A cute mini series

// First time making a review


The story was simple and at some episodes, it made me feel wanting more and thinking that the episode ended fast but also at some episodes, it felt so long and was dragging. Maybe because I watched the episodes in one whole cut but still it is a mini series that you can watch whenever you feel it.

The acting was a bit lacking for the male lead, it felt like his character on the series and on their film was just blurting out lines. But Natsuki and Takeda Rina were the ones that I felt also their manager/director.

The song/ost was cute, especially the ending.

While this is a light hearted mini series, I couldn't see myself rewatching for the story. But since Natsuki Deguchi is the FL, I might rewatch it. So this is just based whether or not my fave j actresses was casted.

Overall, I liked the air of the drama, the lightness, and the characters (specially fl).

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This series focuses on Nakajo Hitomi who is a fan of stage actor Kiryu Tomoya, who recently retired from being an actor. But a twist of fate was made and Kiryu Tomoya is now standing in front of Nakajo Hitomi, not as Tomoya, but as her boss, Takagi Shuichi. I liked that this series is wholesome and is light. I liked how they portray fans of actors or idols and that they didn't make it seem like they are "crazy teenage female fans" just as how people would assume of them. As a fan of an idol myself, it really feels great to see that they portray fans that may go overboard but would easily find mistakes in their ways or that they are loyal to their idols and are willing to support them as they have also been a helping hand when they were in need. Each episode felt so short and there are always scenes that made me roll because it was a cute scene (It was "nakakakilig"). The story wasn't that deep but focuses on a fan's perspective on how they see thier idols and how these people helped them on thier lowest times.

The acting of Suzuki Airi and Katayosa Ryota were great, I felt their chemistry. Suzuki Airi's monologues were what made this series so good to watch, her exaggerated expressions and intonations were great and I was telling myself "same" whenever she says something, I think I will say if that thing ever happened to me. Also Yoshida Yuri's Motoya was a scene stealer everytime she comes on screen. I feel like her character was a great support and push to how the story progressed.

The op were sang by Ryota and the ed were sang by Airi. I like both songs and the songs were made for their own roles. Ryota's song as a cool song that portrays and makes me feel like he is a charismatic person. Airi's song was too great to skip and it feels like when a fan sees his idol feeling. Also I think it was a great move as both of them are singers, Ryota as an idol from Generations from Exile Tribe and Airi as a solo artist.

I'll definitely rewatch this as this is too cute and I feel their chemistry. Also since it is only 25 min per ep, you can easily binge watch it.

Overall, a light and wholesome series that will surely make you squirm and roll on your bed. Paired with these cute songs and sound effects. And with great leads and supporting actresses/actors you'll surely watch this in one sitting and if you'd like you can watch it one more time.

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This story revolves around three people who were highschool friends, Sakuraba, Reika, and Shinji. What I liked about the story was that there wasn't any unnecessary scenes and the way the story progressed was exactly how I wanted it to be. The story makes you feel confused in every turn but also were able to make things clearer for the bigger picture. I was constantly saying "Huh?" and "Ahhh" . While things confused me, my initial thought on how the story progressed were on point. You can really predict which is which but the constant turn makes you think otherwise.

For the acting, Reika's loneliness and mysterious aura were perfectly acted. Mihara Ui were able to portray Reika as cheerful and as lonely as Reika would be. Kura Yuki did great in portraying Sakuraba's inferiority complex and anxious demeanor. Both of them had great delivery of speech and their facial expressions especially whenever Reika's whole aura change. Her eyes and expressions were able to pull me. Shinji's actor made it easy for me to have bad feelings for Shuji but at some point his delivery can feel flat. But it was good overall

I liked the OST, "Liar Life", which was the outro song. When it comes to these types of doramas, their outros usually hits hard.

I might rewatch this again, just to have a different POV, wherein the twists weren't twists but a secret that Reika was holding.

Overall, this is a story that makes you confused but still I liked the story even though I rarely watch thriller dramas/movies. I liked the acting of FL and I might check her other projects.

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Pandora's Box

Mariko and Shiino are two peas on a pod, as both had though upbringing and was in a toxic environment. Due to this, they were able to empathize, support each other, and form a strong bond. Her whole journey to uphold their "promise" of seeing the sea, reminded me of Pandora's Box (also due to Mariko's ashes being on a box). Her whole journey were full of despair, and bad luck just like what Pandora unleashed upon opening the box. As Pandora's Box had "Hope" amidst the foul, pain and darkness, her journey's conclusion also gave her Hope that served as will to carry on living for her beloved. It made me realize that through out her journey, there was Hope beside her.

This story, despite being common, was able to make me feel heavy and it made me remember that the world is indeed cruel, unfair, yet fair. Through out the movie, it felt like someone was sitting on my chest. It ran just right even if it only was 90 mins, it wasn't too fast nor too slow. The speed made sense, specially taking into consideration that this only happened for maybe 3 or 4 days.

Nagano Mei really pulled me on the story, she was able to really show the longing, loneliness, and confusion she felt from Mariko's passing. Most of Mei's project that I watched had her as someone that is innocent, and soft spoken and to see her shouting and talking with a sharp mouth was new for me. The delivery of her dialogues and monologues were one of the things that kept me engaged on the story. She is able to evoke despair and longing for her dear friend. Nao also doesn't fall short on her acting, I was feeling concerned like Shiino the whole time. Her delivery on the "It's all my fault" lines was so great that it felt like I needed to tell her thay she wasn't at fault and also say what Shiino said that the world was at fault for her demise.

The inserts had a hopeful feeling on it an example would be when Shiino had the answer for her question, "Where should we go?". Hope was scattered through out the film, even thought it isn't really that noticable. The ending song had the calm vibe on it, just like how droplets of water drip sound after a heavy rain.

It is a heavy film that can also make people's heart ache, a great film that is good to rewatch also but if you don't want to feel that again you can skip rewatching this. For me, I will pass on rewatching this because this movie is something that you can only see and feel once. Like having a feeling of "wanting to watch it for the first time again".

Overall, this is a heavy drama that easily captures the feeling of losing a person that is important to you. The story was pretty straightforward. The acting was what made this film a great watch. A big props to the director, original author, actors, staff that was able to make a film like this.

To watch this, you should be mentally ready as topics in this movie may be a trigger.

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"What's the earliest memory you can remember?"

This movie focuses on the life of Yo and her relationships with the people around her. The pacing was just right, the movie didn't feel too short nor too long but just right. And that is one thing that I liked in this movie. There were parts where it felt fast, considering the things that surrounded that relationship but its conclusion gave way to the path her story went.

The cast did great, from supporting cast to the main lead. Shida Sara had great facial expression and body language. There were times I felt confused by her expressions but sometimes even in real life, expressions or words alone cannot convey the entirety of message that you want to. I also liked Suzuka Ouji and Kikuchi Akiko's acting. I liked that Meiko was kind.

The OST or inserts weren't easily noticable but I liked the outro song.

I might rewatch this because I find the story interesting especially on the thought on the difference of each relationship we have with each other. Also Suzuka Ouji.

Overall, this was a wholesome slice of life that wasn't too deep nor too shallow. The feeling of "just right" was what made me like this movie.

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