Kimi no Koto Dake Mite Itai (2022)

Best Friends And No Stong Emotions.

Endearing and brought a smile to my face, but it was also... full of nothing. The characters didn't portray or evoke any deep emotions. I often like the Japanese slice-of-life approach to storytelling but it felt especially empty in this one. And it's only four 20min episodes. The kids are written like actual highschoolers and fill their days with semi nonsensical talking tangents and not doing much.

The message that is spelled out for the viewer, mainly in a voice-over at the end, is cherish what you love in the present even if you're afraid it may go away someday.

The thing is, it feels like best friends cherishing each other and not more, despite the little kisses. I think it would have been more satisfying if left at close friendship but because the screenplay tries to *say* they love each other as more, *without showing* that in their interactions, there's obviously something missing.

The characters themselves say that nothing at all has changed since they both confirmed their feelings for each other. I think it's because they have a best-friend-soulmate connection instead of a romantic one; that's how it comes across anyway. And that is also a very special connection and worth cherishing. I wish the screenplay had focused on that message instead of forcing it to be a "romance", which negatively impacted my satisfaction and rating.

General Spoilers below.

There's barely any plot but the couple of threads there are, are left hanging at the end (does Sakura actually play in the school show? how does he sort out his next steps with or without music? who is the creepy kid knocking into people and does it keep happening?).

Leia Mais

I Cherish It

This show was so wonderfully easy to fall in love with.
It tells the story of two best friends who happen to fall in love with each other and the journey that love takes them on.
What kind of love are they feeling? Is it really romantic? And if they really are in love, shouldn't something between them have changed? Whatever the answers may be, they'll figure it out together!

The deeply lovable cast of characters (I especially adored some of the side characters, such as the two teachers), solid writing, and realistic, yet truly charming and funny dialogue all work together to create that inimitable warm summer feeling of days gone by. This show teaches us the importance of cherishing the things and people you love. It will gently take you by the hand and take you on a slow, nostalgic trip down memory lane until there's nothing left in your heart but a vaguely gooey warmth.
It made my life slightly better for having watched it and I think it might just do the same for you if you give it a shot.
Go watch it.

Leia Mais

Stunning in every way

This was hands down, one of the most BEAUTIFUL pieces of screen I have ever seen. Not only is the story completely wholesome and free of angst and drama, it is beautifully told through wonderful dialogue, and stunning cinematography. The acting is incredible. Truly, so natural and easy to watch. This show is like watching art unfold before your eyes. The cinematography is also stunning, the colouring and shot choices blended together makes for something very special. I also was obsessed with the use of music throughout, and the way they utilised crescendos at pivotal moments. Truly a masterpiece and I'm beyond sad there is only 4 episodes. I'm going to watch this another 10 times. A new favourite 100%

Leia Mais

Pure and Innocent, however I kind of wished for something more.

Well, I really love the ambiance of the film. I mean, I've always liked how Japanese BLs set a tone/ambiance throughout their series!
I like how pure, fun, and innocent their characters are. I enjoyed the parts where Sakura plays the piano because it makes me feel like I really want to fall in love. However, I was wondering if they really played in the school festival. I was waiting for that moment or perhaps I might have missed it. I was really looking forward to hearing Sakura playing piano while Yuma is singing. I really like their friendship, and I can understand that they might be confused about their feelings at first since they are at the stage of discovery. Aside from the kissing, I am kind of disappointed since I feel like nothing has changed between them. I feel like there is no progression aside from their kiss. Yeah, they started to show that they care for each other, but I feel like it could have developed into something more. I am not talking about wanting them to make out or have intercourse, but I am talking about how they could have shown us more of their admiration towards each other.

Also, I kind of wished that they showed us what happen after high school since I am really curious about the path they decided to take given the fact that one of them didn't write anything on the paper [correct me if I am wrong].
In the last part, I was kind of wondering why Sakura acts like that. Is it all just a dream? an imagination? Did he ever confess in the first place?
This series is simple and pure, but I feel like it could have been better if it is longer and showed a progression of how they deal with their life throughout their youth as best friends/lovers.

