Honest and Respectful
To be honest, as someone retired, who has been involved in the counseling field, I had my doubts for a short time, that this would be another drama that would hype up the sensationalism and make a mockery out of the professional aspect and of the issues themselves.First of all, I remembered that this exceptionally versatile performer, Nakajima Kento, has always been intelligent, insightful, perceptive, dedicated to being the best version of himself, honored his craft and his fanbase. So before even viewing this, I already knew he would bring intelligence, respect, honesty, sensitivity, warmth, and the best version of himself to this role. Nakajima accomplished that, and much more.
This was no easy feat, especially in a culture where sex, intimacy is taboo, and seeking help, is also not approached, so I have the deepest respect and admiration for the thoughtful, respectful writing, the whole production team, the professional consultants involved, direction, and the extraordinary performances of every single actor who bravely took on this project and gave it their all.
Nakajima Kento, as always, didn't disappoint, as this multi-talented wonder does not in the projects he tackles.
Bravo everyone!
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"When it comes to sex, no one can be sure about it"
This was really an excellent and well-made series. It's sad that even to this day sex is considered something "taboo" and not many people are comfortable talking about it, and the ones that are open about it are mostly shamed for it.As the title suggests they tackle concerns people may face around sex, and how nice it would be for sex therapy to be accessible for us to be able to speak about these concerns without fearing to be laughed at.
Also we get to see how women are expected to especially be secretive about their sexual desires and not to comfortablely speak up about the harassment they face everyday because of their gender.
If I had to nitpick I'd say it would've been really nice to have asexual and LGBTQ+ representation, but that's just my wishful thought.
Overall, I do recommend watching this for educational purpose, and understanding some new perspectives. The romance is also decent and they look great together so makes this even more enjoyable.
Do not expect completely realistic therapy sessions though.
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SεX surprised me in the best possible way!
Α Masterpiece!I was initially drawn to its bright, romantic-looking poster and the fact that it was only seven episodes, without really knowing what to expect. What I found was a warm, intelligent and beautifully balanced series!
The subject of sex therapy could easily have been treated in a crude or overly provocative way, but S&X does the opposite. It approaches sexuality in a thoughtful and surprisingly scientific way, while keeping the story light, funny, romantic and very human. The dialogues are particularly well written and are used not only to explain the issues, but to move the story forward and reveal the characters.
What I appreciated most was the message at the heart of the series: everyone can have questions, insecurities or difficulties related to sex. No one should feel strange, ashamed or alone because of them, and asking for professional help should not be a taboo. Even the sex therapist himself has his own personal struggle, which makes the message even more meaningful.
I sincerely hope that this series will encourage people who are struggling with similar issues to seek professional help, while also raising awareness about the importance of better and more open sexual education.
Nobody is presented as perfect, and the series also cleverly touches on people who exploit insecurities. It shows that behind these issues there are real people, with fears, vulnerabilities and emotions.
Beyond the story itself, I loved the bright atmosphere and aesthetic of the series! It managed to address serious social issues without ever becoming heavy or preachy. At the same time, it gave me a small window into aspects of contemporary Japanese society and the difficulties surrounding open conversations about sexuality.
A warm, thoughtful and genuinely enjoyable series, with a very satisfying and optimistic ending. I finished all seven episodes feeling that I had watched something entertaining, but also something that had a purpose.
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Taking a Step Toward Something New
I always adore when Asian dramas step outside their usual cliché comfort zone, so when I read the description of this series, I was already intrigued. Writing-wise, this drama does quite a few interesting things. Not only with its semi-educational themes, but also by breaking away from the stereotypical tropes found in other Asian series as well. Without spoiling too much, the writer handles the second male lead in a particularly fresh and unique way. Another thing I’d like to highlight is the amazing casting overall, from the leads all the way down to the extras.Was this review helpful to you?
Sex ed for grownups of our time
An interesting dive in to the sexueal issues of todays society. With an adorable therapst male lead, nice side characters and a sweet female lead.This is less of a romance more of a highly educational drama which is kind of sad. The romance parts could have been so much more. With a huge focus on communication and finding the root of the problem instead of just treating symptoms.
There are a few characters that made my blood boil, something I felt I just did not fully understand and there is one episode that made me really uncomfortable in a good way I guess.
So basically decent drama with a mix of pop culture and drying up as old age approaches.
