EPISODE 11This episode was… pure madness and very confusing. The characters have all reached their limits and…
Ep12 preview (30s ver): https://twitter.com/tx_shijukara/status/1504848099327545367 (They actually posted the preview on their twt, how nice of them lol we don’t have to use fake vpn anymore) Dialogues (rough trans): Okano: Please don’t worry. I’ll make her happy. Mihiro: Both sensei and Chiaki are the kind of people who can never give up drawing. Okano: So it’s an annoying out-of-date manga huh? Shinobu: I’m leaving. Shinobu: You called the manga I wanted to draw ‘out-of-date’! Toko: Being young is yabai, isn’t it? (‘yabai’ has too many different meanings so it depends on the context, but here it’s most likely the negative meaning I think) Chiaki: Yeah, it is. Shinobu: Even though (it’s the manga) I drew for the only 1 person whom I want them to read. Chiaki: I’ll disappear. (???!!)
Synopsis of Ep12: While solving Yohei’s problems and starting a new life with Okano, Shinobu seems to be empty somewhere inside her. Meanwhile, Yuta returns after a long time. Yuta, who’s no longer a child, tells Shinobu to be happy for herself… What exactly is ‘happiness’ for Shinobu? The clumsy adults who have been struggling with so many problems will finally collide with each other and begin to follow their respective paths. And then, Shinobu and Chiaki… [end lol]
(Yuta-kun, our last hope. Please, Yuta, wake her up, I’m begging you T_T)
EPISODE 11 This episode was… pure madness and very confusing. The characters have all reached their limits and gone crazy. Everyone of them. They have 30 minutes left to conclude the drama and honestly I have no idea where the story is heading. I don’t think I can write an in-depth review for this episode as I’ve always done because I myself couldn’t understand anything lol maybe with the exception of Mihiro’s story. They really didn’t sugarcoat anything in this drama, it’s just the painful reality for every character. Though I have to admit the leading cast (Sayaka, Rihito and Tomu) were exceptional in this episode, the combination of their performances and the editing was what gripped me for the whole 30 minutes. Also, Chiaki at the beginning of this episode was my exact reaction after I finished watching it. Laughing and internally screaming lol.
I have a feeling that a lot of viewers are gonna turn their backs on this drama after this episode, but there’s only 1 episode left. My hope and trust are still intact. I believe everything will make sense in the last episode. I’m ready.
As usual, the preview for the final episode is in the spoiler box below. I’ll skip doing detailed review this time but I’m still open for discussion about this episode here whether you want to praise or rant about it lol (though I’m still very much biased so don’t be too harsh)
Oh my Godddd asdghfjskshj the creepy psychopath Chiaki is officially BACK. Or more like, he’s never left. I…
Hi!!! Glad to have you back! I loveeeee that shot with the tree branches in the sky, I have a similar interpretation with yours. In Ep6, the sky shot showed that Shinobu was the light in the midst of his darkness. In Ep10, his love for her has grown into something much more complicated and it looks like she has become the core of his mentality. I love that last coffee in Ep10 so much, it was so well-done all around T_T
I just got off the livestream watching Ep11 and it was crazy, everyone went crazy, everyone of them, including the director and the screenwriter!!! They had 60 minutes left to end the drama and they spent 2 minutes of it filming a musical performance!??! They're driving me crazy T_T I literally have no idea where they're heading with the story omg
I’ve seen quite a lot of people say that the synopsis doesn’t do the drama justice or that the tags and the poster are very misleading and I completely agreed, but honestly I actually love it that way. First of all it’s because they keep the spoilers hidden very well. Secondly, they can trick you into watching the drama expecting some mediocre cliché plot and then surprise you when the actual plot hits. It’s very on brand of them, even with those tiny basic things they’re still being sly like that. I love it lol. And by ‘them’ I mean the people behind this drama, their minds are a bit too powerful imo.
Back when the drama hadn’t started airing, the director actually tweeted that she recommended this drama to both people that love and people that hate watching infidelity dramas. I thought she was insane but now I think I understand why she said that. That was very bold of her though.
I cannot fathom the fact that this movie was rated 15+ on WOWOW… this is a straight up R-rated movie in my opinion, with several triggering tags. I can’t believe they let such young child actors witness such a scene. I watched it raw so I didn’t fully understand it but it was really really dark and disturbing. One thing for sure is that the cast did a really great job delivering very strong and gripping acting performances.
