Watched it early July in Japan! It is indeed such a mind blowing movie. But since I saw it without subs, I probably only understood 80% of it, the dialogues are in Kansai dialect.
Of course the kabuki performances are sooo captivating and impressive! but what I like the most abt this movie is the feel of watching of a Taiga drama in three hours. We do not only see a success story but we also get to see them at rock bottom of their lives.
its the same feel watching Chinese imperial harem palace drama such as Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. Where you see the FL started as concubine, banished to the cold palace as a commoner at one point, but then makes a comeback and rise bit by bit eventually end up as an Empress.
This movie has that same feel of plot progress. I find it fascinating. I enjoyed it so much!
Ryo and Ryusei had to learn and study kabuki from zero for 1.5 years. Real life kabuki performers have praised this movie. One of them says of course they have a lot to say abt the details of the kabuki performances in the movie. But the production quality and the main cast acting ability just erases all those concerns, like made them feel it does not matter since its a different entertainment form.
The movie is a huge success far beyond expectation of the production company TOHO, that it brings new range of audience for the real kabuki shows so it makes the professional kabuki performers very happy.
In movie theaters, tickets are still selling out everyday and they keep adding screenings and showings. I read tickets are also sold out in the New Zealand Film Festival.
Box office is currently on 8.5 billion JPY and still increasing rapidly, it may hit 10 billion JPY milestone which has never been achieved by a Japanese live action film in 22 years.
Overall a very enjoyable drama!I cannot find fault in the casting and acting.Very well written script, small plothole…
Owl Bride I must say it is the most forgettable since its only 2 episodes and there is not much depth to the story. It goes together with introduction of all the characters so less focus on Owl Bride itself. But I like the creative decision of giving it a closure in Puppet arc. Actually I still do not understand Man Niang's true intention, bcos I think it was obvious she wanted her husband's voice but Banxia's cousin actor really good in portraying the character's grief and telling the big picture of this story from his POV. But maybe its just that, from his POV he romanticize every memory he has with her, but who knows what her real intention was. Maybe she really meant to murder him, although she told Banxia she did not have that intention.
Jade Pear It really tells the big gist of toxic relationship very well hahah Mirror Demon is the controlling, manipulating, gaslighting boyfriend and Ji Li the dancer is a cheating girlfriend who loves attention from a man, cannot say no to that although she has no feelings for him, and wants her freedom to have romances with other men. The fight in the mirror world is fun, but other than that this arc does not really leave much impression on me.
Living Puppets One of my favs bcos of how eerie it is and how this fits the most to this genre. Its really a strange tale. Feng Wuniang is really a delight to watch, her acting performance is so memorable. I just really love to see how the puppets act so eerie. But her story does not leave much impression. A doll wanting to be a human, kinda hard to understand that feeling.
Painting World Another fav! I love the feel of adventure of this arc. And its hilarious, I laughed out loud at this arc. So much fun to watch! Its repeating and each time is difference. However I do not think there is much story abt the demon himself. I think the main focus in this arc is XuanXia's growing love for each other.
