Oh, this was lovely! A sci-fi romp masquerading as a cutesy VR love story. And featuring Zhang Linghe in one of the main roles. Pleasure!

It took me some time to get into the drama because at first, it rather heavily focused on the main pairing, Lu Xie & Jiang Kele, but once the secondary pairing, Guan Qianya & Xu Nian, met, the drama really took off. Why?

Because the main pairing was the usual funny girl/bad boy pairing just, you know, with VR. But the secondary pairing was what really fascinated me: female CEO/"VR character" ordered by his boss to seduce her. I mean, wow.

And the reveals and twists! Like very sci-fi twists with a matrix-like game and androids and holograms and stuff like that. And all that wrapped up in a love story of a rich and powerful female CEO and a young man who's never left an underground facility and who loved her the way she deserved.

I must say, this drama pushed all my buttons and I couldn't get enough. I gobbled it with a spoon and I watched all 36 episodes in the span of only a few days, I just couldn't stop. Because the story was great, the CGI fantastic - and Zhang Linghe playing Xu Nian simply... *chef's kiss*

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This was such a great series, one of the best Cdramas I've seen so far. The characters were great, the relationships touching, the cases they solved always interesting and the main arc so well-plotted!

What I adored was that both Su Ci and Prince Qi were smart! They were intelligent and cunning and resourceful and lovely, kind people. But mainly, they were Smart(TM)! Both of them! And it was perfectly portrayed in how they both solved the final case, the main arc case, though they approached it from different sides: Su Ci by following clues, Prince Qi by trusting and working with people, winning them over.

Another thing that I loved was that Prince Qi suffered from PTSD caused by that one disastrous battle where he lost all the men under his command for which he never forgave himself even though it was not his fault but the work of a traitor.

Another thing that I loved #2 was how how much everyone loved Prince Qi: his brother (the Emperor himself), the Empress Dowager (even though Prince Qi was the son of her husband's concubine), all the prince's men (every single one of them would've died for him)... Because he was honest to gosh good people and everyone knew it.

I also loved how the relationship between Su Ci and Prince Qi developed, that he always supported her and ever since he found out that she was a woman, he did all that was in his power to change the laws so that she could officially work as an official. That was simply amazing.

Oh, and the ending was perfect. I loved it when found families stick together!

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This is a movie about Mei, a closed-off loner girl, and about Yamato, the most popular boy at her school who falls for her after she kicks him down the stairs, mistaking him for a pervert.

It's also a movie about bullying. Mei was a victim of it in elementary school and Yamato didn't stop others from bullying his best friend, also in elementary school, for which he feels guilty to this day.

It's also a movie about gossip and the damage it can easily cause. There's gossip about Mei, the ugly duckling who nabbed the most popular boy, and there's gossip about Yamato because all the girls want him and most guys hate him for it, even some of his friends, and envy turns people ugly.

Mei considers herself ugly and she doesn't understand why Yamato would date someone like her. Yamato doesn't understand why Mei would think like that when she's so cute and strong and she makes him smile.

What I love about this movie is that Yamato dated before and he kissed many girls and he slept with some of them - but he doesn't consider it something to be ashamed of. Yes, it happened and it's a part of him but it's not bad or wrong. He's always kind to everyone, even to his exes, and he treats them sweetly and cares about them and he has no regrets.

I also love that Yamato doesn't really give Mei a reason to be jealous, he doesn't cheat on her, it never even crosses his mind. Yes, he's nice to other girls but they're simply his friends and he never feels even slightly tempted to cheat. All the conflict stems from Mei feeling insecure about being his girlfriend - until she doesn't.

Overall, this is really sweet. I love the whole "Why me?" vs. "Why not you?"

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I really liked this series, it wasn't until the last two eps that I kinda got bored a little. Turns out that I need some... drama... in my drama, not just pure fluff. I prefer it when my dramas end with a bang and not a soft plop.

I mean, there was a bang, literally, just not for the main couple, it was a set-up for Sky in Your Heart. Definitely an interesting set-up, that's for sure, the main couple just sort of fluffily fizzled out into cuteness, though. And I'm more of a give me angst or give me death kinda gal.

But regarding the drama itself and its characters, I ended up loving Kluen which I didn't expect at first because I thought he was leading Nuea on out of pure... whatever. But when I got to know him, how hard it was for Kluen to express himself, he become my favorite!

