S. Yue Michaelis

Mare is an elementary school student. She lives with her family in the city, but, right before her father goes bankrupt, they run away and settle down at a fishing village in Noto.

The family rents a couple's home who run a salt pond. Mare's father starts a new business, but it also fails. Her mother supports the family by working at the salt pond.

8 years later, Mare, about to graduate from high school, decides to work for the Wajima local government. She wants to have a steady job, unlike her father. Her job is to support people who move to Noto. (asianwiki-2015)


I loved Mare in the first 90 episodes. I was sure it was going to be my 2nd favorite Asadora, but alas, it isn't. I think one of the strongest point of watching an Asadora is to love the main character till the end. Unfortunately this didn't happen to me with Mare, contrary to Amachan and Manpuku where I loved Aki and Fukuko.

Mare's story can be divided in 3 parts: Noto, younger years; Yokohama, apprentice days and Noto, older years.

Noto, younger years: we see Mare and Tsumura family coming to Noto, running away from the father's debts in Tokyo. I watched the first 3 episodes and then left it pending. I guess since the beginning I just wasn't attracted to Toru and his "dame-otoko" ways. I resumed watching it months later and I just fell in love with Noto and the heartwarming life of this tiny, seaside village. I love hometowns where the villagers are all gossipy and close to each other and where there are no secrets at all (I wouldn't be able to live like that, but watching it is a pleasure). I loved the homely aspect, the everyday lives, the little romances (loved when the entire village was betting on Mare and Keita), loved the Wajima laquer and making of salt.

Yokohama, apprentice days: I cried a bit when Mare decided to leave Noto and go to Yokohama to be an apprentice of patisserie. She didn't want to leave her mother and her beloved hometown, but her dream was to be the world's best patissier so she had to. After many begging, she manages to work under Ikehata Daigo's guidance. I truly think that Daigo was more of a father figure to her than Toru ever was. First of all, Daigo's cake was the trigger for Mare to become a patissier. Second, he pushed her to be better. He was the one who guided her and made her what she becomes later. In spite of being grumpy and difficult, he respected her, and she respected him. She would have been a great and successful patissier if only she didn't get marry at the young age of 22 :S

Noto, older days: and the downhill of the drama. Mare leaves Yokohama and leaves her dream aside to be a bride and proprietress of the Wajima's household. When she finally opens her own cake store, she gets pregnant... by twins :S And just like that, for almost 10 years, she is happy being a mediocre patissier.. but she has a family of her own :S Then, she wakes up, realizes that she still wants to be the World's Best and gets ready to participate in competition (except she doesn't participate in one because "her children had a sumo tournament and she had to be there" **eyerolling**, but of course she has allies who help her so she "almost" wins *eyerolling**).

So, the things I liked:

- the OP song: so catchy! Loved it since the very beginning.
- Noto Island: I love this kind of environment, how people becomes family just for being there. I specially loved Fumi-san and Ganji-san; to me, the best characters. They welcomed the Tsumura family not with open arms, but slowly they become their family (more than Toru ever was). Ganji was the father Ittetsu never had, and I loved that Ittetsu was the one following Ganji-san's steps and that the salt-making had a successor. I also liked Ittetsu, the mature younger brother of Mare. At least he gets to punch Toru once.
- Daigo: his unexpected character when he meets his ex-chef after many years :D He is stubborn and grumpy, and I am so happy he won the contest at the end, but he still had faith in Mare till the end.
- All the cakes!

