The leads have good chemistry, there's some really clever fight sequences, and it wraps up quickly and satisfyingly. For a show that essentially exists to promote the leads and their new song, there's a lot more to enjoy than you would expect.
This drama was by no means perfect, but it's still a great youth story with a focus on friendship. All the characters are cute and have a fun dynamic with each other, it's the kind of friend group that's just enviable ^^ Even though most of the cast are new, they all do great with the material and have fantastic chemistry.
Sorry, I just have to talk about this but Raiku and Rin have to be one of the best side couples in a youth drama ever, right? The slow development of their relationship in the background of the main story—from the way Raiku is always looking out for Rin, to Rin finding a confidante in Raiku, to all the little moments where they're drawn to each other (even when Rin had her crush on Noji)—was 10/10. The confession scene just being this casual admittance of something in the air they both sensed but couldn't put into words really sealed the deal for me.
It's a travel show, of course, but there's almost a samurai quality to it. The locations Ogane visits often feel…
Holy-- I wasn't expecting that ending to episode 3. When Ogane started talking about the dam at the start of the episode, I thought to myself: "I wonder if something had to be sacrificed for that" because, y'know, that's usually the case with large-scale infrastructure. To know a whole town sank—whole memories of people washed away—is heartbreaking. Rare to see a travel show confront the personal history of the places it visits.
It's a travel show, of course, but there's almost a samurai quality to it. The locations Ogane visits often feel isolated and she comes off as a wanderer—helping strangers along the way, entering and leaving quietly.
What an unconventional yet entertaining film that highlights how even the most innocuous things can be the catalyst for great moments. You really feel like you're just listening in on conversations here, not privy to much but piecing together enough to get a sense of who these kids are. It's a fun hour.
Classic sex comedy. I'll watch Nakamura Yurika in anything but gotta say the first ep surprised me with how funny it was. (Also ONO and mzsrz splitting OP-ED duties!)
I kind of wish they did more with Takemichi's character arc if they were going with the ending they did, but overall a serviceable film with a great cast (although a little underutilized, in the case of some actors). I only wish it was a little more brutal. I never felt like spewing my guts watching it, on a physical or emotional level, which is kind of what I wanted from a film like this.
It was a joy seeing Miyako and her father grow from estranged to some semblance of a family again. Sasaki Kuranosuke and Fujino Ryoko have great chemistry.
I hope to visit Kyoto the next time I go to Japan. The way it's presented in the drama, it almost becomes a character in itself. The streets, the shops, the people... all of it playing a part in our two leads' journey.
Seeing things flipped for Toko at the end, particularly with Kogumaya being the one to invite her to bear her heart in song, really brought everything full circle. It was a neat way to wrap up the show with a pretty bow.
Over the course of the series, as these characters were healing, I was healing to. I saw myself reflected in their frustrations and little triumphs. When they aired things out, it felt like I got to do the same. That's its greatest strength.
I didn't expect this drama to have an elegant a finale as it did. It's been a joy seeing where these characters have ended up over the course of 8 episodes. While discussions of mass media formed the show's structural backbone, I found the journey of our three leads ultimately imparted a lot more.
The biggest charm of this drama is definitely the friendship among the 3 leads. No matter how down on their luck they are, at least they're not alone. ☺️
I hope to visit Kyoto the next time I go to Japan. The way it's presented in the drama, it almost becomes a character in itself. The streets, the shops, the people... all of it playing a part in our two leads' journey.
Over the course of the series, as these characters were healing, I was healing to. I saw myself reflected in their frustrations and little triumphs. When they aired things out, it felt like I got to do the same. That's its greatest strength.
Praying for another season. I was just starting to fall in love with it and then it's over!
The things we do for the people we love... *sigh*