badrad

Just watched ep01. While I really like Kim Se Yeong, just something that feels off about her character here. Maybe just the mix of her different scenes but there doesn't seem to be a consistent persona, she's all over the place. I will check out a few more episodes but from what I've seen so far I'm not expecting much from this series.

Yes, I watched the anime after reading some of these posts, and I really liked it. I don't often watch animes, sometimes the voices and the flashing scenes kinda bother me, but this series was quite enjoyable. At least it gave me a conclusion of the series as we await each episode in this live action. Worthwhile watch if you can!

For some reason she reminds me of Chancey from Being There. Absolutely clueless, but any words that comes out of her mouth or her very actions are often misinterpreted yet turns to gold in spite of lack of any functioning brain matter associated.
The first 2 episodes have me interested so far, but it will be interesting how long they can keep this up.

Definitely agree, the romance with both women were sorta meh. I like Satoh Takeru, in action and in romantic leads, but this one really kinda meandered. Compared for instance The 8 year Engagement, or the ill-fated romance with Arimura Kasumi in Rurouni Kenshin: Part 2, The Beginning, I had hope this one would evoke similar emotions but meh...
Yeah, he did kinda cry, he had some lovemaking, but those scenes really felt flat to me. He has had a good long string of good romantic ML roles, this is not one of them for me. But I always look forward to his next work.
But I must say - Nakano Taiga's pass at him in the bar was pretty cool, Satoh didn't flinch a bit!

I'm not sure about the timeline, I felt the cuts and flashback edits weren't done all that well.
What I gathered is that Yayoi has always had some emotional and commitment disorders, from what her sister told Shun. She definitely constantly worries about love and whether any relationship would last, which kind of makes it self fulfilling.
She reads a letter from Haru to Shun (not sure if she is invading his privacy as it looks like it might be in his personal dresser) but from the sounds of the letter gave her reason to suspect. It is interesting that the scenes after shows her and Shun's relationship were a bit cold, not the total loving relationship we had assumed at the beginning.
Here's where I'm not sure if she knew Haru was terminally ill or if it was explained in that letter, that she decided to seek out Haru. Not sure if her intent was to learn more about her, but their friendship sort of built from there.
So yeah, some of the timeline and flashbacks are a bit wonky but I did kinda like the movie.
The question I had was if Shun even knew that Haru had the illness at all, until his friend Pentax called about her death. Definitely that scene with Shun and her dad when he was seeking his permission to go overseas with Haru was odd, but not sure if anything was mentioned that she was sick?

I'm glad wasn't just me. I rewound a few times thinking the video was messed up.

I was also on the fence about that extra back story of her abortion, and of course was kind of upset of her final decision to leave. But after watching some previous episodes I felt it was actually quite good for her arc in that the guilt that she carried the sense of motherhood, she realized that what happened in the past did not have to force her into what her future should be., being an adoptive mother thrust upon her if she continued her relationship with Natsu. I think she had an equally difficult decision and not one she took lightly as regardless of the dynamics of her relationship with Natsu and her growing love for Umi, she finally decided it wasn't for her.
I felt that by leaving Natsu she finally was able to get over her own guilt from years ago.

Thanks for the heads up on the anime. Just started watching a few episodes of the anime and is really a fun series. As for ep 1 for this live series, there are very close comparisons. The story really is quite good, as you mention to follow your dreams and passion.

I enjoyed the first episode so far, and yeah the FL's voice really grated on me, that whiney high pitch cartoony voice. But when she shed those tears, I realize there's more to the character and I hope there will be some decent arc to her character. I really liked the ML, well written and he has his challenges in many areas and will be interesting to see how he can balance those out. Interesting enough I think will continue to watch the series.

It's an interesting first episode. I agree the ML is a well written character and hope to see what his arc will be. From the looks of it, he is the remaining heir, being raised by his grandfather who has been trying to pass on to him the art of Hina doll making. There will likely be some good tension as he diverges from his grandfather's wishes using his apparent superb sewing skills for cosplay costumes rather than dolls. As for the FL, she is kinda cute, but being an anime character, her voice is gratey on my nerves. It will be interesting where her character leads but for now the first episode has me very interested to continue watching.

Himbo! ROTFL!! Seriously this is the first time I ever heard this term, and is perfect description of Natsu!

Otake Shinobu is such an underrated actress. She has great timing, and her expressions in her roles are so well done. I haven't seen many of her earlier series, although I had seen a few movies from her parts in the 80's. More recent, I really enjoy her roles in Galaxy Turnpike, and also Our Little Sister. 2 completely different roles - one a short order cook in a Intergalactic diner, and the second an somewhat absent mom to her three daughters. But all very enjoyable watches.
As a veteran actor, she definitely has the acting chops to create a great rapport with MR.

Of all the characters I think Tsuno is the most balanced. He tried his best to assist while also accepting there is no affection returned. He is a good listener, and he is loyal to his friends, not to abandon them in their dire times. He should be one to get a good life out of this. And yes, I can't imagine him with Yayoi, would just be another baggage to handle.

Ikematsu Sosuke who played Tsuno is a very good actor. I like his roles, although often times he 's usually not put in leading man or romantic status. For some reason he tends to play fringe or outsiders, but he is a really good actor. I like his recent movie Between the White and Black Keys. It's a kinda moody piece, with touch of Noire, and sort of meanders a bit, but was for me anyway a fun watch.

Mizuki is a true narcissist and manipulator. While she may not have initially wanted to have the child, changing her mind and deciding to keep Natsu out the picture and yet keep stalking him with Umi in hand, is just too creepy. Tsuno was a good man, whom she decided to friend zone only for the benefits and disregarded any of his affection. While she stated up front, she knew deep down Tsuno would have stepped up to be the perfect father for Umi, yet she made her decision to keep him at arms length. And then the letter to Yayoi, I think deliberate to sabotage their relationship. So her last set of letters were the perfect traps for everyone.
If I had any single beef with Natsu is that unfortunately he was written as indecisive and I guess it was portrayed to the extreme.

That letter from Mizuki was truly scheming on her part. I think she wrote it with total intention to break up their relationship. If she truly wanted Yayoi to stay with Natsu she could have been more clear about staying as family and being happy with that instead of satisfying yourself. I think she wrote that to sabotage them.

Both sets of grandmothers look totally prepared to take on any babysitting duties thrown their way. The fact that Umi wanted to stay with her father and yet still wanted to stay at her school, could have been easily arranged if she were to stay at her grandparents house during the week, and weekends with her dad. That bit I still couldn't understand. Or, his mom looked like she was just waiting to be asked to help but he never asked for her help.

But honestly I really felt Tsuno should have been the one to adopt Umi. He is well grounded with caring and paternal instincts. Without needing to upend his life, and a seamless transition for Umi. Again just back to very poor and selfish decisions made by Mizuki.

Yeah, that would be just enough. But the series was still very enjoyable!

Actually so true! Sometimes they just go off in some direction, waste time, then realize oh no, and can't get the time back. And yeah, really it's like just getting a few extra minutes would be satisfying!

It is so funny, as my wife and I just talked about that the other night when we re-watched Business Proposal. In a few of these series we were left with the feeling there could be like a second season, although in most likelihoods not. But so true about the abrupt finales. There must be a screenwriters class on how to write the perfect last episode that some of these writers didn't attend.