Todome no Parallel (2018)

[WARNING: the rating and review I give have the possibility to be subjective due to my preference for the genres, scenes or casts]

Someone told me months ago to watch this drama for final closure of Todome no Kiss, but I always forgot to watch it (^_^;)

If you want to watch from episode 1, then it's okay (I did the same), but if you can't wait to see the continue of the last episode of Todome no Kiss, I suggest you to go straight to episode 10. And 80% of my rating is based on the last episode (^_^)

Generally, this drama show us what happened in all parallel worlds that Otarou live (and die) after his (or other casts) death. My favorite parallel world is where Takauji become a host XD But my most favorite parallel world is the last world, where Otarou back to life after kissing Masaki Suda (the last episode) I hope Otarou can make a new pure start with Saiko, because he's so cute when he know Saiko didn't go out with Hasebe (*^.^*)

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At least watch episode 10! That sole episode is a sweet epilogue to Todome no Kiss <3

This series made of 10 quite short episodes of about 10-15 minutes is a sequel of "Todome no Kiss" which showcases stories happening in parallel universes of the drama. Indeed, when Otaro kisses Saiko, he dies and return 7 days earlier in the past. Actually, it is a time leap as even after his death, time goes on in the universe from which he time leaped.

This short drama allows us to get a glimpse to what's happening in those parallel universes, after the deaths of the characters as time continue moving forward in those alternative realities. I loved how the series was able to explore in such a short time parallel storylines. The overall tone was pretty dark for most of them, with sometimes a bit of overacting but most of them were made sense with what we knew from the characters from the main show. Not all of them were of the same qualities, but some really grabbed my attention and I was sad when some of the episodes ended because I wanted to see more of it rather than just a glimpse of what happened.

I loved the acting in the main series and here it was good with maybe a bit too much of overacting in some of the episodes...But it is more due to a directing and stylistic choices because of the format of the series than really because of the cast. As in the parent series, I kept enjoying the soundtrack...Here it was mostly bits of the opening generic but still super catchy and pleasant to my hears.

I would recommend this to people that have seen and liked "Todome no Kiss". Of course, if you have not seen the parent series, you will not be able to understand a thing (and you will spoil yourself), as the episodes are really focused on parallel stories at several points of the scenario from the main show. If you don't want to spend time watching this, I will still strongly recommend to watch only episode 10 which is an epilogue to the main story and brought me warm feelings as it is a sweet conclusion to the main series. I wish they had included it in the main series for everyone to see it.

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The whole idea of the "parent story" Todome no Kiss" intrigued me and I thought of writing an article about it, but saw my feelings about the drama were shared among the many reviewers of the drama. Since I was short on time, I gave up writing a review. However, after watching this one, I felt I had more to say, about both Todome no Kiss and Todome No Parallele, together. I think having them together makes the drama whole.

The original story is about a man who discovers that, by kissing a certain woman, he gets to go back in time. He uses that power for his own selfish needs. Along the way, he discovers how each action may cause a series of reactions. It may change the fate of many people, their attitude, their world views, their eventual actions and choices, and finally their lives. Later on, he learns when he goes back in time, it creates a parallel universe, and the original world keeps going. That is where Todome No Parallele comes in and explores those different worlds.

Fro there you can see how the creators were having fun in dealing in "what-if" scenarios. The tone of each episode vastly differs from one another. Some are very serious, some comedic, and some go full-on meta. What's interesting for me is how humans become in each world depending on their actions and their reach for their desires becomes at risk. Some characters stay true to themselves, while others change drastically. It just demonstrates how, when you're comfortable in your skin, your core rarely gets shaken. However, when you lack faith in yourself, the slightest change may have a huge effect on your character. For example, this can be seen through both Takauji and Hasebe. Through Otaro's actions, Takauji changes the most while Hasebe stays true to himself. This I find to be a very interesting point the drama explores. Takauji constantly wants to keep a front while, as we discover throughout the drama, is falling apart inside to the point of self-destruction. His constant living in fear, living while feeling inadequate, gets him easily influenced by his surrounding. Hasebe, on the other hand, has a clear head, knows right from wrong, and is always comfortable with his choices.

For that reason, I disagree with reviewers and commentators saying to just skip to the last episode. Not only you are missing out on the fun, but you are also missing out on what the overall message the drama is trying to deliver.

Another message in this drama is the perception of love. As a Japanese drama, it probably had the most number of kisses, yet none were romantic. Many were acts, and all were to get something out of it. Love, on the other hand, true love that is, was portrayed through sacrifice. Sacrificing what you want to protect the ones you love. Keep going after to desires may have a big cost on your loved ones. And so on and so forth.

It's actually my first time watching Yamazaki Kento. Though not the best, I think he delivered his character fairly. It's an interesting choice of a drama for him. I enjoyed the chemistry he had with Kadowaki Mugi. As far as the characters go, I was not rooting for them as an end couple. Actually I wasn't rooting for Eight to end up with anyone. It was such a poisonous relationship. It was still very interesting to watch. It's my first time watching Mackenyu as well. Though subtle, his character development(s) and deliveries were most entertaining and impressive. He could easily change from light-hearted to dark and scary. And as the drama progress, despite his actions, he felt more like the victim to the evil Eight's scheming (among others).

That is not to say the drama is perfect, nor great. The drama is fun to watch but as its own flaws. Its biggest flaw is the portrayal of the female characters. Most are flat. Saiko, the most interesting among them, is a doormat. There was so much potential for her character, and the lovely actress can definitely deliver on that. Unfortunately, her story lacked depth. Mikoto's character is another one with so much potential. Part of the failure, I find, is the lack of delivery from the actress playing the role. They were trying to portray her as your typical manga female lead, but the character needed to be much more animated than this, to become even remotely interesting.

So overall a fun watch. If you have watched Todome no Kiss, I definitely recommend watching this drama, the whole drama. If you haven't seen it, I recommend checking it out :)

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Even this made me laugh and cry so much ㅜ^ㅜ
Just as good as the actual episodes. Basically, this is what happened every time the kiss created an alternate universe when Eight went back in time. So really it's actually more like extra footage but they really worked hard on making it a proper separate story line, with suspense and intrigue and a proper resolution.

But what I love about this spin off is that not only do we see a softer side of Eight but it was also a chance for the supporting cast to show their talent. And everyone from Makenyu to Jun, and even Miyazawa Hio , we see different sides of their characters because every parallel universe leads the characters into completely different circumstances from what's happening in Eight's reality.

So you see every possible character outcome from a blond Makenyu who becomes desperate and becomes a host to a universe where Takauji, Hotei become successful, to yet another where Takauji, Hotei, Mikoto, Hasebe, all live happily ever after, to some really dark endings for the characters.

Really it was as perfect as it could have been. I only wish there are proper spin offs or prequels in the future.

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I have only watched the last episode of Todome no parallel? because that is the only episode that relates to the original series.. This drama is just a spin-off the original series Todome no kiss. the spin-off only shows what happens in the parallel worlds they were talking about in the original series.

I just needed some closure from the original series the ending to me was complete torture spoiler alert for anyone who has not seen the original ............. stop reading now ........................................................
okay so Otaro does not get the girl come on really he saved her in the first place after the whole emotional train ride at least with this last episode it gives fans of Otaro and Saiko hope that something may happen versus an end where he just leaves.

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