As a big fan of the Taiwanese version and the anime I was a little iffy about watching this considering the 1996 version was so bad I could not finish the first episode. However I am glad I gave this a chance because this is a really good remake. In my heart I will always love the Taiwanese version and in my head these two are tied, however, I will admit that in some ways this version is superior. I don't think I have to give a run down of the story because most who will read this will in some way(manga, anime, or drama) know this story. If this is your first exposure to this story please read on otherwise do not read until you see this $$$: Kotoko was a girl with no brains from the infamous class F. She fell in love with Irie the smart, cold, athletic, handsome boy from Class A. She tries to convey her feelings via love letter(old school, but this story came out in the 90's so it gets a pass!), but Irie rejects it. Fate however brings the two together when an earthquake(wait that is in the anime) I mean a star destroys the house Kotoko and her father were going to live in. Homeless, Kotoko father's friend offer them a place to stay. That friend happens to be Irie's dad and the two live together under the same roof. The story is basically how their love blossom from this miracle. It's very cliche especially in terms of shoujo standard, but once again this story was created in a time when this wasn't so cliche so it gets a pass. $$$ I love the story. I fell in love with it when I watched the anime. The main reason I loved it was because the after part of happily ever after. You got to see what happens when the girl gets the prince and their obstacles to come. I felt sad that I couldn't see that in this version, however the before happily ever after was so well acted and so well written that I could looked passed it. The pacing was great in this show until the last few episodes when they try to force the story line some. Many people have been begging for a season 2, but despite the fact I like this version I wouldn't want a second season. I think this show is good enough to stand on it's own and because of one of the actors age there may be issue with some of the events that take place in season 2. The best part of this version was the acting. When it comes to the cast besides Tanaka Yoji(Kotoko's dad) I did not recognized any of the actors. I must say these guys were the best even better than most of the Taiwanese actors. Furukawa Yuki was the best Irie. He wasn't too cold nor was he too caring. He was just right. The kind of guy you would admire from afar, but wouldn't date unless you were into Unubore(cocky) guys. Miki Honoka was a great Kotoko. First off she is actually around Kotoko's age(16) so maybe it makes her a natural. Either way despite her idiotic ways you can sense her strength until the middle which picks back up to the end. A lot of people say she played Kotoko the best, but I'm still an Ariel Lin maniac. Lastly, Yamada Yuki was the best in terms of acting, but as Kin-chan he was not. As a second lead he knew his bounds unlike the Taiwanese version. He cared for Kotoko, but supported her at the same time. That's sweet and all, but that is not Kin-chan! Kin-chan fought for Kotoko to the point of annoyance and made you like Irie more than a second lead fangirl would. The music was alright. I liked the opening theme because it cuteness matched the show, but that is about it. Overall, great job Japan. Japan gets a bad rep for their romance drama because people say the actors are stiff. I think that like any other country you just have to search for the right drama. So romance fans that like mild action check this out!