Things I didn't like:

- that Mare gets married and has children so young: and that she gives up on her dream.
- the character I hated the most was Toru. A nuisance of a father. First he leaves them for 6 years, when Mare and Ittetsu were around 10 yo. Then he leaves again for 3 years to pursue his dreams in Tokyo, divorcing his wife because she "didn't deserve to wait for him". And again he leaves after Mare gets married, this time for around 8 years(?). No idea why they loved him so much -in Noto I mean. Toru lived there for a couple of years only. He was always running away, having big dreams (he was a nobody) and never going anywhere, always failing. And then he was all mopey and crying, saying he loved his family... how?? He was NEVER with his family, and NEVER thought of them when he was dreaming big.
- Mare's voice and the narrator's voice were like nails on a blackboard. I didn't mind so much in the first half, but for the 2nd half... why would 2 grown-up women talk like that?? The narrator was almost SIXTY when she did her voice-in-off. Maybe Tao speaks like that, but not THAT much. Kadowaki Mugi (Minori) too.. she doesn't speak like that at all in Todome no Kiss :S
- I understand Ichiko's envy towards Mare, I get that love-hate friendship. I liked the growth in her and that precisely because of her strong feelings towards Mare, they are closer afterwards. What I don't understand is how everybody was so understanding and forgiving when she sabotaged Mare's career. And trying to compete in making a cake since Ichiko didn't even know how to cook?? I hate when all people are so forgiving; she is an ass and badmouths Mare, but nope, everyone forgives her and don't even scold her, wtf.
- there is a scene where Mare is tired and grumpy and her kid Ayumi is being annoying and Mare screams at her to not bother her. Like any parent tired of work would. But Keita sees this like it is the biggest crime, Mare feels super guilty and that kid is all offended. WTF. And Mare has to apologize **eye-rolling** and make promises to be a good mother.. only because she wants to be a good patissier and make good cakes. Speaking of her children, the little girl that played her daughter screamed too much! Shut up little girl! Totally the opposite of the little boy who played Ittetsu's son.. that little boy NEVER screams in any of his works.
- I hated that I had to watch the face of that rapist (the one that played Yoichiro). Not that it is this drama's fault, it is just something I was bothered.
- I don't think there is a sizzling chemistry between Tsuchiya Tao and Yamazaki Kento tbh. And their love story was so MEH. It was cute when they were in school at first... Mare rejects him more or less, and when she finally gets the courage to confess her feelings (a couple of weeks later?) he is already dating Ichiko. And he and Ichiko date for a couple of years, they break-up (she was never in love with him, it was just out of spite.. but he did love her it seems) and days later, he starts dating Mare. And weeks later, they are getting married.. what??

The lesson of Mare is that you either give up on being a parent to become the world best patissier or be a mother and a mediocre cook. Like Mare.

A daughter, Nozomi Imamura (Kou Shibasaki), returns after 25 years. She is still like a 10 year old kid. (asiawiki-2020)


For about the first 4 episodes or so it was more or less like I was hoping for. I liked the struggles of Nozomi, waking up being a 35year old woman with the mind of a 10year old girl. And how different her world is from 25 years ago. Her relationship with both her mother and Yuto-kun was similar to "Kahogo no Kahoko": an overprotective mother and a cynical young guy who falls for the innocent, naive girl who sees the world differently. Only that in this drama, it made sense why Nozomi was the way she was, unlike Kahoko.

The cast was also excellent. Shibasaki Kou looked good and convincing; her mother looked overbearing, Hashimoto Ai was great as a cynical younger sister, with Mother complex.

There are so many Jdrama with no romance and where there is a chemistry between the leads so you cannot help wonder WHY there wasn't any romance (I am looking at you Trick!). Or Jdrama where romance was not necessary at all and it would have been better if there weren't any... like this one. Why in the world would Yuto-kun move so fast, moving out with Nozomi (remember, she was a 10year old girl in the body of a 35yo woman) and start a romance with a woman with a child-mind? I also think the mother was too overbearing and too miserable. I hate useless fathers whose only good trait is their "smile" and "good humor", while being a completely mess being a father. This father couldn't even decide between his ex and his current wife, what a mess.

Mana-chan was a mess also in her love life and thankfully she gets out of it quickly. But the end, with her befriending the younger bride... MEH. There were so many redeeming stories (Tatsuya, the hikkikomori; Nozomi getting her dream, Mana-chan getting her dream; the father with his happy family, yadda yadda) and nothing was believable.

First part was good, second half was disappointing. I loved the ED song though.

