Contrary to some of the other comments, I've been thinking about the ending for the past few days now since watching the movie, and I loved it. Well done, in my opinion!
The rating definitely should not be G, though. I'm not sure how it could possibly have that rating.
It does! I love Japanese BLs and the slice of life kinda storytelling but this felt hollow. Somehow I couldn't…
Natsuo was likeable, but that's the best I can say for the characters. I'm usually a pretty generous rater, but ended up giving this one a 2. I try to rate based on if I feel a show accomplished what it was intended to be, and this totally failed. The plot only existed in the synopsis, there was no real character growth, no chemistry between the leads in a romance... the 2 was mostly for the pretty photography. I was so disappointed with this-- I kept hoping it would get better, and it never did. 😥
I don't feel that you were too harsh with this review at all. You summed up most of what I was also thinking about this drama very fairly (and rated it much more kindly). It had so much potential...
I was a little taken aback at first by the fact that this show wasn't lighthearted, because the opening title sequence suggested it was. That sequence didn't fit the show at all, which I thought was especially evident in the last few episodes when the feely music played over it.
Despite that, I really enjoyed the drama. I thought the cast did well with what they were given, even if a few times it stretched my suspension of disbelief that a character would behave a certain way. Overall, I'd recommend it to friends looking for something that won't necessarily make you feel great, but is still a good watch.
Just watched the first episode, and that'll be it for me. I've liked Igeta in other roles, but this character and plot disturbed me partly just as an adult, and partly as the mother of a kid the age of Yamashita's character. Machi needs serious counseling and not to be allowed around teenagers. (And I'd feel the same if the genders were reversed, the same, whatever. Teachers should not be lusting after their students, full stop.)
I went into this hoping the synopsis was inaccurate, but the show is actually worse. Dropped.
I don't tend to munch too much when watching TV, but if I do, it's usually fruit, popcorn, or a piece of Pocky or chocolate. As for drinks, it's coffee in the morning; water, milk, or tea after that; and occasionally a beer or a glass of wine in the evening. :)
Good list!! Even though it was Nao-less, Liar Game Reborn was quite good, too (would've been better with her, but I thought they made it work well.) Also, maybe give Yokoso Wagaya e a shot, if you haven't already-- good suspense starring Aiba Masaki, with a superb supporting cast. I had a hard time not marathoning the whole series in one shot, lol.
What a fun movie!! Not having read much about it, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I came out at the end feeling-- well, cheerful. :D The characters are enjoyable, the direction is interesting and appropriate, and the stylistic choices in the sets and costumes topped the whole thing off perfectly. It's true that the plot gets a little convoluted here and there, but (at least in my case) a rewatch cleared it up. I really loved that the nonlinear elements to the timeline, too. It hasn't just gone on my list of favorite Japanese films; it's on my list of favorite films, period.
I liked this. There were some things about it that hit familiar, real-life notes, while not dwelling there for too long (if I were looking for real life, I wouldn't be watching dramas, lol). My only real problem with it was, as said in the review by YesPurpleTea, the use of "Kiss Kiss Kiss". It's a great song, but seriously out of place as used in this show. Overall, though, that was my only real complaint, and I can see a rewatch happening at some point.
The rating definitely should not be G, though. I'm not sure how it could possibly have that rating.
Despite that, I really enjoyed the drama. I thought the cast did well with what they were given, even if a few times it stretched my suspension of disbelief that a character would behave a certain way. Overall, I'd recommend it to friends looking for something that won't necessarily make you feel great, but is still a good watch.
I went into this hoping the synopsis was inaccurate, but the show is actually worse. Dropped.