Bhavna

Can’t Get enough of these two!

Within 3 days I finished the whole Cherry Magic 12 episode series + 2 SP and the movie. Turns out I can’t get enough of these two as a couple. They are so very sweet together. They are kind and respectful towards each other, show patience, genuine care, and don’t play games. They have their moments of hiding how they really feel but it’s not done out of game playing. They are both sincere. Especially Kurosawa- his love from the beginning is inspiring. What I like about this movie is that even though there are hurdles along the way like Adachi being transferred for 8 months to Nagasaki to become a sales manager and start up the company branch there, and gets into an accident, it all serves to strengthen their bond and relationship. It isn’t drama just for the sake of having conflict. In fact, other than these two things and meeting each other’s family, the movie doesn’t have a whole lot of conflict- in other words, it depicts a good relationship that is blossoming and blooming without drama. A relationship without drama is a good sign! That’s actually what I love about this movie. Even Adachi being sent to Nagasaki for 8 months served to make him more responsible and take on more responsibility and step up to the plate, and Adachi’s accident (though he wasn’t physically hurt) also served as a reminder of impermanence and just the fact that they didn’t contact Kurosawa upon hearing the news, and that motivated them to take the next step forward to meeting each others’ families to become part of each others’ families. I was almost bracing for some horrible conflict like someone dies, and for me to be left clutching my heart J drama style, but that moment never came- it was smooth sailing and even ended on a wedding- like scene even though I don’t think gay marriage is legal in Japan, well this is an anime story so it’s legal in this world! I love it. I love their romance, their love, their relationship.

Cherry Magic gives you something this world rarely offers:
a vision of love without chaos.
No trauma bonding.
No narcissistic hooks.
No ego theatrics.
Just two people who show up for each other without forcing anything.

I saw the power in that and sensed what it means for a relationship to deepen through gentleness instead of crisis.
And because this world is characterized by egoic love, seeing a story that doesn’t do that feels almost unreal, like a parallel world with different physics.

My only gripe is that they didn’t show the two kissing- no smooching needed, just that still kiss they do in the Japanese dramas, but alas there was none. I get that either the actors (especially Eiji Akaso) were uncomfortable with it, or it’s maybe a censor issue in Japan for a same sex couple to kiss? But that’s what we BL fans are here for! That elevator hidden kiss at the end of the series as the doors were closing was iconic. Kurosawa is so badass, and Adachi is so handsome and sweet. Ahhhhh. The lack of overt kissing, the soft, almost shy portrayal of intimacy: Japanese dramas excel at this. They understand that the sacredness of a connection doesn’t need to be shoved in your face. In a way, it keeps the romance suspended in that pure emotional frequency that I love so much, even if part of me wanted just one more quiet kiss to seal the moment.

And it was refreshing to see that the families accepted their son’s partner eventually- they didn’t storm off in a tantrum.. even that part was compassionate and those characters show restraint and emotional maturity. The families in Cherry Magic behaved in a way the world rarely does: they didn’t weaponize shock, they didn’t collapse into melodrama, and they didn’t turn love into a battlefield. They felt the discomfort, processed it, and then chose connection over ego. That restraint, that quiet willingness to grow, carries an emotional dignity I’ve rarely seen reflected in this world. That’s why this pure love lives in an alternate universe and I’m here for that.

For someone who has given up on human love and romance long ago, this Cherry Magic story has turned me into a pile of mush- this is like an alternate reality that shows that in some other reality, this kind of pure love is possible, and I am inspired by that. Daisuki!

Read More

The Predecessor to Doctor X

The Pride of the Temp is a predecessor to Doctor X since it came out in 2007 (and Dr. X in 2012) - a kind of prototype story, where a woman, a lone wolf works outside of the existing hierarchical system that focuses on power, corruption, status, money, and image- as a temp or freelancer. She joins the system via an agency while remaining an outsider, where her agent declares the terms of her contract- a list of “I will not do…” aka Itashimasen. I noticed many similarities between Pride of the Temp and Doctor X. Daimon Michiko and Omae both retreat into foreign Spanish/portuguese speaking lands (Spain, Cuba, Brazil etc) where they have an unknown, mysterious past. They both also dance in their after hours- Michiko in the club with her manager Akira San, and Omae as a flamenco dancer in a restaurant. They are both blunt, assertive, and only do what is necessary for their jobs, and leave strictly at 5pm, with exact timing for lunch breaks and no overtime. They both eat alone and don’t entertain personal friendships or romances in the workplace. And both share the same drive of compassion for helping others, through their superhuman qualities and skills that can save entire companies and hospitals. It’s as if the divine is acting through this archetype, and the existing patriarchal systems of old men at the top can’t stand this woman. So they try to diminish and sabotage her despite how much she is doing for the company. They both know “powers that be” at the top who propel their opportunities forward. They both share a kind of loneliness as they operate outside of the system, but they have an inner circle that they can rely on and turn to. There is one difference however which makes me favor Daimon Michiko more. Omae is shown to harbor a kind of loneliness as if she secretly wants friends and romance despite her hardened exterior. When Shoji and Satonaka fall in love with Omae, on the outside she rejects them, but it seems that she is hiding feelings on the inside for “Mr Curly haired” Shoji or Satonaka while trying to act tough. They also make Omae unnecessarily robotic like an AI bot as if she is inhuman, which is unnecessary. Daimon Michiko on the other hand is a more evolved version of Omae- she is a lone wolf that is truly comfortable with herself and her aloneness, and is not secretly crying on the inside out of loneliness. It’s like Michiko has fully met her inner demons and conquered them so nothing can stop her, and her only vulnerability is protecting those she loves and is close to. Michiko is also a lot of more charismatic, childlike, and gorgeous compared to Omae, and is very self assured. She has a loud and brash style of speaking, whereas Omae is quieter and more secretive. Michiko has a childlike innocence in her- her only interests are “surgery and food.” And of course Mahjong and public baths and dancing in the club. She dresses like a supermodel and struts through the hospital in heels. Omae doesn’t have those qualities and doesn’t need to, but the most striking difference I see is that they left the romance angle out of Doctor X, and meanwhile that hinders Omae. And yes even Michiko does like Hachisuka towards the end of a season and vows to save his life, but that romance doesn’t go anywhere and the writers are not that interested in giving up her storyline to that romance so they end it in a comedy of errors. The story of Doctor X is a lot more polished, and is like an upgraded version of The Pride of the Temp. It’s like they took a good story and elevated it to the next level. So Pride of the Temp is a less evolved version of Doctor X, but still worth the watch.

