This review may contain spoilers
The happy ending we wanted!
First, I saw this is Japan when it first came out and Japanese is not my native language, so there was some dialogue I didn’t understand. However, using context clues it was easy to infer what was being said based on the scene. The biggest things for me was that it was still a love story between Kurosawa and Adachi. Kurosawa was still just as in love with Adachi as he was in the series, however you got to see Adachi demonstrating his love for Kurosawa more confidently and openly.If you were looking for a BL filled with nonstop cutesy moments, over the top romantic expressions, or mature content scenes, then you will not like the movie. However, if you’re looking for a movie that focuses more on how Adachi and Kurosawa navigate issues that many long-term, open, same sex couples face, you will like it. Personally, I especially like that it addressed the families, instead of just glossing over the fact that many Asian families have very strong feelings against having openly gay children, especially sons. SPOILER: I especially loved that just as marriage is the end result of many long-term heterosexual relationships, Kurosawa and Adachi’s marriage was the ultimate end result of their relationship as well.
Was this review helpful to you?
"When you're weak, I'll be strong. And when I'm weak, I'd appreciate a helping hand from you."
I might not be able to love it as much as the drama, but it was definitely a beautiful one.I love every bit of it. You can tell every scene has meaning - every touch, every word and every expression. This was so needlessly sweet and warm and pleasant and respectful to the source material,
Even some says the magic was lost, well not for me. Still my favorite couple and sure many will also agree for them.
The beach scene >>>>>>>>>>>
Absolutely recommended to watch it. Especially if you are having a bad day, this is the answer thus re watch this as many times as you can.
May we find the Adachi and Kurosawa in our lives. <3
Was this review helpful to you?
The movie lost some magic
I saw the film in Taiwan, with Chinese subtitles. Disclaimer: I am a non-native speaker of Chinese, so often times I couldn't read the subtitles fast enough. However, I still understood most of the film, and tbh you don't need to understand the dialogue to get the gist.The story is a bit cliche, with the main conflict dealing with Adachi's work transfer. I felt it was pretty slow at times, and the pacing was a bit weird.
There are definitely enough sweet moments, but not enough of the second couple, imo. Also, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I would have liked to see more of the girl (and Rokkaku). There were also some touching moments which made me almost tear up.
The music and acting were fine, but I didn't really pay close attention to them.
Overall, if you are a fan of the series, you can't really not watch it, but if you haven't seen the series, I think I would pass on it. My friend who I watched it with hadn't seen the series, and said he enjoyed it, but mostly because of the attractiveness of the main leads XP
Anyways, I hope you got a general idea of what to expect from the film.
Was this review helpful to you?
Love Conquers All!
WOW!!! The wait is finally over and we can now watch the film to our hearts content. There was so much anticipation built up over this film being released and a lot of opinions thrown around (mainly surrounding the topic of their kiss scenes). Upon having viewed the filmed a few times now (I am not ashamed to admit it either lmao), I think Cherry Magic: The Movie was truly worth the wait!(Disclaimer: there are spoilers ahead so read at your own discretion)
What stood out to me about the film was the numerous depiction’s of Kurosawa and Adachi’s pure and unwavering true love for one another. When they were together, you could feel the love they had for one another and when they were separated from one another for a period, you could tell it truly killed them to be apart from each other. They have that type of love that I wish everyone to have. A love full of care, companionship, passion, and understanding.
But, what stood out to me even more, was the topics and issues raised as it pertained to being in a gay relationship in Japan. Adachi talked with Kurosawa about wanting to tell those closest and most dear to him about their relationship especially since if anything were to happen to them in the future, they could be notified of it and not get left out of receiving important news. Also, the process of telling your loved ones that you are gay and in a relationship can be a truly nerve wracking experience for those involved. All of these questions come to your mind like Will they accept me or not? How will telling them affect the family or friendship dynamic? Will I be shunned from the family? Will this change how they feel about me? Will they not love me anymore? The worry is truly there— but Kurosawa and Adachi showed great bravery in telling their parents about their relationship. They also showed great bravery when they held hands out in public as well for all to see at the end of the film. They knew that they wanted to spend their lives together with each other. That commitment they had to one another was paramount over everything else around them. They wanted to be honest and make sure that people knew about them despite any consequences that may occur and I truly admire them for that. It’s films like this that really push the needle forward for gay representation, especially in Asian countries.
Don’t even get me started on the proposal and them getting married. The proposal on the beach was such a simple, beautiful, and intimate scene. And my gosh, the wedding scene was filled with happiness and joy!!! Loved seeing the original cast of supporting characters and both of their families there to support them. And might I add, they looked so dapper in their suits as well.
Speaking of the supporting characters, I was honestly fine with them not being included much at all since the stories main focus was on Kurosawa and Adachi. But, it was nice to get some scenes with them and their characters felt true to form which I appreciated.
