Love Is Blind: Japan (2022)

The most calming and most wholesome rendition

First and foremost, I would like to state, that as of writing this, I have seen the original American production (seasons one and two [season two has yet to finish]) as well as the Brazilian one, so I definitely had more than an idea of what I was getting into. However, I did not expect it to be, like my title states, the most calming and most wholesome rendition, as the other two are, for lack of a better description, dumpster fire that you can't stay away from.

Of the three countries, the Japanese Love is Blind had the least drama and the least amount of overdramatic edits, and what I mean by edits is that scenes aren't unnecessarily dragged out to keep you on your toes. For example, in both the US and Brazilian versions, the couples reveal is dragged into the next episode, whereas with Japan's, every couple that was set to be revealed was revealed one by one near the end of the time in the pods, and pretty quickly as well despite it still leading into the next episode. Even when there was drama (let's face it, part of this is real life so there is definitely going to be real life issues between the couples) to be had, it wasn't edited to make one side nor the other look bad, and we got as close to both sides of the story as possible and it was resolved for the most part.

However, the one thing I will say, is that this season does give a lot of false hope. More than five couples walk out engaged in the pods, and yet only two end up actually saying their nuptials (their "I dos"). Two couples in particular ended up all the way at the end to walk out on each other.

Other than that, I did enjoy the little life update from most, if not all of the contestants, including, of course, the two couples who made it more than past the alter. Of the couples who ended up together, I loved seeing Midori and Wataru's story develop, but, I personally loved Ryotaro and Motomi's story and I absolutely loved her metamorphosis, as her sense of style (her way of dressing) has changed to match Ryotaro's (and in a good and cute way). Though both couples shined extremely radiant and I do hope they continue their journey in this crazy thing we call life.

Alhough I'm dissapointed that the couples I were rooting for didn't work out, you can never predict what will happen in life, and you can't force happiness.

I am definitely hoping forward to another season, or multiple rather, of Love is Blind Japan.

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Is love really blind?

Likes
1. I'm so happy my 2 favorite couples from the pods actually made it to the end!!! I thought they both had chemistry and something special from the start and I was right!
2. Ryotaru and Motomi were so cute together. When I saw Ryotaru dye his hair black to meet her parents, I also felt his sincerity. No wonder Motomi's strict father accepted him. And funny that three months later, Motomi's hair was blonde too and she had another color change later. Nice to have a hairstylist husband!
3. I loved Midori and Wataru out of all the couples. They were so similar and looked so good together. Up til the end i was worried that Midori was going to say no! Good thing she said yes! I think Wataru will take care of her and Lupin.
4. I also liked Mori, too bad he wasnt able to handle Minami who was a little different and quirky. I also think Minami should not be afraid to show her true self but she also needs to learn to listen and change when needed.
5. The rest of the couples looked like they really weren't going to make it because they were all too different. They probably just got caught up in the pods and pressured to choose.

Dislikes
I think judging a person not by their looks is a good thing but alot of them also decided with their hearts in the pods and not using their heads.
A. Like accepting a proposal from a 23 yo because he said he wants a family then getting disappointed when he said he's not ready. She should have taken age into account and not just because he said all the right things.
B. Another guy also lied to the girl to make him seem better than he really is.
C. The older guy (i was even rooting for him at the start) who expected too much from the younger girl and wasnt very tolerating. Even the way he speaks during the interviews were harsh and put all the blame on the girl. I thought the girl had relationship issues due to her trauma and he didnt understand her. So im glad they didnt marry. I like her and hope she finds her partner too.

Looking forward to season 2!

Rating: 8.5/10

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Less sexualized than the American version, couples more serious

8/10 is my rating. This is a 2022 Japanese reality dating show. It is patterned after the American show of the same name. It ran for 11, 47-71 minute

First I provide a Unique synopsis then review

Synopsis

Eleven women and thirteen men live on a compound where the genders are kept separate at first, site unseen. During the first ten days members take part in speed dates where they seek to find out as much as they can about each other with marriage in mind. Following the speed dates, they can then choose to participate in longer dates with partners of their choice by going into adjacent pods where they are unable to see each other but can clearly hear each other’s voices. The intent is to fall for each other enough to propose marriage. Once the couples are engaged (and many will leave at this level never having found that level of connection) they are allowed to meet face to face where they see the other physically and the ring is presented. Affianced couples depart for a one week resort vacation Other couples that have taken part in the “experiment” are at the resort so the participants get to see others they may have “dated”. After spending their time at the resort, the affianced couples move into apartments for the remainder of the show. The couples are encouraged to spend their time introducing their fiancé to friends and family. While planning their weddings they go about their daily lives and learn how the person they chose goes about their days. All of the women go shopping for wedding dresses together and offer opinions on cut and style. Likewise the men shop for suits and offer each other opinions on the look of those suits they select. Each couple gets a day at the alter where they decide whether, after having real world time together, they want to say “I Do” or they regret their decision and say “I Don’t”.

HOSTS

Takashi Fujii Born in 1972. Would have been about 5O years old when the show aired. He is an actor, comedian, singer, presenter and music producer.

Yuka Itaya born in 1975. She would have been about 47 when the show aired. She is an actress, model and presenter.

SINGLES

Women

Priyanka Yoshikawa (Priya) (28) Mixed ethnicity with a Japanese and Indian ((India) parent. She is an interpreter, model and kick boxer. She was crowned Miss Japan world in 2016. Born in 1994. She would have been about 28 when the show aired.

