Mairunovich (2021)

A feel-good teen drama about loving yourself and being the best you can be

I'll be the first to admit that this is no masterpiece. But if you liked dramas like True Beauty, then you will definitely enjoy this one. The writing is full of cliches but enjoyably and the love triangle is quick and painless! The comedic scenes are hilarious and the chemistry between the different characters is amazing!

Also, like all of the cast look gorgeous? And the opening song and sequence is one of the best I've seen in dramas lol. We also got positive representation of a trans character!
This dramas also has a lot of heartwarming messages about loving yourself and having good self-esteem. The main message is that no matter how you look or what you think of yourself, you can change yourself for the better and find love, you just need to put in the hard work and have a positive outlook. I found it touching personally.

I would definitely definitely recommend this drama if you wanted something light and fluffy to watch! :)

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Light hearted drama

Mairuvonich is a story of simple and light-hearted girl who is less confident about her appearances. With the help of Tenyu, she transforms both her personality and her appearances and finds true love of her life.

This is a very simple drama adapted from shoujo manga. On that note, it is targeted towards younger audiences suiting their tastes. Mairu has about 3 to 4 romantic pursuits which slowly helps her grow as a person.

I totally agree that it is a personal choice to have a makeover. Although in life, beautiful looks aren't everything and beauty is subjective as well. Here, Mairu's makeover gives her psychological boost to her confidence. This in turn, gives her new experiences at high school.

Sometimes, the views expressed are *cough, cough* critical. This can come off as condescending but that's alright.

Above all, this drama is really comical and has a very imaginative take on youth.

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a typical shoujou drama

I don't know what to say about this drama? is it cute? is it fluffy? or it's just plain old typical shojou youth drama??

[PLOT]
*cue sarcasm tone

Story of an ugly baby duck that turns into a swan princess by a handsome prince charming and they embark in the journey to find love but true love's already in front of them the whole time

[CHARACTERS]
Ok let's see if we have all the list of a typical shojou troupe

1. A innocent,quiet and "ugly" girl that everyone's in the school thinks she's a plague☑️

2. A handsome ML that doesn't care how anyone's see's him because he knows girls in school likes him because of his good looks☑️

3. FL & ML falls in love after so many things happened between her relationships problems to his "can't love someone else instead of his first love"☑️

4. The person that bullies the FL turned into her friend☑️

well we got everything for a typical shojou troupe.

I could list other things but I'm just gonna put only four of this because I'm too lazy to type?

[CONCLUSIONS]

If you loved a typical high school teen drama that this is the one! For me it's not my cup of tea. Wouldn't recommended to watch it because the Fl is just plain stupid and it's just gonna waste your time.

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Typical Shojou Troupe But Easy Watch

LIKES:
Good FX, especially the makeup and "poisonous mushroom" moments. FL was more honest and supportive of her friends, than expected. In her pursuit of love, she didn't use dirty tricks. FL & ML had personal growth. I finished the drama because I really like how Miura Ryosuke delivered FL's Aunt Fuwari as the cross-dresser (aka transvestite). [Mirua Ryosuke was good in Rurouni Kenshin: the final, but was superb in this show.]. The cinematography was good too and the OST was decent, that damn violin for the sorrow or sad moments nailed it. There were subtle messages throughout the drama: love begins with yourself, you're only beautiful if it's inside too & not just visual appearance and communication & trust is what builds lasting relationships.

DISLIKES:
Typical shojou troupe and story of ugly duckling. The FL was a bit over the top and came across as idiotic, always running away from situations. The "news" report scenes were stupid and unnecessary filler. They really annoyed me. Some of the flashback moments, especially in the last episode went on for too long. The "incident" with the ML was plopped into the last episode and again was a stupid way to bring about his realization. It was so thrown-in-there, that it was laughable. I hate Shaky Camera syndrome and this rom-com had a lot of it. Did they suddenly forget how to use a video stabilizer? Also some very alarming behaviour from the character Naru: jealousy, double standard and manipulation, to name a few. The writers made all of this two acceptable. ML & FL's connection at the end felt rushed and there was no chemistry. They needed another 5 or so episodes to establish that. They felt like soulmates or best friends, throughout drama and even last episode. Truthfully I almost dropped this drama after the first two episodes, but I hung on because of being a fan of Kamio Fuju and Miura Ryosuke.

SIDE NOTE: The school roof top scenes where the ML & FL usually ate lunch together, was the same roof used in Scum's Wish.