Leia Mais

A soft, wistful love story

I realized I was watching this series only seeing my perspective and frankly from my age. I had forgotten what it was like to be young, innocent, and seeing the world as a beautiful challenge to enjoy. More importantly, I forgot to just enjoy being in the moment and not worry about the future. That is what this beautiful short series is. If you do not ponder and reflect, drink in its beauty, you will miss its meaning especially in the now. Indeed, I am sure this is a series not for everyone. But for a moment, brief as it was, I was transposed to being young again and now understood. Oh, this series is so beautiful in a soft, gentle unassuming way that if you celebrate its insight, you will relive the innocence of youth.

Leia Mais

Truly a heartfelt "slice of life"

This drama is quite literally a "slice of life". It is simply a few weeks of summer of these boy's lives. It's about kids not knowing what they are meant to do in life, and how that is normal and fine. It is about interpersonal relationships. This show is sweet and heartfelt. There is an overarching plot but the show's goals are more about the feelings and atmosphere associated with the lifestyle and time in these character's lives. That is probably why a lot of people were bored watching and/or felt it was slow paced. I found it relatable and beautiful.

This drama won't be for everyone but it resonated with me so deeply. I don't think any other piece of media has affected me this way before. Character-wise, I knew these kids, I know these kids, and I am like these kids. The dialogue is well written and the acting is incredible. Combined, that is what makes these characters so believable and real. The beautiful scenic shots help create an atmosphere of timelessness. The use of repetition is so well done and it adds to the re-watchability since you can pick up more of these intentional moments upon rewatch. Repetition is used in dialogue, cinematography, musical motifs, and more throughout the series. It is also a storytelling device to show multiple people's perspectives of the same events in a way that strengthens the characters and narrative.

Literally everything was so well crafted and thought out. Someone, if not multiple production staff working on this project, must have had similar lived experiences to the characters. My only critique is a nitpick wondering why the povs were split and labeled in the first episode but not later. I could share my guesses as to why they did that but this review is already so long...

If you like atmospheric, artsy, contemplative, lovely movies, I'd recommend this mini drama for sure! Also recommend if you were/are a socially awkward teen who doesn't know what to do with their life (who is also lgbt+ and involved in fine arts)

Leia Mais

friends to lovers, coming of age, high school setting, introvert/extrovert

This is a beautiful piece of cinema well acted, about two boys who are opposite personalities and grew up together. Gifted and serious Sakura (Kura Yuki from His the series) and outgoing eccentric manic pixie dream boy, Yuma. It features multiple confessions in multiple languages (and ways) and is basically a slice of life but pitch perfect look at coming into identity as a teenager. It directly talks about liminality and occupying transitional spaces (which I talk about in this post about age gap).

It is very pretty and this is the kind of atmospheric elegantly performed BL that only really comes from Japan (complete with dead fish kisses - what you though Korea invented them? oh no). The undy scene made me hoot with laughter. There are only 4 episodes and one of them is mostly six people sitting around a campfire telling ghost stories that could (and should) have been cut, making about 1/4 or is unnecessary.

I liked it but I felt like I was “supposed to like it” more than I did, ultimately I was left feeling like I had seen it all before. So for me it was lovely but slightly unmemorable.

Leia Mais

"Where is the love"

I get why people would rank it high, the show and the characters and the actors were adorable and it was very cute however, in terms of romance the show failed at it.
Even though this show had kiss scenes and they are a bl couple, their relationship was dry and they still seemed like they had a bromance. There was some chemistry but it just wasn't romantic. Like the main character was good at showing he liked him, but when they got together, it was dry and they didn't actually seem like they liked each other anymore. I wish this show gave them better moments together that actually gave off the vibe that they really liked each other and wanted to be partners. It definitely didn't give the vibe that they only wanted to see each other. It was still a cute bl nevertheless. And I would recommend it, but it was disappointing.