Shinsuke Kuwano (Hiroshi Abe) is in his 50's and he is still single. He works as an architect, has a good appearance and earns a nice income. Yet, he is cynical and has strong pride. He has a comfortable single life. One day, he visits Lawyer Madoka Yoshiyama’s (Yo Yoshida) office for consultation. (asaiwiki-2019)


I honestly had not many expectations, because I loved Season 1 and I thought there was no need for a sequel, at all. When I knew it was going to be subbed, by a trusty subber nonetheless, I decided to watch it but still, with not many expectations.

Once it started, I was already loving it. It was so much like Season 1... the OST, Kuwano and his mannerisms, the office, Eiji, the dog... how not to love it? The whistling OST is honestly the most fitting and fun thing I've heard in Doramaland. Again with Kuwano being sarcastic and having unique point of view, again with a trio of women who looked at him closely and find him weird, but eventually, realize he is one of a kind, besides being a nice guy.

True, the doctor is not there anymore, which sucked when I heard about it. But now that I've watched S2 I realize there can be several seasons with different women and I wouldn't mind. It is, after all, "the man who can't marry". He can have as many women in his life, with amazing chemistry, but at the end of the day, according to his words in the earlier episodes, "being alone is the best".

Not to say there isn't a romance and a HFN ending, because of course there is. There was a nice chemistry with this woman, who rivaled the doctor at many points. They had many fun conversations that almost always ended in a fight, all because Kuwano couldn't hold his tongue and had to say something spiteful, without being spiteful.. it is just the way he is and that is what makes the drama so fun to watch.

Of course Kuwano wouldn't be the same if Abe Hiroshi have not played him. This guy was made for comedy (truthfully he is amazing in everything he does) and my, how I miss him in comedies! It was nice to see him again with that outfit and his slight slouching and him talking to Tetsuo/Ken :D

It was nice to see Eiji (Tsukamoto Takashi) too, the growth and how close they are after so many years together, even if things have not changed much. I actually loved the whole cast, and I am happy and very satisfied that Yoshida Yo was the co-star, because she has a very strong presence and to act next to Abe Hiroshi is no joke. I only wished her clothes in the series were better... most of them were veeery weird.

Very recommended, I think S1 and S2 are like, best examples of J-drama instead of other silly shows that are always recommended to people who have not watched J-drama. I honestly wouldn't mind having a S3 in the next 10 years with different women, as long as Kuwano and the dog are there (and ok, Eiji, his brother-in-law and the foreman would be nice as well!)

Taking one start because I think this deserved at least one more episode, it feels like it didn't have a proper closure. Maybe saving it for S3??

Set in Osaka before the war.

Fukuko (Sakura Ando) has a mother and two older sisters. She and her family are poor, but she is loved by her family. Her oldest sister becomes sick and dies. Her second sister gets married and leaves their home. Fukuko decides to encourage herself.

A few incidents leads to Fukuko meeting young businessman Manpei (Hiroki Hasegawa). They fall in love and eventually marry. Manpei’s business goes through a cycle of success and failures. Fukuko at first only tolerates Manpei's ideas, but she gains strength and supports him in his unique business ventures. Finally, the couple develop instant ramen. (asiawiki-2018)


It is only my second Asadora, but I can confirm they are really addictive. Easy to watch and easy to fall in love with the characters. It is like they become part of your family, I am going to miss them ^_^.

I love Sakura Ando as Fukuko; she was cheerful and strong and my, her tears were so good. She had a nice chemistry with Hasegawa Hiroki; they were truly a wonderful married couple. They look the part too.. they look young at first and older at the end, unlike Kaname Jun (Tadahiko) and Matsushita Nao (Katsuko), who still looked too young to be grandfparents. Manpei was the ying and Fukuko the yang in their relationship, the complimented each other. If it weren't for Fukuko, Manpei wouldn't go anywhere with his ideas (but let's face it.. most of the good ideas came from Fukuko but Manpei-san was the one who was able to reproduce the idea or make it real).