Ultimate cringe. Please divorce! Why did protagonist marry a scumbag?
Obviously, he wasn't like that when she agreed to marry him, she said it herself in Ep5: "We used to have love for each other. But that love is slowly being worn away in our daily lives." People often change (or more like show their true self) after they're married. It does happen in real life.
From what I've heard, the manga is not as suspenseful as the drama but it is indeed heavier and more realistic, some parts are even more explicit than the drama.
Oh my Godddd asdghfjskshj the creepy psychopath Chiaki is officially BACK. Or more like, he’s never left. I…
It’s true that we could see Chiaki starting to lose himself from Ep9. But when I watched it I just thought that he was losing his patience. And after Ep10, my view about his present self SHIFTED. He’s even crazier and creepier than I thought. He’s basically a stalker lol (that was why I laughed so loud when he said “Because I’m your fan” to Shinobu).
And yes, the way he said “Shall I kill you?” so casually while sharpening the knife so calmly sent chills to my bone (that scene was amazing tho, I loved it sm). The scene at the coffee shop gets even creepier the more you think about it because it was so clear that he knew exactly where Shinobu was and he came to see her, he tried to hide his intention by saying he always had that envelope on himself. Then he purposely took out a chair to sit right in front of Shinobu while there were plenty of other empty seats in the shop hahaha. Also his reflection on the door when he was standing outside the shop was kinda scary lol.
I think the flashback to the confession scene was from both of them. The first time I watched it I thought it was from Shinobu. But when I watched it again, I noticed that after Chiaki said his lines they cut to the confession scene from his camera angle, and then they cut to that scene again from Shinobu’s angle when she said her lines. So I think it was both of them starting to recall that night. Unlike us audience, we witnessed that confession scene in the most beautiful and romantic way with slow-motion and music. For both of them, the ASMR was a real experience. And they both recalled the hug at the same time, that was why they only used the sound not the image. I love that asmr sound btw, I gasped when I first heard it lol.
Yes, his painful laugh at the end was just… There were so many things that were kept unsaid but we could feel it directly. It was kinda haunting in a way actually. Funny how he was portrayed that creepy, that crazy yet we still feel hurt and sympathize for him. Probably because we get why he’s this way. With life pushing him left and right like that, I’d go crazy too. Chiaki… I didn’t expect being a proper adult would be this hard on you. T__T
EPISODE 10: I know I keep saying almost the same things every week, it’s really hard to write a review for every…
Oh my Godddd asdghfjskshj the creepy psychopath Chiaki is officially BACK. Or more like, he’s never left. I still can’t believe it. I did not see that coming. I had rewatched Ep9 countless times before starting Ep10 and I kept wondering “But how does he know where she lives though?” but then I settled with “Maybe he got the info from their publisher” lol.
And now it’s all clear. He was RIGHT THERE all along! Wow… All this time Shinobu missed him to the point she saw him everywhere yet she didn’t know he had always been right beside her in the dark drinking coffee but never stepped into the light to meet her. He chose to stay in her shadow, which is also his sanctuary omg. And for how long has he been there? 4-5 years? Imagine him sitting there seeing all the people walking in and out to meet Shinobu but he was never one of them?? His patience is just on another level. Was that the reason why he didn’t look very surprised when they met again on the overpass?? And I was wrong when I said “when Shinobu popped up, his patience went 404 error: not found”, it was Okano who popped up that made his patience run out.
Also he seems to know the places where Shinobu frequents too, like if he wants to find her he just knows exactly where she is (the scene at the coffee shop, and he acted like he just happened to be there lol). Oh he is so crazy for Shinobu but at the same time she has always been the only reason that keeps him sane all these years. With all the people around him keep pouring shit like that into his ears and swaying him around, I can’t even begin to imagine how his life would be if Shinobu wasn’t present in his life. Like wow… that twist just made the plot thicken real quick. And the new disclaimer at the end of this ep though, “This story is fictional; But the feeling of wanting to stay close to your loved one DOES EXIST.” Damn...