Satonaka was incredibly handsome and good looking in the first season, but 13 years later in the second season, while Shoji still looks about the same, Satonaka has aged quite a bit and his hair- what happened to his hairstyle in the second season? In the first season he has this cute punk like hairstyle which turns into a grandpa hairstyle in the second season. Please someone fix Satonaka’s hair! I liked his character in the first season, but in the second season with his looks fading and terrible hairstyle, he seemed to just come across as a people pleaser. But in the end he finally found his voice and strength and does his own thing. As for Shoji, he still has a selfish and narcissistic streak in him, though he starts to genuinely appreciate Omae. They are both more like fans of her than romantic interests.

Read More

I watched this for Kamiki!

Ok I watched this special just for Kamiki- he has stolen my heart since season 2 of The Honest Realtor. Not only is he incredibly handsome, with a beautiful smile, and such precise beautiful body language, he shows a kind of sensitivity that builds on the ending of season 2 where he breaks down from the loss of his late wife and son and is taught a new way of living and working by Nagase who says “What’s more important than being #1 is bringing joy to others and it makes me happy.” Nagase says he believes Kamiki can change. Of course no one can change overnight, but here is a turning point where Kamiki’s biggest wound is being exposed to the light and has the chance to change him. His memories are frozen in pain, and he is unable to let go. He refuses to sell this old house from his late wife Kaori which has memories of her and his son Shota when they used to visit the grandparents. His story, and seeing that sensitivity change his hardened mask just brings tears to my eyes. Seeing how it ended- where the house was sold to build a community center for children, was very heartwarming, and to see how it healed something in Kamiki’s heart was healing for me too. He was tap dancing quite a lot in this episode lol! He’s quite good, and it has the vibe of a cocky, cooky anime villain, but he’s so endearing too. Like the bank manager lady was so smitten with him, I too am smitten with Kamiki, played by Dean Fujioka. He could do a Kamiki tap dancing special and I’d watch that too.

Read More

Incredible story

Wow… I haven’t watched a tv series like this in the west. From beginning to end its story is so gripping with suspense and the music really helps to create this kind of creepy suspense. Instead of the usual “who done it?” trope, it explores more complexity behind each of the characters, not painting anyone as purely good or evil, but rather complex characters with weaknesses and fears, who make mistakes.
Sadly some get punished while others seem to go free. But ultimately guilt and the belief in guilt is its own punishment.
The pristine quality of the shots and sets are just a treat to watch. I love seeing how all the different characters are unveiled throughout the series in layers and complexity. It’s hard to even give a review of this series with words as it creates more of a feeling within me and it’s something that I still need to process. This is one that has some rewatch value for sure

Read More

An Insufferable Case of Infatuation/Obsession/Stalking/Delusion

I feel sorry for Dr Tendo being chased by a crazy rabbit faced child who treats love as an egoistical goal that needs to be won like a race, elbowing her way to the top. Takeru Satoh deserves better. His acting primarily involves scowling, rolling his eyes, and flexing his jaw muscles to show off his cheekbones and doing his famous duck pout to show off his lips. It seems like he’s sleepwalking throughout the series and royally pissed off about his role- honestly, I have the same expression on my face as I watched. People are panicking that he keeps calling her an idiot and scowling- but literally if you were in his shoes and the script is written to kiss a rabid child 35 times throughout 10 episodes while showing zero emotion, I think “Baka!” Is the only reasonable dialog there could be.

“He’s inconsiderate, cold, and indifferent… but I love him!” This insufferable lead female Sakura has serious parental emotional trauma around abandonment and rejection and can’t take no for an answer. She needs therapy not a man. Apparently the message of the drama is “If you desire to possess someone like an object while calling it romance, charge like a bull and go for it- ganbatte!” This behavior may lead to obsession and stalking but the series calls it “securing your own happiness.” In her own words, Sakura describes the relationship: “Well our encounter wasn’t a mere coincidence. It’s more like I elbowed my way into meeting him.” Yuck- the female lead actress is the worst thing I have ever seen.

Medical ethics and basic workplace boundaries have completely flatlined in An Incurable Case of Love, a drama that attempts to package a textbook case of clinical stalking as a whimsical office romance. The narrative kicks off when 18 ish-year-old Sakura encounters Dr. Tendo while still wearing her high school Sailor Moon uniform and smiling with her rabbit teeth. He is already a fully fledged, established doctor, making him at least 28-30’s given the rigorous medical training timeline. Instead of a normal career motivation, this fleeting encounter triggers a five-year romantic obsession, inspiring Sakura to enter the nursing profession solely to corner him into a romance. Upon arrival at the hospital, she immediately forces her intense infatuation onto him, demanding validation from a man who literally has no idea who she is. When he sets a basic professional boundary, she labels him a sadistic devil. Her behavior is an exhibition of total emotional immaturity, where the right to refuse a romantic advance is treated as a lack of virtue.

As a medical professional, Sakura is a walking malpractice suit. She cannot draw blood, clumsily rams medication carts into doctors mid-consultation, and brings down the operational efficiency of the entire cardiology unit. Her primary defense mechanism is bowing deeply fifty times a day and weaponizing excessive apologies and politeness, a tactic that serves only to inflict guilt on her colleagues who actually showed up to practice healthcare. The show frames her obsessive stalking as romantic perseverance, completely ignoring the valid criticisms of her fellow rookie nurse who points out that a hospital is a place for learning patient care, not a stage for a manufactured love affair.