I love Fukuko's mother.. she was such a character! Annoying and meddlesome but so funny and with a good heart. By the end of the series, I was loving every one, from Sera to Shinichi. How nice that Shinichi was still part of the family, even after so many years after Saki's death. And how nice that Saki was still present in their lives even though she died so many years ago. How nice that Kanbe-kun admired the Tachibana couple so much. And how nice how everyone was involved in one way or the other in the success of Manpuku Noodles.

The support of family, friends... all of them were so important to make Manpuku Noodles come to what it is. As always in a J-drama, family and friends are pivotal in the main character's lives (and at the same time, they influence positive in the others).

Some scenes were a bit slow for my liking, like all the times Manpei went to prison. Reason why I rate this 8.5. And sometimes I just wanted to smack Manpei-san... I know he was a genius and couldn't see straight beyond his ideas, but poor Fukuko suffered so much many times and years (but she loved that her husband was an inventor). He was the reason of all her tears; of her happy and sad tears.

Main song was cute and the opening sequence very dorky, I loved it.

I will mourn for a couple of weeks and then start a new Asadora ^_^

Satoru Fujinuma (Yuki Furukawa) has the special ability of "revival." His special power allows him to travel back in time before terrible incidents occur and right whichever wrong occurred. He travels back in time continually until the incidents are stopped.

Satoru Fujinuma goes back 18 years ago to find out the person who killed his mother. Satoru Fujinuma is sure that his mother’s death is related with a serial murder case that involved victims being children and occurring 18 years ago. (asiawiki-2019)


I've only read the first volume of the manga and have not watched the anime nor the movie, so I can't compare. This series was really good! I was hooked from the very beginning (I did not even read the plot beforehand, so I didn't know what it was all about and had many surprises here and there). The pace of the story was very well done: the series is just 25min long -or less- and in spite of being too short, it was never rush and I've never felt lost in regards to the plot. I think everything was well explained. I do think that the last 3 episodes were not as good as the first 9... I think that what Fujinuma experiences later, starting ep08 (or was it 9?) made the story less exciting as what he lived in the first 7 episodes.

The acting was excellent, especially from the children. And I liked Furukawa's voice in off, it was calm but not bored. There was even one scene where I was moved by young Satoru's tears... I am amazed this boy, Uchikawa Reo, has not a longer filmography! Apparently he was also Ciel Phantomhive in a couple of musicals that I have yet to see (booo, there are no more subbed musicals since the 3rd one...).

This is a mystery-suspense story where family and friends play a big role. Both were important for our main characters. I am grateful this dorama is on Netflix... while I was watching this, I searched for reviews (with no spoilers) and I am surprised there are so many! And all of them positive reviews. I am not used to read so many reviews of a Japanese dorama... our fandom is mostly quiet and not very vocal.

Recommended. I'll start watching the anime tonight, which I've read is not as good as this live action.

Yaichi (Ryuta Sato) is a single father and he raises his elementary school aged daughter alone. One day, a foreign man named Mike (Baruto Kaito) visits him.

Yaichi has an identical twin brother Ryoji, but Ryoji moved to Canada years ago. They have disconnected since that time. Mike introduces himself as the husband of Ryoji. They are a married gay couple. Yaichi is confused and doesn't know how to deal with Mike. (asiawiki-2018)


I loved it. Only 3 episodes long, perfect length, perfect cast, perfect everything.

To think I once didn't like Sato Ryuta *face-palm* and I blame it on the roles he played (the idiotic but kind secondary guy). He was excellent as the MC in this drama, I love how he goes from a judgemental, ignorant guy to a understanding friend. His twin brother, Ryoji, was gay, he died and his Canadian husband comes to Japan to meet his brother-in-law Yaichi and all the places Ryoji loved.