I loved all of the references to the series that were included as well. The crew that worked on this film made sure to add those important touches that elevated the film’s value and impression.
If you were wondering whether you should watch this film or not, I urge you to go run and watch it now. It’s a wonderful conclusion to their story (unless they want to do another film that depicts them when they are older and looking back on their lives— but that’s just a dream of mine lmao). Definitely highly recommend this!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Kurodachi taught me to love the simple things in life.
Cherry magic has always had a special place in my heart, it's by far one of my favorite japanese dramas so, having their content after months of wait is such a rewarding thing, it saved my week...for sure.The film is a very simple little cliche but with a lot of tenderness and love. It's definitely made for those who LIKED the drama,
the characters' motivations, insecurities and personality traits remain the same. And now we see all of that interacting with new characters.
I think the moral of the story is very much about embracing and loving the simple side of life, Honestly, I learned a lot from Adachi in his self-esteem improvement process and I learned a lot from Kurosawa in his personal validation process.
At the end of the day, It doesn't matter if the production is 10 10 10 across the board in all tecnical categories, or a simple tale of love, if the story makes me think and motivates me to think about my life, I will always praise.
Thank you so far Kurodachi, I will miss you guys so much. May you be very happy now and always. <3
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Different Flavor of Magic..yet, still peak Cherry!
Cherry Magic: The Movie provides a salient reminder that the medium of film works differently than the medium of television. Even when two projects share a title, and a cast, and one story flows directly from the other, each filmed drama should be judged according to criterion appropriate to its medium rather than from a direct comparison of one to another. And, if the progenitor project happens to rank among the most widely acclaimed, most exemplary examples of its genre ever produced, then the potential for backlash against the sequel project loom large. Cherry Magic: The Movie is a fizzy, frothy rom-com that is almost achingly sweet. It even sneaks in one of the most pro-gay marriage subtexts I've encountered from any Asian gay film or BL television series. Yet, most of my fellow reviewers on this site have harped on the ways in which the film disappointed them. That disappointment likely reflects the near-universal esteem in which fans hold the 12-episode 2020 television series Cherry Magic. If those fans expect the 2022 film sequel to deliver the same magical mix of charm and whimsy, then they will register disappointment when they see the film. But don't fault the film for underdelivering--instead fault the fans for their unrealistic expectations. If, instead, fans allow the motion picture to exist as its own creation, with expectations appropriate for the medium of film, then they will likely appreciate that Cherry Magic: The Movie succeeds on its own merit.This film Cherry Magic picks up the story from that television series Cherry Magic. As a film, the sequel lacks the runtime to lavish attention to beloved side characters--all your favorites are present, but they don't do much. Also, the sequel lacks the space to delve into the office romance angle that made the series stand out amidst a sea of BL dramas about campus life. Also, it has no chance to build romantic tension across three months worth of once-weekly hour-long episodes because it has to wrap up all its business in under two hours. Shorn of these qualities better suited to the serial narrative of episodic TV, the film has only Kurosawa and Adachi to work with. Their palpable chemistry still anchors the story, but there's not much story to speak of. Newcomers to the Magic might find that off-putting, but most fans of the series won't mind because they came for Kurodachi in the first place. We might divide the film's plot into three phases. An initial phase reacquaints us with how the couple came to be and with the influence of Adachi's wizardry on that relationship. A secondary phase relocates the mind-reading wizard to distant Nagasaki. There, he must learn to read his boyfriend's thoughts without actually touching him. An accident highlights the fragility of same-sex relationships as social constructs when Kurosawa can get no information about Adachi's well-being because no one recognizes the validity of their relationship. The movie's third phase thus concerns their efforts to come out to important people in their lives, most notably their respective families. This aspect of the story generates great good will and warm feelings--traits BL genre stories thrive on--but does so by delivering a decidedly LGBT-genre message about the value of coming out and of being accepted by family, by friends, and by employers.
This writer deems the 2020 Cherry Magic to represent the pinnacle of BL greatness. That is to say, no other episodic BL story succeeds as a television project the way the original Cherry Magic did. Expecting any sequel to live up to that standard is unfair. Indeed, Cherry Magic: the Movie will not be in contention for any list compiling "Best Movie" ever made. But before I watched, I accepted that that standard was unrealistic--the TV series set a bar so unreasonably high that expecting a repeat of that wizardry was never a realistic expectation.* The 2022 movie delivers what a sequel should: fans can revisit beloved characters to see how their story progressed. It delivers also what a film should: a story that breezes along quickly in an easy to follow way. It delivers what a rom-com FILM should: nicely packaged romantic moments that move briskly from one to the next. It over-delivers on BL by infusing the film with a hard-to-miss commentary regarding the importance of having family and society recognize queer relationships. Subtly, it endorses the idea of gay marriage. For a country that at this writing still does not authorize same-sex marriage equality, that ending has a decided political bent. For all these reasons, Cherry Magic: The Movie succeeds as a movie. Enjoy it as one.