And I’m so OBSESSED with how the coffee scenes in this episode got darker (literally and metaphorically) and more intense as the story progressed. There were 3 of them and he was slowly going a little more insane every time. From his little laugh when he put a part of his foot in the light in the 1st coffee scene, to his painfully crazy laugh when he saw Okano walking into her apartment in the 3rd scene. The contrast. The pain. The feels. Absolutely excellent. And then there was the airplane sound in the 3rd scene completely muting the music even AFTER he drank the coffee. Oh, it was so serious this time that even drinking coffee in his sanctuary couldn’t heal him anymore T__T And they finally panned the camera from Chiaki up to the sky just like how they did in Ep6 and it made a perfect parallel because we now know that Shinobu was there too. Also, there were a bunch of energy drink bottles on Chiaki’s desk and table. It seemed that he didn’t sleep much. If he keeps going at that rate and drinks coffee that often, I’m afraid he’s gonna reach his limit soon.
His mother Toko, ugh, a freaking nuisance. How easy it would be if Chiaki hated his mother. But it’s so clear that he still loves her and can’t leave her. That’s the most painful part of all this. Every scene of them together has always been so anger inducing and heartbreaking. That scene when she was crying in their house and he couldn’t bring himself to come inside, god… every time I watch it I just want to rip my heart out because the pain is too much to bear seeing him like that. And the way he unconsciously switched back to his old walking posture right after that, he reverted back to his traumatized young self again T_T And then the scene when she hugged him, held his hand saying “You could’ve earned more money, like the old days” and he replied with “それ 本気で言ってる？” (Do you really mean that?) like OMG it immediately put me in shock because they have used this exact line twice before: the 1st time it was what Shinobu said when Yohei attempted to force himself on her in Ep4, the 2nd time it was what Shinobu replied to Yohei when he said “But in those 20 years, you were happy, right?” in Ep8. Now, for the 3rd time, Chiaki replied to his mother. And it never failed to make me want to throw up every single time. This line is going to haunt me in my dreams I’m afraid. [Update: oh my god, I just realized Toko has been wearing Chiaki’s old clothes since the moment she appeared in Ep9?? And her current hairstyle too?? What is the meaning of this? She wants to be him? She wants to remind him of his old self? She misses him? Or are they just simply too poor to buy new clothes?]
I have to talk briefly about Mihiro, she has grown so much on me after that emotional scene in Ep9. I truly felt sorry for her. And it was very heartwarming to watch her staying with Shinobu in this Ep. Though I still can’t figure out the meaning of the scene with her and the dolls. It was so… weird and abstract (?) And who was that gothic lolita girl? [Update: I’ve finally got it. I think the detail of the eye-closed doll is linked with Shinobu and Mari’s conversation in Ep8 where Shinobu said “I feel like they can SEE right through me” and Mari replied with “Because these kids are PURE”, and fast forward to later in Ep10 when Mihiro said “Why doesn’t anyone SEE me properly? Is it because I’m FILTHY?” omg the dots just connected :(( ]
I’m sure Mihiro reminded everyone of the young Chiaki a lot, especially in the scene where Shinobu comforted her, it was like a straight throwback to Ep2+5. But that similarity between her and Chiaki is exactly why we can see how differently Shinobu treated each of them. Even though they both suffered from the same matter, when she talked to them about their pasts, there’s a difference between sympathy (Chiaki) and empathy (Mihiro). There’s also the difference between ‘canned coffee’ and ‘coffee beans’. With Mihiro, it was maternal instinct and motherly love for Shinobu. With Chiaki, it’s definitely different. She tried to deny it when Okano asked her about it at the end of the episode (she has the habit of awkwardly drinking or eating when she’s in denial if you notice, it happened many times before).
When Shinobu asked Mihiro to stay at her place. They had this shot from behind Chiaki which reminded me of the same shot in the beginning of Ep6 when Shinobu said she couldn’t leave Yuta behind. Chiaki’s back looked so lonely in both of these scenes. Everyone got to stay beside Shinobu except him. Shinobu always puts her maternal priority first and leaves him behind. It's understandable though, that’s why it’s so sad :(
Also, this episode opened with another scene of Shinobu and Chiaki NOT saying anything to each other but Shinobu understood the situation right away and immediately followed him. So that means I wasn’t insane when I said I felt like they were talking to each other with their eyes at the beginning of Ep9. Their bond… it’s on another level.