Serpent's Love Its not a favorite and in a glimpse its less interesting or maybe boring for some, but somehow the depth of the story left such a deep impression in me. I feel this arc has most lesson and wisdom for life. Xing Xian shows complexity of human nature, that human heart can be much scarier than a powerful demon. Suffering can cause loss of kindness in heart, is so true. Chi Lian (the snake) granted all Xing Xian's wishes: 1) kill her husband 2) kill her molester 3) let her be a man 4) kill himself He is a demon with such a pure heart. In the altered universe, Chi Lian fixed the mistakes he made before. He made sure Xing Xian's husband and molester are punished by the law. He help Xing Xian to make a living by herself as a woman, her own identity. Instead of blindly grant her every wish. I understand comments saying Xing Xian is such a bitch, hahah and that she does not deserve Chi Lian's love in the end. But Chi Lian sincerely loves her even she want him dead, it doesnt change his feelings for her, he is just so pure. So I sincerely hoped Xing Xian would love Chi Lian back bcos that is what makes him happy. And, in the altered universe, Xing Xian is not the same Xing Xian as before. Banxia helped to make her coming into her senses so she did not suffer as much up to the point losing her kind heart. This arc did nothing for me until Chi Lian and Xing Xian last scene in ep29 when he confessed his love for her and drank the wine. I think Xing Xian hesitated, she felt sorry for him and felt touched with his pure feelings for her, but still, greed won over her. That was a powerful tragic scene. Shakespeare level tragic romance hahah
Overall a very enjoyable drama! I cannot find fault in the casting and acting. Very well written script, small plothole here and there but nothing major. CGI is good enough but I have to say Carefree Land and the climax action scene in Ep34 looks terrible hahah but overall special effects are better than other fantasy cdrama I have seen. Overall production is really good quality, director is really good! Music and BGM timing also sooo good! My opinion of each demon arc story is below.
Who is your favorite female lead character from each demon arc? Owl Bride: Man Niang, the owl demon Youth Pear: Ji Li, the dancer Living Doll: Feng Wuniang, the puppet demon Serpent's Love: Xing Xian, the unfortunate woman
This snake demon arc is the only arc that is separate from the main plot? Its meant to be a filler arc? It has…
Omgggg after Ep35 I now understand the importance of Xing Xian's story to the main plot 😭 its a plot device to explain the time twisting. I have come to like this arc. in a glimpse, this story may be less interesting or even boring compared to other demon arcs, but only her character and story shows complexity of human nature so i feel some kind of life lesson and wisdom (its even maybe buddhism lesson).
This drama is so good 😭 been a long time since I watch a cdrama and cannot wait for next eps, and watch each ep over and over 😭 I have to say Ep1-8 are passable/okay, but it got really exciting from Ep9.
Is there any other costume drama like this? No dubbing (dubbing by other ppl really annoys me), good writing, great cast. I know Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty is probably the closest thing to this genre but I couldnt get into it. Probably the dubbing bother me. But I heard 2nd season is much better so I will try again.
I have also come to like Ren Jialun and Song Zuer 🥰 Any recommendation for their other dramas as good quality as this one?
Characters I hope that will return before the drama ends 😭
1) Er Mao and San Mao, their names in the painting, I forgot their real names, the two swordsman! They call Xuanye big bro and seem so grateful and loyal to him.
2) Li Xian, he finally become Xuanye's disciple. I really hope he will be back!
3) Chi Lian, the snake demon, he should be Xuanye's ally😭
Xuanye have saved and helped alot of people, hopefully he will get some help from these people in the final arc.
Maybe it's unrelated but related.. The snake demon arc are from the original novel. I haven't reach the latest…
Ohhhh i did not know that! So the other arcs deviated from the book or does not exist in the book? Can you tell me which ones which? Owl Bride? Youth Pear? Living Dolls? Painting World?
Yes the sword should be a sword that cuts off cause and effect. So somethings that happened in the past have been…
Sorry, I meant, at the moment it does not affect their relationship at all, yes. But if there will be other signs and more signs of the effect, then it might cause something to their relationship. Or i dont know i assume Xuanye will use that sword again and there will be bigger effect in the future.
This snake demon arc is the only arc that is separate from the main plot? Its meant to be a filler arc? It has nothing to do with the main characters. Youhuang and Xuanye basically treat this arc as their work, doesnt really concern their private lives.
Owl bride is Banxia's sister in law, Mirror Demon, Living Dolls, Painting all related to Banxia's parents' disappearance clues.
But in the same time, i do think its an interesting arc. This unfortunate woman becoming a man, and i guess audience will be curious to see what will happen after that.
Ive been waiting for Xing Xian appearance since she is played by my fav, Li Jiaqi. But I do not like this Xing Xian character since the beginning🤣 a weak woman who cannot say no to men and always see herself as a victim. Then she finally become a man but says she cannot make a living by herself and prefer to stay with the snake 🤢 But the arc itself is quite interesting to follow and I wanna know how it ends.
