Host Sozokushi Chaimashita (2023)

The characters are amazing, the story is mid. Worth watching tho

Great overall! Kind of harem-like romance but make it not annoying & realistic and you'll get this show exactly. The plot is there too, obviously, although sometimes a bit too predictable.
Big green flags I'd like to specifically point out:
- a bunch of different host characters for all those tropes you know but real-life versions;
- supporting characters have decent backstories and are actually interesting;
- LGBT representation done properly (pleasant surprise!);
- female MC is actually well-written and likable;
- Yagi Yusei as one of the MCs (I may be biased but guys, he's SO good, bless the casting managers)

However, sometimes I couldn't shrug off the weird feeling I'm watching a manga adaptation (despite it not being one). The camera angles, the storytelling patterns, some of the acting, even the plot itself was a bit too 2D for me. My guess is that at the end of the day, a harem-like host-club series would be inspired by mostly 2D tropes. It's not a big problem but something to keep in mind - if you're into more serious stuff you might get uncomfortable.

And just like many 2D works, the romance is thrilling, some moments are EXTREMELY cute, some are kinda hot, you get those butterflies for sure, but in the end plot-wise it's as predictable as always. I'm not leaving any spoilers here, but I'm pretty sure AT LEAST HALF of people will NOT like the ending.

Still, I do recommend it, it's fun in its simplicity and easy to watch. The tension is just right but I also didn't feel too anxious about stopping in the middle, aching to watch the next episode, so in case you don't have enough time to watch it one go, have no worries!

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Hosts & Princesses

While slowly sliding into a period of slump and dropping many dramas as if they were hot potatoes, I started watching this with the same mindset. And I almost dropped it during episode 3 but I kept on watching since the episodes are really short. Moreover, the ending was surprising for someone well versed in the immutable laws of drama tropes. But more about it later...

The synopsis made me think of thai drama Mama Gogo. The plot: a woman, unsatisfied at her dead end job, unexpectedly inherits a debt ridden club where handsome men entertain bored women they call princesses and treat as such. The clash between two universes is fun, though a bit cringy, to watch. Eventually they end up changing each other.

The cast was excellent and the writing did them all justice by highlighting the lives of a few of them, their backstories and how they view their lives: they are all vulnerable human beings. That made them all the more lovable and still be complex characters which show growth.

Truth be told, I wanted to drop it very quickly: the childhood connection/first love was almost to much to bear and I watched the 3rd episode with my eyes closed: too cringy when she dresses up (unconvincingly!) as a man and tries to work as a host. But I soldiered on and it ended up being worthy the time spent.

I would like to thank the subbers who explained all the details of the host terminology in their notes on screen since the majority of watchers here are not really familiar with host clubs and the way they work. This was indeed a fascinating cultural aspect of japanese society.

Still, that is not the reason why I gave this drama a higher note then I wanted to. When I discovered the childhood connection in episode 2, I literally groaned "Oh, nooo!". But they managed to surprise me in the end by not making them a couple as we were all taught to expect: "first love is forever". This drama trope is so omnipresent in romcoms. I am glad they went with a more realistic approach and therefore I gave them one point more because dramas upending the expected solution are few and far between. The problem is that the happy couple has no chemistry to speak of. Unfortunately the first love couple had more chemistry, maybe because they were of the same age? Don't get me wrong, I love noona romances but I need to see the spark between them. Yagi Yusei is as pretty as an angel but his acting skills are lacking: every time he was on screen I thought I was watching Utsukushii Kare, the same laid back "cool, don't care about anyone" type of character pouting and busy looking handsome.

In conclusion, a nice light summer watch which will not task your brain too much! Just fun!

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