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not to glaze but
this show was really amazing, I’ve learned a few things and it honestly gave me a new perspective. and I’m pretty sure it can give anyone else who watches this one too.the story was lowkey well written. I think the show really shows real situations that many people could’ve experienced. and how talking to a professional could help. so I hope watching this brings trust too, when it comes up to therapy. and then ichito backstory, was also well written. it was quite crazy too. they did a good job showing the struggle n problem he had and how he has overcome it. in my opinion this is worth a watch
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This review may contain spoilers
A Thoughtful, Highly Educational, and Warm Take on Taboo Topics
I went into S&X expecting a unique premise, but I ended up thoroughly impressed by how grounded, respectful, and genuinely insightful it turned out to be. Rather than relying on cheap shock value or sensationalism, the series approaches sex therapy and human intimacy with tremendous empathy. It highlights how open communication, mental health, and emotional connection form the true foundation of physical intimacy. Seeing the client cases handled with professional care made the drama deeply educational and eye-opening. Kento Nakajima brought incredible sincerity and warmth to his role, balancing the professional sensitivity of a therapist with his own vulnerabilities. The rest of the ensemble cast did an excellent job bringing real-world struggles to life without making them feel forced or exaggerated. S&X is a rare gem that demystifies topics society often avoids, turning them into a healing and deeply human narrative. I enjoyed every episode and highly recommend giving it a watch!Was this review helpful to you?
Well done series on a sensitive topic
If you are looking for a provocative, soft-porn series, this is not it. This series does a good job with several different sexual topics that are relevant today. While it has an overarching plotline concerning the romance thread and sexual trauma, much of it is episodic in nature. The main character is Ichito Shimotori (Kento Nakajima) who is a psychiatrist specializing in treating sexual mental health disorders. The first several episodes introduce the romantic thread but are primarily about Shimotori treating several different sexual mental health issues. The last few episodes delve into the relationship of Shimotori and Yumi Ichinose (Yuko Araki) – both in the perspective of their personal and professional lives.The series is very well done. The sub-stories are somewhat provocative but handled in a manner that is interesting without crossing the line. The romance thread is a bit light and can be confusing at times as there is a lot to unpack yet only 7 episodes in which to do it....and much of that is absorbed by the sub-stories. But KN & YA are excellent in their roles and provide a believable performance.
Overall, a series well worth watching.
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Uma Surpresa Inesperada: Um Drama Diferente, Profundo e Necessário
Não sou muito de assistir a esse tipo de drama japonês, mas confesso que esse me surpreendeu bastante. Desde o começo, achei a proposta diferente e fui ficando cada vez mais interessado na história. Gostei muito do drama do início ao fim. Foi uma história bem detalhada, com vários pontos bem desenvolvidos e fechados, sem deixar aquela sensação de que algo ficou sem explicação.É um assunto que pouca gente comenta e que muitas pessoas talvez até tenham vergonha ou dificuldade de falar sobre, então achei muito interessante a forma como o drama abordou isso. Foi uma temática realmente diferente e inovadora, mostrando um lado que eu, particularmente, nunca tinha visto ser trabalhado dessa maneira em um drama japonês.
Uma das coisas que mais gostei foi justamente a forma como os personagens secundários também tiveram importância na história. Não ficaram ali apenas como personagens de apoio; eles também tinham seus próprios problemas, conflitos, inseguranças e situações para resolver. Foi muito bom acompanhar essas histórias paralelas e perceber como cada personagem tinha algo a aprender e superar.
Também achei muito interessante a mensagem de que, muitas vezes, é importante simplesmente parar e conversar sobre os problemas. Às vezes, a pessoa guarda tudo para si, cria preocupações, interpreta situações de uma maneira errada e acaba tornando o problema ainda maior. Quando existe diálogo, muita coisa pode ser esclarecida e resolvida. O drama mostrou isso de uma forma muito natural, sem parecer que estava simplesmente dando uma lição de moral.
Outro ponto que achei muito interessante foi mostrar que procurar ajuda de um especialista não é algo ruim ou vergonhoso. Pelo contrário, existem situações que realmente precisam de alguém preparado para ajudar, orientar e explicar determinadas questões. Achei muito legal o drama mostrar esse lado, porque é um assunto que quase nunca vejo sendo abordado dessa maneira. Foi, sem dúvida, uma das partes que mais me chamou atenção.
E os protagonistas também foram um dos grandes pontos positivos. Gostei muito da química entre eles e da maneira como o relacionamento foi sendo construído. Eles tinham seus próprios problemas e dificuldades, mas aos poucos foram entendendo um ao outro, conversando, enfrentando essas questões e conseguindo resolver as coisas. Isso deixou a história muito mais interessante.
Geralmente não sou muito fã de filmes e dramas japoneses, mas esse realmente conseguiu me prender. Foi uma história diferente, com uma temática que eu nunca tinha visto ser explorada dessa forma, personagens secundários muito bons, protagonistas com ótima química e uma mensagem interessante sobre diálogo, compreensão e a importância de buscar ajuda quando necessário.
No final, gostei muito e realmente achei que valeu a pena assistir. Foi bom demais e acabou sendo uma surpresa muito positiva. É aquele tipo de drama que, além de entreter, faz você pensar um pouco sobre situações que muitas pessoas passam, mas que quase nunca são discutidas abertamente.