I confess I usually don't like the foreign actors in J-dramas since it seems like anyone who is foreign but speaks a little of Japanese can be an actor; meaning, terrible acting. But Baruto, as Mike Flanaga, was perfect, he portrayed perfectly the gentle giant (he is gigantic! I remember how Nakai loved to pat his belly in SMAP Bistro XD)

This is a very realistic slice of life, where there would be ignorant people who rejects homosexuality or just refuse to accept it. At the beginning, Yaichi was all "would be make a move on me?", or just calling him "my brother's friend" or not liking Mike near his daughter. Slowly, he begins to see that Mike was a nice guy who just happened to love men. Mike was never ashamed of who he was, and he taught his niece and his niece's friends that men can love men (and marry them) and same with girls. And the little girls were confused at first, but they quickly were "if you love someone, is wonderful you can marry that person, even if the both of you are guys" :D

I smiled, I cried, I loved it! Very recommended. I will read the manga as well (the author was in my "banned" list but this one is very different from what I thought)

High school student Aki (Rena Nounen) tries to become a female diver in her mother's (Kyoko Koizumi) rural hometown, located in Iwate Prefecture. Aki is influenced by her grandmother Natsu (Nobuko Miyamoto). (asiawiki-2013)


To say that I loved Amachan would be an understatement. I think it is one of the cutest, most heartwarming, most charming and most uplifting dramas I've ever watched. The heroine, Amano Aki, is perfectly portrayed by Nounen Rena. I loved her and could understand why she was so much loved by everyone (in the drama and in RL). I am not sure if it was an awesome way to start watching Asadoras, because this one was top-notch, but I also fear that no one will come close to Amachan. The cast, the cute little intro song, the setting.. everything.

This drama is about loving your family, friends and little town. Aki's family was always there for her, not only her family by blood, but all the people in Kitasanriku. Aki's friendship with Yui-chan made me teary-eyed many times, and I loved the relationship between Suzuka-san and Haruko. Truly, Kudo Kankuro is a genius when it comes to female characters and female relationship. I don't see the Idol world as negative as I used to... these lovely girls just wanted to make people happy. I was so happy seeing the director so proud of his cast/drama in the extra episode; he really loved "Amachan"!

The lenght also kinda scared me at first... but when I was around Ep. 50 I was like, "I wish this was longer". I kept watching it anywhere where I had a little time off... on the bus, waiting my meals, etc. It is perfect to upload a couple of episodes on the cellphone.

I am currently suffering withdrawal symptoms... I loved it!

Kazuyuki, employed at a major advertising firm, is the breadwinner for his wife and daughter and has managed to fulfill his dream of owning his own house. Filled with pride and confidence, he's at the peak of his career as a working man. Meanwhile his neighbor Yusuke is his complete opposite, as he is supported by his wife, who runs her own company, and who considers himself to be a professional "at-home dad." From Kazuyuki's perspective, such a househusband is an outrage, an existence who's not worthy of being called a man.But then, one day, Kazuyuki is forced to quit his job at the company. His wife starts working to make their living for the time being, and Kazuyuki becomes a househusband in this major role-switch. Needless to mention, he experiences one failure after another doing things he's never done before and his masculine pride is in tatters! But then he starts to feel ambition and passion to make the best of his situation and prevail over all difficulties. His neighbor Yusuke now becomes Kazuyuki's guide and mentor in the new role of at-home dad. Then Kazuyuki's trials and tribulations begin in the task of becoming an outstanding househusband. (asiawiki - 2004)

There are dramas that you just KNOW that you are going to love them, and this was one of them. Pre-2006 dramas are so heartwarming. This is the story of an arrogant, chauvinistic man who one day is unemployed, his wife gets a job and he becomes a "at-home-dad", which is, a househusband. In episode 1 I was laughing already, I didn't know this was going to be a comedy.

Abe Hiroshi was, no surprise, amazing as Yamamura-san. He reminded me a little bit of Kusano from "Kekkon Dekinai Otoko" in his expressions, always sarcastic and with replies full of arrogance. Of course this is the kind of drama I love to watch, when this kind of guy learns how to depend on others, how to be kinder, and to value the "demeaning" job of being a househusband. And also when a man, who used to take women for granted, realizes being one is hard.