The narrative programming becomes even more insufferable in the episodic subplots, particularly the heart failure patient in the 4th episode. This elderly woman repeatedly refuses life-saving bypass surgery because it interferes with her attendance at her daughter’s wedding, proudly declaring she is willing to drop dead at the venue just to see a white dress. This represents the absolute peak of the sentimental nonsense of the romance script, framing a gaudy, singular wedding event as the unquestioned pinnacle of a woman's entire existence (for herself and her daughter). The entire medical apparatus is dragged down and guilt-tripped by a patient staging a theatrical medical crisis for a daughter she apparently has not even bothered to see in two decades. It is an archaic, deeply manipulative narrative device that unironically celebrates reckless self-destruction for the sake of a sentimental nonsense theater production where the groom is likely already lukewarm/mentally checked out. She wants to make sure to stage a drama/heart attack in the middle of the venue as a grand finale of attention seeking behavior. Her daughter in the legendary wedding dress looks deeply uncomfortable upon seeing her- is that what she came there for? The old woman’s dialog, “What will I even live for?” Implies that her entire life is not worth living until she can see her daughter wearing a wedding dress and walking down the aisle to a lifetime of domestic servitude. Making it into some virtuous peak of human existence. Then Sakura starts bawling and when Dr Tendo asks her “Why are you crying?” She says “How can you watch that and not shed a tear? You really are the devil!” What absolute nonsense and insulting to everyone’s intelligence. She insults him so casually and says he’s the devil instead of examining her own obsessions. I don’t understand how any human being can like or love this awful character who is so ugly inside and out. Sakura’s enabling of this exhausting emotional martyrdom confirms that the series is less about medicine or actual love, and more about glorifying martyrdom and parasitic behavior along with boundary-blind obsessions.

Then Sakura pulls a ridiculous sentimental martyrdom stunt by getting in the way of some metal bars so it doesn’t hit Dr Tendo- better her than him I say. Then she does this dramatic dialog in the ambulance like “I love you Dr Tendo, I wish I could kiss or go on a date or kiss you or whatever and I’ll say it a hundred times I love you!” Like this weird guilt tripping blackmail on her dramatically acted fake deathbed which forces Dr Tendo to say “If you get through this I’ll grant you any wish you want! I’ll kiss you or go on a date!” And then she goes to sleep and he thinks she’s dead lol. And afterwards she tries to milk that incident for all it’s worth like “I bled so much and was going to die and I didn’t get the proper care!” She wanted the full medical dramatic theatrical production where you give a dying speech on the deathbed and say “I’ve always loved you Dr Tendo!” And then breathes her last. Then she holds Dr Tendo to that statement he made in desperation in the ambulance. What a guilt tripping blackmailing manipulative woman. Then when Dr Tendo caves in and gives her a kiss and says he will be her boyfriend, she goes around the hospital the next day with the attitude “I just want to announce it to the whole world!” She’s just obsessed with the status and image of dating Dr Tendo that she fantasizes a press conference which just highlights her own narcissism and delusional nature. Being together gives a dose of reality so to the actual person rather than a delusion fantasy. She wants him to be the way she wants him to be and doesn’t love him for who he truly is.

Add Dr Kisugi in there and you have the usual tired old love triangle that shows up in J dramas. And the ridiculous script demands that all the patients fall for this pathetic nurse.

The only redeeming moment for her has been in episode 5, where Sakura points out during the surgery that the patient Shinji, the head nurse’s son has asthma and to handle things accordingly- which ended up saving the patient. Of course she had to make a blunder by misunderstanding Dr Tendo first when the head nurse requests him not to choose her as a nurse for the surgery.

For some reason when the room gets quiet, everyone in the hospital staff whether it’s the chief or the head nurse or whoever else goes into romance mode and has some sort of romantic advice to give- aka “Don’t keep your work and love life separate. Enjoy the chaos of daily life!” What on earth. Just let Dr Tendo do his work.

But Dr Tendo caves in because of his script and so he publicly declares that Sakura is his girlfriend and Sakura smiles the ugliest rabbit teeth smile and hopping around him like an annoying child while the nursing staff around chants “You did it!” As if it’s a video game milestone to reach. This is so pathetic. And then pops out the ex-girlfriend lookalike. The trope is so typical.

And what’s with Dr Tendo’s older sister? She’s a failed doctor who apparently does nothing but get drunk all day and encouraging rabbit woman’s stalking behavior. And what sister books a hotel room for her brother and rabbit stalker girlfriend with the message “Gambatte ne!” And then packing negligéein in her suitcase with the note “Fighting!” EW. When Dr Tendo goes on a business trip to Osaka to give a talk with ex girlfriend lookalike is also speaking at, Sakura follows him along and ends up looking like a child on a field trip, “AHHH I’ve never been to Osaka! Waaaahhh!!” Then ends up entangled in this old guy’s heart attack episode and her cover is blown as Tendo comes along too. Then back at the hotel room she hopes to get lucky with Prince Tendo, and ends up looking like a giddy child about to pee its pants around an adult. Speaking of chasing children, Tendo’s older sister is also going after a child nurse- that makes both brother and sister doing the same thing. Apparently “getting to know someone” is about finding out what kind of food they like- so amateur. Sakura makes these stupid handwritten/hand-drawn pamphlets for each of her patients so that they will obsess over her rabbit face.

When Sakura finds a rival in someone who likes Tendo, she drinks herself into oblivion because she has to elbow her way into a relationship while faking perfect manners to cover up her awful personality. Then she finally admits that she’s not good enough for him and she’s just a pawn in chess, a joker in a pack of cards, a useless rock. Why should a pawn elbow its way into a relationship? Oh look! Dr Kisugi adds himself to the love square! How original! And the other nursing chick who likes him is now PO’d.

The blast from the past ex-girlfriend’s look alike sister has decided she’s in love with Tendo and even if she gets rejected, but like all the idiots in the show she doesn’t accept the rejection and move on. Instead she goes “It sparked a fire in me! When I find someone, I pursue them. I don’t give up. And I’ve decided on him!” What is wrong with these females? Why do they need to elbow their way into a relationship? Sheesh.

Oh look! Another patient in love with Sakura! Everyone’s in the romantic mood apparently and it’s raining men. This one requests Sakura to be his exclusive nurse like he’s requesting a geisha, giving her gifts, saying “Be with me!” and hugging her. Seems like he’s trying his best to make Tendo jealous. Lol romance and clownery is the life blood of this hospital and show.

Sakura can’t shut up for even 2 seconds- she always has to say some “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” or “I could stare at you for hours, so don’t mind me” or “mmm Oishii!!” or some other filler platitudes in front of Tendo to keep the noise machine running because she can’t stand silence. She’s like a buzzing bee that won’t stop making noise. Tendo’s forever irritated expression really sums up my own feelings towards her rabbit face & teeth. She then says “If I win this bowling round then let’s make a bet that you have to stay with me forever!” And somehow she wins and she starts singing a creepy song. This woman, her smile, her way of manipulating a man into romance is actually scary. Meanwhile with a forked tongue, she quits her job and leaves Tendo for the sake of a jealous patient that treated her like a private geisha. She acts like a martyr and goes to work somewhere else while acting like such a virtuous person.