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10/10 ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE!!
10/10 ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE!!I don't think I've ever come across anything so utterly brilliant, touching, deep and meaningful. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It's hard to describe in words - this series is funny, honest, entertaining, confronting, courageous, intelligent, thought-provoking, complex, educational, heartwarming, heartbreaking, compassionate and full of wisdom. All the actors, especially the main leads, did an absolutely amazing job. This goes far beyond entertainment - I think it'll actually help many people heal deep wounds in real life. I couldn't recommend it more highly! Absolute must-watch that is likely to have a positive, valuable, lasting impact. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank and congratulate the geniuses behind it for creating something so extraordinarily special.
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Education à la vie affective et relationnelle... et à la S&xualité
Connu surtout pour ses prestations dans le groupe de Johnny’s S&xy Zone, le beau Nakajima Kento a vraiment embrassé la carrière d’acteur (romantique) depuis son retrait des activités de boys band. Fini, la poussée d’hormones et le déclenchement de libido chez la jeunesse japonaise, il se consacre dans cette série à celle plutôt de monsieur Tout-le-Monde. Ce qui, vous me direz, n’est pas très éloigné de son ancien métier.Et il a du travail dans cette série, car explorer les méandres des problèmes sexuels de ses compatriotes n’est pas une mince affaire. Évidemment, en signant un beau gosse ténébreux, vêtu d’une blouse blanche rassurante et posant langoureusement sous la bannière SEX, Netflix cherche à attirer toujours plus d’abonnés, comme une jeune femme au sourire innocent vous inviterait du côté de Pigalle. Déballant en plus le thème de la soirée, la sexologie, objet de fantasmes dans toutes les sociétés modernes, au Japon, terre des charlatans et autres gourous sectaires en particulier.
Clairement, un énième drama consacré à la chose ne m’a pas emballé plus que ça, et je me suis un peu forcé pour aller consulter. Même si Let’s Talk About CHU ou tant d’autres te font passer un bon moment sans en faire trop, Netflix commence à me gonfler à consacrer des séries entières à satisfaire ses abonnés voyeuristes.
Mais évidemment, la présence de la reine des comédies romantiques, Araki Yuko, m’a rassuré sur le sérieux de celle-ci. Et qu’elle sourie ou qu’elle fasse la tronche, on apprécie toujours son jeu plein de vérité et de retenue. Le couple qu’elle forme ici avec Nakajima Kento est l’un des plus touchants de cette année et vaut à lui seul la vision de ces seulement 7 épisodes.
Car vous le comprendrez rapidement, cette adaptation de manga est bien trop courte pour le sujet et la qualité de celle-ci. Si ce n’est pas la taille qui compte, la série donne ici un goût d’inachevé qui en frustrera plus d’un. L’univers créé par ce cabinet, regroupant un docteur en sexologie coincé mais ultra à l’écoute de ses patients, un infirmier héritier d’une dynastie de richissimes docteurs mais ne voulant pas être un simple gestionnaire de grands hôpitaux, ou cette secrétaire lesbienne dont on voudrait apprendre plus sur elle, ouvre des perspectives trop peu développées.
Surtout que la production a décidé de ne suggérer que très peu d’actes sexuels. Et je dis bien suggérer. Rendant la série abordable dès 16 ans, je pense. Car elle aborde justement le coté psychologique d’une manière très éducative et bienveillante. Je suis convaincu que chacun peut s’y retrouver, quel que soit l’âge et les rapports que nous avons à la chose. J’ai rarement vu d’ailleurs une série qui touche autant les gens et leurs problèmes affectifs. Car c’est bien de cela dont il s’agit. Une éducation à la vie affective telle qu’elle devrait être enseignée. Une thérapie parfois de couple, mais aussi pour les gens qui se sentent seuls, et on revient un peu toujours au même problème de notre société : la solitude et le manque de communication. Sans compter que le harcèlement, le sexisme, le patriarcat et bien d’autres thèmes de société sont traités avec maîtrise, sans jamais donner l’impression de faire la morale.
Mais la série ne s’arrête pas à 7 cas cliniques, tous plus ancrés dans notre inconscient les uns que les autres. Elle dépeint également les problèmes de nos héros de manière drôles ou parfois remplie de mystère. C’est peut-être juste la seule maladresse, mais comme toute adaptation de manga, en reprendre les codes, surtout sur si peu d’épisodes, donne un goût un peu cheap. Se concentrer sur le traumatisme de notre sexologue, avec une musique mystérieuse et des codes visuels, sonne évidemment faux, mais c’est le seul point négatif de la série.
On a tous un traumatisme qui nous empêche d’apprécier pleinement les petits plaisirs des dramas japonais. Moi, c’est quand on essaie de faire peur avec des flashbacks un peu trop flous.
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