Acting was good so you felt her emotions regarding her new life since losing her hearing but at many times she was totally being stubborn.
And i also loved listening to the violin (never had before) and i wish to learn sign language more now than before
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"Orange days" is the story of a very easy-going and kind boy who is attending university and is uncertain about the future; it is also about a girl who lost her hearing and who's trying to get herself back together through her passion and dreams. And therefore, it is about their friends and their time spent together. Sometimes I am not sure to watch dramas whose focus is a story about a few characters, because I usually think there is a risk of losing its effectiveness, but that's not the case. Yes, there are a few characters here, but the story is a whole: it is a whole because it perfectly portraits various shades of life, it has youthful vibes, talks about friendship, love, sorrow, goodwill. It shows us all these things without effort, smoothly. You don't feel stranded or confused, following one character or another. It is like a photograph, every part of it matters and gives the whole.
CAST AND CHARACTERS: All the actors were absolutely brilliant: I felt that each one of them added something precious to their characters, and it was wonderful to watch. Therefore, the way they communicated (with and without sign language) was real and powerful. Even though sometimes the characters acted recklessly or showed selfishness, I still think they were amazing.
I loved Kai and Sae, but I also liked Shoei so much!!!
MUSIC: The OST was very enjoyable: it was part of the whole because it expressed a lot and it was never left behind.
In short, I loved this drama and I think I will be rewatching it soon.
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Immerse yourself in your student years and in a magnificent love story
Interesting Japanese drama, a little outdated (clothes, hairstyles), which talks about disability (loss of hearing for a musician), and the uncertainties of a group of 5 students, at the end of their studies facing entry into work life .PLOT: At university, meeting between ML, a 4th year student with girlfriend and a 22 year old FL, violinist who has become deaf. Despite himself and in spite of herself, their lives will be turned upside down.
PROS:
+ I don't know the actors, but they are very talented. they make us experience this poignant story with intensity. We immerse ourselves (or re-immerse in my case) in this time of student life, where everyone seeks their own path, with carefreeness, but also hesitations, anxieties, friendship, love, ...
+ Themes approached in detail, with intelligence.
CONS:
- the actors look a little old for their role, but that is not the case. They were actually in the right age range, in their twenties. But in 2024, actors playing student roles have a much more youthful appearance; wich is why older dramas can induce some confusion (with their hairstyles and whatnot).
=> You should not miss this gem!! ♡o｡(๑๏‿ฺ๏๑)｡o♡
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Japanese Drama intéressant, un peu daté, qui aborde les thèmes du handicap (perte de l'ouïe pour une musicienne), et les incertitudes d'un groupe de 5 étudiants, en fin d'études face à l'entrée dans la vie active.
PLOT: A l'université, rencontre entre un étudiant de 4e année (avec petite amie) et une FL de 22 ans, violoniste qui est devenue sourde. Malgré lui et malgré elle, leur vie va être bouleversée.
PROS:
+ je ne connais pas les acteurs, mais ils ont beaucoup de talent. ils nous font vivre cette histoire poignante avec intensité. On se plonge (ou re-plonge pour mon cas) dans cette époque de la vie étudiante, où chacun cherche sa voie, avec l'insouciance, mais aussi les hésitations, les angoisses, l'amitié, l'amour, ...
+ Thèmes abordés finement, avec intelligence.
CONS:
- les acteurs font un peu âgés pour leur rôle, ce qui n'est pourtant pas le cas en réalité. Mais en 2024, les acteurs ayant un rôle d'étudiants, ont un aspect beaucoup plus juvénile.
=> Il ne faut pas passer à côté de ce joyau !! ♡o｡(๑๏‿ฺ๏๑)｡o♡
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This drama is reminiscent of Asunaro Hakusho which has a similar setting without a member with a disability. While Asunaro Hakusho thrives on it's jilting melodramatics and intense character situations, Orange Days shines in it's subdued situations and subtle but powerful moments of emotion. In this respect, Orange Days is calm and serene and urges us that while there are many hardships that we as members of society have to overcome, as long as one has the strength to rely on others as much as ourselves, we will have a fighting chance at overcoming the hurdles presented to us.
