Pick up the manga instead. Please. It's NOT worth it.

This show only works if you already like the actors in it or if you like stories with absolutely no conflict (also known as Bad Writing). The writers did not understand not even 1/10th of the characters, the copied plots from the JDrama were badly done, and they fundamentally misunderstood what makes Cherry Magic appealing in the first place.

The lack of conflict between Karan/Achi was lame and when EP8 came around it made Achi look extra like an asshole; Writers you know you can make the protagonist get angry at their love interest when they risk their safety, right? It's so obvious this show was inspired by the original drama's success and how everyone considers that a comfort show but what, whoever is responsible for this mess, doesn't understand that Cherry Magic puts good writing first not trying to fulfill the "green flag male lead, comfort story" quota like this show did. And if you flip through any of the manga volumes you'd see how weak this show's writing is compared to it. Especially with Achi being the most mischaracterized of the lot even though he's the protagonist makes this weakness stand out. Of course it doesn't have to be an exact copy, nobody is asking for that, but the show felt so different that it's not even the same characters anymore.

Jdrama wasn't flawless either but at least they had the excuse that they didn't have enough material to adapt. At the time this show started filming there were 11 volumes out that the writers could take the story from but funnily enough the show uses solely the events the original drama did.

EP8 was the most disgusting thing this show pulled, that the original story would never endorse. Having Karan go back to the woman who sexually harassed him erases the entire reason (the original Kurosawa at least) he falls for Achi. Achi not getting upset and simply moving on, not even trying to defend him against Kem was completely out of character. They don't even have Achi fight for Karan's parents approval like he did in the OG nor do they keep their Very important fight about how Karaan needs to NOT shoulder EVERYTHING by himself. Cherry Magic ALWAYS calls out and scolds Kurosawa when he gets self sacrificial for the sake of Adachi but CMTH feels like it's... commending him for it? Which is such a wrong gross interpretation of the story on so many levels.

I do get the appeal of CMTH as a non-CM fan (I've noticed CMTH fans are less likely to pick up the manga as opposed to fans of the anime or the jdrama) but the idea that this is the most polished version of the story is SO far from the truth. If the writers wanted to write a story about two guys who have The Healthiest Relationship ever (but is it really the healthiest ever when Karan does ALL the heavy lifting?) they should have written an original script and not completely misuse the Cherry Magic IP.

At this point I can't even feel bad for the copyright fiasco, it's karma for messing with a perfect story and writing the driest and least interesting (and WRONG. so WRONG) interpretation of it.

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A great show that however only works as complementary to the manga.

I really did like Kimi Ni Todoke (2023). It was a super cute interpretation of the original manga. However, its short runtime left a lot to be desired. It's an earnest attempt at adapting 120 chapters into 12 episodes but, well, obvious that's not really possible without sacrifices. So I would say this version works alongside the manga. As in, you can read the manga right after watching this to get more satisfaction or if you already read the manga this version will be a nice little recap. The actors did a good job and honestly I'm here to defend Ouji because everyone hated him being chosen as Kazehaya but he truly did portray the second half Kazehaya so well. One casting I truly didn't like was Inukai as Toru. He just isn't they type of Toru ikemen. Or at all. Sorry.

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