What I adored were the relationships the main characters had with others, mainly Nuea's relationship with his older brother Fah, it was so touching, and Kluen's friendship with Noel who truly understood Kluen and his issues and tried to help him in any way he could.

Overall, a very sweet story and I will definitely watch the follow-up!

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It felt like the budget for this drama was minuscule but it didn't really matter because the main couple carried the story with pride. Boy, did they carry it! After Her Royal Highness, this was the most sensual Cdrama I've seen till this day. Wow, just wow.

It was also the first drama that I've seen with Zheng Yecheng. And I am smitten, my friends! Another Cactor to follow, nice! Pretty, great at acting - and incredibly sensual. Gosh, his kisses were... err, well-acted *fans herself*

I really loved the push and pull between the main couple, their courting was a true game of equals. She was determined to get him and he was determined to resist - until he wasn't. And then it turned really interesting, you never knew who had the upper hand. Perfect.

Also, I loved the friendship between the princess and the lady-in-waiting, and the relationship between the Shen brothers. Both the girls and the brothers were willing to lay down their lives for each other. But whereas the friendship between the girls was very open and there for everyone to see, the brothers mostly acted like they didn't care but when push came to shove they both knew that the other would be there, be it for a jail break or spying on a rebellion.

Also #2, I really loved the main theme song. It was so pretty...

Unfortunately, the last few eps felt rather rushed, there were fast-forward time jumps, fade-out scenes, obvious shortcuts. But, yeah, budget, I guess. Oh well...

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I was absolutely mesmerized by Xu Kai's performance in this drama. His innocent Mo Qing. Then his powerful and stoic Li Chenlan. And then, Chenlan's slow descent into madness because of his sword... I was truly in awe. He's simply great in funny roles - he has comedic timing down to a pat - but honestly? His forte are all-powerful, God-like beings. You believe that he could easily mow down armies. Wow.

Unfortunately, this drama had some real issues with pacing - the last few episodes especially. I don't know if it was because they didn't get all the material they needed or if they maybe lost some footage or who knows what, but the lack of several key moments at the very end (like Chenlan entering/leaving his seclusion) was badly felt, thus the outcome lacked the much needed... oomph. If you get me. Oh well.

The drama was up my alley because of several things but what really got me was the switch in gender roles. The gentle, considering man vs. the ruthless, cruel woman. I love it when gender stereotypes are turned upside down!

Two things that I loved, besides the main couple, that is? Qin Zhiyan and her character development (from an annoying, cowardly chicken to a graceful, respected sect leader) and then Qin Qianxian's death (it was the saddest moment of the whole drama for me exactly because it was not sad, he wasn't killed he gave up his life willingly and he did achieve what he wanted, he helped all those murdered souls and found peace).

Overall, it's a great series with much awesome whump, especially on Li Chenlan's part, and a great OST. I can highly recommend it. But because of the editing issues at the end I can't give it more stars.

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I started watching it and then dropped it once, many moons ago. But this time when I tried it, it gripped me so fast I couldn't believe it. Hm, I guess you really need to be in the right mood for this one.

And, holy smokes, was I in the right mood this time. I admit, there're several dull moments around the middle but overall? It's ah-mazing! Especially the relationship between Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan. And I say a relationship and not a friendship for a good reason. Because if them two were just best friends, I will eat my hat. Because Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan went through a good half of your usual het romance tropes together, incl. falling down onto each other, taking a bath together, fake betrayals...

And then their last scene together, when Hai Yunfan decided to leave because, paraphrasing here, "You go through cultivation out of love, to save people. I do it out of hate, to get revenge. If I stay with you, I know it will make me vulnerable and weak and it will change me and that's why I need to go. But one day, when I do get my revenge, I will come back and find you." And then - the most epic of all hugs and Wang Lu remembering all their adventures together, crying.

Wow . I mean, the main het romance here felt like an afterthought, I mean Wang Lu didn't go all out with Wang Wu till Hai Yunfan left him. And though I had no doubt that Wang Lu and Wang Wu liked each other a lot, Wang Wu's heart still belonged to Ouyang Shang and Wang Lu couldn't get Hai Yunfan out of his head. The fact that their fighting styles - Wang Wu & Ouyang Shang's and Wang Lu & Hai Yunfan's - mirrored each other was, well, pretty telling.

