[REVIEW] MARS Tada Kimi wo Aishiteru

If you're looking for tons of Fujigaya hotness overload, then this is the drama for you. It's the right mix of shoujo, dark-ish, romance and eye candy you're looking for. If you're a fan of Gaya, go see this! Definitely worth your time.

What I love about this is the big twist. I've never read the manga so I'm not familiar with the premise. This is the first time I've ever seen this so everything is new to me.

THAT BIG TWIST is what really made it. Kudos to Kubota Masataka too for being such a great actor. He deserves all the awards!

Also, I never thought Gaya was such a good actor too. Glad he's not just a pretty face. Although if you're looking for a pretty face, then this is definitely your drama.

All the Fujigaya goodness and the shoujo beauty in one drama. Go see it!

The only thing I'm mad about is the movie's credits. They really had to put Marie's name after Kubota and Fujigaya? Not WITH them? Come on! She's part of the main cast as much as Kubota and Fujigaya were!! I really don't understand why they had to separate her name from the two. Perhaps, this is the patriarchy at work.

[REVIEW] Raintree no Kuni

This movie is about a partially deaf girl's struggles fitting in society. Finding romance along the way, she finds someone who loves her truly despite her disability. The beautiful thing about the relationship is they grow together, help each other progress in their struggles. Hitomi (girl), thru Shin's (boy) help, develops confidence in herself, embracing her deafness rather than be embarrassed about it. Shin on the other hand, learns to face the reality of his father's condition. It's a great romance overall.

Although I disagree with the movie's message that "love is kindness, not sacrifice." Initially at the start of the film, love (through a story book called Fairy Game) was presented as a sacrifice, in a really negative light that you don't get anything from it (because the pair from the story book didn't have a happy ending). To me, that's exactly the point, it's supposed to be unconditional. You don't get anything from it, but you love anyway because you choose to, but you sacrifice things anyway because you choose to, because you love. It's not only kindness. It's both kindness and sacrifice going hand in hand.

I just found it quite boring, to be honest. It's full of substance though, I think that's the best part.

Anyway, I saw the MV on Kisumai's channel a few months ago and I wondered why they were using sign language. That song (Saigo mo Yappari Kimi) apparently is the theme for this movie so it makes sense now. THE MUSIC IS AMAZING BTW I have it on repeat. Very beautiful.

Starring: Tamamori Yuta and Mariya Nishiuchi

[REVIEW] Conexion

Tons of spoilers. I thought I need to tell the entire story because it's not exactly something that most people have seen given it's just a mini drama.

The premise was amazing by the way, set not far off in the future (the year was 2026? I think? Not sure) where artificial intelligence pairs you up with a potential romantic marriage partner as part of Japan's initiative to boost birth rates. AI gets its data from your public records and pairs you up with people whom you have similar skills, tastes, hobbies, etc with. The pairs are scheduled on regular dates where they get to know each other. If things don't work out, the AI sets you up on another date with another person. This app, led by the government, was called Conexion.

The story focuses on Yokoo's and Fuigaya's characters, struggling to move on from their past struggles that keep them from moving forward with their lives. I feel so bummed that Senga's character didn't have much exposure! I wish he had more screen time.

In the beginning, the story centers around Yokoo's character, the shy, timid, unconfident and hesitant person finding himself happy only when he talks about bikes, soooo he gets paired up with someone who likes bikes. His struggles were about feeling rejected (which explains why he was so shy) and having low self-esteem. He overcame this thru Fujigaya's character's help (I mean, coming from a ladiesman character lol)

Fujigaya's character's issue however, is more about feeling ashamed that he didn't do his best in the past which impacted a family's (his crush's family lol) livelihood in a really bad way. He struggled to move on from this by not feeling enough as a person. He felt undeserving of their love. Yokoo's character, having gained confidence earlier in the story, now pushed Fujigaya's character to be more upfront with himself and not take all the blame. His "victims" have forgiven him anyway so it's time that he forgives himself and give the relationship with his crush another chance.

Senga's character? oh boy. He was the hacker of the AI marriage program who booked his friends' dates! He reunited Fujigaya's character with his old crush and he booked Yokoo's character with his favorite biker Youtuber. At first, he gets in legal trouble for it but in the end, he magically didn't require jailtime for hacking a government app lol

It's a great story about friendship — that you support each other no matter what (and no matter how long you haven't seen each other lol). Also, about moving on from your past, Rather than pulling you down, should push you forward.

Fujigaya has always been in the spotlight for dramas, movies and stageplays so this is actually the first time I'm seeing Yokoo and Senga act for real. No kidding, they're good actors!

Recently, Senga got his first lead acting gig! I think it's called Fuufu Enman Recipe? It's such a great thing to hear about people who are not in the spotlight often, get offered leading man roles. Dude, the synopsis of this drama is no joke. Slice of life. I feel so happy for him with this amazing opportunity!

Oh and Yokoo!! My impression of him is this dependable guy who always knows what to do, the husband-type actually — reliable, secure, dependable, trustworthy. Btw, that's just based on his acts from Kisumai Busaiku lol. But in this mini drama, he acts all shy like he doesn't know what to do on dates and how to even be around people. What a contrast. I hope he gets more acting gigs.