OVERALL: If you like shojou troupe rom-coms then this is for you. It's an easy watch, but was annoying quite often. Some outstanding acting and others (like FL) over the top ridiculous. I won't be rewatching this show.

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Wait what?

Ah, yes! Finally a series that shows the true colours of all women, doing EVERYTHING to be in a relationship, and that points out that if you are beautiful on the outside then you are worthy to be in a relationship...

WAIT WHAT?

The year is 2021, I just can't accept that a drama like this exists. For some reason they are okay with portraying that being shallow is alright, and that if someone does not meet the society's beauty standards is ugly.

As I was a teenager once, I do understand the need to have a boyfriend and need to be beautiful; but, those types of stereotypes was passed down to my generation through movies, series and books that teenagers were the target groups. However, I find it absurd that you still get the same teenage-stereotypical movies.

To be honest, even though I have a huge problem with the plot and the stereotypical statements in this drama, I have to admit that from a cinematographic point of view, this series is really good. The colours, the scenes, the aesthetics, and many more, make this series easy to watch. But again the plot was a big turn off for me. Let me elaborate more on that.

PLOT

Kinoshita Mairu is a shy and introvert girls, that got the nickname "poisonous mushroom" due to her haircut and the fact that she is ugly. One day as she was living her not so exciting life she got a letter from someone asking her to meet them after class. At first she thought that this was a confession to her, but little did she know that the guy was actually lying to her and he made a trap for Mairu to fall into.

As Mairu is crying in the pit and wondering why she was born ugly, Kumada Tenyu enters the scene and tells her to stop using excuses and try to become beautiful. After a strange set of circumstances, Tenyu helps Mairu to change her outside looks, and he makes pretty. This change helps her meet Naru, an extremely jealous boy that is interested in Mairu. Except from those two male characters there is one more male character, Mirai. He is a childhood friend and door neighbour with Mairu, and it seems that he was always interested in her but he was afraid to tell her.

MY OPINION

I am extremely mad at this series. I feel that it is extremely sexist towards women. They try to present that girls are only interested and worried about finding someone to fall in love with. Moreover, it is encouraged that if women want to get a partner they need to wear make up and act girly. OH REALLY? WHY? SAYS WHO? For example, Maiku is always pointing out how good she is with cooking and she makes bento for Tenyu in exchange of a few advice from him.

The most important thing is to be true to yourself and to the person in front of you. I am not saying that appearance is not important, I am just saying that is shouldn't be that important! Instead of trying to create a shallow relationship maybe the drama should focus more on deeper means!

Furthermore, I have a huge problem with Naru as a character. Even though he seems as a nice, understanding, and kind guy, in true he is a manipulative, possessive, and jealous type of boyfriend. First he got mad with Maiku because she lied to him that she have never been in a relationship before and he told her that he doesn't want to be with her. Due to that Maiku apologised to him, because in reality she was in a relationship with someone for 1.30 minutes. He got mad with her again when they went in a double date at the amusement park because he was jealous of Maiku's and Tenyu's relationship. What did Maiku do? SHE APOLOGISED AGAIN AND SHE BROKE OFF HER FRIENDSHIP WITH TENYU. Dude!!!!!! What the heck?

To summarise this is a typical teenage-romantic jdrama! It is full of clichés and expected outcomes. Even though I assume that Maiku would end up with Tenyu (just my prediction), I still hope that Mirai would win the girl. TEAM MIRAI UNITE!!! Even though it is not clear yet, I have the feeling that he liked Maiku even when she was "ugly" but he did not confess because he was afraid of what his friend would say. Not that this reason would be acceptable.

Anyway, that's it. This series is full of sexist comments and statements: CHANGE MY MIND!

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*deep sigh* Here we go...
As I write this review, please know it's how I feel about it and I don't mean to make anyone mad with it. If I do, I'm sorry.

BUT HOLY HELL I HATED THIS SHOW! I think i kept watching for the subber. Lol I loved their excitement in sub notes they made during the show. The show itself kept me stressed and pissed off. Because you know... the basic, no woman is worthy of friendship and love unless she is "beautiful" and "popular". I admit I have seen my fair share of shows like this but for some reason, this one takes the cake. I guess mainly because even at the end the ML says she was like a dirty cat he found, bathed and only then was she beautiful. -- my guy, she is a fucking human with emotions.

"I don't know when I started having feelings" -- I know when; after she was dolled up and getting attention from other guys. Go figure. I mean, you did tell her to "just be pretty" in episode 1. Like wow you really said that to her face. *aggressive screaming*

All through this show, I really kept waiting for her to become this self aware person who would stand up for herself, but I guess what was wishing for to much? All through the show the one friend she has continuously bullies her. I mean what do you expect, she dunked your head in a sink because you were "competition" with the guy she liked.