Im just wondering abt the writer's decision to make this arc independent from the main plot and proceeds without much of main characters involvement in the arc 🤔
Its probably my less fav arc equal to owl bride. But that might change after the last ep of the arc tonight, we shall see.
Sorry if this has been discussed down there. Does anyone think Banxia becoming OOC since coming out of the painting? Her character is becoming more like He Quelian her painting version? Banxia was a calm, quiet, introvert, does not really speak her mind out loud type of woman in the beginning. Is this deliberate writing? Just like Youhuang carried over his feelings for Quelian from the painting? I cannot really tell if this is deliberate or the writer simply dropped the ball with this one.
Omg the three bearer brothers are hilarious hahahahaha i laughed out loud on their scenes since the beginning when Xuanye wakes up. I love this Painting World case as much as House of Living Dolls!! Its kinda like dc and marvel's idea of alternate universe hahah love it. I start looking up who the screenwriter is bcos I really love the writing, and indeed she was writer for Love and Destiny, which is the only watchable xianxia drama for me (i normally dont like xianxia). Also Arsenal Military Academy which i have heard from close friends its a really good drama! Gotta catch up on dramas this writer have done.
Of course the kabuki performances are sooo captivating and impressive! but what I like the most abt this movie is the feel of watching of a Taiga drama in three hours. We do not only see a success story but we also get to see them at rock bottom of their lives.
its the same feel watching Chinese imperial harem palace drama such as Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. Where you see the FL started as concubine, banished to the cold palace as a commoner at one point, but then makes a comeback and rise bit by bit eventually end up as an Empress.
This movie has that same feel of plot progress. I find it fascinating. I enjoyed it so much!
Ryo and Ryusei had to learn and study kabuki from zero for 1.5 years. Real life kabuki performers have praised this movie. One of them says of course they have a lot to say abt the details of the kabuki performances in the movie. But the production quality and the main cast acting ability just erases all those concerns, like made them feel it does not matter since its a different entertainment form.
The movie is a huge success far beyond expectation of the production company TOHO, that it brings new range of audience for the real kabuki shows so it makes the professional kabuki performers very happy.
In movie theaters, tickets are still selling out everyday and they keep adding screenings and showings. I read tickets are also sold out in the New Zealand Film Festival.
Box office is currently on 8.5 billion JPY and still increasing rapidly, it may hit 10 billion JPY milestone which has never been achieved by a Japanese live action film in 22 years.
I must say it is the most forgettable since its only 2 episodes and there is not much depth to the story. It goes together with introduction of all the characters so less focus on Owl Bride itself. But I like the creative decision of giving it a closure in Puppet arc. Actually I still do not understand Man Niang's true intention, bcos I think it was obvious she wanted her husband's voice but Banxia's cousin actor really good in portraying the character's grief and telling the big picture of this story from his POV. But maybe its just that, from his POV he romanticize every memory he has with her, but who knows what her real intention was. Maybe she really meant to murder him, although she told Banxia she did not have that intention.
Jade Pear
It really tells the big gist of toxic relationship very well hahah Mirror Demon is the controlling, manipulating, gaslighting boyfriend and Ji Li the dancer is a cheating girlfriend who loves attention from a man, cannot say no to that although she has no feelings for him, and wants her freedom to have romances with other men. The fight in the mirror world is fun, but other than that this arc does not really leave much impression on me.
Living Puppets
One of my favs bcos of how eerie it is and how this fits the most to this genre. Its really a strange tale. Feng Wuniang is really a delight to watch, her acting performance is so memorable. I just really love to see how the puppets act so eerie. But her story does not leave much impression. A doll wanting to be a human, kinda hard to understand that feeling.
Painting World
Another fav! I love the feel of adventure of this arc. And its hilarious, I laughed out loud at this arc. So much fun to watch! Its repeating and each time is difference. However I do not think there is much story abt the demon himself. I think the main focus in this arc is XuanXia's growing love for each other.
