I LOVED THIS DRAMA SO DAMN MUCH! I haven't enjoyed a drama, from any country, so much in a long time. I finished it all in a day! It had every thing - romance, murder, thriller, suspense, mystery, comedy, corporate intrigue - and it handled every storyline so damn well. I won't lie and say Todome no Kiss had no flaws (it was draggy and repetitive at times and there were some plot holes) but despite those flaws it was engaging and interesting throughout.
The time leap has been done to death in countless movies and TV shows but it felt so fresh here. And especially with the parallel worlds concept and the side stories, you can tell the writers thought everything through. Otaro and Saiko's relationship was honestly sweet and wholesome and both of them acted so well, I'm going to look out for their dramas. I cannot recommend this drama enough, 9/10 from me.
I have such mixed feelings about this drama. I liked the cute relationship between Nina and Atsushi initially but that soon turned toxic on both sides. Imo, they do genuinely have feelings for each other but these are two people who shouldn't be together romantically. Nina is dealing with the trauma of what Atsushi and the other two did while Atsushi just doesn't understand her pain. Even leaving that aside, she is very open to playing with his feelings and he just goes along with it. At the end, it's hinted that they reconcile and might get together but I don't think it's a good idea for either of them.
Secondly, for a drama that deals with sexual assault it's very... problematic. I come from India, a country that's infamous for its barbaric sexual crimes against and mistreatment of women, so I am especially sensitive to these topics. From what I gather, Japan (as well as SK) aren't the most progressive when it comes to adequately punishing sex offenders or in its treatment of their victims. And what I liked is that they address that. But its treatment of the sex offender in this case, Ushijima, is discomfiting.
First of all, they never specify what he did to Nina exactly. Did he just arrange her kidnapping, which is already fucked up? Or did he rape her? Regardless, most importantly, he *did* rape another innocent woman. And the drama wants us to sympathize with him?? I was never going to in any case but the story screws it up in this regard. For a drama that wants so badly to humanize a literal rapist, they never explain the reason behind his crimes or delve into his psychology except for vague attempts at redemption or hints of a barely dwelled upon dysfunctional family life. But what I hate the most, just like the judicial systems in Asian countries, the two MLs basically just let him off the hook and become quite pally with Ushijima.
Maybe not all manga should be made into a live action drama. I think maybe more emphasis on the survivors' perspective and less of the angst of the ML and his kidnapper friend would have been beneficial.
At the end of the day, I finished this drama because I like to finish what I start and the fact that it was so short. Also, the opening song is a banger, I must admit. And the leads are so attractive. Otherwise, it's a 6 from me.
I was liking the drama because the interactions between ML and FL were very sweet and they explore all the feelings…
Yes, okay, Ushijima has a hard family life and pain from losing his mom. But absolutely nothing justifies raping two women, especially when he gets off scot-free because of his daddy's wealth.
I was liking the drama because the interactions between ML and FL were very sweet and they explore all the feelings of trauma, shame and victim-blaming that sexual assault survivors go through but... they place way too much emphasis on trying to humanize and redeem a literal rapist.
4 
The time leap has been done to death in countless movies and TV shows but it felt so fresh here. And especially with the parallel worlds concept and the side stories, you can tell the writers thought everything through. Otaro and Saiko's relationship was honestly sweet and wholesome and both of them acted so well, I'm going to look out for their dramas. I cannot recommend this drama enough, 9/10 from me.
Secondly, for a drama that deals with sexual assault it's very... problematic. I come from India, a country that's infamous for its barbaric sexual crimes against and mistreatment of women, so I am especially sensitive to these topics. From what I gather, Japan (as well as SK) aren't the most progressive when it comes to adequately punishing sex offenders or in its treatment of their victims. And what I liked is that they address that. But its treatment of the sex offender in this case, Ushijima, is discomfiting.
First of all, they never specify what he did to Nina exactly. Did he just arrange her kidnapping, which is already fucked up? Or did he rape her? Regardless, most importantly, he *did* rape another innocent woman. And the drama wants us to sympathize with him?? I was never going to in any case but the story screws it up in this regard. For a drama that wants so badly to humanize a literal rapist, they never explain the reason behind his crimes or delve into his psychology except for vague attempts at redemption or hints of a barely dwelled upon dysfunctional family life. But what I hate the most, just like the judicial systems in Asian countries, the two MLs basically just let him off the hook and become quite pally with Ushijima.
Maybe not all manga should be made into a live action drama. I think maybe more emphasis on the survivors' perspective and less of the angst of the ML and his kidnapper friend would have been beneficial.
At the end of the day, I finished this drama because I like to finish what I start and the fact that it was so short. Also, the opening song is a banger, I must admit. And the leads are so attractive. Otherwise, it's a 6 from me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3QR0cfPqrg