Lastly, did you notice the Busaiku Easter egg? Lol

Starring: Yokoo Wataru, Senga Kento, Fujigaya Taisuke

[REVIEW] Coffee and Vanilla

Okay, this drama is entirely fanservice. It doesn't have substance at all. It's one of those cringe films you'll ever watch. But if you're into kabedons, kissing scenes and teases with no substantial storyline, then this is for you.

I saw it mainly because of Sakurada Dori. If we're only talking about fanservice and his smexy performance then this is an A. The entire thing is such a Sakurada Dori thirst quencher. Super hot CEO, ド-S senpai and super kawaii damsel kouhai. Perfect recipe for hot shoujo goodness full of kissing scenes.

Risa (the girl) is such a damsel in distress. She tries to stand on her own, sure, but she always needs help in the end so she didn't progress from her damsel status.

The reason everybody likes her is because she's cute. Boys dig her. Every guy fell in love with her at first sight, including Sakurada's character. That's it.

This drama actually reminded me of this anime called Diabolik Lovers. It's also entirely fanservice with a damsel in distress super cute girl where the vampires boys always sucked her blood in a sexy manner. It's like a way to pass off inappropriate material disguised in hungry vampires lol.

Ijou desu.

Starring: Sakurada Dori and Fukuhara Haruka

[REVIEW] Kamen Teacher

First off, it starts with a 10+-episode drama, then a movie prequel, then a movie. I HAVEN'T SEEN THE 2ND MOVIE! PLEASE IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN FIND AN ENG SUB PLEASE LET ME KNOW, I'M DYING OF DESPERATION LOL

I only saw this because of Fujigaya because the second half of my 2022 is my Fujigaya phase lol

Btw, this is the only "Kamen" film I've ever seen. I haven't seen any Kamen Rider films my whole life so I don't really know if I can compare this with Kamen Rider.

It's actually more like Gokusen. Kamen teacher disciplines rowdy students through violence to keep the school at peace from delinquents. Fujigaya's Kamen teacher however, is one who doesn't use violence. He believes more in trust rather than fist. He's a Kamen Rider who doesn't punch. Rather, he dodges punches aimed at him to show students he won't hurt them.

It stars Johnny's Jrs from back in the day, who have now debuted, Kishi Yuta, Jesse, Kyomoto Taiga, Kikuchi Fuma, Matsumura Hokuto (1st movie), Tanaka Juri (1st movie) and others I don't remember lol. It's basically a training drama for Johnny's Jr talents! lol SixTones was complete except for Kochi and Morimoto. Zannen desu ne.

Lastly, the movie stars Masataka Kubota who is the "main not-so-bad student" in the 1st movie. When I saw him together with Gaya, it reminded me of MARS. Funny they have so much chemistry together. I think they should do more projects.

[REVIEW] Yameru toki mo, Sukoyaka naru toki mo (In Sickness and in health) (Us Forever on Netflix)

I CRIED A LOT! SO MUCH FEELINGS, SO MUCH REALITY Okay, I'm not going to spoil much. It's THAT AWESOME

I don't even know where to begin! It's such a beautiful realistic romantic story.

For starters, it's not a love at first sight story, they met because of work.

The only cringe moment for me was why Ichiharu (Fujigaya's character) decided to date Sakurako (Nao). That was so depressing but I'm really glad with how the story addressed it and how the characters moved forward from it. It's part of their struggles.

Both Ichiharu and Sakurako have their own personal burdens that affected their relationship as a couple, their relationship with their past selves and their relationship with their families. It's such a realistic story about real life family problems, anxiety, health condition, work motivations, love problems, etc. Slice of life definitely. It touches everything!

I'm so glad I saw it on Netflix. Worth the money actually.

Starring: Fujigaya Taisuke, Nao

[REVIEW] Ikemen Desu Ne

Having seen the original Korean one a looooooooooong long time ago, I only remember the basic synopsis of it so I can't really compare it with this Japanese adaptation.

Spoiler!

Cameos by: Katori Shingo, Kitayama Hiromitsu, and freaking Jang Geun Suk himself! I screamed when he appeared lol Also, the actor who played the talent agency's president, I think, was a nod to Johnny Kitagawa because he kept saying "You" lol

The main reason I saw it only now is because back in 2011, Yaotome was the only cast member I knew. I didn't know who the other cast members were. But now that I do, and since the other one is Fujigaya, I decided to go see it lol

The entire thing is okay, really. It's more Tamamori Yuta-focused since he's the leading man so he gets all the attention. AND BTW HIS HAIRSTYLE WAS THE HAIRSTYLE I LOVE THE MOST AMONG JPOP CELEBS, IT'S THE ONE MATSUJUN USED THE MOST IN HIS TWENTIES HUHU

Since this is leaning more towards shoujo, there's a love triangle (or square? actually) It's okay, it's your typical shoujo story with bits of fanservice. Girl pretends to be a boy to save her brother's idol career, ends up falling in love with her band members. Yes, very shoujo.

Starring: Tamamori Yuta, Takimoto Miori, Fujigaya Taisuke, Yaotome Hikaru