Heroine Disqualified (2015)

This was my first JDrama after countless shoujo animes, and I still rewatch it from time to time (when I forget about the plot). It is dear to my heart, so I might be just a bit biased. If you're looking for a fun, lighthearted movie to forget about your current troubles, Heroine Disqualified is perfect.

Story is cliche, as other reviews mentioned. But since it was my first JDrama (and first Asian drama in general now that I think about it), I didn't mind. Nothing deep about the plot, just enough to get the story going but not too much that you'd have to think about it.

The female lead has cheesy moments, but not in the second half of the movie. And whiel the male lead is not too expressive, there are some small gestures he goes that I caught in the second time watching. Second female lead, acting is superb. Definitely love-hate relationship with her. Second male lead? Oh gosh, Kentaro stole my heart. Overall, the acting is pretty good.

I don't really remember the music, but I don't have anything negative to say about it either.

I have the memory of a goldfish so I forget drama plots very often, when I rewatch this movie, there's still some moments that get me squealing in my bed. I'm still invested in the story when I rewatch but however I do know the ending.

Also, to touch on the desperate aspect of the female lead, I didn't think she was overly clingy. Sure, she definitely was very attached to the male lead but hey, if my hot childhood guy friend that I've had a crush on for almost all my life decides to date a girl that's only known him for a few weeks? Heck yes I'd be just as desperate.

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Very realistic and great story.

FL = Female lead
ML= Male lead

"A Japanese romcom that is realistic?! No way." I know it sounds strange, but I truly think that this movie is very realistic for a romcom. Before some of you start debating me, no I do not think that very single detail of the movie is realistic such as the cafeteria guy running on the walls in the first ten minutes of the movie or any of the classic Japanese effects that add humor to the situation (such as arrows hitting/ rocks falling on the FL when she feels defeated).

HOWEVER, I do think that the actions/emotions of both the FL and the ML are very realistic and I think a lot of people would act the same way in their situations.
Examples (spoilers will occur):
- The way the FL was treating the ML's new gf was expected.
She was jealous and very passive aggressive and when she wasn't getting the reactions she expected out of the ML's gf, she felt shock and was uncertain of 'her roll in the story'. Disclaimer- I'm not saying that the way she treated ML's gf was valid or something I would do, I'm just saying the way she reacted was realistic for an extroverted and jealous teenage girl.
- The manipulation happening between the ML and his gf.
This topic is a very realistic situation in which the MF's gf manipulates him into not leaving her, even though he wants to and isn't truly happy with her. The whole reason why he didn't leave her is because she had him thinking that she was unwell or sick when she really wasn't, and he -believing her- knew he would feel extremely guilty if he left her all alone while she was sick and he was the only person that she relied on. Not only does this manipulation make him unhappy, but it causes him to distance himself from the FL (even though they were close friends their whole life) and that is a very realistic situation that makes the audience empathize with him, especially if they've been in that exact situation themselves.
- The FL trying to move on.
I think a lot of people can relate to trying to move on when they don't want to or aren't 100% ready to. When the FL tries to move on with the 2nd male lead, she finds that she's not able to truly move on even though she tries and can't help but still be in love with the ML. The guilt that she feels when she breaks the news to the 2nd male lead is something that I think a lot of people can empathize with even if they don't fully agree with her decision.

There is more, but I feel like I've already written an essay and might start to be losing some people's attention, lol.

Overall I think that this story is a good watch and I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did based on some reviews I read before hand, which just proves that the only opinion that matters is your own!! Is this story cliché? Yes. But, I truly think you need to watch it for yourself at least once! Thanks for reading!!

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The tale of two cowards

The first part of this review doesn't contain spoilers; the second does - read at your own discretion.

First part:

I think I went in with absolutely, utterly low expectations due to other reviews and I think that helped when it came to my enjoyment. Some of the things other reviewers talked about didn't take the spotlight during my own watching, but I must admit that I could be biased due to my love for shoujo manga and their adaptations in general. If you want to watch a movie which doesn't take itself too serious and talks about high school romance, this could be the movie for you. The leads did a pretty good job with the script they were given.

Second part:

I think a lot of people missed the point of this movie. They are both 17 years old and have no other experience in romance. Both are too afraid to speak out their feelings, but it's obvious to both of them they're in love with each other. FL's reason for not confessing was weak, but she's a teenage girl dreaming of being confessed to. ML's reasons for not confessing were much deeper - the feelings of insecurity and not being good enough.

Is it the most serious movie you'll ever watch? No, not by a longshot.
Is it as bad as others present it? I'd argue no.

Honestly, shoujo manga's are famous for their dramatic shenanigans and over-the-top events. It comes with the territory. And when I put into perspective myself at that age I kind of understand the impulse to do stupid things even when you know better - you're only 17. The whole point of growing up is making mistakes and having enough time to correct them, learn and develop. Which is something their characters managed to do by the end of this movie.

Second lead syndrome did hit kinda hard, though. Damn.

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first half is so much better, u should close b4 the end. (Bad Grammar)

This movie could have been one of my favoritos, but i just think the end breaks it. She just HAD tô end up w the guy she just couldnt get over bc she is uncapable of forgeting him. Ik real life dont work life, "oh this one is better, so im gonna fala in love with him instead of that shtty one", trust me, i really do; but its also not just one love for her whole life fr. It really seems like she liked the other guy and it would be a really good ending, with the consequences of not giving vale to the person who is with you now, and just caring for them when you lose then. And real life aspects, like losing people bc of lies and etc, getting over someone, shopping that it IS possible (as someone who like a person for year i would really like this ending, but all personal opiniões here)
+, if the ML wasnt kento i would despise him lol.

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Well…

While i recommend watching this over reading the manga any day im still not sure if even recommend watching lol. The manga is very repetitive and annoying and the ending pays off a lot less than the movie— but it is still much more entertaining than this, the characters are much better and there is more consequences to actions id say! but ill cut the comparing now and just say it is very typical and simple, there are a handful of cute moments too! but it is boring and falls flat on itself, really only worth watching if you have nothing else lol. Also i still think after reading and watching she should’ve ended up with…well youll see if u watch!

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