One last favorite detail, the scene with Shinobu and Chiaki in the coffee shop, Chiaki’s actions here were kinda creepy tbh lol, but I'm in love with the way they used the bird singing sound effect right when Chiaki showed his support for her intention in trying a new manga theme. That bird’s (shijukara’s) sound and its image has always been the symbol of Shinobu’s freedom and new beginning. And then came the beautiful main theme, Shinobu started to look more at ease talking to Chiaki and she tried so hard to hold back her happy tears after she heard what he said. Just like how she used to advise him before his debut. I love that moment so much, so subtle yet so beautiful.
EPISODE 10: I know I keep saying almost the same things every week, it’s really hard to write a review for every…
Ep11 preview (30s ver): https://youtu.be/Lc30a_Ys9hg Dialogues: (rough trans) Okano: We’re already 45, you know. Are you really ok with being with someone as young as Tachibana-san? Mihiro: Is this Chiaki? Shinobu: No, it’s not. Mihiro: You’re lying. Chiaki: Okano-san, what do you like about Sensei? Okano: Don’t you think I’m more capable of making Sasaki-sensei happy? Shinobu: We have a 18-year age difference, you know? Chiaki: Enough already… I just want to forget all about manga and sensei.
Ep11 synopsis from official website: Shinobu was confused by the proposal from Okano. He asked her to think about it and then told Chiaki later that he had proposed to Shinobu. Chiaki spent his days feeling worn out and being swayed around by his mother Toko, but his feelings for Shinobu never went away. And then Shinobu confessed to Chiaki the feelings that she had never put into words until now. On the other hand, Yohei, who should’ve begun a new life, took an unexpected action in the wake of a certain thing.
EPISODE 10: I know I keep saying almost the same things every week, it’s really hard to write a review for every episode without spoilers when a drama is packed with so many things like this. It always feels like I’m typing from my grave every time. But really, wow… This was another excellent episode. 80% of the episode was about Chiaki and it delved even deeper into his mentality, struggles and responsibilities as an adult. It was so heartbreaking and so crazy at the same time. Every episode’s ending has been very well-done so far and this one’s ending was no exception, the revelation at the end killed me in a heartbeat, it answered a lot of the questions I had in previous eps and still managed to knock me off my chair. Honestly, it was so amazing that I want to kiss the director rn. The use of sound effects in this ep continued to be very on point and exquisite (watching this drama with earphones is a different experience btw), if I'm not mistaken they actually rearranged some key soundtracks for this episode, it was the same songs but sounded different. And then the use of the coffee scenes, just brilliant T___T
As usual preview for Ep11 in the 1st spoiler box below and detailed comment in the 2nd box.
What exactly is a happy ending anyway? lol At this point even if they don't end up together, their love for each other still exists and will remain so in the future.
I just realize that there are 3 more episodes before this drama ends. It makes me anxious and sad. What will be…
Exactly why I've been so depressed since last week. Ever since January 7th, every Friday night has been a sleepless night for me. I just know I'm gonna have the worst withdrawal symptom when it ends. As for the ending, I'm not that worried actually, even though the original manga is still ongoing. Probably because I trust the director and the screenwriter too much I think lol I've been here since the beginning and I'll still be here watching and appreciating it no matter how this drama ends. Only that I don't want it to end T_T
Oh, I watched it for free on Japanese Film Festival here https://watch.jff.jpf.go.jp/ But I don't think it's available to watch anymore since the event has already ended :(
It's some of the best acting that I've seen in years. We have some folks on here who refuse to rate anything higher…
Exactly. I've been following him and checking his filmography for months now and he has been so impressive even in his minor/guest roles. Funny how you mentioned Ryo, because they used to co-star in Seiten wo Tsuke and did an interview together xD
(They actually posted the preview on their twt, how nice of them lol we don’t have to use fake vpn anymore)
Dialogues (rough trans):
Okano: Please don’t worry. I’ll make her happy.
Mihiro: Both sensei and Chiaki are the kind of people who can never give up drawing.
Okano: So it’s an annoying out-of-date manga huh?
Shinobu: I’m leaving.
Shinobu: You called the manga I wanted to draw ‘out-of-date’!
Toko: Being young is yabai, isn’t it? (‘yabai’ has too many different meanings so it depends on the context, but here it’s most likely the negative meaning I think)
Chiaki: Yeah, it is.
Shinobu: Even though (it’s the manga) I drew for the only 1 person whom I want them to read.