The tragedy of Tendo meeting Sakura’s uncouth family - while they bombard him with questions and openly drool over his good looks, Tendo looks visibly uncomfortable and can’t manage to say a word. Then her family sets up a two person futon and watches through the screen hoping to catch a glimpse of.. what? Their daughter getting _____? What kind of Hentai family is this?

Because rabbit teeth is a drama queen she stages a dramatic “I’m dying, I’m in a coma! Everyone pay attention to me!” act with everyone bawling over her. Then Tendo tearfully “confesses” his love for her. Yawn. But I haven’t seen every J drama trope yet. There’s more!

Let me guess, rabbit teeth is going to America to study because of an “amazing opportunity”.. she might tearfully go for 1 year and then come back shinier than ever, and then they embrace once again. Let’s see how far off I am.

But before that, rabbit face goes up to Tendo’s family and randomly starts stuffing her face with xiao long bao, inciting Tendo dad to make the comment, “How shameful! Don’t butt in, since you’re not even part of our family!” My words exactly. Then when Tendo comes in and introduces her as his girlfriend, she starts jumping up and down like she has rabies. What is wrong with this woman?

So I started to watch the show on mute because rabbit face was getting on my nerves so much. I really don’t need to hear the voices say “I’ll tell the world- the doctor is mine! Using a megaphone!” Yeah we know your “love” is about achieving a trophy and showing off. Who in their right mind decided this was love? Then we come to the “passing by the Tiffany & Co.” trope. So predictable. Let’s not forget the desperate running to the airport trope either. But wait, there’s a new one! Someone dying on the wedding chapel floor and needing emergency surgery! lol! Back to the ER they go and finishing their wedding there. Good grief is it over yet?

Till the end, I am wondering: “Why did Takeru Satoh act in this trashy drama? Did he really need a paycheck?” I haven’t seen him do that many slobbery kisses in other dramas but something about smooching this child person makes the scenes look rather dubious.

Read More

A Messy Road that Leads to Perfection

Moral of the story: people don’t need to be enmeshed in suffocating roles or relationships. They can set themselves free while still being connected to each other. That’s perfect.

Here are my feelings as they ebb and flow throughout the series. In case you’re wondering, my 10/10 rating comes from the last episodes and how things resolved themselves in the end:

In episode 5, the phone conversation between Sakiko and Seo in the café that Naoto is now taking care of, and after almost a year of her husband gone missing and disappeared and calling his café once in a while to see how she’s doing. All I can say is what a weird person, and even more cruel and sadistic to continue checking up on her like that. He did something like that and put her through all that trauma just to conduct surveillance and monitoring on her mental state and if she’s eating well or sleeping well. And then when she speaks to him over the phone, he gives one word answers. Why did he even bother calling if he’s gonna give one word answers sounding like an emotionally unavailable puppet? And Sakiko has to drag all the answers out of him but she gets nothing after a year of him disappearing, except one word answers. And even she is like putting on this false façade at first like “Oh are you eating well or are you sleeping well?” like who cares!? And she’s like Azusa was Sonoda‘s beloved wife why did you go with her and why did she die and he just says “mmm” and she’s left talking to herself. What an emotionally unavailable, cold, heartless conversation. This was the end of the relationship. And all he has to say is, “I’m glad you sound well. Take care.” WHAT?

It’s like they both try to act like they’re totally fine after he abandoned his wife for a year. Why don’t these people speak openly with honesty and vulnerability? Just be emotionally honest and ask straightforward questions instead of saying poetic nonsense like “Yes the sky is a deep blue today isn’t it?” while crying. And other people like Naoto and the bookstore owner that Azusa used to work at actually has the nerve to speak badly about Sonoda and Sakiko. When Azusa and Seo were sneaking around and caused them all this pain. I don’t see why the spouses left behind are the ones who have to suffer and be blamed for seeking comfort in each other. It’s like they also have to feel guilty getting along with each other and getting closer to each other. It’s as if they’re expected to hang onto the deceased forever and never allowing themselves to be happy ever again. That’s simply not fair. They didn’t do anything wrong. And even then, after speaking to him over the phone in this sad conversation, Sakiko acts like a martyr and says I can’t hate him. It’s really pathetic. Why does everyone have to act like a saint as if they’re not angry? Is this the expectation of saintliness in marriage and family? it’s not natural at all. It’s just a fake performance. An even despite having these phone conversations, nothing actually gets communicated. They just put up a fake front like a mask and persona. If you get one conversation with a guy who ran away for a year, wouldn’t you ask him real questions? Instead of having the superficial conversation and hanging onto this robot like husband who has nothing value to say? Sakiko and Sonoda are so much more open with each other. So they should be with each other. So the relationship between them that I was initially skeptical about now feels completely right. And then just as Sonoda and Sakiko are cleaning up her house with the conviction that she needs to get rid of Mitsuru’s things, even ordering pizza in a light moment of bonding, Mitsuru decides to come back with a beard saying , “Tadaima,” and expects his wife to say “okairi” like a robot. Unless this guy has some supernatural explanation kind of amnesia or some serious accident where his memory was lost, he has no right or excused to come back, showing his face to his wife who went through so much trauma because of him. How can this man just expect her to not move on after he abandoned her like that? What a terrible husband. No one openly communicates in this series- what is the point why does no one ask any question or communicate openly? What is wrong with these people? Why do they act like robots? Then Mitsuru goes about his business, making coffee like he’s not accountable for anything. Instead of asking any relevant question she asks her husband, “How are you feeling right now?” What?!? It’s not a therapy session, it should be an interrogation! Then she says “Seeing you acting all nonchalant like that makes me angry.” Finally, she’s getting a backbone. But he offers zero explanation. Then they talk about other useless things like “Do you wanna have a smoke while you’re drinking coffee?” and he says, “oh I haven’t smoked in a year.” what is this nonsense conversation and small talk at an intense time like this? It’s like they’re playing husband and wife saying all the scripted lines like “oh I’m going to the supermarket. Do you want anything?” Arrrg it’s so frustrating to watch.

