1Attack on Titan Live-Action: A Misunderstood Adaptation
1. This looks amazing for the budget and time this was made in, it's not an Hollywood blockbuster and they put in a lot of work (hybrid filming, meaning tokusatsu mixed with CGI). The titans are portrayed as they should, creepy and horrifying. That in itself works better in live action, imo, as it does overall if you like the more grounded feel. I understand why people could make fun of them in the trailer but while watching the movie I was not laughing, and if that's how you see it then it's literally the same in the anime, in fact they're even worse.2. The author himself asked for the differences, he literally worked with them.
3. This is closer to Chapter 0, the author's trial before the actual manga.
4. Brilliant details such as the movies being adapted as a novel inspired by Dante's Inferno, the implied bisexuality of Kirishima's character in the white room scene (Matrix reference) with Eren being a parallel to Satan tempting Adam and Eve. Yes Levi will be the cooler guy but Kirishima is meaningful in the story. (explanation for Levi's removal at 32:20 on the video mentioned below, basically they needed someone who confronts and stands against the main protagonist (Eren), whether physically or mentally and Levi shouldn't have to carry the burden of that role, but they added a tinge of Levi's presence in him)
5. The music itself was amazing and the whole movie was artistic with beautiful landscapes and sets. And of course that final shot. Speaking of, the setting of the movie (modern Japan) also allowed for classism in its world of walls, with the tower of Babel even being mentioned at the very center as the government. (25:50)
6. The characters themselves are actually the same, that was said by the director. While Levi isn't there, you might be shocked because he was considered as the main character until Isayama decided to make them write a different story (20:00). Since at that time the anime was already telling the manga's story, it would not have been a creative choice.
7. Lastly, I want to thank Miura for his brilliant portrayal as Eren. Rest in peace... It was really disheartening to find out after I looked up his name when I finished Part 1. Miura's words about his love for the team and it being a powerful film literally moved the director to tears. My heart broke when I saw that.
8. Attack on Titan (itself inspired by tokusatsu) was the first tokusatsu film production of this scale, which marked the history of Japanese cinema and also premiered in Hollywood. Now that might sound like the criticism was nothing, but that's not the case. And obviously, the majority of the Attack on Titan fandom is constituted of Western fans. Even if you won't watch the whole video, I sincerely ask to watch the last part about the reception. The Hollywood screenings themselves made it worse with defective subtitles that either got fixed or not which provoked refunds, memes, and a recap on their YouTube channel for the second part.
TitanGoji's latest videos on the movie if you're interested: (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsiDKUgsnosJqpQbtq452u0WjNTt-Tlaq) Please at least look up the "Attack on Titan Live-Action: What Happened?" video if you have time and if you're interested in the Attack on Titan franchise. I can already see people throwing shade at this live action when the Hollywood adaptation comes out, which is incredibly disrespectful...
// Details of my earlier points
The official novelizations published by Kodansha are based on the film screenplays by Tomohiro Machiyama and Yusuke Watanabe—they are not adaptations of the manga.
What's particularly interesting is the chapter structure.
The first novel (Attack on Titan) contains chapter titles such as:
辺獄 (Limbo)
地獄の門 (The Gate of Hell)
ディーテの市 (City of Dis)
遅悔者 (Late Repentant)
コキュートス (Cocytus)
ジュデッカ (Judecca)
These are all locations or concepts directly associated with Dante's Inferno.
The second novel (End of the World) continues the pattern with chapters including:
ミーノスの審判 (The Judgment of Minos)
エデンの真実 (The Truth of Eden)
アケローン川の畔 (On the Banks of the Acheron)
悪魔と聖女 (The Devil and the Saint)
Again, Minos and the River Acheron are unmistakable references to Inferno.
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Crazy Funny!
This is such an adorably funny creative non-sensical series that if one did not appreciate it, then you have no funny-bone to tickle. One simply cannot take this series with any serious intent. It is satirical; a comedy through and through and I laughed consistently. Honestly, Thai BLs that are ‘comedies’ are exceptionally rare and ones that are done to near perfection are even rarer. This IS funny. It is presented completely in a tongue-in-cheek fashion and I for one utterly enjoyed every minute of it. The whole premise is unmitigatedly absurd, and it was meant to be from the beginning. Although there are certainly poignant moments speckled throughout the series, they become merely more highlighted by the silliness around them.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Longer Than a Mini-Drama, Yet Somehow Even More Ridiculous
I’ve never seen a female lead this absurdly overpowered before.I’ve only watched a few episodes, but the pacing already feels more rushed than those 15-minute-per-episode vertical dramas. Things happen at lightning speed with barely any buildup or proper storytelling.