The storyline was very well-written and absolutely never overdone. In fact, I'm somewhat surprised that something like this could come out of Japan as I am so used to dramas relying on shocking moments and "evil" characters to accentuate the happy moments they present. The only thing I didn't like were some of the actions of Sae's mother, who in later episodes did things almost opposite of what her character originally did -- it made me seem like I thought I knew her but didn't.
It's very refreshing to see that no awkward zoom-ins or traditional Japanese-ish camera angles were used... if there was English dialogue, this could definitely pass as a Western show. However, the Japanese setting and social actions by the characters are what attracts me to these dramas in the first place, and are very welcome.
Also of particular interest was the mild and emotionally sublime soundtrack. Naoki Sato did an incredible job of capturing the essence of the memories of college life. The feel-good mood of the entire series can be heavily attributed to the soundtrack. The end song Sign by Mr. Children was very well chosen and complimented each episode. And while some people thought Shanghai Honey by Orange Range was jarring in the middle of a particular episode, I thought it did well creating a specific memory for Orange no Kai. It's moments like those that make you wish you could relive your youth.
Shibasaki Kou did a very good job at portraying a jilted, once-famous deaf person. Her character was annoying at times and forced the audience to feel what she herself was going through. At times I wish she could tear up a bit more, as I probably would have cried more myself if she did... it would have made her performance top notch. Tsumabuki Satoshi did very well himself. He never overacted and was able to convey every emotion required of his character. All the other actors did well, too, notably all of Orange no Kai.
One of the few things the show lacked was a strong ending. I suppose this is hard to do with such a subdued, realistic story line. While I enjoyed the series from beginning to end, I think certain plot points could have been resolved in a way that could evoke more emotion than it did. Having been written more realistically, I felt I could associate myself with the main characters, but there were times where I wanted to cry more but realized there's no point in doing so if the character wasn't going to (although there were several points where they did emote well).
Still, Orange Days is a refreshingly subdued drama that never overdoes the dramatics. It does a wonderful job of creating the memories that form the backbone of it's story and development of it's characters. For this reason alone, you maintain a good feeling after each episode and complete the series with a good memory yourself -- watching Orange Days.
(Originally posted August 9th, 2006.)
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The acting is great, the story seems real and original it's get right to your heart.
It's one of those drama like "replay 1997" that you can see a young writer who bring new and refreshing simpe warm heart story.
You can see that Even it's pass 14 years from then it is still one of the best what is indicate that it's good drama
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Portrayal of irrationality in the best way possible
LEAST SPOILER REVIEW :Orange Days is a classic women's fantasy.
But what it does great is the portrayal of irrationality in the best way possible.
There's MC who's committed to a 3 yr elder girlfriend.
There's an FMC who's deaf.
There's a playboy character,
FMC's friend who's eyed by the playboy.
And the general supportive 3rd friend who likes FMC's friend but is a wussy.
Now this drama is spot on with human relationships and how they pan out except for the MC and FMC which is a fantasy sort of, the damsel in distress whom the MC can't help but get infatuated with.
MC's girlfriend is always insecure about the age difference with the MC, and this pans out in the end.
She ends up going to someone else as she sees her boyfriend get swayed.
Basically, women always have an option even when they don't.
The player gets the normal girl who will fix him or perhaps.
And the 3rd friend, well I guess we don't know when he'll get a girl coz he's never dated before and that starts a love triangle with the playboy, FMC's friend and this guy .
So now you may ask where this drama lacks.
The script, I would say.
The starting episodes are strong after which it falls out .
In short, Orange Days is an average drama but a good learning curve on irrationality and how it pans out.
5.5/10
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What a beautiful story. You must watch it!
It’s a 2004 drama, but it doesn’t feel like that old story. Anyone can enjoy this drama even in 2023. You can watch it at YouTube.I don’t usually like college story but this one was exception. I felt how all of them went thought during the college year then onto working. It made me cry through many episode. Story itself was so realistic and you can relate to each characters.
Especially main CP’s feelings towards to each other were gradually developed. It’s romance but it’s not like wanting to see hugs and kisses. It’s more like real human drama with romance.