But then the twist with the Sky Demon King at the end! And no season 2... Pah, humbug :(

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Umi no Ue no Shinryoujo or Clinic on the Sea is a slice of life slash doctor series about a clinic ship sailing from one isolated island to the next, helping the residents, mostly elderly people because the young ones moved away to big cities.

I picked it up for Fukushi Sota, even though he only plays a supporting part here. But his Noboru is such a sweet pumpkin. And the goodest boy there is!

Who really surprised me, though, was Matsuda Shota who plays the lead here because so far, I've only seen him play rather serious stoic characters and here he plays such a goof! A great doctor, but also a goof. And I must say that comedy roles suit him so well!

Overall, this drama was... so-so. It's a quiet, serene one but I did find it boring in places. And though I'm glad I did watch it, I don't think I will ever RE-watch it.

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This was such a warm and uplifting movie. It tells the story of a high school basketball player who's forced to change schools because of bullying. And in his new school, he finds not only a great team that teaches him how to love basketball again, but also life-long friends.

It's so sweet and inspiring. And his new team is absolutely precious. That they stay life-long friends - which is mentioned in the movie - despite every one of them choosing a wildly different career path in the end - the main hero becomes a sports teacher, the ex-captain a world-hopping businessman, another becomes a sushi chef, yet another a cop etc. - is just the cherry on top.

Also, I'm glad that the bullying wasn't simply swept under the rug, that it was shown that it left a mark on Yoichi, that he suffered from PTSD because of what his former team mates had done to him. It was a really great touch - and his new team mates had his back!

Also #2, there was very little to no romance, it was all about friendship and overcoming difficulties and it really didn't matter if their team manager, Hiroko , ended up with Yoichi or with Shunsuke, that really had no impact on their friendship. And that was great!

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This was a really sweet addition to the Sentai pile. But it also had an odd feel to it. On the one hand, it was quite silly - but whenever it focused on the Emperor of Darkness and Right it became something else entirely because the Emperor’s obsession with Right was very… not kid friendly, to be honest.

And it’s what I loved best, the connection between Right and the Emperor, the way they were constantly drawn to each other, the way the Emperor could never bring himself to truly destroy Right, even in moments when he defeated Right, and the way that connection was slowly but surely destroying Right from the inside out, changing him; TOQ1’s switch from Red to Black was a stunning twist, holy smokes!

It also lent itself to a huge amount of whump for Right. The last five or so episodes were pretty much Right whump pure which was very much up my alley. Even in the last fight, Right vs. the Emperor, in which the Emperor was finally defeated; when Right fainted after shouldering all of their powers and the Emperor turned into a cloud of darkness, the way they all threw themselves on Right to protect him, knowing that he couldn’t withstand another dose of it… Gosh! The ToQgers’ love for each other was just… mwah!

Also! It stars Shison Jun as Right and Yokohama Ryusei as Hikari which is yet another reason to watch it!

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I watched this movie solely for Shison Jun. And I didn't realize that Kojima Riria - who starred with him in ToQger - was in it, too! And that she played the object of his unrequited affection. Ha!

I must say that I didn't like the main heroine, Rika, all that much. She simply rubbed me the wrong way with her behavior, her borderline obsession with Mino. I did like her character progress throughout the movie, though. I mean, she was - what? - 15 at the beginning of the story so you really have to account for that. And it took her a while to accept that you can't force anyone to love you. They either do or they don't. So when she then secretly sent Mino the charm to wish him good luck at his exams, I honestly teared up.

And Mino. He was in the very same position with Aoi. He loved Aoi but she didn't love him back. But she liked going back to him to and back in his affection to, I don't know, re-affirm her self-worth, I guess, because her boyfriend was a big jerk. So whenever it looked like Mino might actually move on, Aoi popped up again and he started thinking again he might have a chance. But I don't think she even realized she was doing, that she was using him...

It's an odd movie. Nothing much happens, the seasons just flow in it and life happens along the way. I've seen it compared to Strobe Edge but, to be honest, I liked Strobe Edge much better. The proverbial saving grace here was Shison Jun and his character's relationship with his best friend, what little we've seen of it.