The female lead is supposed to be someone who got a second chance at life, but she acts more like she has a game system guiding her every move. She’s the daughter of a general, yet the writers treat her like she’s the empress of an empire. Every prince wants to marry her as his official wife. Even funnier, there are countless princes around, but somehow they’re all conveniently single—or their previous wives have died—just waiting for the female lead to make her choice.
Her detective skills are downright supernatural. She can identify everything just by smelling people. She catches a prince carrying a woman’s perfume and instantly concludes he’s secretly involved with a dancer. Then she smells a feminine fragrance on another female character and somehow jumps straight to, “Ah, she’s disguised as a man.” 🤡
The only reason I’m still watching is because the cast is ridiculously attractive. I’m curious whether the story will improve later.
Oh, and one last thing—the male lead has the exact same “look at me, I’m so cool” acting style as Zhang Linghe. Did they attend the same acting class or what? It’s painfully cheesy.
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This review may contain spoilers
worse if not the worst work of Zhang Linghe
this is totally my pov. it's okay even if no one agrees with me but I'm disappointed at the story build-up!I'm used to watching Zhang Linghe as an intelligent, smart character guy but in this drama he literally is just a dumb guy, an emotional fool. i get it he has trauma but the dynamic between ml & fl is too cliché, repeatedly annoying. the only thing that kept me going to finish the drama is visual✨ & ost 🤌 in the first few episodes the story was advancing quite nicely but idk what happened in the middle. after destroying the huo family they should have finished the drama there with showing their happily ever after but no that killing Li Rongzhan troop was really unnecessary.
Literally everyone (good or bad) died except the male & female lead. does it make any sense? the second couple too they did not have any sweet moments together! also how can a mother be thaaaat crazy like cheng zingdi? ridiculous! she didn't raise her daughter, her second son & mostly her 1st son. wtf did she even do? crazy woman! no i won't try to understand her character either.
btw i liked ren susu eyeliner. can someone make a tutorial for that please??
i hope zhang Linghe chooses better script next time and yeah poj was his peak he just proved that with overdo. i was really excited for this drama after watching the trailer but got equally disappointed!
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I would say if you wanna watch it go give it a try .Don't drop it too early but you should be ready to accept the ending and trauma this drama will give you . You will either like this drama or hate it so much
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After Moving Seats, the Boy Behind Me Has a Crush on Me
24 people found this review helpful
by NLE 
1
1 The Same High School BL Trope With One Seat Change and I Still Fall for It Every Time
Japan, you have done it again. Give me the same high school BL trope for the hundredth time and somehow I will still be completely hooked. There is just something about Japanese BLs that makes them so awkward, wholesome, and strangely addictive in the best possible way.As the title says, After Moving Seats, the Boy Behind Me Has a Crush on Me begins with a simple classroom seat change that unexpectedly turns Mayama's quiet school life upside down. Mayama is a loner with no close friends, but he is such a kind, gentle, and adorable character that it is impossible not to like him. After finding a handwritten confession from the popular and handsome Asamiya, he naturally assumes it has to be a mistake. Instead of dragging out the misunderstanding, they meet face to face almost immediately, and Asamiya honestly tells him that the confession was always meant for him.
I really liked how the drama skipped the usual long misunderstanding and got straight to the point. Asamiya knows exactly who he likes and is completely confident about his feelings, which made the confession feel refreshing instead of frustrating.
The first few episodes was incredibly cute, heartwarming, and moved at a nice pace without feeling like a slow burn. The music also matched the soft and cozy atmosphere perfectly.
And can we talk about episode 6? Probably my favourite episode yet. Their confession beside the lake was so beautiful and heartfelt, and then that kiss made the whole moment even more special. It wasn’t a dead fish kiss at all. They are high school students and this was probably their first kiss, so I thought it was perfect for them. It felt innocent, nervous, tender and completely genuine.
“What kind of like? It’s the one where I want to hold your hand, to touch you, to hug you.”
That confession completely melted my heart. There was something so pure about the way he described his feelings. He didn’t need some huge dramatic speech. He simply wanted to be close to the person he loved, to hold his hand, touch him and hug him. Then having their feelings finally come together with that beautiful kiss beside the lake made the entire scene unforgettable.
This is a great series but my only small criticism is that I really wish this was a university BL instead of a high school BL. The actors are 28 and 26, playing 17 and 18 year old students, which is more than 10 years younger than their actual ages.
The characters themselves definitely act and dress like high school students, so it’s really just the actors’ faces and mature appearance that make them look older. You can tell they’re not 17 or 18, and it’s noticeable enough that I had to mention it. I think they would have suited university students much better.
Even though the storyline is one we have seen countless times in Japanese BLs, it feels fresh because of its warm, comforting vibe and lovable characters. I already know this is going to become one of my comfort shows over the next few weeks, and I cannot wait to see how Mayama and Asamiya's relationship develops.