*--Sidenote: I write this review on the exact same day in November 2022 that GMMTV has announced a Thai adaptation of Cherry Magic. That's very brave of them--because judging that finished product against the 2020 original...sounds like a fair proposition to me. Which means, let's hope the enduring popularity of TayNew can still deliver, because lest you missed my opinion above, the series GMMTV now seeks to emulate happens to be the pinnacle of BL creativity. Good luck living up to that, lads! 'Cause if you fall short, the critics will come with the long knives and the tart reviews.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Film Made For The Fans Of The Original Series.
The movie is an answered prayer for the fans of the original series. Unlike the series that has lots of changes from the original manga, this movie is very loyal to Volume 6-10 of the manga. The question is… Is it a good or bad thing? I’ll try my best to explain it with minimal to no spoilers.Just like its predecessor, the movie focuses on the emotional aspect and character development of the main characters. Of course, they retained the fluffiness, cuteness, and romantic-comedy vibes of the series. But what I like about this movie is that it shows the growth of the beloved leads. One example is that Adachi asks Kurosawa that their relationship should be open to the people close to them, so if in any case something happens to either of them in the future, their partner will be notified especially in emergency situations.
If I have to be honest, the Nagasaki arc is one of the weak points of the movie. Sure, it is loyal to Volume 6 of the manga, but the fact that Adachi and Kurosawa didn’t communicate well and created the long-distance relationship conflict kind of feels unnatural to them, given that they established that they will be open to each other’s feelings in Episode 10 of the series. But then, I must say that for this conflict, it was Kurosawa’s fault for being too kind and so Adachi will not feel bad for leaving Tokyo. I just pretend that this conflict was the necessary push for Kurosawa to be totally out of his shell and be more true to his emotions. The succeeding part of the movie is what I like the best, which focuses more on the daily life of a gay couple and their relationship. They did an amazing job in that part and retained the lighthearted romantic atmosphere of the show.
The scene with the parents is probably my favorite part of the show! Adachi unleashes his hidden courage with a strong affirmation of his love for Kurosawa, EVEN WITHOUT THE MAGIC! In that scene alone, you can see how far these characters have come compared to what they were in episode 1 of the series. You can’t help but cheer and be proud of them! The scene alone is so touching that I literally end up crying. Akaso Eiji is brilliant in that scene!
Kurosawa in this sequel, shows more of his flaws. He is known to be perfect and undisturbed most of the time, even if he is pissed or uncomfortable. But when it comes to Adachi, he becomes hysterical that leads to impulsive decision making. When the camera pans on him, you can see in his eyes how terrified he is because of what happened to Adachi. I have to commend Machida Keita for his acting in that scene.
If I have to be very objective, I would say that the drama is better. But the movie is still wonderful as it is. The series set an incredibly high standard that is difficult to match, let alone surpass. Expecting any sequel to live up to its masterpiece predecessor is very unfair to everyone who is part of the show. That’s why I would say, the movie is great on its own.
Basically, if you are a fan of the original series like me, you will definitely love the movie as it was made for you. If not, then you might not appreciate it.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A WELL WRITTEN STORY AND A HAPPY ENDING THAT WE ALL WANT!
The story of Adachi and Kurosawa in the series was enough to get all the viewers to want more and so this movie is the answer. And boy oh boy they didn't disappoint us! This movies has a well balance elements such as drama, comedy and subtle romance. They didn't concentrate on any sex scene, even a real kiss, they just made the angle of the camera so it would appear that they kissed but they didn't which I'm fine with it! They didn't kissed in the series and they made me believed in their story, they made me cry, laugh and made my heart flutter which is a very huge deal in acting. This only shows that you don't need a torrid kissing scene or a hot sex scene to make the viewer engaged to your story.I just can't accept the fact that they still call each other by their family names which in Japanese culture is a big deal when you call someone by their first name. But then even after they lived together and got married they still didn't call each others by their first names. I still don't get it. Talk about names, both actors have cute and hot names, Yuichi and Kiyoshi.
This has to be my very first TOP JAPANESE BL SERIES AND MOVIE for the reason that their story tells a lot about the real world experiences of a man just finding out about his real identity and overcoming the obstacles of coming out. Adachi and Kurosawa shows that a lot in the series and movie.
I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH.....WATCH WATCH WATCH THE SERIES BEFORE JUMPING ONTO THE MOVIE. IT'S WORTH YOUR TIME AND I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WON'T STOP SMILING :)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Lovely Slice-Of-Life Epilogue.
