Taisetsu na Koto ha Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta

[owaranai_natsu]

Courtesy of choutensai

Guys. GUYS. I think I just died. Honestly, I can't get over my infatuation with Masaki. If he keeps being adorkable, especially in the presence of Haruma, I may just have a heart attack. There's something about this combination of actors that gets to me, and I'm sure, quite a lot of people too. They're both young, Haruma more seasoned than Masaki, but young. What I like the most, is that they rarely have scenes together, like one on one, yet it seems they have established a sense of comradery (is there no right way to spell that word?!) off-screen.

But yes, this means I am watching Taisetsu na Koto ha Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta. The cinematography is different, I don't know any technical terms, but the focus is completely on the characters. There are also shots that are hand-held and camera angles that are really appropriate for the scene (I'm thinking of ep.7 where Natsumi finally tells Shuuji). In terms of the plot, I'd say it moves pretty quickly. I'm glad the first issue was 'resolved' quickly, but I also realize that it's not the main problem; the main problem is Shuuji needing to grow up and decide for himself, so the pace is right.

Needless to say, I've fallen more for the actors. I'm really happy to see Haruma move into his role so well, it's like he's finally graduated from playing high school students XD He convincingly plays the teacher :) Erika is gorgeous and solid as usual. Her hair is so effing amazing ^_^ The ending sequence really highlights their beauty. Takei Emi is really pretty and I really wish GOLD would finish being subbed so I can see her in that to compare and contrast. The actress who plays Sonoda, her ally of sorts, reminds me a whole of Ueto Aya.

I've gotten used to Masaki's hair; that boy is working it :P I'm particularly biased for his dork!scenes in the gym, whether it's being a loud dufus, spewing Kansai-ben, or confessing his love and concern for Natsumi-chan ♥ Kento is quiet, almost wasted on his role, but I'm glad he's there. I wonder if he tried out for the role of Hiraoka, because his character in Koishite Akuma was similar. AKB48's Shinoda Mariko is also really solid as Natsumi's best friend and support. Since she is one of the older (oldest?) members of the group, it makes sense that she can play a role that's beyond high school level.

As for the actual characters, there's a lot to say. I'm jumping ahead, because that's where the meat of the drama starts. After a few episodes, I couldn't hate Saeki, though she is still stupid. It's not like I knew where she was coming from, only that she wasn't this despicable, vindictive bitch, out to ruin Shuuji's life. I think once we got the real story, I was okay with her character, because in the end, it's actually going to make Shuuji a better person.

Natsumi, true to her way of being, wanted Shuuji to walk his own path, even if it meant liking some other girl. It was important that he began to want things for himself. I thought it was interesting how the nurse pointed out Natsumi had gained strength in living for/supporting others. She thought she had become weak after Shuuji left, but she is so much stronger than that ♥ While a lot of people might hate Shuuji for what he's doing, I can't. Maybe because I hope that he'll learn what he has to from this and go back to her. Perhaps I'm hoping he'll become the better man that Natsumi deserves, and they'll get back together.

However, I honestly don't think this drama is going to let us have a happy ending. I could be very wrong, but I have a feeling about the title. "You taught me everything that was important ...but, now that I've learned those things, it's obvious we should go our separate ways." We're too different now, our time has passed, etc. I don't know. At this rate, it doesn't look like Shuuji is realizing enough, just how Natsumi meant to him. It hurts, but he isn't doing anything about it. Instead, he's going off trying to save Saeki. Both understandable actions...but still, drama's not giving me signals of a happy ending, but we still have episodes left. In the next episode, we see some other guy wooing Natsumi and her seemingly enjoying it, so it'll move things along ;)

I'll end on this note. What do you guys think about this:
"A marriage completely out of love is no good. What's left when the love's gone?"
Somehow, it made me really angry, because I think love is powerful and doesn't fade so easily, even if, on the surface, the relationship has changed.
Perhaps he's right in a different kind of way, though. Like, if you're not friends with someone you marry, and the love does change, you have no other foundation to work off of...it's kind of the same basis, right?