On the other hand, for someone like me who is only mildly interested in vampires and the whole sarg-sleeping, cross-shunning, blood-sucking process, this drama was a lot more enjoyable than I had expected.
I liked the way the issue was approached, presenting the vampires as a decadent, declining, arrogant race who watches the humans with a mixture of desire and deep distaste, boarding on disgust.
It makes it all the more touching when the cards are turned on the table and the one who thought himself superior is treated with contempt for his being different, a "monster".
I confess at being invariably deeply affected by the issue "difference", and how people treat those who don't conform to the norm, either for their skin colour, their beliefs or lack thereof, their behaviour, their look. There are a couple of scenes in this dorama which are still vivid in my memory because they were intensely moving. They made me think once again of how cruel people can be when they ignore and how easy it is to be judged abnormal.
So, although the acting is far from stellar and the plot at times inconsistent, I do believe this show deserves more attention than what it got.
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It was definitely worth a watch.
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Story: The vampire-love-me-or-loathe-me synopsis seems shop-worn - something straight out of a quickie romance novel. Despite this initial setting, the plot generally made sense and the supernatural storyline dovetails nicely into the other school story lines. It’s a puzzlement why these Japanese vampires seem to follow the traditional European vampire rules but - it doesn’t happen enough to block the flow of the story. Twists and turns within the plot are also not telegraphed ahead of time. I was about halfway through when I realized that this series was going to have a noona-romance component - you’ll have to guess how!
Acting/Cast - Another surprisingly good performance from the Japanese idol actor Nakayama Yuma as the conflicted, would-be vampire Kuromiya Ruka. He’s such a willowy guy who always looks likes he’s going to break into whatever the Japanese equivilant of aegyo is - and then he hits the ball out of the park when it comes to portraying a questioning, modern man.
Actress Kato Rosa who plays the slightly older teacher Natsukawa Makoto also does a great job. She’s innocent, caring, funny, kind - without going over board. What is also pleasant is that she is a slightly rounder shaped actress so it’s completely believable that guys from all walks of life would like her. You just want to hug her.
As this is set mainly in a school, there are a variety of of idol and teen actors involved. I don’t know how the director pulled it out of them but the ensemble cast did great jobs being classmates and romantic rivals. Sometimes, school dramas take this over the top but this group seemed like a real classroom in all its teen angst and glory. Also, Kyo Nobuo who plays the teacher heroine’s school principal and other romantic lead, Fujii Masayuki, also did a fine job showing how love can sometimes veer into madness.
Sadly, someone has inflicted a ridiculous costume cape on the man with the largest photo on the poster, Masahiko Kondo, playing the vampire Kaito. Even though he plays an essentially selfish role as a vampire who simply wants some company, his dialogue was also surprisingly deep. That damn cape, though, keeps you from taking him seriously. Thank goodness it doesn’t appear to be standard Vampire-issue wear.
Music: Really some lovely piano music that grows quite organically from the plot.
Rewatch Value: I would definitely watch this again, if only to see Kato Rosa pull off her kind, real-life performance once again. This probably won’t be my highest rated J-drama ever but it is so much more than that synopsis and poster would lead you to believe. Give it a try!
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A lot of the concepts are not explained and some common vampire myths are incorporated. Its confusing what happened to him after he was turned vampire as a teen, as to why hes in the same city as he was born in, why his sensetivities change and a lot of other things. The highlight was looking at the cute cute Nakayama Yuma, and the ending music.
If you like vampire stories check out Vampire Host Club- its better
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I love the storyline and how everything fits together. One problem would be that it is a bit too long at some points and I don't want to watch it again except for certain parts.
I do think people should try to watch it if they like realistic love stories in an unrealistic setting. The cast is pretty good as well but I wouldn't say that they are perfect. I loved the music in this drama though. It really helps bring out the emotion that was suppose to portray in the drama.
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In the beginning, I thought Ruka had weird taste in girls and liking an older woman, but now, I totally see why. I thought it was going to be related to Twilight, but I was wrong. After finishing it, it gave me a whole new impression of vampires. The drama was really sad, but the ending was really good, although still sad.
Even though there were some flaws, it became one of my favorites.
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This review may contain spoilers
Cute, but a bit depressing
The show starts a little slow and there are probably a few too many unnecessarily long scenes in it, but the characters of Ruka and Makoto are really well thought out, and as a viewer you grow attached to them. The story is cute too.HOWEVER.
MAJOR spoiler alert!
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No happy ending.
For me this is the weakest part of this show. Although for some more serious series a sad ending works just fine (provided you are into crying & drama, which honestly I'm not), this show wasn't really meant as a very deep thought-provoking work of art, and it really deserved a happy ending. I found the sad ending cliche, I've seen this a million times before in different settings. It would've definitely been more refreshing if the screenwriters had found a way to give us a happy non-toxic non-sacrifical ending instead.
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Story---The story is for me amazing since i love everything that is vampire...well vampire and not bitchy!I loved how the character's were innocent..i'm that kind of girl that love every innocent thing since around me i don't see it!I loved the thing about not-grown-up vampire...So big thumb up for that!What i didn't liked at all is the bad ending..i will repeat it hunder-thousand times it should end differently!I was crying my eyes out for 1 month!Yes it touched me so much!
Couple----I love it....I love the main couple..They are just so cute like i imagine them to be!
Acting----I think they acted very good and mostly the main guy role!Many other don't agree with me saying he didn't had any emotion but that's the point!He hated himself and everything..He didn't had anything to live for so why should he change his cold profile?!The main girl was i think very good and also she helped the main guy to change..Their acting was for me good!
Rewatch value----Well since last time i didn't rewatched it at all..The reason?I don't like such ending so rewatching would mean crying another month!But i still keep it in my heart forever!
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I was honestly surprised about how many negative reviews this got. I do agree that the main characters acting wasn't the greatest but he played the part well and I enjoyed watching him. His acting gets better as the series goes on also. He plays an angsty vampire well. Kondo Masahiko is beautiful and acts well in the series. I felt the supporting cast was great also not to mention features some popular faces.
One thing to mention is this story is nothing like Twilight. If you were looking for a twilight-esque series then this isn't it.
All in all, I loved this series from start to finish and anticipated every episode. This series made me love Nakayama yuma and re-newed my love for vampires. Koishite Akuma is one of the most enjoyable drama's I have ever watched and I hope you can give it a try and enjoy it too.
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Anyway, defo one to watch if you like romance and fantasy/vampire dramas!!!!
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