Serpent's Love
Its not a favorite and in a glimpse its less interesting or maybe boring for some, but somehow the depth of the story left such a deep impression in me. I feel this arc has most lesson and wisdom for life. Xing Xian shows complexity of human nature, that human heart can be much scarier than a powerful demon. Suffering can cause loss of kindness in heart, is so true.
Chi Lian (the snake) granted all Xing Xian's wishes: 1) kill her husband 2) kill her molester 3) let her be a man 4) kill himself
He is a demon with such a pure heart.
In the altered universe, Chi Lian fixed the mistakes he made before. He made sure Xing Xian's husband and molester are punished by the law. He help Xing Xian to make a living by herself as a woman, her own identity. Instead of blindly grant her every wish.
I understand comments saying Xing Xian is such a bitch, hahah and that she does not deserve Chi Lian's love in the end. But Chi Lian sincerely loves her even she want him dead, it doesnt change his feelings for her, he is just so pure. So I sincerely hoped Xing Xian would love Chi Lian back bcos that is what makes him happy. And, in the altered universe, Xing Xian is not the same Xing Xian as before. Banxia helped to make her coming into her senses so she did not suffer as much up to the point losing her kind heart.
This arc did nothing for me until Chi Lian and Xing Xian last scene in ep29 when he confessed his love for her and drank the wine. I think Xing Xian hesitated, she felt sorry for him and felt touched with his pure feelings for her, but still, greed won over her. That was a powerful tragic scene. Shakespeare level tragic romance hahah
I cannot find fault in the casting and acting.
Very well written script, small plothole here and there but nothing major.
CGI is good enough but I have to say Carefree Land and the climax action scene in Ep34 looks terrible hahah but overall special effects are better than other fantasy cdrama I have seen.
Overall production is really good quality, director is really good!
Music and BGM timing also sooo good!
My opinion of each demon arc story is below.
Owl Bride: Man Niang, the owl demon
Youth Pear: Ji Li, the dancer
Living Doll: Feng Wuniang, the puppet demon
Serpent's Love: Xing Xian, the unfortunate woman
Is there any other costume drama like this? No dubbing (dubbing by other ppl really annoys me), good writing, great cast. I know Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty is probably the closest thing to this genre but I couldnt get into it. Probably the dubbing bother me. But I heard 2nd season is much better so I will try again.
I have also come to like Ren Jialun and Song Zuer 🥰 Any recommendation for their other dramas as good quality as this one?
2) Li Xian, he finally become Xuanye's disciple. I really hope he will be back!
3) Chi Lian, the snake demon, he should be Xuanye's ally😭
Xuanye have saved and helped alot of people, hopefully he will get some help from these people in the final arc.
Owl bride is Banxia's sister in law, Mirror Demon, Living Dolls, Painting all related to Banxia's parents' disappearance clues.
But in the same time, i do think its an interesting arc. This unfortunate woman becoming a man, and i guess audience will be curious to see what will happen after that.
Ive been waiting for Xing Xian appearance since she is played by my fav, Li Jiaqi. But I do not like this Xing Xian character since the beginning🤣 a weak woman who cannot say no to men and always see herself as a victim. Then she finally become a man but says she cannot make a living by herself and prefer to stay with the snake 🤢 But the arc itself is quite interesting to follow and I wanna know how it ends.
Im just wondering abt the writer's decision to make this arc independent from the main plot and proceeds without much of main characters involvement in the arc 🤔
Its probably my less fav arc equal to owl bride. But that might change after the last ep of the arc tonight, we shall see.
Does anyone think Banxia becoming OOC since coming out of the painting? Her character is becoming more like He Quelian her painting version? Banxia was a calm, quiet, introvert, does not really speak her mind out loud type of woman in the beginning. Is this deliberate writing? Just like Youhuang carried over his feelings for Quelian from the painting? I cannot really tell if this is deliberate or the writer simply dropped the ball with this one.