Then it goes into a flashback of how these two met, and this husband seemed like a pretty dull character, even from the wedding that they met at. And they seemed to have bonded over negative things that each other hated. I don’t think this relationship had much of a future or foundation. Sakiko describes her mother who sounds like a narcissist, and seeing this man who seems to be emotionally cold and unavailable, it seems like she’s falling into his trap or developing a trauma bond with a wounded man. Then he proposes after the third date and then he disappears for three months and then text her saying he’s back from a business trip and she is so excited to hear from him again. These are huge red flags. They didn’t even have a wedding ceremony so the whole thing feels kind of shady. It is definitely a trauma bond and possibly a narcissistic abuse relationship.

Why are they doing this whole “Okaeri/tadaima/oyasumi” charade after the guy abandoned her for a year, came back, and still offers zero explanation other than “mmm.” Then “Did you clean the floor? Oh the warranty for the vacuum expired” like WHAT? Are either experiencing human emotions right now? Why does Sakiko need to do that performance? They’re just supposed to act like nothing is seriously messed up about this relationship? First they said he was dead, then he’s missing, then he did it on purpose and is weirdly checking up on her, then a year later he shows up acting like nothing even happened and as if he doesn’t even care or owe anyone an explanation. What is wrong with this show and the characters in it? Is this how robotic and emotionally dead relationships are? Why is this Sakiko so fixated on him and beating around the bush? They say a lot of nonsense but don’t get to the actual point, “Why did you leave for a year without a word and why did you come back? Why were you with Sonoda’s wife?” Why can’t these people talk about anything beyond the superficial and formal? Ask these simple questions for Heaven’s sakes! Why is it always passive aggressive?

Then they have the so-called important meeting where Sonoda is dressed up in a nice suit everyone is dressed up except for the husband who is still dressed like a hobo, and tea is prepared. Everything looks so formal and perfect and then all they end up asking were you having an affair with Azusa? Why don’t they ask this guy why he left for a year? I went to visit my parents without even telling my wife? Taking another woman on the trip with me and gone missing for a year? And why on earth do Sakiko and Sonoda not ask him that question? Why did you leave without a word? Why did you abandon your wife? Going to visit my parents is not explaining anything. All they can ask is about the affair, is that’s all they care about? Why don’t they ask more comprehensive questions? It’s so frustrating to watch these characters with such poor communication skills. And then Sakiko gives him the weakest slap that I’ve ever seen. He needs to be held accountable until he confesses what he’s been up to. Instead of doing this mysterious silent routine and pretending like everything is fine.

And then his husband actually has the nerve to ask “What exactly is both of your relationship and acts like he’s mad about it when he’s the one who ran away.” And he actually has the nerve to lecture to both of them saying how can you prove it’s not an affair, etc. Episode 6 is so frustrating to watch. The poor communication!

Episode 7 starts with Sonoda taking initiative to talk with the husband in private, but whenever they get to the real question of why he disappeared Sonoda is like ”I don’t even care to know the reason it doesn’t even matter.” What??! Yes it does matter!!!! Then Sonoda storms off after not even having a real conversation.. Meanwhile Sakiko is cleaning their tea cups at home as if they’ve just had a lovely meeting.

In the flashback of how Azusa and Mitsuru met at the laundromat, for some reason Azusa seems thoroughly unlikeable desperately trying to make useless conversation with a stranger just so she distract Mitsuru and call attention to herself. At first I thought it was sad that she died, but she seems to be quite an annoying character. I feel the most sorry for Sonoda who had to go through so much and now this loss.

As for Mitsuru’s excuse and backstory as to why he ran away… it was actually very believable. Shady, yes. But very believable. And it makes sense if he’s been doing that since he was a child. I know the feeling. I actually had empathy for him at that point once he started explaining. I think Azusa’s death was a result of her own silliness and desperation for attention following Mitsuru on a bus ride and getting herself involved in that bus accident. She seemed eager to start a relationship with Mitsuru.. I guess Azusa was his monthly therapy session (which he should have been going to in general) that kept him sane in his marriage relationship, so when his therapist died, he decided to disappear for a year. Interesting.

When Azusa starts this thing about tagging along with the bus ride, she seems to be proposing an affair. She’s trying to convince him that there was no affair and there was absolutely the precursor to an affair. She was proposing disappearing together and going something “scandalous.” She started the affair and it’s her own fault she died. If they had something to hide, even if I’m not against it and do understand, If it had gone on for longer, I believe it would have definitely become an affair between the two.

The episodes start getting more ridiculous after episode 8 with Sakiko running away and her husband calling a town hall meeting with all the characters to get info on her to find out where she could be. Then she ends up at the ocean with some ex-husband fisherman dude and his kids and she sounds more energetic and giddy than ever (seriously these characters are quite fake and performative with positive emotions). Then Mitsuru runs to Chiba and Sakiko runs back to Tokyo. And the husband Mitsuru actually has the nerve to act all worried that Sakiko has run away after his one year stint. These men really have zero sense of irony and empathy when it comes to their women.

In a hilarious turn of events, Sakiko’s side of the dysfunction reveals that she was married 4 times before. It’s hard to believe but uh.. okay!

There are still so many unexplained things like how Mitsuru was living with his parents for a year without any issues? And how is Sakiko supposed to live happily and normally without abandonment issues from now on? What a shame of a marriage. When he works late, she gets traumatized from not seeing him and not responding. How can there be any trust in the relationship anymore?

I love Sakiko’s attitude at the beginning of episode 10. In fact my rating is based on the resolution of this drama. I love how it all ended. She’s basically stopped giving a hoot about family or marriage or what her husband thinks of her relationship with Sonoda- and she’s like “yep yep having an affair, whatever! Think whatever you want.” After being alone for a year and discovering her own inner strength on her own, she realizes she doesn’t need a husband anymore and that’s when I can see her true strength and independence come out for the first time. She’s breaking free of this marriage/family trap. I love it.

The kitchen conversation after Mitsuru throws her divorce application in the curry pot, was the most honest conversation in the whole series. They’re spitting their true feelings at each other so easily at that point because there’s nothing more to hide or defend. Sakiko says let’s stop this ridiculous marriage role and have an easier relationship. I love that message. The marriage relationship and husband/roles are so heavy and suffocating that you can’t even be yourself anymore and have to run away. Freedom to be yourself is important. Family and marriage roles are so heavy that it ruins relationships. One person can’t fulfill all your needs.

