I always knew Sakomoto Yugo had a great slacker film in him, ironically it's about people trying to claw their way out of it. Kubo Shiori is no slouch but it's Taira Yuna who steals the show, delivering perhaps her best performance yet with a Ruka that's equal times sardonic and sincere. That final stretch is just breathless and contains one of the most powerful musical scenes I've ever seen. Great great great stuff. Who knew Sakamoto would be one of our GL saviours? (Well, Baby Assassins fans knew!)
Over the past few weeks, I kept thinking about the title. "Kaedama Bravo." A second helping. A chance to do it over again. I wondered who exactly would get that. Karina? It makes sense. She's who we follow most, and the equilibrium of her life is literally upended by one event. It's foretold to her that this period is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, that she would be remiss to not seize it. But then there's also Yumi. Things haven't been working out for so long, could it be time to enter a second coming-of-age? To close this chapter and start anew?
Turns out it's both, but more importantly, the real congratulations should be directed at their friendship. While the two were fighting, they reaffirmed exactly why they've been friends for so long. They both came out of these trials changed, but also learned. You can find new ways to fit. So, bravo to them! Or should I say, brave! This yorudora was a delight and I still can't believe it ended so soon. Kaedama! One more season! NHK, PLEASE!
The last few minutes of episode three were really good. The back-and-forth between the past and the present highlighting the thematic throughline of the episode. They fall back into old rituals but now there's a palpable shift ("comfortable" as friends but "different" as lovers). I actually like the heavy use of flashbacks because how long they've been dancing around each other is an important in understanding why Wataru is so hesistant and why Minato's proposal comes as a shock.
Really sad to let these characters go, I would truly follow them on any of their life journeys, but I'm happy to have arrived at this ending. In many ways, this and Jaa Anta airing in the same season allowed us a kind of magic. It felt like they were having a conversation with each other in certain aspects.
Not the very best Okada drama but I still found moments to laugh at and shed tears to. It was a nice comforting embrace during this particular year-end.
What a clean ending. You could argue too clean but they do the work to build up to it. Takeuchi Ryoma is revelatory…
I'm so glad they kept it open-ended. This is neither Ayumi and Katsuo's ending, but both their beginning. They're new people now, free of the baggage of their previous relationship. They spent the whole season long getting to that point, of course it wouldn't be easy to just fall back into each other. And they don't need to be together romantically to have a relationship when that box only strains things!
What a clean ending. You could argue too clean but they do the work to build up to it. Takeuchi Ryoma is revelatory in this, a weaker actor really wouldn't have been able to sell EbiKatsu at all but he's so believably earnest that you can't help but be charmed, and Kaho is striking as the burgeoning wallflower, vulnerable but not at all pitiful even at her lowest. It really is no wonder why this was the breakout hit of the season.
I was so unsure of where this drama would take us, but halfway through and it's clearer than ever: healing old wounds, navigating life's complexities, growing up. I'm happy to be on this ride with these characters.
There's shades of other Okada work here: of recent, Nijiiro Karute, given the ensemble cast and the emphasis on cathartic storytelling, but the found family aspect of Nichiyo no Yoru Gurai wa is also present and informs the dynamics in similar ways. So, it's on its way to becoming one of his classics. When the dude's on fire, he's unstoppable lol.
And they did. Nagi is the Arata to Meguru's Chihaya. Fantastic writing across the board. My only gripe? I want more. Give me all the generations. Give me all the school teams. Truly one of the greatest franchises to have ever blessed us.
The idea is his, so it makes sense for him to direct his own work.. He said he got inspired by the beach episodes…
The beach episodes in Never Let Me Go were a welcome reprieve in an otherwise typical Jojo show. Whether that holds up for a full series... well, I just have my doubts. The first episode was rough but it was mostly awkward set-up so maybe it'll pick up now that we're past it.
I'm still shocked they let Jojo direct this. It's not in his wheelhouse. Not exactly the first person I think of when it comes to escapist fantasies or coming of age narratives. It needs gloss, not grit, and he's hardly the earnest type.
Once again, the writing is top notch. The double Ruka thing could easily be a gimmick but instead their own individuality and dynamic relationship is the crux. If the end goal of the series is the self-actualization of "mass-produced" types, then what happens with two people who mirror each other in that way start diverging paths? Add to that some welcome love letters to classic coming-of-age cinema (referencing Typhoon Club on its 40th anniversary year!) and you really just feel the care and love from everyone involved. Truly the franchise that keeps on giving.
We really could walk away with this being one of the strongest Rider shows. They let Komura Junko cook and she's delivered a Michelin star meal right up to the final arc.
This is brilliant so far. The LA adaptations of Chihayafuru are such a tough act to follow (genuinely some of my favourite movies in the youth genre), I'm glad they brought back so many of the original staff to do a sequel justice.
Turns out it's both, but more importantly, the real congratulations should be directed at their friendship. While the two were fighting, they reaffirmed exactly why they've been friends for so long. They both came out of these trials changed, but also learned. You can find new ways to fit. So, bravo to them! Or should I say, brave! This yorudora was a delight and I still can't believe it ended so soon. Kaedama! One more season! NHK, PLEASE!
Really sad to let these characters go, I would truly follow them on any of their life journeys, but I'm happy to have arrived at this ending. In many ways, this and Jaa Anta airing in the same season allowed us a kind of magic. It felt like they were having a conversation with each other in certain aspects.
Not the very best Okada drama but I still found moments to laugh at and shed tears to. It was a nice comforting embrace during this particular year-end.
There's shades of other Okada work here: of recent, Nijiiro Karute, given the ensemble cast and the emphasis on cathartic storytelling, but the found family aspect of Nichiyo no Yoru Gurai wa is also present and informs the dynamics in similar ways. So, it's on its way to becoming one of his classics. When the dude's on fire, he's unstoppable lol.
they will meet in the end
And they did. Nagi is the Arata to Meguru's Chihaya. Fantastic writing across the board. My only gripe? I want more. Give me all the generations. Give me all the school teams. Truly one of the greatest franchises to have ever blessed us.
My chaotic trio, I'll miss you...