Koi Nante, Honki de Yatte Do Suru no? (2022)

Arienai~

Ok so music was great and well timed; surprise use of SixTONES' new song was perfect and really well suited to the show and mood. A+ to that selection

At first, I really liked the progression of the story and characters. I liked that they were all quite different, with different reasons to be having difficulties with love; like in real life. But I was a little disappointed by the direction of growth for the FL. Growth is growth you could say, but I didn't really like the way she phrased a lot of things in the final few episodes. On the other hand, ML's character kinda dissipates? and I had a hard time justifying his growth/change from a romantic perspective (from the cooking/restaurant perspective i think it's justifiable).

My favourite pair was Arisa and Katsumi; i liked the balance of serious and lighthearted between them. I also liked that he stood by her in his own way to overcome a problem. I had hoped there would be more on them near the end but that's fine.

I think overall it felt like there was too much time spent on some tension building and creating dramatic moments when they could've worked to develop what was already there. I know it's always hard to end a show so I'm lenient with the ending (even though i didn't think it was great), but I also thought there were a few loose ends that could've been better dealt with.

I watched it while airing and found that was a really good pace for it (once a week). I'm curious to hear other opinions and if something like binging it makes it feel different.

Overall, I enjoyed it and liked the ceramics and food element, as well as the friendship and camaraderie.

Edit: After sitting on it for a few hours, I had to re-assess my ratings. I think they might still be a little too lenient but the music really pulled it through.

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Sensitive and with a sense of depth

This is the first food series which didn't actually make me crave food. Maybe because I was down with the flu or maybe because they were too fancy when eating, I don't know.
But it's sensitive and with a sense of depth like most of the Japanese films. I found it very, very enjoyable.

Story: 10
As always the Japanese succeed in exploring the depths of the human heart and mind. Stories which we would usually dismiss as being trivial are told here with much sensitivity and make us rethink our way of perceiving others. Yes, we are fragile and yes, we are susceptible of changing our hearts during the course of time. We usually judge ourselves by the society's standards, thus we are susceptible to feeling guilty towards others and ourselves. And guilt is one damn mf! Fortunately this aspect was merely suggested and it didn't drag on. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to watch it. I would like to say a few more things about the story but my English isn't good enough, so I'll refrain myself.

Acting: 9
The acting wasn't all that bad, but it was unconvincing at times (i.e. when the mother was intentionally interrupting the main couple's sweet moments, their acting startled seemed quite fake to me). In the beginning, I wasn't very attracted by the actors, but they managed to gradually captivate me.

Music: 5
I just didn't like it. But it's just my personal taste/ opinion, so please don't be influenced.

Rewatch value: 8
As I have already stated in another review, I don't rewatch films. But if you're into this habit, I think it's worth it.

I would also like to add that I had a hard time seeing Sakurazawa Jun as being fashionable as it was stated in the film's description. Actually, except Sara, none of the other females was fashionable. (Especially the shoes. Oh, they were just horrible! ) But then again, it's just my personal taste, so please don't be influenced.

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Good pacing but toxic characters

The pacing is good. The acting performances are quite good, too, though ML's acting could be performed better as there are moments when I feel like his acting is awkward (his onscreen presence as the lead is also weak). The stories of side couples are interesting as well. However, I am quite bothered by the "cheating" part, regardless of the "feeling neglected" reason. I wish she had first brought up the issue and talked with her husband instead, and when nothing still happened, she could have left him (not cheat on him btw). I think her ex-husband truly loved her, but I don't know. Maybe just distracted?

As for the other side couple, I was disappointed when the girl agreed to have a one last night with her "sugar daddy" when she and the other guy seemed to be in a relationship. Really, I feel like all of them have toxic flaws, but whatever.

I feel the FL, though, in the part of being afraid to fall in love and fully trust someone. The influence of the environment can truly bring you trauma. Anyway, the chemistry between the two leads is not that strong. I rate it as average or, maybe sometimes, even below.

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