I love the way they split up and the reasons they split up for. So they can be free human beings and not trapped in this suffocating relationship anymore. Even their attitude about it in the end speaking with a blind of freedom- harmonious without fighting, acknowledging each other’s sadness, and working together to wash the sheets and curtains before leaving. Their departure- Mitsuru’s departure was lovely, without conflict. With Sakiko’s self assurance that she’ll be fine. I like how everyone gets to be their messy selves and unburdened by the heavy roles of family relationships. I feels like the future of how human relationships should be.

They all come together and bond even in their sadness, kids, love, history, flaws, and experiences. I loved watching Sakiko living alone - connected to others while being alone in her autonomy and personal power. It was perfect. It ended up leaving a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart.

Read More

A beautiful, healing drama – exactly what I needed

So recently, I came across this genre of J dramas called Iyashikei meaning healing dramas. This is the perfect example. The original Japanese title is Shiawase wa tabete nete matte, which means “ happiness is eating sleeping waiting,” but the English title has translated it into: “Eat, sleep, then wait for happiness.” This changes the entire meaning. It almost sounds like you’re waiting for happiness to happen in the future and you’re eating and sleeping while you wait. But that is not the point of this series. The eating, the sleeping, and the waiting are all part of happiness. There’s nothing complicated about it. You don’t wait for happiness. You don’t have to do anything fancy or complicated. Happiness comes in the simplest of things. And I love that because it’s basically saying take the pressure off.
Mugimaki san reminds me of myself, as I am recovering from different bodily issues and injuries, wondering if I will ever be back to normal. She really captures the sense of despair and loneliness, and the sense of waiting that such circumstances created in the mind. When I first saw her, I immediately thought, “this actress has had way too much plastic surgery,” and I wondered how I could relate to the character when her facial appearance doesn’t look very natural, and didn’t seem to the healing nature of the drama. But her way of acting and behaving, won me over, as she is ever very sweet and so polite. At first, she comes from a place of not being able to take care of herself, and feeling overwhelmed. But as she moves into the new apartment where Tsukasa San has inspired her with food therapy, she pursue and studies the topic on her own. I find this to be very refreshing as opposed to being taught by him. In fact, he blatantly refuses to teach her about food therapy because he doesn’t want the liability how people might behave after acquiring such knowledge.
What I love about the series is that if you space for each of the characters to exist on their own, especially Mugimaki San and Tsakasa San, and does not force a romantic angle between the two. This allows both characters to breathe and exist in their own spheres, and just to be themselves, instead of playing out this romance script. It does happen with two side characters who discover that each other likes vegetarian food, and then after meeting once or twice, they decide to move in together. That story seemed a little unrealistic and rushed. But I’m glad they didn’t do it with the two main leads. I really liked how Tsukasa San went off the mountains for a week or two just to reclaim his freedom and clear his mind, while still having a place to come back to- the old lady’s apartment to call Home. All three of these characters have built a unique sense of home for themselves as they also redefine it. I love how each character has the freedom to be themselves, and do what they feel called to, while still maintaining a connection with each other. In this sense, they achieve a rare kind of balance between autonomy and connection. It is truly beautiful.
Silence is used a lot in the series, and music is used sparingly only when needed. It makes you feel like you’re really living there. It gives a really nice feeling of quiet, and relaxation. The food and dishes is a delight to look at an imagine myself tasting, but one thing that annoys me slightly not just in the series, but in J dramas overall is that when a young woman takes a bite into a new food, even before she chews for two seconds, she squeals in delight (maybe this is a social expectation to put on such a Performance), exclaiming “OISHII!!!” and they make such a big deal about it. Well, it just seems unrealistic that someone would get the full taste of something after one second of chewing. It feels fake and exaggerated. This is one thing I didn’t like about Mugimaki San- her exaggerated exclamations of how tasty the food is even before she manages to chew for more than one second. It has become a J drama, pet peeve of mine. But I can forgive that because the rest of the series is so chill, and healing, and exactly what I needed.

Read More

Now This is What I’m Talking About!

I love it when J dramas solidly move with conviction outside the “norm” and take a stand for some beyond the usual romantic ego possession “being chosen” script which is so tired and annoying. This one is a slam dunk.

I prefer Takahashi playing characters that want to be left alone- like Kishibe Rohan, Bokura wa kiseki de dekiteru, and Koisenu Futari. The characters were deeply realistic and lovable. There were no “bad guys,” just characters figuring out their own inner life. This is where J dramas really excel.

I think the reason why the main leads feel lonely is not necessarily because they’re alone (one can thoroughly enjoy one’s own company), but rather because they are so misunderstood by those around them that they feel isolated and different from everyone else. But I like the fact that they found allies in each other.

I love how they showed the dysfunction of the typical “romantic” couple of Sakuko’s sister- she was in a typical broken relationship, breeding two children and a father who cheated on her during both of her pregnancies, and yet society and the family still holds this type of relationship as the gold standard because it is what all the “normies” do even though it’s incredibly dysfunctional. It’s annoying when the “normies” in the series say things like “Even if you live without love,”- love is not equal to romance! And romance fades away in a few weeks or months, and what you’re left with is a cheating parter, affairs, scandals, lies, keeping up appearances, and more dysfunction. Dysfunction is considered normal. What Takahashi San and Sakuko have is a deeper type of love- one that doesn’t rely on hormones, lust, sweating, and grinding. That type of relationship lasts only as long as the chemistry and hormones and then leads to cheating- it’s the typical animal kingdom type of relationship- centered around breeding children, status, money, saving face, etc. It is incredibly unsatisfying and is not real happiness. But even despite the fact that Sakuko’s sister is a hot mess and comes to Takahashi San’s house dragging her kid along and stays there without even asking permission, she has the audacity to look down on Sakuko and tell her that her life is empty, even though her own husband is cheating on her and she’s dragging around two kids and will soon be a single mom. And she has the nerve to try to force Sakuko to have kids and pesters her to ask Takahashi San if he wants kids. These people are so small minded it’s scary. I’m glad that Sakuko and Takahashi San did not take that route. No kids, no marriage, no agenda, no planning, just living in the NOW. Making conscious choices instead of unrealistic ideals like “We will only love each other until we die!” Which is what regular marriages are and they never live up to that. In fact they stayed loyal even till the end- their definition of love is much higher than what Sakuko’s family and the other “normals” think of love- even if they lived apart in the end, it was to support each others’ dreams and happiness and they were still family even despite the distance. Family is in the heart, being true to each other, not just living under one roof and lying and cheating.