He had a wonderful chemistry with his wife (Shinohara Ryoko), his neighbor who is a dedicated househusband, and her daughter. I think I was hesitant to watch this because of Shinohara Ryoko. I don't know why but I don't like this woman ^_^ I have never watched any of her works, so my dislike is irrational. Nevertheless, she was excellent as the nice, hardworking wife.

But the chemistry I liked the most was between him and the little girl, Rie (Sakura Ando). They have many funny scenes, but also many tender ones. The little girl was excellent, there were many times where she was looking at his father with so much love. Or so much pride. Sometimes she was also looking at him a little sad. It was so nice.

The little neighborhood was cozy and their house looked like a candy-house. More like a cookie-house. Anyway, their ladies neighbors were too noisy for my taste, specially the "leader", but well, they all had a good heart.

I loved how Yamamura-san struggled with being a househusband, a task he took for granted. All the mess he did were so funny (starting in Ep. 1... Abe Hiroshi is SOOOOO good in comedy). Seems like the clean their houses every day O_O

Music was ok, there was one I liked the most because it suited Abe Hiroshi.. laid-back, funny and a bit silly. Kinda like, again, KDO.

In Chapter 1, Mieko who has a congenital hearing disability, meets and marries Hirofumi, a kind man with normal hearing. Chapter 2 shows Mieko’s pregnancy and delivery, while Chapter 3 depicts how she struggles to raise her daughter Chizuru, now 4 years old. Chapter 4 shows Mieko's confusion and distress over the changes in the life of her daughter, now aged 9, and the final chapter depicts Mieko’s anxieties over her 12-year-old daughter trying to become independent of her mother. Portraying a couple bound by deep love, Miho Kanno and Shinji Takeda give fine acting performances and demonstrate their skills in sign language.(asiawiki-1997)


I love stories with Sign Language. I think it is a beautiful form of communication. I tried to find books to learn it, but there are so many (American, British, Spanish, Mexican) so I am not sure which one to get. Anyway, I strongly recommend this dorama to people who watched/read "Koe no Katachi" and loved it. The big difference is that this story is not in school, but the adult life of a deaf girl. How she starts to be part of the society (by working), how she meets her future husband, how other people who meet her starts to learn Sign Language. How hard for her is to become a mother, to be married, etc.

The story is simple, yet beautiful. I shed many tears while watching it, and it is not because it is a sad story. No, it is simply because there are certain scenes that where too emotional. Like when her future-mother-in-law comes to Mieko's house to ask her to please not marry her son. Like the speech Mieko's daughter gives at school, both out loud and with signs. And all the times someone talks to her (thru signs) for the first time: Hirofumi, his mother, the doctor, etc. It was so poignant every time someone tried their best to talk to her.

Kanno Miho is the sweetest girl and best fit for this role. She cries many times throughout the 5 episodes, but they all were understandable. Since she is deaf, she has little confidence in herself, and for every mistake or hardship that brings her deafness to the people she loves, she blames herself. Thank Godness she marries the most patient and sweetest guy on Earth.

Besides her, I loved, LOVED the mothers: her mother and her mother-in-law. Strong women who loved Mieko, and some time later, their granddaughter.

My favorite episodes were 1, 2 and 3. I have watched Episode 1 twice (I finished this a couple of days ago, and rewatched Ep. 1 yesterday). There are only 5 episodes, 1 hour and 30 minutes long. First episode is from 1997, 2nd from 1998, 3rd from 1999, 4th from 2000 and the last one from 2001. Like most people, I prefer to watch recent dorama, but it is for the quality of the video only. In regards to story, oldies are better: they are simpler, they are sweeter. Romance is much better without cellphones and other technologies. For example, in this dorama, there are no cellphones, so Mieko and Hirofumi send each other faxes to talk at night. Isn't that cute?

The song "I just called to say I love you" fit the dorama perfectly.

Beautiful story, totally recommended!

Drama series depicts the love and marriage of two 30 something couples.