Honestly at this point, I feel like I'm just going to repeat myself a lot but I will put a few episode reviews in as well:
EPISODE 2:
SPOILERS + RANT!!! I don't understand why I keep watching this... Okay, yes I do. I keep waiting for her to grow a brain and realize she is her own person.What the hell even was this episode?So far, she's been bullied harshly then told she just "needs to be pretty" to which she begs for help. Are you serious? Then we have this episode where the girl that bullied her and literally stuck her head in a sink -- she got on her knees and begged for information, bitch WHAT?! And these same people that never gave a shit about her are suddenly "masters" and "gods" to her. Are you shitting me? I get teenage brain, I do. I was one at one point, but teens are not that fucking dumb. That ending though. bruh. Lol Known each other 2 days and suddenly they love each other. Lawd have mercy.Though props to him that he at least TRIED to tell her he didn't want to restrict her world and that she shouldn't lose friends because of him. She's the one that pulled the "as long as I'm with you, I don't care. I want to be restricted"mmmm you know what that is? Mental abuse.

EPISODE 3:
*Rant + Spoilers*Were we all this stupid in our teens years with relationships? Gah I fucking hope not. Geez. I'm trying to change my thoughts on this because I know they are teenagers and being a teenager, a lot of chemicals and crap are firing off so the constant "learning" is never ending.... but GOSH DAMN MAKE THIS STOP! This episode wasn't as bad as the first two but it wasn't better in any way. Of course by the end, they found a way to once again blame Mairu. Because gosh forbid she say "I'm sorry" and be late? Meanwhile he has left her hanging how many times now? Oh and his little friend talking shit about her and saying "well I wouldn't 'blah blah blah'" then kissing him? Wow yeah, y'all two deserve each other, leave Mairu out of it. That was seriously fucked up. Love how in episode 1(?) he was talking about how he hates liars. LOLOLOL!!! Biiiiiiiiiitch you just CHEATED! *snorts* Lemme guess, in episode 4, it's going to somehow be her fault again right? Lemme guess.... her jealousy pushed you or something? Acting like you didn't did throw a bitch fit when she was hanging out with Tenyu. Can we say toxic?Ladies and gentlemen, this. this right here would be the perfect time for Do Re Mi.

EPISODE 6:
Mhmmmm of course that would happen because it's a non original story with a non original outcome. Swear the title should just be "no one care until you are pretty"*spoilers + rant*This show really activated my stress eating on a whole fucking level and I still have two episodes to go. Geez. I really wanted this to at least have a original outcome but we know from episode one she was gonna end up with the ML, but wait, before we get there, we have to throw in the... dundundunnnnn EX!!!! *insert overdramatic scream* not just any ex, but THAT ex. You know, the one you can't hate because you met her before you knew so you became buddy ol pals and after you found out, you're now threatened.Yes, threatened. TF, even!? I mean anyone with eyeballs can see she's liked him from the start, but you know... had to at least give the cheater and neighbor a shot before realizing you liked the ML. Can we just say though, she could have stayed with the neighbor and called it done? I mean why not. It would be something *new*. Nevermind he went from being cold, hard, with the emotions of a rock to soft widdle bawby overnight -- suddenly he is head over heels for her. *dramatic eye roll* wughiurhgvhuuhir UGGGHHH GOSH DAMN THIS TO FUCKING HELL I CAN'T EVEN WITH THIS SHOW!!!! I CAN'T!!! Please note, I'm not hating on the actors. The actors are doing amazing jobs. I just hate the characters and the *basic* storyline.

All in all, I'm shocked I made it through the whole show and the ending was basic. It ends exactly how you think it will when you guess from episode one. Even 10 minutes into the last episode, I said everything in order that would happen... and it did. I think the ONLY character I absolutely loved though this whole show was her aunt. Her aunt was so gosh damn adorable and was always trying to be the voice of reason and tell her how amazing she is and everything. Like, the kind of person she really needed in her life. I just... *chef's kiss* her aunt was a blessing from start to end.

