That plot twist is like in my rainy days and ofcourse it is from the same director. It is cliche and the theme is nothing new it's just enhanced in a way but what I really like is the execution. The shots are wonderful with romantic gestures that are not bigger than life it's more subtle and believable. That Nozomi launch to mars in episode 4 is breathtaking, god tier metaphor, cosmos is indeed romantic. The wedding scene speech is also powerful another well executed moving scene and ofcourse Hikari when she heard again Utada's first love.
This is not just a love story it involves other relationships as well and it is well explored in a way. Main leads relationship along with these other relationships play along and weaves beautifullly with the core theme of this story. Flashbacks can be struggle but once you get familiarize with the characters it will just flow naturally . . . these scenes plays like a Jigsaw Puzzle.
The most thrilling Lee Sang Il film because of the topic, for 2 1/2 hours I was on the edge of my seat, I didn't even notice how much time had passed. Some may find the pacing slow but I didn't really feel it the constant shift between present and past didn't end up confusing. Technical aspect is quite strong from captivating cinematography, beautiful montage, powerful music and strong acting quite possibly the best acting from suzu hirose to date. Trade mark Lee Sang Il there is the crime but other areas will be explored as we approach that crime so don't think of it as just a mystery drama it is more of a human drama. The director who always challenge the viewers this one is more vague than akunin.
I like his role choice lately from Lee Sang Il to Zeze Takahisa then Fujii Michihito. New batch of ikemen actors are getting serious about their craft.
Kings of human dramas joining forces I'm curious about the end product tho I hope it will be good one is more on the show and the other tell it thru words which made me more excited we could see something different here. Judging that short teaser tho it seems it will be heavy drama like soredemo and mother and not something similar to saiko no rikon and quartet.
This writer has great sensibility and empathy just look at those dialogue and observe their actions even for minor character like her friend . Cliche characters with non cliche behaviour there's your triangle but they don't serve as mere plot device instead they contribute to the overall theme of this story. It's like when I first watch Koreeda's Like Father, Like Son taught me there is a different way to tell that kind story.
Kaho is superb in that episode and I am not even surprised. I knew when I saw these calibre actors for support roles that there is depth within these characters. Fresh well written characters plus actors who can really act is a formula for a masterpiece of a drama. If the family matters handled in a non cliche way like give us different perspective things we haven't seen before then this could be the Japanese drama of the year for me. I am happy that this is more of a human drama than an ordinary cliche romantic drama and again for a Japanese drama that is trying to be good nailing the theme gets the priority than other superficial actions rampant for romantic dramas.
What a combo the dynamic between Ito Marika and Tomita Miu is awesome. Though I am not a fan of sandwiches that spills over or the idea of fruit in a sandwich is weird to me the process of making them is still beautiful to see. Just like other food dramas there still a story to see this one around 70/30.
Why do people find it hard to believe that tsumugi loved minato? it's because of countless of romantic dramas that treated this type of character, your minds are conditioned to this kind of trope. I appreciate the realism this drama brings that song from spitz summarize it well.
Hard to rate this type of series since each episode has different story and people behind it but if I choose my favorite would be episode 3. The most dialogue heavy but it's the one that bored me less. Also the writing in that episode is fresh. 1 and 6 feel the most american, 4 serious topic filmed with japanese elements, 2 and 5 has that indie movie vibe, 7 is a cute anime with cute ending.
That atom toy reminds me of that thing sakurai use whenever he needs new animations for his smash characters. It is probably based on that. I just hope game devs in Japan made a cameo in this drama they are unique character themselves. Guile reference is also nice your style in fighting games reflects your character. This drama is well researched.
Minato is a fresh character in a drama I haven't seen anyone like him. I love the depth on this episode I think I already know the part of kazama shunsuke and kaho in the story and now I am both curious and excited for Shinohara Ryoko's part. I hope people won't look at this as "who gets the girl" type of story that would be too shallow imo.
I don't care about the definition but to me not all tearjerkers are sad actually most are inspiring, hopeful, will make you feel human and what makes it effective is the execution and I think out of all countries Japan did it the best. From anime, video games and dramas I can think of a lot that made me teary eyed and it's not because how sad the story was told it's because of the execution, the sequence of scenes lead to that emotion. That final confetti scene mastered that craft perfectly from the moment he is a boy to speaking to his child up to that last scene . . . chef kiss. This drama is great, an eye opener, superb characterization, will stay true to its theme up the very end.
So apparently the screenwriter works as a nurse before this drama. This is her first work as a writer after she won that award. What a career shift lol things you only see in movies. After watching 3 episodes I think it's safe to say she has a bright future in this industry Miku Ubukata remember the name.
Male lead is similar with Kohji in Aishiteiru to Ittekure the difference is it happen to him at later age, the question is will the ending be the same but the female lead's mental age seems to be higher than Hiroko. This drama has some good writing, love the silent moments no pun intented, I wonder who is the screenwriter, romantic gestures reminds me of old doramas. I'm also curious with the support roles, there are some big names there so they might see something with these roles.
1 
a. mom
b. memory loss
c. politics
fck politics lol
This is not just a love story it involves other relationships as well and it is well explored in a way. Main leads relationship along with these other relationships play along and weaves beautifullly with the core theme of this story. Flashbacks can be struggle but once you get familiarize with the characters it will just flow naturally . . . these scenes plays like a Jigsaw Puzzle.
9/10
9/10
there's your triangle but they don't serve as mere plot device instead they contribute to the overall theme of this story. It's like when I first watch Koreeda's Like Father, Like Son taught me there is a different way to tell that kind story.
8.5/10
cure
shall we dance
eel
tokyo sonata
13 assasins
chronicles of my mother
world of kanako
the blood of wolves
He didn't do much drama series but idaten and rikuoh would be good.
8/10
9/10