Ordinary salaryman Kousei (Eita]) works for a company which installs vending machines. He complains about his marriage life while at the dentist office. Kousei doesn't do his job well and he is also sick. He isn't happy at all. His biggest problem is his wife Yuna (Machiko Ono), who has the complete opposite personality from Kousei .They have been married 2 years.

Yuna is bright and easy-going. Kousei doesn't know if he loves Yuna or not, but he thinks her personality meshi with his. At this time, Kousei meets Akari (Yoko Maki), his ex-girlfriend from his university days. Akari works as an assistant at the College of Fine Arts and married Ryo (Gou Ayano). (asiawiki-2013)


Meguro is sooo pretty, I can't imagine how it looks like in spring, with all the sakura trees in bloom. I wish I could live there, in that tiny, comfortable apartment. And eat every night in a tiny, homely restaurant... <3

I don't agree with people saying that Hamasaki-san and Yuka were insufferable. I think I liked them since episode 1... could it be because of the actors that portrayed them? Eita was fantastic, as he always is. Maybe in RL I couldn't stand to be with someone like him, but I love this kind of character in a dorama/anime/book. They are always fun. And it is always nice to see how they improved, how they change things for better.

The cast is top-notch, and being this a dorama from Sakamoto Yuji, it was only matter of time for me to watch it. Why it took me so long? Because I knew there was cheating. I hate cheating. And the cheater. So that's why I couldn't watch it. Needless to say, once I finished Episode 1, I just had to continue.

Story: (8/10) I loved the whole Hamasaki Mitsuo/Hoshino Yuka story. They were "quirky" and very likeable. It is true that he is a pain in the ass and must be the worst person to live with (he doesn't like anything, is against everything, has OCD) but at least he is honest -and very funny! without trying to-. Yuka is the opposite, too care-free and a bit immature, but she truly loves her husband. It was impossible to not feel sorry for her, since for some time Hamasaki was more interested in his ex-gf than in their falling-apart-relationship. I am so happy that he is the one to make the first step to getting back together. I loved it, because they may not be in love, but they love each other. Which is more important than being in love I think. Having fights and quarrels and disagreements... that's what made them the perfect couple.

Regarding the 2nd couple, Akari and Uehara... there is where weak side is. I don't get the whole Uehara's trauma, and I can't condone his cheating. I guess Akari is also part to blame, since she let him get away with his affairs without saying a word, but for me, the man is always guilty (sorry! it is just the way it is).

I am very satisfied with the ending. I don't feel the need to watch the SP (and I wouldn't, either way, since 1) there are no subs, and 2) the reviews are terrible).

Cast: (10/10) Eita is one of the best actors in J-doramas, and I wish he had more roles like this, where he is quirky and funny. Like in Nodame. But seems like he only does more dramatic roles :( Anyway, he was very good as Hamasaki. I liked his character since Episode 1 mainly because of him. Machiko Ono had a good chemistry with him. She makes the best stupid laugh XD

Maki Yoko portrayed the calm, composed girl perfectly, but maybe because of that, and because the only other work of her that I've seen ("Like Father, Like Son"), where she was the same, I can only see her as zombie-like. Like she doesn't show much in her expressions.

And do I need to say anything about Ayano Go? If he plays the villain, I hate him. If he plays the abuser, he really has the face of an abuser. If he plays the role of a gentle doctor, he really resembles a nice guy. And here, he is a pitiful cheater. So I felt pity for him, but I also disliked him. He really has a pitiful face ^_^

Music: (9/10) The ED suits the dorama soooo well. And the ending credits help to make the song more memorable. I absolutely loved the ending credits. I laughed at them. I wonder if the actors laughed a lot too. The girls didn't have much chemistry between them, but the boys! It seemed like they were going to burst into laughs at any time. Eita, who isn't bad at anything, it seems, was the best dancer, followed closely by Machiko Ono. Ayano Go was by far the worst dancer, hahaha.

Rewatch Value: (8/10) I don't rewatch any dorama in general, but I would for the Hamazaki/Yuka parts only. And of course, for the credits!