General spoiler only at bottom of review.Cute and sweet, slice-of-life epilogue to the series. It's simple and light and I found myself smiling a lot. It’s a nice and very satisfying end cap to the series story. I wouldn't recommend it unless you've seen the series first, otherwise you'll be missing the emotional foundation of the main couple's bond. The secondary couple were less annoying to me in the movie (and didn't get much screen time, which I was fine with).
I appreciated how Adachi and Kurosawa learned to communicate better with each other and started to approach things in their lives as a team.
The lead actors are so good with their eyes and facial expressions. Everything is 100% believable until there's close romantic physical touch, then it feels ever so slightly stiff. Even so, there are some nice hugs and the way they look at each other holds so much emotion.
The cinematography is nice but the music is not memorable.
GENERAL SPOILERS.
The introduction to the families was a nice blend of realism and fantasy. Some realistic tensions were brought up, but then were resolved fairly quickly, which kept the overall tone of the movie bright. The family members with concerns showed a lingering internal worry even as they made efforts to be accepting, which I thought was a nice, more realistic touch than doing a 180 in 5 min.
Was this review helpful to you?
Did We Really Need This?
This was... fine.Honestly, I don't know what else to say about it. It was underwhelming, though I wouldn't call it bad. It's just-- the show is one of my all-time favorites, and this just did not hold up. I didn't feel the chemistry I felt in the show, and it just couldn't get me to /care/. There really wasn't a story it was trying to tell-- it was so slice-of-life, just following Adachi and Kurosawa's relationship after the show ended. Nothing particularly exciting happened, and honestly this was nothing we couldn't have gotten from fanfiction (and done better, too!).
The only scene that really stuck out to me was the scene with Adachi's family. The rest of them... weren't anything special.
So, yeah. This was fine, but did we really need this? Was the show not enough?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I didn't like the show, but the movie...
The drama didn't feel more special than other dramas to me, personally. It didn't feel complete, I found Kurosawa to be plain, I liked the side couple a lot more, etcetera etcetera... but I liked the movie. Others seem to be saying it doesn't have the magic that the show had, and that this movie wasn't necessary. I feel the opposite.Instead of Adachi being all, "whoops, I lost my magic. Well, that's fine, I guess. There's nothing else I can do besides accept that..." I was relieved that they both learned the consequences of not trusting each other and failing to communicate before the magic was gone. It finally felt like they were standing on the same step.
I actually appreciated the arc with Adachi transferring and getting injured on the job more than anything else in the movie, because they were able to show the viewers a real issue that gay people have to face: not being able to be each other's emergency contact without marriage. I can understand why some viewers dislike that Adachi and Kurosawa got married in the end. Japan doesn't have gay marriage, so it could seem like they were just trying to pander to the fans... but I personally chose to see this as them showing why marriage is important to gay couples, without all the angst and heaviness that I know I'm tired of seeing in LGBTQ+ media - because why can't they just be happy? There are tens of hundreds of movies and shows that address homophobia and the hardships of being queer. While that media has helped spread awareness, gay people themselves already understand all of that. They live it everyday. Can't they just see themselves being happy now, or having more nuanced plots?
And while Cherry Magic the Movie still acknowledged that those hardships exist, they took a more uplifting approach. It might have been more simple than what fans wished for, but it felt warm to see how determined Kurosawa and Adachi were to include their family and friends in their love. They could have been content with just having each other, but they allowed themselves more than that. They refused to be alone, so from there they carved out their way to happiness. Good for them.
I do wish we got to see more of their coworkers. I was glad to see that Rokkaku has a new resolve and he values himself more now, but I wish we could have seen him learning about Kurosawa and Adachi's relationship as well. I think he would be happier for them than anyone. And Fujisaki was able to express her feelings in her own vague and private way, but as someone who's also aroace, I wished to see her confidently say out loud that she has no intentions of getting married and that her happiness lies within herself. I'm happy with what we saw of Tsuge and Minato though, since I felt that their spin-off was already a good conclusion, and now they're marginally more happy than before.
It was a good watch. It's not something extraordinary that has never been done before, but I'm glad that this movie exists as the ending of Cherry Magic.
Was this review helpful to you?
Touching and ultimately satisfying.
The movie has a different feel and pacing from the series, and initially, I was disappointed as I was looking for, and missing, the lightness and humour that was such a part of Cherry Magic. I thought about bailing, but I kept watching because those two actors are just that good. Seriously, I'd pull out the popcorn and the lapquilt just to listen to them do a table read of my insurance policy's fine print. Once I settled into the movie, I started to enjoy it for what it was: a more serious take on what would happen once the magic of a fairytale dissipates. By the halfway mark, I was totally invested in the film, and closer toward the finish line I kept mentally tagging places that I knew I'd want to rewind to. All in, I felt it was a touching end to a wonderful series, and, as the titles says: ultimately satisfying.Was this review helpful to you?
