Even if this Love Disappears from the World Tonight tells the story of Hino Maori, a girl with anterograde amnesia, who is given a fake confession by Kamiya Toru, a classmate in high school. After learning that Toru confessed to her to protect his friend, Maori suggests that she and Toru pretend to be a couple. However, Maori lays down three conditions, one of which is that they don’t fall in love with each other. One day, Toru accidentally finds out about Maori’s amnesia, but he encourages her not to write about the incident on her diary. With Maori not remembering that Toru now knows about ..read more

Based on the novel A Robot in the Garden by Deborah Install, Tang tells the story of the friendship between the titular robot Tang and a human named Kasugai Ken. Tang mysteriously appeared in Ken’s back garden and despite his attempts to get rid of it, it keeps coming back to him. Ken’s wife, Emi, finally has had enough of him being a freeloader and kicks him out of his house. He decides to return Tang to its maker and ends up getting more than he bargained. Eventually, he learns to befriend Tang regains his confidence along the way. Let’s Talk About the Story Tang takes place in a modern Jap ..read more

I Fell in Love with the Girl Who Gave Me an Eraser is based on a true story of a love story told in an online bulletin board. In the drama, Fukuda Yu falls in love with his middle school classmate, Ito Satomi, who gave him half of her eraser as thanks for giving her a lead refill for her pencil. Fukuda fantasizes about confessing his feelings to Ito, but he never has the chance to do so — mostly because of the timing and mostly because he’s too cowardly to do so. For the next 13 years, Fukuda continues to have feelings for Ito and often fantasizes about her, which leads to hilarious results ..read more

Invert: Jozuka Hisui Toujoshu (Jozuka Hisui Inverted Collection) follows the events of the drama Reibai Tantei Jozuka Hisui (Medium Detective Jozuka Hisui). For those confused as to why the story surrounding Jozuka Hisui was split into two different titled dramas, Aizawa Sako, the novelist of the original source material, did not like the direction of Reibai Tantei and threatened to withdraw the rights to the drama. In Reibai Tantei, the plot focused on Kogetsu Shiro solving the mystery of a serial killer dubbed the Invisible Devil using his logic and Hisui’s psychic abilities. However, it wa ..read more

BL Metamorphosis is the story of an unlikely friendship between 17-year-old Sayama Urara and 75-year-old Ichinoi Yuki. Yuki is a calligraphy teacher who accidentally discovers Boys Love (BL) manga at a bookstore where Urara is working. Urara is an avid BL manga reader herself but hides it from everyone, including her mother and childhood friend. The two became friends after Yuki finds out that Urara likes BL manga. They start spending time reading manga at Yuki’s house, sharing their thoughts on the story, and encouraging each other on their personal lives. Let’s Talk About the Story BL Metam ..read more

In My Broken Mariko, we meet Shiino Tomoyo, an ordinary employee who learns that her best friend, Ikagawa Mariko, died by jumping from her balcony. It is established early on that Tomoyo is a victim of domestic and sexual abuse from her father. Feeling guilty about not being by her friend in her last moments, Shiino steals Mariko’s ashes from her family and goes to a destination she promised Mariko they would go together. On the way, Shiino relives her memories with Mariko and comes to terms with her loss. Thoughts on the Story The subject matter of My Broken Mariko is a heavy one, and movies ..read more

20-Year-Old Soul is based on the true story of Asano Taigi, who wrote a fight song for his high school’s baseball club. He was diagnosed with cancer and succumbed to his illness at 20 years old, but not without leaving a mark on his classmates, his successors in the orchestra club, and his teacher Takahashi Kenichi. The movie starts with his high school life and eventually progresses to his college years up to his death. [This review contains spoilers.] Thoughts on the Story The message of the story is clear — life is short, and you have to make the most of your remaining days so that you mak ..read more

Kimi no Hana ni Naru follows the story of Nakamachi Asuka, a former teacher who became a dormitory mother to 8LOOM, a seven-member idol group on the verge of disbandment. One of the members is Sagami Dan, the group leader and Asuka’s former student. The CEO of the agency decides to give 8LOOM six more months to prove that they still have in in the industry — if not, they will disband. Asuka encourages 8LOOM in their activities, regaining her passion for teaching in the process. Let’s Talk About the Story Kimi no Hana ni Naru gives its audience a good look at the idol industry in the lens of a ..read more

Based on the manga of the same name, Shinai Naru Boku e Satsui wo Komete tells the story of Urashima Eiji, a university student who lives an ordinary life — he slacks off at school, has a girlfriend named Kyoka, and works part-time. However, unknown to his friends, he is the son of LL, a serial killer who tortured and murdered female sex workers 15 years ago. Eiji wakes up one day not remembering what happened three days ago. Detectives approach him, telling him he's a suspect in the murder of a sex worker who was last seen with him. Her body was found with signs of torture, the same modus by ..read more

Based on the best-selling novel Rurou no Tsuki, Wandering tells the story of Kanai Sarasa, who reunites with Saeki Fumi. Fifteen years ago, then ten-year-old Sarasa wanted to escape from her aunt and cousin, and Fumi offered his place to her. Sarasa lived with Fumi for two months until Fumi was arrested for pedophilia. When they see each other again, Sarasa is now an adult who has a stable job and his betrothed to a very controlling fiancé. Meanwhile, Fumi is out of prison and has been living quietly and working in a café. Sarasa has never forgotten the guilt she felt for Fumi’s imprisonment ..read more