guy. He was satisfied when he could have his revenge, but with those tears, you can only wonder if he was also a bit sad. Ichimura as the main villain was perfectly cast. He does wonder in this kind of role. And all his children were excellent as well. In conclusion, the Nishina family was perfect.

That ending was O_O WOW. A whole 10/10 for me!

Honestly I don't remember the music, that's why I rate it 9. I was just too engrossed with the story.

I am not sure if this would be a re-watch for me, since you can't compare watching this kind of story for the first time with watching it for a second time. Nevertheless, if someone asked me to watch it with her/him, I'll gladly do it, since I can't recommend this dorama enough.

... I can't believe that this hasn't more viewers and reviewers. This deserves more recognition in MDL, highly recommended.

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Completed
My Beautiful Man
3 people found this review helpful
Dec 27, 2021
6 of 6 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5
I am happily surprised by this drama because I loved it and may be one of my favorite Jdrama of 2021. I wasn't planning on watching it, except it got quietly popular and reading some comments I became interested.

This kind of BL is right up to my alley since it is the kind of plot I do love to read in books. More specifically, this drama reminded me a lot of the Straight series, a MM romance series where almost always the leads are so f**ked up and may need therapy but you can't help but root for them because of their intense chemistry and lust/romance. They are flawed characters and I love it; I realized this year that I do like my leads to be imperfect, but still perfect for each other.

Is their relationship toxic? Depends of every person but to me it wasn't. It is not like their dynamic made each other miserable or was ruining their lives; they do have a miscommunication (they are teenagers after all) but once they lay out all their feelings *coughkiyoionhiracough* they are on the same page and I can see they will work on their "problems". And about the "kimoi" thing... I love it. I love when in my MM romance books the term of endearment is "jackass", "asshole", etc precisely because it is said with love and endearment, not as a way of abuse. I certainly cringe when the term of endearment is "baby", "honey", etc **cringe** Again, it depends on anyone's taste.

The acting was excellent, both were amazing and had a nice chemistry. So nice I didn't have any 2nd hand embarrassment with scenes like the finger sucking... it was actually pretty hot and kinda sweet. The only time I had 2nd hand embarrassment was at the shower scene in the school yard...it was too long 😅 Even if it were a straight couple I would have felt the same.

I also liked the OST, both OP song & ED song.

My only complain? Too short, but on the other hand the drama was mostly about them and very little about others.

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Nov 10, 2018
Completed 2
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
My favorite duo in the whole Dramaland. The times I laughed in this movie XD it was an excellent movie. The mystery was good, the chemistry was good, the cast was good, the jokes were back.

Recurring jokes I'll never get tired of watching:

- flat-chested Yamada and big-penis Ueda
- Yabe and his wig
- Ueda and his big ego (including all his books, doll and his claims of knowing it all)
- Ueda and martial arts
- Ueda proposing that each one of them, both he and Yamada, tell the other something meaningful when their lives are threatened.
- Ueda calling "mother" to Yamada's mother
- Yamada and her magic tricks
- Ueda and his silly tricks XD
- Yamada and her rent debts
- Ueda and Yamada together <3 my favorite!

Waaa I love them. They are extremely funny (Abe Hiroshi is gold in comedy and he has -had- the best chemistry with Nakama Yukie) and the support characters were likeable. A MUST for Trick's fans. I think this movie can be seen as a stand-alone but I'll always recommend to watch Season 1 first, just because it is one of the best dramas I've ever seen.

This movie does not have any review nor comment here in MDL which to me was a signal that it is an awesome movie. I think the dramas and movies with the least reviews are the best XD

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