Chiaki: I’ll disappear. (???!!)
Synopsis of Ep12:
While solving Yohei’s problems and starting a new life with Okano, Shinobu seems to be empty somewhere inside her. Meanwhile, Yuta returns after a long time. Yuta, who’s no longer a child, tells Shinobu to be happy for herself… What exactly is ‘happiness’ for Shinobu? The clumsy adults who have been struggling with so many problems will finally collide with each other and begin to follow their respective paths. And then, Shinobu and Chiaki… [end lol]
(Yuta-kun, our last hope. Please, Yuta, wake her up, I’m begging you T_T)
This episode was… pure madness and very confusing. The characters have all reached their limits and gone crazy. Everyone of them. They have 30 minutes left to conclude the drama and honestly I have no idea where the story is heading. I don’t think I can write an in-depth review for this episode as I’ve always done because I myself couldn’t understand anything lol maybe with the exception of Mihiro’s story. They really didn’t sugarcoat anything in this drama, it’s just the painful reality for every character. Though I have to admit the leading cast (Sayaka, Rihito and Tomu) were exceptional in this episode, the combination of their performances and the editing was what gripped me for the whole 30 minutes. Also, Chiaki at the beginning of this episode was my exact reaction after I finished watching it. Laughing and internally screaming lol.
I have a feeling that a lot of viewers are gonna turn their backs on this drama after this episode, but there’s only 1 episode left. My hope and trust are still intact. I believe everything will make sense in the last episode. I’m ready.
As usual, the preview for the final episode is in the spoiler box below. I’ll skip doing detailed review this time but I’m still open for discussion about this episode here whether you want to praise or rant about it lol (though I’m still very much biased so don’t be too harsh)
I loveeeee that shot with the tree branches in the sky, I have a similar interpretation with yours. In Ep6, the sky shot showed that Shinobu was the light in the midst of his darkness. In Ep10, his love for her has grown into something much more complicated and it looks like she has become the core of his mentality. I love that last coffee in Ep10 so much, it was so well-done all around T_T
I just got off the livestream watching Ep11 and it was crazy, everyone went crazy, everyone of them, including the director and the screenwriter!!! They had 60 minutes left to end the drama and they spent 2 minutes of it filming a musical performance!??! They're driving me crazy T_T I literally have no idea where they're heading with the story omg
Back when the drama hadn’t started airing, the director actually tweeted that she recommended this drama to both people that love and people that hate watching infidelity dramas. I thought she was insane but now I think I understand why she said that. That was very bold of her though.
People often change (or more like show their true self) after they're married. It does happen in real life.
https://www.d-addicts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=165999
And watch with the raws here: https://justpaste.it/34i5f
the subber updates new ep around Sunday-Monday every week. The raw for new episode is up every Friday midnight - Saturday morning.
And yes, the way he said “Shall I kill you?” so casually while sharpening the knife so calmly sent chills to my bone (that scene was amazing tho, I loved it sm). The scene at the coffee shop gets even creepier the more you think about it because it was so clear that he knew exactly where Shinobu was and he came to see her, he tried to hide his intention by saying he always had that envelope on himself. Then he purposely took out a chair to sit right in front of Shinobu while there were plenty of other empty seats in the shop hahaha. Also his reflection on the door when he was standing outside the shop was kinda scary lol.
I think the flashback to the confession scene was from both of them. The first time I watched it I thought it was from Shinobu. But when I watched it again, I noticed that after Chiaki said his lines they cut to the confession scene from his camera angle, and then they cut to that scene again from Shinobu’s angle when she said her lines. So I think it was both of them starting to recall that night. Unlike us audience, we witnessed that confession scene in the most beautiful and romantic way with slow-motion and music. For both of them, the ASMR was a real experience. And they both recalled the hug at the same time, that was why they only used the sound not the image. I love that asmr sound btw, I gasped when I first heard it lol.
