I had watched the original version of this film wayyyy before watching this, so I basically had forgotten much of the plot. I remembered loving the idea of 2 lovers finding each other in a cute quirky way, which is walking on a streetline trying to avoid something "below" that they imagined. This is still such a unique, funny and adorable way of introducing our two main leads. It literally feels straight out of an anime/manga but adapted into real life which I loved. Though I wish they had visually represented their imagination during this sequences more, because the shark one was fantastic!

There's this real childlike innocence to Yuuki that attracts Akira from the start. Though this becomes a semi-issue later on, it carries on throughout the entirety of the story. Into their growth, sex-lives, careers. We see the story progression done so beautifully with the time jumps and it works really well! Better than I've probably seen done ever. We get so much of their lives, yet so little at the same time. It's perfection. You really grow attached to them together and individually. So when they start having their own issues, it really hurts. It's also now a fast growing apart, its rather slow and realistic. You understand why Akira kinda puts up with Yuuki's difficulties in the relationship and vice-versa because they both have so much love for each other. It's evident and people do things in their own ways to show love and affection. Like with Yuuki searching for the lighter in the dead of night.

Many watch this and become very angry or frustrated with Akira's character. But I totally understood where he was coming from at least. He grew up with a mother who engrained in his head the idea of "normalcy" or heteronormative lifestyle being the basis of livelihood. It's not easy to just unteach that, so he had to kinda live that in order to realize it wasn't what he wanted at all. He wanted Yuuki and luckily he was there waiting for him after the whole mess. It's ugly at times, but the beauty comes out as well. I loved getting to see everything and felt so proud of Akira after he stands up to his mother and fights for Yuuki. They get married, he sees his ex-wife with a new family so they both found happiness apart. It's all amazing. Then...we get to the added ending. Which WRECKED ME. It adds more to their love story and its good. However, the tears I had running down my face were so embarrassing lol. I wasn't expecting to see Akira dead in their 70s and Yuuki in the hospital waiting to die basically so they could be reunited again. Their love is forever and they walk the line again in the end to each other. Really heavy stuff and I suggest being prepared emotionally! Because damn its intense.

Love, love, loved this so much. Please watch it! Also thank you director for adding in the MODC (Make Our Days Count) cameo. That healed my soul from that series a little bit! <3