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I'm not sure I can even properly explain why I love this movie so much. I guess it's the whole atmosphere? The way it's shot? All the main characters? The story itself? Basically everything, I guess?

I love that there are so many good people in this movie. Ninako confesses her love to Ren but Ren already has a long-time girlfriend so he rejects her, very kindly, and Ninako accepts it and asks to stay his friend and even defends him. Ren does all he can to emotionally support his girlfriend, a slightly older girl with family issues, to the point where he works himself to exhaustion. And Ando... Ando loves to pretend being callous and uncaring but, boy, does he care!

I find the relationship between Ren and his girlfriend, Mayuka, so interesting. Because, yes, she's slightly older, already working and driving a car but she needs Ren to be her rock. And he is, he so is. Because he promised her. He promised and he would never, ever break his promise, no matter his own feelings or needs. But... he is still a teen and it's simply too much for him, school and a part-time job and going to her house every day. And I love that it is her who realizes it, what Ren is doing...

And Ando and Ren! I wish their relationship was explored deeper because when Ren talks about Ando, about what their relationship was like back in middle school before everything went pear-shaped between them... He sounds so wistful. Like, "Before, I had always been alone. I only talk to people who want to talk to me - and Ando wanted to talk to me. He didn't say anything special but it made me so happy... And he was so lonely."

And when Ando then finds out that he broke off his friendship with Ren for nothing, that Ren was innocent of the thing Ando accused him of - Ando's reaction!

It's such a sweet and serene movie. And I felt for them. And Fukushi Sota (Ren), Yamada Yuki (Ando) and Arimura Kasumi (Ninako) are so good in their parts. Honestly, I've never realized before how many projects Fukushi Sota and Yamada Yuki have done together so far! I hope we will see them together in something again at some point in the future!

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I haven't cried this hard since... The Travelling Cat Chronicles with Fukushi Sota. Or maybe Fortuna's Eye with Kamiki Ryunosuke. And just like in the latter, it hits painfully hard when the POV is switched from "his" to "hers" and you see the story enfolding backwards...

I think it's better to watch this movie completely unspoiled, without knowing what's going on. Because that way, it's all the more painful - and all the more beautiful, Takatoshi & Emi's love story.

And what a love story this is! Fukushi Sota & Komatsu Nana make a beautiful couple in this movie, their chemistry is simply awesome. If nothing else then that makes it worth watching.

Truly, when I finished it, I immediately went back and re-watched some of the highlights, now knowing what's going on. And, wow, it was truly all there, the hints. And when you know and you go back and you watch it... it breaks your heart into itty bitty pieces!

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This Fukushi Sota movie is labeled a bromance but let me tell you, the B in this bromance is very, very, VERY silent. Probably the most silent B in the existence of bromance.

It's a truly beautiful but also a very difficult movie to watch. It deals with themes like power harassment, suicide and depression. Takashi's (Kudo Asuka) road to peace and healing is long and ugly, luckily he has Yamamoto (Fukushi Sota) by his side every time he needs a shoulder to lean on. And it's just so wonderful!

Most of the movie is told from Takashi's POV, it's not until the end that Takashi delves into Yamamoto's life and the terrible tragedy that Yamamoto had to live with is revealed. The scene where Takashi goes digging into Yamamoto's life and finds out the truth is so, so beautiful because we finally get to see Yamamoto's POV, at least a little.

And the ending is just... fairy tale like. It's the happiest of endings, it truly is.

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Oh, this was wonderful - and Fukushi Sota was so pretty in this! Sweet characters with a heart of gold suit him so well! I really, truly loved this drama. Who knew that grim reapers in pink bunny suits could be so hilarious!

The best part of this drama - at least for me - were definitely the relationships - and not just between Tsutsumi and Aguma, the leads. Tsutsumi's family was also hilarious and incredibly loving and lovable. And then there was Chisato, Tsutsumi's high school sweetheart...

I still think that Tsutsumi was autistic. His inability to understand how relationships and emotions in general worked. His tunel vision and his mile-a-minute talks on subjects that caught his interest, like rockets. It's not said out loud in the drama but... yeah.

This drama had some really hilarious moments but also some very touching that made me tear up. It had the perfect balance, IMHO. It's definitely a drama for blue moods, when you need a quick pick-up!

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