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StefAnd

Archipelago

StefAnd

Archipelago
What She Likes japanese drama review
Completed
What She Likes
1 people found this review helpful
by StefAnd
Jan 29, 2023
Completed
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

A Touch to Coming Out Gay

"Every knot got untied"
STORY
It started simple in a school. A guy bumped to a girl bought a BL merch. She was afraid of him leaking out her tight-kept secret. Henceforth, she asked him out to accompany her buying other merch on Sunday. Unexpectedly she fell for him. After weeks struggling she finally confessed to him. Their feelings were mutual. Thus, she marked her Double Peace signature.

After sometime they tried to make it out in his home. They failed. The girl started to introspect her shortcomings. Was it her chest? So she drank milks. (like it would matter@.@) Was it her hair or her make-ups? Little did she know when she called his name, he remembered his "seme" called out to him. Therefore he couldn't erect it.

The next encounter was happened in town-onsen, perhaps like Japanese modern spa. His seme kissed him, she threw a water baloon to their lips. This was the first knot, Makoto the "seme" shouldn't done this knowing he would got caught by his wife orJun's girlfriend. The worse response was blurt out by Jun, "Does it matter?" answering Sae's query.

Next day they meet-up at backroom of the class. Jun clarified his true feelings. Sae didn't know whether she should break him up. Unfortunately the second knot coming when Ono, their classmate purposely listened to them. And scream it out loud in the gym full of what-not. (Are you for real?)

Of course the hell is coming up to Jun the next day with the whole school knowing his. He misunderstood Sae leaking his truth and rebuked her. That day Ryohei, his childhood friend, reminisce about watermelon promise they made. Back in class prepping for PE, busy body Ono evicting Jun feared for his body drooled over. Eventually, Jun jumped over the window after saying, "We'll meet again after 100 watermelons grow" to Ryohei. Luckily it was only second floor. So bruises and broken limbs were guaranteed not life-threatening act I suppose.

In hospital, Sae asked Jun to come for the last time to watch her awarding of her painting. She won city-wide high school accolade. He come albeit late to avoid gaze and sneer. Her speech was her coming out being her as "fujoshi". It was a heart-wrenching speech. I myself dotted tears. In this the second knot got untied when Ono aware of his mistake and cried over a ramen cup. They got along well afterwards. Jun didn't hold grudge against him.

The first knot was untied when Jun decided to break-up with Makoto. It was well deserved ending for him having family and such. The last fragment was Jun visiting his deceased online friend. And, ultimately the big knot is untied. when Sae decided to break him up seeing him going to Osaka.

After credit we finally can see her prize-winning painting. "Hatsukoi".

ACTING
Yamada Anne did it again. Her performance was top notch. The Male Lead felt like woods sometimes, but maybe that is due to her role as "Uke" to be timid. The supporting characters are adequate, none standout of their performances. Except maybe for
Maeda Oshiro. His light-hearted childhood friend role helped lighted out the dim ML performance.

MUSIC
I do not remember nor heard any music worth mentioning here. They talked about Queen, but did they really played it there?

REWATCH
Easily re-watchable just for the cinematography. I like the transitions and subtle nuances they brought it out. e.g: From the Sea World's aquarium to home aquarium, The sunset billboard on the final scene.

ps: I didn't watch the drama so I have none to compare. I just see as what it was.
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