A verdict after rewatching the show (first time saw it in 2015 - the time it was aired) - you can see how talented young Mayu really was. Although the story is largely seen from her perspective, the main action revolves around the two veteran leads (Sorimachi and Tanihara, both of whom have considerable screen presence). Yet she isn't overshadowed by them and manages to make her character relatable and really works. Had it been inferior youngster in place of her, that actress might be eaten alive on screen lol.
Unpopular opinion: I think this is by far Mayu's weakest performance to date, and I'm big fan of her and already watched almost all of her works. She had been cast in a lot of not-so-good doramas in her teen days (pre-Katte ni Furuetero), but she always gives 120% to the game and usually ended up a standout among the cast. Not in this show. Her chemistry with Kiritani Kenta (who is also usually a good actor in his own right) somehow felt flat and forced, which is unusual for someone for their calibre. I think it has to do with the substandard quality (well I'd say unworkable lol) for the writing, as well as directing (and perhaps lack of preparation? Who knows?).
The upside is that at times she has her moments and this show is actually pretty informative and educative, as long as you don't mind the poorly-written romance part.
She is breaking into the scene this year and seems the kind elite stakeholders (top filmmakers and drama writers/producers) would really fond of. Would be really surprised if she doesn't get to lead those projects in near future.
What's the sudden slow down in her projects? Haven't really seen her that much these past 2 years. Hope to see…
I think she is kinda selective when it comes in choosing projects, especially after that big break in Manbiki Kazoku and Katte ni Furuetero, which is a good thing. I can see she is more like a master craftsman in this regard, according to interviews I've read she likes to fully prepare and commit for a role rather than spreading herself thinly into too many projects.
Certainly. FYI she already got pinched a few times though, just check out Yuru Camp 2 (got it from Ishii Anna and Fukuhara Haruka) and Toki Kakeru Band (by Shiraishi Sei). Super likely to get more in the future though lol.
honestly one of the very few young japanese actress that i really like? she doesn't have this typical cutesy and…
FYI she came REALLY close to becoming IT Girl in her late teen years (I think around 2013-2016) before she faded for a while from the limelight. Perhaps has something to do with the pressure of being a star. Having very similar acting trait (screen presence-based actor) and age to Komatsu Nana also doesn't help (no offense to Nana's fans out there), the latter gobbles up all the acting job that might go for her.
The good thing is that she is making a strong comeback. Just check out her performance in Seiten no Tsuke.
Indeed, her acting fundamentals are super solid. Perhaps almost on par with the muses like Miyazaki Aoi, Mitsushima Hikari, Ando Sakura, Kuroki Haru. Had NHK never been going nuts by only casting superstars as asadora heroines, she might already been up there. Think something like Ono Machiko's ascend to stardom after leading Carnation.
Might be one of, if not the ultimate, the most underrated actors in Japan right now.
Movie: Snow White Murder/War in the Pacific Drama: Hana Yori Dango/Ohisama/Tokkan
Sadly she isn't that active anymore in acting, which in turn might be responsible to the fact she doesn't get cast in regular basis in good shows in the recent years, relative to the elite actress in her age groups (i.e. Mitsushima Hikari, Ando Sakura, and co.).
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The upside is that at times she has her moments and this show is actually pretty informative and educative, as long as you don't mind the poorly-written romance part.
FYI she already got pinched a few times though, just check out Yuru Camp 2 (got it from Ishii Anna and Fukuhara Haruka) and Toki Kakeru Band (by Shiraishi Sei). Super likely to get more in the future though lol.
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All hail Haha Hehe
The good thing is that she is making a strong comeback. Just check out her performance in Seiten no Tsuke.
Might be one of, if not the ultimate, the most underrated actors in Japan right now.
Drama: Hana Yori Dango/Ohisama/Tokkan
Sadly she isn't that active anymore in acting, which in turn might be responsible to the fact she doesn't get cast in regular basis in good shows in the recent years, relative to the elite actress in her age groups (i.e. Mitsushima Hikari, Ando Sakura, and co.).