Yes, his painful laugh at the end was just… There were so many things that were kept unsaid but we could feel it directly. It was kinda haunting in a way actually. Funny how he was portrayed that creepy, that crazy yet we still feel hurt and sympathize for him. Probably because we get why he’s this way. With life pushing him left and right like that, I’d go crazy too. Chiaki… I didn’t expect being a proper adult would be this hard on you. T__T
And now it’s all clear. He was RIGHT THERE all along! Wow… All this time Shinobu missed him to the point she saw him everywhere yet she didn’t know he had always been right beside her in the dark drinking coffee but never stepped into the light to meet her. He chose to stay in her shadow, which is also his sanctuary omg. And for how long has he been there? 4-5 years? Imagine him sitting there seeing all the people walking in and out to meet Shinobu but he was never one of them?? His patience is just on another level. Was that the reason why he didn’t look very surprised when they met again on the overpass?? And I was wrong when I said “when Shinobu popped up, his patience went 404 error: not found”, it was Okano who popped up that made his patience run out.
Also he seems to know the places where Shinobu frequents too, like if he wants to find her he just knows exactly where she is (the scene at the coffee shop, and he acted like he just happened to be there lol). Oh he is so crazy for Shinobu but at the same time she has always been the only reason that keeps him sane all these years. With all the people around him keep pouring shit like that into his ears and swaying him around, I can’t even begin to imagine how his life would be if Shinobu wasn’t present in his life. Like wow… that twist just made the plot thicken real quick. And the new disclaimer at the end of this ep though, “This story is fictional; But the feeling of wanting to stay close to your loved one DOES EXIST.” Damn...
And I’m so OBSESSED with how the coffee scenes in this episode got darker (literally and metaphorically) and more intense as the story progressed. There were 3 of them and he was slowly going a little more insane every time. From his little laugh when he put a part of his foot in the light in the 1st coffee scene, to his painfully crazy laugh when he saw Okano walking into her apartment in the 3rd scene. The contrast. The pain. The feels. Absolutely excellent. And then there was the airplane sound in the 3rd scene completely muting the music even AFTER he drank the coffee. Oh, it was so serious this time that even drinking coffee in his sanctuary couldn’t heal him anymore T__T And they finally panned the camera from Chiaki up to the sky just like how they did in Ep6 and it made a perfect parallel because we now know that Shinobu was there too.
Also, there were a bunch of energy drink bottles on Chiaki’s desk and table. It seemed that he didn’t sleep much. If he keeps going at that rate and drinks coffee that often, I’m afraid he’s gonna reach his limit soon.
His mother Toko, ugh, a freaking nuisance. How easy it would be if Chiaki hated his mother. But it’s so clear that he still loves her and can’t leave her. That’s the most painful part of all this. Every scene of them together has always been so anger inducing and heartbreaking. That scene when she was crying in their house and he couldn’t bring himself to come inside, god… every time I watch it I just want to rip my heart out because the pain is too much to bear seeing him like that. And the way he unconsciously switched back to his old walking posture right after that, he reverted back to his traumatized young self again T_T
And then the scene when she hugged him, held his hand saying “You could’ve earned more money, like the old days” and he replied with “それ 本気で言ってる？” (Do you really mean that?) like OMG it immediately put me in shock because they have used this exact line twice before: the 1st time it was what Shinobu said when Yohei attempted to force himself on her in Ep4, the 2nd time it was what Shinobu replied to Yohei when he said “But in those 20 years, you were happy, right?” in Ep8. Now, for the 3rd time, Chiaki replied to his mother. And it never failed to make me want to throw up every single time. This line is going to haunt me in my dreams I’m afraid.
[Update: oh my god, I just realized Toko has been wearing Chiaki’s old clothes since the moment she appeared in Ep9?? And her current hairstyle too?? What is the meaning of this? She wants to be him? She wants to remind him of his old self? She misses him? Or are they just simply too poor to buy new clothes?]
I have to talk briefly about Mihiro, she has grown so much on me after that emotional scene in Ep9. I truly felt sorry for her. And it was very heartwarming to watch her staying with Shinobu in this Ep. Though I still can’t figure out the meaning of the scene with her and the dolls. It was so… weird and abstract (?) And who was that gothic lolita girl?
