realdeal

Kawai Yuumi shines here which makes me believe she is ready for an asadora role. Comedic timing? Star power? Screen presence? Acting chops? she got them all. To be honest she is better than some of these actresses with asadora role. lol

I like this as much as I like hell dogs (another masato harada film). I only need badassery for this type of movie which we got. I don't need character study ala Koreeda or Lee Sang Il. There are many baddass female characters here not just Ando. Nishinari is popular on Youtube as the slum of Japan and that is the setting in this movie. So many colorful yet sad characters which makes this an interesting watch.

9/10

Not really sure but it may share the same universe as hell dogs. lol

Handsome people having a hard time concealing their identity.

What a script funny, fresh with a twist that I didn't see coming. If you enjoy quirky outside-the-box Japanese stories you will enjoy this one as well. A different Rinko Kikuchi I didn't thought she could play roles like this.

9/10

Underrated I enjoy this just a bit below compared to 13 assassins. It seems they didn't market this well with the amount of interest the west have for this genre thanks to shogun it should be more popular. Taiga is the standout for me and what a well layered performance from abe sadao.

9/10

It was a manga written in 1989 adapted to a drama in 1991 and 2020. The manga is seinen and it's more brutal version of this story.

At times I felt like doing this like walk wherever your feet take you 10k steps a day is healthy and every new experience you gain will be healthy for your mind and soul.

Ichikawa Mikako reaction is hilarious she is perfect for the role. Fresh unique alien plot lol bakarythm is very creative.

No.

They are definitely soulmates but soulmates doesn't always mean lovers. He didn't commit into a relationship for too long only for his soulmate could bring his love interest so they can connect. He works as a station attendant love the symbolism there. He acts like a father on the first act. The way I see it he just developed feelings for her when they exchange letters and the fact that she very much look like her mother also helps. He loved both but his soulmate is Shiori.

Quite possibly the best characterization in all of Koreeda's work it maybe because of the amount of time spent to explore each characters, 7 episodes some episodes even reach an hour. I think the only character that didn't get ample time is the son Jyo Kairi's character. Love every relationship presented here like Tsunako is similar to the dad and Makiko to mom, Takiko and Sakiko fight like 2 younger siblings, Makiko influence to her daughter, Takao the husband as the family mediator etc. There are no plot twist like you expect in some Koreeda masterpieces this drama is similar to Still Walking, My Little Sister etc. Too many thought provoking dialogue, I definitely see myself rewatching couple of scenes in the future. You may already see people comparing the legendary director Ozu to Koreeda and you will see that very obvious here. Lastly for the longest time I've been wanting to see Aoi Yu and Ryuhei Matsuda together in a film, two of the best subtle actors in Japan, I actually forgot about it already until I saw them here. These 2 dorks are lovely together and they are the only greenflag among the main cast lol.

9/10

Yeah I watched that on youtube without subs tho.

Yes from Hokkaido to Kagoshima. To the north is the first act the second act they went south. I just love the symbolism in this drama it is very rich.

I learn so many things about the in and outs of cult stuff in this drama (they even had cult consultant lmao) that of course if all of that are not total BS. Fun drama that can get serious at times. Btw Minami is such underrated actress.

Watch the director Nakagawa Ryutaro films. They are quite slow but great meditative movies.

You only need to look at the last work by this director "more than words". That's why many angry comments about that drama since it is not your usual BL but LGBT themed. LGBT themed movies exist way before BL term was invented.

shogo hama

Just watched 3 episodes. They are short compared to a normal drama length like 20-30 minutes each. I don't know anything about the Korean drama but I don't see any super toxic relationship here just like what the comments are saying. It is like a more mature, less toxic Coffee and Vanilla minus the cheesiness. There are many indie people behind the production like Nakagawa Ryutaro is the director so there is that vibe and I love it even supporting casts are composed of indie actors Aki Asakura, Fukuchi Momoko, Natsuko etc. I am liking the side couples more than the main couple btw.

Fantastic writing, strong acting, thought provoking thematically and one of the most symbolically rich Japanese dramas I've ever seen. I even think its writing could compete or better than Haruki Murakami's best works. One of the most wtf plot twists ever and I definitely didn't see that coming. There are hints but I wouldn't think they would dare to go that far but they did. That final part enriches this drama's theme by miles as it ties all the loose threads together in an impossibly twisted tale of love and happiness. It is uncomfortable as heck but writing wise it makes sense. What a masterpiece.

Now I dare you Netflix put this drama on your catalogue and make internet explode.

10/10

The manga ended I haven't finished reading it. The ending I heard is very controversial.

This is one of the best social commentary manga ever made. Well researched too especially in Japanese entertainment industry. We love Japanese dramas this will be an interesting watch. I haven't watched it though. The manga is long I don't know if 1 season plus 1 movie is enough.