2024 Manga Adaptations (January - June)
The new NTV drama Todome no Kiss (trans. Kiss That Kills) is the most enjoyable series I'm currently watching and I'm sure it will be among the best winter doramas of this year.
It is a really fast-paced and dynamic drama that is also a blend of supernatural, comedy and suspense. It is also showing the hints of romance which is still undeveloped and to be honest I'm not even sure if they'll try to make it happen until the end, but I hope so because I'm sensing two main couples.
So why should you watch it? Here are my reasons!
WARNING: I'll try to make it spoiler-free but please keep in mind that I'm writing my impressions of the first 6 episodes so minor spoilers might be possible.
The Story
As I already mentioned, this drama is definitely for fun since it is a mix of various genres. It is basically a time travel drama because the main character, Otaro, travels seven days back in the past whenever a mysterious woman kisses him. Her kiss basically kills and revives him at the same time.
Otaru is a host (or shall we be more bluntly - a male prostitute) who earns money by sleeping with wealthy older women. He's obviously ignoring his family and trying to cut off any emotions in order to succeed (yes, you are right - this is indeed a case of a tragic/traumatic past).
In the beginning, we don't know who is the mysterious woman. She suddenly appears, attacks Otaru, and no matter how many times he tries to avoid her (read: runs away from her hysterically) she always ends up "killing" him, which is actually very funny. I won't reveal her identity because it is a very interesting plot twist that shouldn't be spoiled IMO.
There's also a subplot of Otaro trying to seduce a wealthy heiress Namiki but her brother Takauji gets in the way. But more importantly, who is the crazy woman with a kiss of death? Watch and see!
The Eye-candies Cast
Believe it or not but it's not only about eye candies! Yamazaki Kento is finally starring in something other than a shoujo adaptation and I believe he's got potential to be at least an interesting actor. Mackenyu is a new face in the Japanese entertainment industry but he's getting there and I'm having high hopes for him.
The one I'm liking the most is definitely Kadowaki Mugi's character Saiko (the kissing woman) who is amazing. She has starred in many dramas and films but mostly in supporting roles. Here she proves that she's able to pull off various emotions, sometimes only with her eyes. Also, her sultry looks make her quite unique, she is not just another copy-paste cute idol. I could recognize her face anywhere.
There's also Suda Masaki as a homeless mysterious person. It is still unknown whether he will play a bigger role but for now, he is there as a "moral guide" and comic relief.
The Kisses
This drama wouldn't be really interesting if it didn't have kisses, right? Well, no worries here because there are enough kisses (not pecks!) to keep you on the edge of your seat! Some of them might not be romantic in nature but hey, it's still better than being forced to watch deer-in-the-headlights kisses, right?
I like that they stepped up their game and became a bit braver in showing risque plots and emotions. I just hope they will keep the consistency and not go all cliche in the end.