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quero um amor mas não me amo

feito para totalmente para o publico adolescente, então é bem leve e descontraído sobre aceitação, amores e amizade.

bem shoujo onde uma menina vai ficar ''bonita'' e encontrar dramas adolescente e cara lindo no final para ficar junto, eu gosto muito desse gênero mesmo sendo o mais clichê possível além do que é poucos episódios e você consegue maratonar sem esforço além de ter o fuju sendo um colírio para meus olhos.

mairu conseguiu ser irritante e bem chatinha (a maioria desse gênero são assim) porém teve momentos engraçados e outros forçados, ayano minha personagem favorita sendo uma doida e falando o que pensa na cara da mairu sempre que ela podia, estava torcendo para ayano ficar com o tenyu mesmo sabendo o obvio enfim

um drama leve sobre auto aceitação e escola juventude engraçado e bobo, recomendo.

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Tiene la típica trama de una joven acosada por su apariencia que empieza a maquillarse y su vida cambia, sólo que hay giros de lo cliché, como el protagonista siendo su estilista consejero, la chica mala convirtiéndose en su mejor amiga y sus varios noviazgos.

A pesar de tener momentos graciosos, es el dorama que menos me ha gustado. No puedo rescatar ninguna de las parejas, ni el desarrollo de la protagonista que terminó inclinándose a buscar el amor con otras personas, en lugar de amarse más a sí misma.

Me agradó que hubiera un personaje trans y su relación con la protagonista, pero no me agradaron tanto algunos comentarios hechos sobre el tema.

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Beauté intérieure

Je suis surpris qu'à 23 ans Sakurai Hinako accepte encore de jouer le rôle d'une élève de 16 ans écervelée dans un school drama bourré de clichés. N'étant clairement pas la cible visée par cette histoire, certaines subtilités doivent m'échapper, mais on est loin de la double personnalité assez bien jouée de Janus no Kagami. Si en manga Mairu no Vich doit certainement être très drôle, bien écrit et dessiné (désolé, pas lu), l'adaptation en drama pourrait gagner en finesse. Les effets spéciaux pour faire scintiller les personnages passent au début et on peut même trouver ça original, mais les personnages sont surjoués au point que chaque situation révèle sa chute bien trop vite. Cela casse tout effet de surprise, nous poussant ainsi à l'ennui, alors que l'on devrait éclater de rire. Peut-être d'avoir attendu 10 ans avant d'adapter le manga de Sato Zakuri était bien trop long. Tellement de school dramas et de comédies romantiques sont depuis passés par là. Et je ne voudrais même pas compter ceux où le prince du lycée finit avec une fille banale, qu'il ou qu'elle ignore au début. De toute façon depuis Itazura na Kiss, aucune histoire de ce type ne pourra trouver grâce à mes yeux, alors... La perfection ne pouvant être dépassée.

Alors, il faudra chercher ailleurs son bonheur. Dans l'humour potache, mais qui me touche que très rarement. Là on sent qu'on est vieux, mais les très jeunes adoreront. Dans le jeu des acteurs qui essayent de se rapprocher au maximum de l'univers shojo et school life (américain?). Dans les beaux gosses pour ses demoiselles ou messieurs, parfois sportif, parfois... maquilleur pro et lycéen(???). Et pour moi dans le jeu si particulier de Sakurai Hinako qui fait vite oublier son véritable âge pour habiter totalement son personnage. C'est même à se demander si elle a vraiment 16 ans dans la série, tant elle arrive à jouer parfaitement l'immaturité et le manque de confiance en elle. Je lui en donne à peine 12. Cela dit sa voix roque passe mal. Surtout lorsqu'elle se met à soliloquer, sa spécialité dans beaucoup de dramas.

Diffusée à l'heure du repas de midi, la cible de la série est claire, les ados et un peu la famille. Mais la série affiche tellement de stéréotypes sur la vacuité de la jeunesse, qu'elle joue complètement contre son camp, en cantonnant les lycéens japonais à des coquilles vides obsédés par les apparences. Et ne parlons pas de l'image de la femme, laissant le choix entre admiratrice et comme le titre l'indique si finement ... garce, avec comme seul atout dans la vie, son physique. Les clichées s'étendent même maladroitement vers la communauté gay, en l'image d'un frère que malheureusement beaucoup de japonais (et autres) imaginent comme le représentant du genre. Mais peut être que je me trompe.

Finalement, cette série sera un succès, car s'il y a bien une période de la vie qui unis le monde entier, c'est l'adolescence. Des séries comme Sauvé par le gong, il y en a eu des milliers et il y en aura encore. Et je préfère voir celles-ci comme un exutoire pour la jeunesse. Mais certainement pas un miroir de la société (japonaise), mais je sais que personne n'est dupe ici. Alors retirons ce maquillage qui masque si maladroitement les vrais sentiments de notre jeunesse.

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