It is really heart warming drama. I recommend to watch it.
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Story is not that unique but characters made it interesting ... all actors are great in acting
— can’t take off my eyes from the Kai; he is very handsome ????????
Is now one of my favorite JDrama along with Rich Man Poor Woman ????
????????????
I just wished they have put more kissing scene on it .. but anyways this is JDrama ????
Sae also deed well ; she really looked elegant in violin and piano ..
It’s amazing how these cast learn the sign language ????
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This review may contain spoilers
Entertaining and good pace generally but frustrating FL and I wish for more growth
Overall it's an entertaining drama and acting is good.Watching it now (2024) was certainly a nostalgia trip for me, I was shocked how similar their university campus was to mine. The cafeteria, the corridors, the classes, the material of the walls, pillars, railings... wow! It was bringing back so many memories.
The story was interesting in the beginning and I enjoyed the slice of life presented here, the relationships between the characters and the development of their friendship. It's not a very different or unique plot, it's very average but it doesn't make it less enjoyable.
One thing of the plot that was a bit more unrealistic was the coincidences when it comes to the ML knowing sign language and how many people around Sae seems to know it, learn it or pick it quite quickly, but could be worse.
When it comes to the characters I liked all of them in the beginning but I wish we got equal development of Keita as the others in the group, he was left more as a secondary character than anything and not much it's done with him sadly.
On the other hand, while I enjoyed the premise and start of Sae as a character, as the show progressed I grew more and more frustrated with her as well as her dynamic with Kai. Sae was very selfish and although she's called out on it multiple times by Kai (I applauded this) she really doesn't change. There is very little progression of her character in terms of personality and maturity. Kai is the naive nice guy that keeps chasing a girl that has too many issues that in my opinion should tackle before dragging him in and out of her life every time she has an outburst. Towards the later episodes it became annoying to watch and I was really hoping they wouldn't end up together, I thought it was the healthiest for both of them.
In my opinion they didn't work well as a couple nor they had that much chemistry to begin with, at points Kai seemed more her therapist than her love interest. Kai kept showing interest continuously for her, but she kept changing her thoughts for him constantly and many times she was just very stiff standing there doing nothing.
I liked more the secondary couple even though their story is not as deeply explored, but it was cute.
Sae's mother was also quite annoying to watch at times. In earlier episodes she was almost treating Sae as she was a guest in her house, saying things like that she could stay X amount of time longer in the house before becoming independent and so on. She came across as the detached mother that wants her kid out of the house as soon as they turn 18 (or university in this case). But then later on she's super clingy, wanting her to go to Germany with her, meddling between her and Kai and trying to marry her off to the guy she likes... It was weird and inconsistent and considering how selfish Sae was, the mother barely receives any of her rude answers or tantrums.
I enjoyed it for the most part because of the nostalgia, the friendships and most of the characters. It's an easy watch and I would recommend if you like slice of life.
The romance here it's not the fireworks/sparkles type if you're looking for that, it's a slower progression generally speaking.
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University set drama with the energy and vibe of a High School CDrama
( Mentally ) I'm , sheepishly , dragging the toes of my shoes left-to-right in the dust. See, the thing is this: this is the drama which got me interested in Japan - oh, how my wallet still weeps!! I , now, have 2 1/2 copies on DVD. I have two CD soundtracks. too. Now pay attention to my name, folks!!! I changed my name to KAI because of the main character. I am not only a fan of this drama; I'm a connoisseur. The only way to watch this is by binging. Give yourself over to it. All 11 episodes of it. Back -to - back. And......keep watching past the end credits of episode 11. That last minute ties-up all the other 11 episodes like a smooth, comforting, safe and loving ribbon. I love that last minute. Like Kai and Sia it is perfect as well as made for them. Last thing, folks: the music. The original OST is beautiful. You will reflect on your life. You will want to better yourself. You will want to be in love. And you will cry. However....you'll want to run out and buy yourself a baseball cap and wear in back-to-front in order to dance like you are on a ship during a storm the moment Orange Range start performing 'Shanghai Honey '.Overall: ' Orange Days ' is about people learning to learn about themselves and about each other. You don't have to watch it. But you must watch it.
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