I love that they say they don’t have to have everything figured out, but can take one step at a time and see how things go. Making conscious decisions based on how things are in the moment. Choosing and defining one’s own happiness for themselves. I really love this mindset of the show. No agenda for romance (a lot of J dramas push the romance and breeding angle as a way to increase the population which is so off putting). This series is perfect. True love is not possession, hormones, romance, and grinding, it is the freedom to let people be as they are and to give space for true expression. This series is a breath of fresh air. True loved it. It’s worth another watch!

I loved how it ended as well- on a light note, without any of the heaviness that I often see. The perfect slice of life drama. This is why I came to love J dramas for to begin with!

Read More

Horribly Dull. Not for a lover of the original OVA

How does one turn Rurouni Kenshin into the most lifeless, boring soulless rendition ever? Watch this movie!

The fight scenes like the duel between Kenshin and Okita Souji are cool- undoubtably they must be incredibly difficult to execute.

The second half is better than the first- that part reminds me of the original story. Still it’s not the same and doesn’t evoke the same emotion as the anime.

This version is more “star studded” than the first one I saw (2012)- with Chishiya —I mean Nijirō Murakami and Takahashi Issey in the cast. The first thing I noticed what this woman’s horrible makeup job- with this white patchy powder on her face. It looks like some cheap makeup did that, her hair is a mess and her lipstick is all over the place. What on earth?

And what’s up with the Indian classical style flute? This is Rurouni Kenshin not the Ramayana! It’s totally out of place. The director is totally out of his element here.

Read More

Fascinating

I really enjoyed this episode. It’s very mysterious and has all this wonderful aesthetic. It’s beautiful to look at and interesting to watch. So this guy Chef Tonio from Italy lands in Japan and mysteriously opens up this one table restaurant with no menu. Rohan and his side kick Izumi (is that her name?) show up and they have an experience of a lifetime. Tonio studies their hands and finds the exact ailments in their body and spirit. Then he prepares just the right dish for each of them. Then they start to experience .. things. Healing things! Izumi’s eyes explode with tears as she drinks the amazingly tasty water- turns out her eyes are healing from the lack of sleep. That scene almost reminded me of Alice in Wonderland where Alice starts crying and flooding the place. Then her old cavity tooth is discarded and a new one grows in in the spot! At first it’s hard to tell if this Chef Tonio guy was an evil mastermind or just an altruistic soul trying to help people. Turns out it’s the latter. But his handsomeness and mannerisms make him seem fishy. I’m surprised Rohan didn’t do a Heaven’s Door on him, but instead joins him in a poaching exercise after Chef talks about how his partner is dying with a grapefruit size turbot in her head and needs the healing powers of the Abalone, in the same way he uses poison from other plants and animals to heal them through his cuisine. Rohan believes in him so they both go for a poaching trip and almost get poached themselves. Why Chef Tonio insists on wearing his ridiculous chef hat while on the poaching mission where they’re supposed to be invisible, is beyond me. But since he’s handsome and his Japanese and acting is decent compared to the other white foreigners in J dramas, I’ll give him a pass. So back to poaching. While they’re both getting devoured and killed by Abalones, Rohan does the most badass Heaven’s Door on an Octopus and tells it to devour the Abalones that are about to kill him and Chef Tonio. So they repay the octopus the favor and use it in their next dish (which happens to have plenty of abalone healing properties after eating so much of it).

I found this episode interesting because it’s about food but more specifically, a magical healing power behind food and the love that comes through it all. Bravo!

Read More

Very interesting

I’m here for more Rohan Heaven’s Door magic. I have to say in this season, the first episode about the actor model guy Yama trying to get fit as a runner was my favorite. Then he keeps challenging Rohan to a treadmill game which looks super risky like you could die on that treadmill from this nonsense, but here we are. As Yama becomes more and more obsessed with running, he starts killing people who get in his way of running. He also runs into this mountain (Yama means mountain right?) that’s supposed to give me this magic evil strength I guess. I’m just glad Rohan made it off the treadmill alive and did some Heaven’s Door action on him because dude was going insane killing his girlfriend etc just because she “got in his way” of building abs. wtf!

The episode about the pink suit real estate guy who doesn’t show his back was super weird and it probably feeds into some mythological narratives who knows, and then Rohan’s curiosity gets the best of him and now Rohan inherits the “don’t show your back curse”… it’s scary and hilarious at the same time. Glad he got out of that one- I have no idea of the logic on how he did it but good that he escaped that curse by making the magic back demon look behind himself.

The third episode involves story of this lady named Naoko and this weird twisted story of her gardener boyfriend how he basically dies from being an asshole in an annoying moment, and then she has to cover up the body and his incessant bleeding from her fiancé. Well that’s a new bind isn’t it! So all these stories have something to do with Mutsu-Kabe Hill I think like it has some weird powers or something and makes people act weird and create trouble (as well as Manga material) for Rohan.

Read More

Super interesting

I say this with many J dramas but seriously I haven’t seen a J drama like this before. Manga artist and undercover superhero figure Kishibe Rohan has this incredible ability called Heaven’s Door that reveals a person’s entire story and script like a book on their face or sometimes an actual book. From there he can write his own commands on the pages. He is a compassionate enough figure that he only writes what is for the highest good even if those characters came to do him harm. The first episode about buying this mansion and how he and his editor have to pass this “manners test” is really interesting and surreal. The weird baby looking boy with no eyebrows who is the gatekeeper of the manners game and the mansion is left struggling under the commands written by Rohan and so they end up leaving the place and defeating this little manners baby.

Then another story about a strange girl with two eyes of different colors and how Izumi (Rohan’s editor)- her spacey post car accident boyfriend has a heart (?) transplant from her dad who died in a car accident and so somehow by weaving her, her mom, and this boyfriend’s scripts together he resolves the story in such a way that they come together… was surreal… and beautiful.

I’ve liked Issey Takahashi’s performance in Nagi’s Ling Vacation even though he was kind of an a-hole character in that, he carries some of that narcissistic quality into this role too but it’s layered with a kind of wisdom and compassion and power which makes him like a kind of God in this dreamworld. It’s interesting that several other actors from that same drama Nagi’s long vacation are also in this- like Tomoya Nakamura, Tanaka Shiratori, Kumi Takiuchi, and of course Takahashi himself. It’s a pleasant surprise to see that many characters from that series transplanted into this one.