Leia Mais

simple love story but amazing summer vibes

I’ve been really enjoying japanese BL’s recently, and this did not disappoint, well not completely…
It’s best features are for sure the amazing acting and cinematography that are able to perfectly convey the summery vibes of the show. However it’s very short, therefore its plot lacks in some aspects. The first few episodes are really engaging, but near the end it starts to get a bit stiff and the plot is really not moving forward.
The romance part lacks a little, but to be honest i think that it was done this way on purpose, to showcase better the inexperience of the two main characters.
Overall this is a really cute and wholesome miniseries that i would recommend to everyone who is looking for a simple coming of age BL

Leia Mais

slice of life bl at its best

Without knowing anything i just watched it because i was in old fashion cup cake hangover. and this sober me up in a good way. two friends how they become lover while they are going through their transition phase of life. it make me remind of my school day all the good thing all the bad thing in a good way tho. i love yuma and sakura (who was in HIS the series as well). everything will be gone no matter how much we cherish them a line by yuma got me .. just go watch it. this is very beautiful story.

later i know that this is a spin off of bl metamorphosis and i am excited for that too

Leia Mais

spensieratezza giovanile - purezza - semplicità

Questa mini-serie mi è proprio sembrata una ventata di aria fresca e pura, mi sa molto di spensieratezza con un sottofondo di pensierosità.
Si sente e vede veramente tanto la spensieratezza giovanile, quella che provano tutti i ragazzi della loro età, alla fine a 17 anni non si è né maggiorenni nè bambini, quasi adulti ma non sentirlo neanche un pò. Questa sensazione mi ha fatto provare una sorta di nostalgia verso ciò che non ho, ho 17 anni ma questa amata spensieratezza non la vivo da quando ero una bambina, i problemi sono più grandi di me e non riesco neanche a non pensarci perchè ormai sono annegata in questo oceano di preoccupazioni, in questi casi è buono avere un amico così da passare il tempo con maggiore spensieratezza ma purtroppo la vita non mi ha riservato neanche un’amica/o, nessuno, solo e soltanto io, quindi veramente ho provato dell’amaro vedendoli così.
Ho nominato anche il briciolo di pensierosità, in effetti è vero che anche loro sono afflitti da domande e dal problema di cosa farne del loro futuro, a questo riguardo mi sono sentita particolarmente vicina a Sakura: “Non posso semplicemente rimanere così?...penso che la frase dica tutto, perchè devo preoccuparmi così tanto, perchè non posso soltanto continuare a vivere senza farmi il problema, perchè questa scelta è così importante e determinante, non so neanche chi sono adesso, come puoi pretendere che io sappia chi sarò in futuro.
Questa è la sensazione.
Fortunatamente loro non hanno il problema di essere caduti in questo dilemma, ceh sì ma non così profondamente tanto da non riuscire a risollevarsi, ciò perché hanno l’un l’altro, hanno un’ancora di salvezza.

Riguardo la questione “amore” penso sia tutto puro e innocente, Sakura si è dichiarato perchè ormai ha pensato fosse l’ultima possibilità e anche se Yuma l’avesse odiato, si trattava di poco tempo. Di sua parte Yuma era così carino e ho amato come ci abbia pensato seriamente e sia giunto a una conclusione. È stato bello vederlo essere sincero con Sakura quando gliel’ha detto, quella scena l’ho trovata carinissima, pura.
Poi mi è anche piaciuto l’aspetto del tipo “dopo quel giorno non è cambiato nulla”, si saranno anche fidanzati ma questo non ha cambiato il loro rapporto, in nessuna maniera, è rimasta uguale ma con una consapevolezza in più, cioè di sapere che si vuole prendere cura dell’altro, di amare l’altro, di tenere a lui. Penso che questo tipo di semplicità sia semplicemente perfetta, non si deve essere evidenti o agire “da fidanzati” (nel senso di costringersi a fare tutte le azioni che solitamente fanno i fidanzati solo perchè lo sono) (non dico che non debbano farlo o che se lo fanno sembrano finti, ma penso che debba essere qualcosa che esce dal cuore e che deve essere pura; non devo fare delle cose “da fidanzati” solo perchè lo fanno tutti i fidanzati ma si deve trovare un modo di stare assieme che piaccia ad entrambi e che debba essere fatto per pura voglia di passare del tempo assieme), si deve semplicemente stare in pace con se stessi e con l’altro, nel modo più tranquillo e sincero possibile. Non servono esagerazioni ma solo essere se stessi.

Leia Mais