[Update: I’ve finally got it. I think the detail of the eye-closed doll is linked with Shinobu and Mari’s conversation in Ep8 where Shinobu said “I feel like they can SEE right through me” and Mari replied with “Because these kids are PURE”, and fast forward to later in Ep10 when Mihiro said “Why doesn’t anyone SEE me properly? Is it because I’m FILTHY?” omg the dots just connected :(( ]
I’m sure Mihiro reminded everyone of the young Chiaki a lot, especially in the scene where Shinobu comforted her, it was like a straight throwback to Ep2+5. But that similarity between her and Chiaki is exactly why we can see how differently Shinobu treated each of them. Even though they both suffered from the same matter, when she talked to them about their pasts, there’s a difference between sympathy (Chiaki) and empathy (Mihiro). There’s also the difference between ‘canned coffee’ and ‘coffee beans’. With Mihiro, it was maternal instinct and motherly love for Shinobu. With Chiaki, it’s definitely different. She tried to deny it when Okano asked her about it at the end of the episode (she has the habit of awkwardly drinking or eating when she’s in denial if you notice, it happened many times before).
When Shinobu asked Mihiro to stay at her place. They had this shot from behind Chiaki which reminded me of the same shot in the beginning of Ep6 when Shinobu said she couldn’t leave Yuta behind. Chiaki’s back looked so lonely in both of these scenes. Everyone got to stay beside Shinobu except him. Shinobu always puts her maternal priority first and leaves him behind. It's understandable though, that’s why it’s so sad :(
Also, this episode opened with another scene of Shinobu and Chiaki NOT saying anything to each other but Shinobu understood the situation right away and immediately followed him. So that means I wasn’t insane when I said I felt like they were talking to each other with their eyes at the beginning of Ep9. Their bond… it’s on another level.
One last favorite detail, the scene with Shinobu and Chiaki in the coffee shop, Chiaki’s actions here were kinda creepy tbh lol, but I'm in love with the way they used the bird singing sound effect right when Chiaki showed his support for her intention in trying a new manga theme. That bird’s (shijukara’s) sound and its image has always been the symbol of Shinobu’s freedom and new beginning. And then came the beautiful main theme, Shinobu started to look more at ease talking to Chiaki and she tried so hard to hold back her happy tears after she heard what he said. Just like how she used to advise him before his debut. I love that moment so much, so subtle yet so beautiful.
Dialogues: (rough trans)
Okano: We’re already 45, you know. Are you really ok with being with someone as young as Tachibana-san?
Mihiro: Is this Chiaki?
Shinobu: No, it’s not.
Mihiro: You’re lying.
Chiaki: Okano-san, what do you like about Sensei?
Okano: Don’t you think I’m more capable of making Sasaki-sensei happy?
Shinobu: We have a 18-year age difference, you know?
Chiaki: Enough already… I just want to forget all about manga and sensei.
Ep11 synopsis from official website:
Shinobu was confused by the proposal from Okano. He asked her to think about it and then told Chiaki later that he had proposed to Shinobu. Chiaki spent his days feeling worn out and being swayed around by his mother Toko, but his feelings for Shinobu never went away. And then Shinobu confessed to Chiaki the feelings that she had never put into words until now. On the other hand, Yohei, who should’ve begun a new life, took an unexpected action in the wake of a certain thing.
#SaveChiaki 😭
I know I keep saying almost the same things every week, it’s really hard to write a review for every episode without spoilers when a drama is packed with so many things like this. It always feels like I’m typing from my grave every time. But really, wow… This was another excellent episode. 80% of the episode was about Chiaki and it delved even deeper into his mentality, struggles and responsibilities as an adult. It was so heartbreaking and so crazy at the same time.
Every episode’s ending has been very well-done so far and this one’s ending was no exception, the revelation at the end killed me in a heartbeat, it answered a lot of the questions I had in previous eps and still managed to knock me off my chair. Honestly, it was so amazing that I want to kiss the director rn. The use of sound effects in this ep continued to be very on point and exquisite (watching this drama with earphones is a different experience btw), if I'm not mistaken they actually rearranged some key soundtracks for this episode, it was the same songs but sounded different. And then the use of the coffee scenes, just brilliant T___T
As usual preview for Ep11 in the 1st spoiler box below and detailed comment in the 2nd box.
At this point even if they don't end up together, their love for each other still exists and will remain so in the future.
Ever since January 7th, every Friday night has been a sleepless night for me. I just know I'm gonna have the worst withdrawal symptom when it ends.
As for the ending, I'm not that worried actually, even though the original manga is still ongoing. Probably because I trust the director and the screenwriter too much I think lol
I've been here since the beginning and I'll still be here watching and appreciating it no matter how this drama ends. Only that I don't want it to end T_T
But I don't think it's available to watch anymore since the event has already ended :(