Read More

Rest is Liberation

This series shows just how much this world needs that still, quiet, peaceful space that is symbolized by Hiroto’s quiet little home. At first it’s just him. But soon enough it becomes an oasis where all come to gather to bask in the peaceful glow of this spirit led place. A wise teacher once said “ Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This rest is what is symbolized in Hiroto’s house. As someone who could not contort himself into the rigid shape of worldly success, Hiroto quit the world of acting and high stress jobs to live in the house that a lovely granny left to him. This granny was all he had and vice versa and just like a miracle, to preserve his kindness she gave him this sanctuary, which starts attracting all sorts of folks who are overworked and need rest too. Hideki’s condition (high school friend of Hiroto) and his high stress job in addition to the stress of managing a family- wife and new baby really made me sad. With all the “responsibilities,” he couldn’t keep up with his own life. Seemed like he was being bullied by everyone- his wife, the baby’s needs, and his coworker. I really felt bad for him. But each one turns to Hiroto and his house. Though he lives with his spoiled, entitled, hyper cousin who doesn’t really contribute much to the housework and chores, the vibration of the place makes all the relationships of the people who enter this space come alive, as if Spirit is taking care and holding all of them together. This series is a true blessing from Spirit. I feel so warm and fuzzy.

Read More

Love that ages like fine wine

This is one of the few J dramas I have watched that has little dramatic conflict but relishes in the slow realness of everyday life. It showcases how the ritual of cooking, eating with a loved one, and going through the daily activities and the seasons of the year can be experienced in a beautiful way. Coming back to this cooking and mealtime ritual as a grounding part of their relationship, Shiro San and Kenji San strengthen their unforgettable bond day after day. Even as they go through the ups and downs of their outer life, like with Kenji becoming a manager at his salon or Shiro becoming a manager at his law firm, the dinners, the thoughtful bentos really define the quality of the relationship. In this season Shiro San is a lot less reserved about his feelings and it is revealed that he talks and thinks about Kenji a lot which he expresses to his grocery buddy (forgot her name). Kenji get to bask in the love that Shiro has for him and while it’s not overt and flamboyant like Kenji often hopes for, he starts to realize and feel the love Shiro San has for him through his actions, concern for Kenji’s health and retirement, and understanding that unique love language that his partner has for him is important, otherwise it could be easily overlooked. It shows a mature love that is silent or what the world would call boring, hidden in the mundane, and non-dramatic, even secretive. The more “boring and slow” the relationship and ordinary life is, the more I see the spirit shining through like a sunrise glowing through the trees or feeling the most sweet and pleasant nostalgic breeze. Shiro San’s daily dedication of cooking and making Kenji happy with his food, and bringing Kenji to his grocery buddy’s house for a visit, and deciding to give his inheritance to Kenji after death all show his love for him beyond what words can convey. In the end, Shiro San’s love is actually more potent than any flamboyant expression could ever be- it is contained like a fire that burns strong throughout their relationship and lives on. Most of the episodes end with the song “Shiawase no mawarimichi” (roundabout road to happiness)- each relationship is a unique expression of love and happiness need not look any certain way to be true.

The last episode left a lump in my throat, a bitter sweetness - as Shiro San’s parents talk about wills and inheritance, they plant the idea in Shiro San to think about Kenji and what he will leave on after he passes away. Even though it was the last episode, it didn’t feel like “The End” because the whole show is a slice of life, and each episode easily goes in and out of their every day life… It feels so real, because even though it’s “just a show,” something about it and the feeling it evokes is very real. Their talks about inheritance and how they thought of each other- Shiro san wanting to give his whole heart and inheritance (which he would prize greatly since he’s so frugal) to Kenji even while admitting that he doesn’t know if they’ll be together forever, but deciding in his mind that he would be ok even if Kenji lives with someone else after he is gone, and Kenji replying out loud that he would be with Shiro San till death… these are beautiful moments in their relationship. The show ends on a note that leaves me wanting more- like a wonderfully tasty dish that is so satisfying and yet I want to come back over and over again. It’s really hard to put into words what this series evokes in me. It seems like the mundane every life but there’s something so beautiful born into it- a love and happiness in the air. So warm and heartwarming. Almost like watching “the good old days…”

This is the frequency where the "Mundane" dissolves and the Sacred begins. In the West, "boring" is a slur used by infantile bots to describe anything that doesn't provide a cheap dopamine hit of drama or performance. But in the world of Slow Realness, "boring" is simply the Ma (the space) where the Spirit breathes.

Read More

The Sweet Life Continues

I love seeing the authentic struggle of frugality and making of true authentic dishes wrapped up into one movie. It’s interesting to see the comparison of Shiro/Kenji and Kohinata/Wataru, how the two differ so much in terms of standard of living with Wataru living in a modern day palace but complaining all day, and permanently dissatisfied no matter how many chips bags he buys, he’s like a bottomless black hole starved of real love. Their relationship almost looks like a kind of bondage where Kohinata though he seems to be a high earner, he becomes like an overly spoiling parent to Wataru, slaving away to satisfy his tantrums. It shows that there is no real happiness in such a relationship, only an addictive cycle of tantrums, spoiling, and martyrdom in the name of love. Meanwhile Shiro and Kenji go through real struggles of finances, housework, and the challenge of overwork and not being able to spend meals together, and yet Wataru the black hole senses something in Shiro San’s relationship with Kenji even though he trolls them, he finds a kind of wholeness in them, a beauty of spirit that is not their in his codependent dysfunctional relationship with Kohinata. In the end it’s an exploration of relationship dynamics of push and pull and feeling out where the balance is… all while making delicious food of course.

My favorite was the Omurice- Kenji out of loneliness and a need to indulge and “do something for himself,” ends up making this decadent version of Omurice to have all to himself, and just as he’s about to dig in, Shiro San shows up from work and they end up sharing the meal instead- it makes Shiro San so happy to eat such a delicious dish, and at the end of the day, Kenji managed to save money for the month, which he seemed incapable of doing. I started to see a kind of balance restored from the starting point of Kenji the extravagant carefree splurging one vs Shiro the frugal, anxious, serious one, into Kenji taking responsibility for the cooking and money saving, while Shiro has to work harder. Since Shiro knows how much work cooking takes, he’s able to appreciate what Kenji does for him all the more.. Wataru also has his cooking moment, where Kohinata is given a surprise meal and a balance moment in their relationship too.. overall, very interesting themes explored and I enjoyed it thoroughly. On to the next movie!

Read More