Beautiful hidden gem
I didn't know what to expect from this short series, but I really enjoyed it more than I thought! There's a lot to love about it.- Let me start with the obvious: it's a WELL-MADE GL. It's not one of those absurdly pure GL dramas where the two protagonists just seem like two affectionate friends, but it's also not one of the usual lesbian shows that are completely shaped by the male gaze. There's good balance of heart-fluttering, romance, and sensual elements, which made it quite enjoyable to watch.
- The story is simple, but also straightforward. Whoever wrote this was aware of the little screentime they had for everything and used it extremely well. It was definitely more fast-paced than other Japanese dramas I've seen in the past, and while there isn't the usual quantity of character introspection, it compensates with not feeling boring.
- The two protagonists have each their own charm and it shines with their personalities. They also have excellent chemistry with each other! They really seem very fond of each other and their relationship develops naturally without feeling forced.
- The music is also very good, the songs are beautiful and make the important scenes feel even more impactful overall.
- If there's anything I disliked about it was the supernatural side of the story not being explored as much as I wish it was, but there was not enough time for it anyway and I believe that I was given all the necessary elements to follow the plot without being confused.
I found the episodes with English subtitles on YouTube. The series is very short, you can watch all 4 episodes in less than 40 minutes, so I really recommend watching it!
Was this review helpful to you?
All the feels!
I don't usually like short series since their makers don't seem to be aware of how to present a story in a short time. And then certain series come out which prove that a short run-time isn't an excuse to not create a good storyline!“My Fairy Ghost” is one of those. It makes the most of the limited run time and presents a beautiful story of two women falling in love with each other. The basic plot is that Aizawa is a writer struggling to make ends meet, when she runs into Kei whom she recognises to be a ghost. Aizawa is the only one who can see Kei and as the story progresses, we realise that Kei is the only one who can see Aizawa too.
There was a lot of cuteness and romance packed into this, but it has a very mature tone. This was a story about love with a strong message on what art, or any creation really, is truly about. It is what Kei and Aizawa bond over, it is the "regret" which keeps Kei rooted to the earth.
The actresses brought awesome chemistry to the screen. I cried with Aizawa and could feel Kei's grief. 8/10
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Uplifting
I've seen this three times now. At 32 minutes, it's a beautiful pick-me-up for down days. Every time I see it, I find new interconnections in its meaning. The plot is simple enough but everything else intertwines.This is a small gem with many facets. One of the characters, Kei, is a painter whose home is filled with "her" work (a commenter on youtube credits them to Takuya Sugiyama). They're dynamic and vibrant and make a great setting for this story about creativity, authenticity and belief in oneself. Their confidence is everywhere in the flat. Kei is likewise visually striking, beautiful, stylish and charismatic.
Riko, the other main character, is in contrast to all of this. She is shy, inexperienced and still struggling to find her voice as a writer and, in many ways, who she really is herself.
Together they tell a gentle love story between two women, emphasising how the support of another can help you find confidence in yourself. It's ultimately about taking risks, both in love and art. As befits a story about a visual artist, there's a beautiful, sensuous love scene too, one many directors could learn from.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Love and art
I have been putting off watching this because of the ugly poster: it gives off negative vibes. It made me think that this would be a very weird and unpleasant story.I couldn't have been more wrong! This is pure and unadulterated fluff! Cute and sweet!
The plot is nothing original and has already been seen many, many times. A writer suffering from writer's block and down on her luck, meets a ghost of a woman in a coma. The ghost who is a painter, offers the writer to stay in her house in exchange for the writer's help sorting her business out before leaving.
There have been many versions of this story and you can see where it will end. Still, the acting is top notch, the two women have great chemistry. The production is correct. It is well crafted short web drama! I would like to know who painted the art on the walls in this drama. It is stunning and thought provoking!
The main topic, beside the love story, is art. How it is made? Why? What inspires you? Who do you make it for? The painter, who is successful sees the writer's struggles but she just watches from the sidelines, knowing from her own experience, that the writer needs to touch the bottom to realize she's going about the writing the wrong way!
This is really an excellent short drama!
Was this review helpful to you?
I will never get tired of ghost girlfriends
This one was a lovely surprise.Yes, it's fairly light and fluffy, but for how much of a feel good story it is and how short of a runtime it has it manages to deliver a surprising amount of genuine emotion and romantic chemistry between its leads.
I also really like its messages about art as a form of true self expression and the fine line between following a passion and being consumed by it.
By the end of the show I felt like both of the main characters had grown as people and influenced and learned from each other, which is more than some full length shows manage to achieve.
In short, if you're looking for a short pick-me-up with some nice messages and a good, solid romance, then this one is for you.
Was this review helpful to you?