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fucked it up at the end
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Full of Aura Farming
It starts as a slow and casual office drama, but the story keeps getting bigger and bigger with every episode. The writing is surprisingly strong, and every character feels well-developed. Just when you think you've figured everything out, another satisfying plot twist changes the game.The main character is the highlight of the drama. Watching them outsmart everyone and slowly build their aura with every challenge is incredibly satisfying. Some of the supporting characters also have excellent development, to the point that I couldn't believe how much they had changed by the end.
Overall, this is an amazing K-drama. A slow start, but once it finds its rhythm, it never looks back.
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Great acting and a touch of magic realism
Well, I'm now on ep 27 and I think I've now watched enough of this series to say I'm thoroughly enjoying this drama. The direction and editing may not be top notch, but the acting is great, the atmosphere is very well achieved, the background music comes in at precisely the right moment to great effect, the aesthetics are superb. Sure, there are plot holes, but they aren't serious enough to break the storyline and they are mainly down to mediocre editing. The characters have also become much more neatly outlined.What I'm enjoying most is actually the sheer excess, how over the top everything and everybody is, the far too damaging trauma that somehow doesn't lose hope, the screaming-for-redemption toxicity that both ZLH and WCR portray so well. I'm just sitting back, eating sunflower seeds, having a glass of wine and letting all of it wash over me.
At this point I'm giving it 8.5 only because of the let down the direction and editing are, otherwise it'd be a 9.
EDIT: I have now finished this drama, the last 6 eps were even better.
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A drama where flawed adults confront the realities that shape them
This screenwriter clearly has a gift for crafting emotional stories centered on older, weathered characters played by veteran actors who carry decades of life in their faces. Her last three works feel like they come from the same mold, but honestly, if the mold keeps producing this level of depth, why change it. I loved My Mister, found Liberation Notes slower but still quietly brilliant.This drama starts rough. The main characters are imperfect, obnoxious, even embarrassing at times. They push you away before they pull you in. But as the story unfolds, their flaws become the very thing that makes them human. You start to understand them, then root for them, then feel protective of them. Their growth isn’t dramatic or flashy; it’s slow, painful, and shaped by the people around them. Watching them confront their inner demons and gradually become wiser feels earned. Hardship teaches lessons that comfort never will, and this drama understands that better than most.
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Second Lead steal the show
The biggest problem with this drama is the main couple. Their chemistry feels completely off, making the romance hard to believe. Office romances usually thrive on tension, secret relationships, and exciting workplace dynamics, but this drama barely delivers any of that. Everything just feels forced and lacks emotional impact.The second couple is easily the best part of the show. They have much better chemistry, more tension, and a far more interesting story. Honestly, they were the main reason I kept watching until the end.
Overall, it's just an average office romance. A few good moments, but the weak main couple keeps it from being anything memorable.
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nonsense
This drama actually starts off really well. The female lead is pure chaos in the best way, making every episode fun to watch, and the premise has a lot of potential. It keeps you invested and makes you curious about where the story is going.Unfortunately, everything starts to fall apart after episode 10. The plot becomes confusing, and many things happen without a satisfying explanation. It had the potential to be much better, but the writing never fully delivers.
Overall, it's a pretty mid drama. It has a promising beginning, but the second half holds it back from being something truly memorable.
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It break my heart so much
When reality hits them so hard, so they can't do anything except to let go each otherThis drama is painfully realistic. It starts with a simple premise and an ordinary love story, but from the middle until the very end, the tension keeps rising and the plot twists hit surprisingly hard. Every decision feels real, making it impossible not to sympathize with the characters.
The female lead does everything she can to save the relationship, but reality simply won't let it happen. That's what makes this story so heartbreaking, it isn't about a lack of love, but about circumstances that slowly pull two people apart.
I cried so much watching this movie. The story is beautifully written, the acting feels genuine, and the emotional ending stayed with me long after the credits rolled.
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Good to watch but not that good to remember
It started with good premise of doctor who had experience and placed in island, also fighting his trauma but just a few episode it got repetitive and mid, sometimes fun sometimes boring till Second couple become more interesting than the first because the story was just repeating so that the second feel more refreshWas this review helpful to you?
They gave me absolutely nothing
This drama gave me absolutely nothing. I honestly don't know why it was made because, by the end, I still couldn't tell what story it was trying to tell. There was barely any plot, scenes jumped from one thing to another with almost no connection, and it felt like entire parts of the story were missing. Instead of building suspense or emotion, it just left me confused. I never connected with the characters or the romance because there wasn't enough development to make me care. Every episode made me think something meaningful was finally about to happen... but nothing ever did. It's frustrating because the premise had potential, yet the execution was so disjointed that I finished it wondering what the point of it all was.Was this review helpful to you?