Toshie (39) Aromatherapy instructor

Midori (30) Business planner

Motomi (27) Advertising salesperson

Minami (26) Architecture firm

Eri (32) Fitness trainer

Ayano (30) Corporate worker

Maki (34) Yoga instructor

Nana (31) Online marketing

Priya (27) Entrepreneur

Kaoru (31) Singer-songwriter

Nanako (35) Ex-ballet instructor

Men

Takumi (23) Ex-Maritime Self-Defense Force officer

Jinya (26) Hair and makeup stylist

Yudai (23) Men’s hairstylist

Mori (37) Cosmetic dermatologist

Shuntaro (56) Consultant

Odacchi (31) Comedian

Atsushi (42) Business owner

Sho (28) Design firm owner

Misaki (31) Baseball coach in Kenya

Ryotaro (32) Hairstylist

Ryoga (30) Real estate

Mizuki (29) Restaurateur

Wataru (38) Executive

Review

This is such a popular reality dating show that it started in the US and several other countries have done their versions. As expected the Japanese series was less sexualized than the US and if the couples were intimate it did not show it. The singles also seemed to consider marriage a lot more seriously than the US version. Is Love Blind? I think in watching the US version, this Japanese version and now starting the Swedish version I would say it depends. It goes back to how much importance the individual and the culture places in physical appearance. With a major in psychology it is fascinating to me they can do what they even call an experiment. It most likely would not pass an ethics panel if it were an actual psychological experiment.

Spoilers

What is clear to me is women, cross culturally can be very harsh with men. Some of the critical comments were hard to take. If you have seen the show you would know who I am referencing but I will leave names out of it.

One male was a little heavier than the woman preferred so she decided to put him on an intense training schedule. Wanting someone you care about to be physically healthier is understandable but all of her comments pointed to her being worried about appearance, she said a lot of things indicating that she thought she was more attractive than him. Her mom was funny as she took a liking to the future son-in-law and told her daughter to quit being arrogant. Basically he is a catch and you should realize that.

Then there was the beauty queen who saw herself as a leading expert on how to do business. The guy she selected told her he was a partner in a business he owned. She found out that the partner had put the money up so she said he was the owner and you are just an employ. Even though both men said they were partners, and it was a case where one is “the talent” and the other was the investor, she still insisted he was not an owner. That is a common business arrangement so I thought it was both rude and short sighted of her to characterize his business according to her standards alone. She also pressed him so hard on what he thought a good income would be that he said a high figure. Then she belittled him for saying so high saying that he didn’t have goals that were realistic. He said that he had inflated it because he was nervous and basically thought that that was what she would expect so she was responsible for making him feel that nervous to disappoint her. But rather than self reflecting, and realizing that she had made him feel that way, she harshly criticized for not stating a realistic amount. I thought he was way better off without her but could tell her opinion impacted him deeply and he was hurt their relationship ended.

Then there was Kenya guy. He had an innocent sweetness about him. The woman he selected made continual comments about him being an air head (which, from anime, can be considered cute) but not in a complimentary way. She was snippy and sarcastic when they met with her friends about various aspects of Kenya guy. I understood she did not feel they were a good match but a lot of her comments were personal attacks. And to bring him to her friends and make mean comments was not a good look for her.

To have two couples remain together is surprising because these type of shows rarely form couples with any longevity. Ryotaro and Motomi were refreshing. They liked each other from the beginning and never wavered. I think it was proof of concept because he was not someone, based on appearance alone, she would have interacted with. It was clear how much they enjoyed being together and their mutually supportive and caring relationship was so infectious it quickly won their families over. They are a lovely couple and I hope they have a future full of the love and happiness they conveyed so well. All signs on the internet pointed to them still being a couple.

Wataru and Midori also had a very nice relationship. I do not think she fully realized how happy he made her. Her mom could see how well suited they were and was an advocate for their relationship. They remained together based on social media posts.

#LoveIsBlindJapan

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Cute relatable dating show

Comparison to the US Version:
As someone who has seen the american version I can tell you its very similar to the US version in terms of setting. However it feels a little softer and more innocent in a way. I personally enjoyed it more than the american version.

Relationships:
The interactions and conversations were wholesome and it felt very real. Compared to other japanese dating shows I already watched, the contestant didn't came across like they were the usual reality TV characters which I liked. However this might be a point where other people would say that it makes it less interesting than other shows.

I would definitely recommend the show if you want something nice to watch that is both romantic but also feels real.

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O amor pode ser cego, mas o tédio ficou bem visível.

Confesso que eu não sou uma fã inveterada de reality show, são poucos os que me aguçam a curiosidade a ponto de querer assistir - como foi o caso de ‘Solteiros, Ilhados e Desesperados’, reality que gostei bastante. No caso de ‘Casamento às cegas - JP’, eu já havia assistido a versão americana e brasileira, então, obviamente, eu não perderia a versão oriental.

? O que achei do reality?

Culturalmente falando, foi muito interessante assistir a dinâmica dos casais. Eu já estou bem familiarizada com a cultura oriental, porém, assistir um reality deles é diferente de assistir doramas. Nesse quesito, saiu tudo como eu esperava, os participantes eram bem respeitosos, educados, discretos, e mais fechados.

? O que esperar?

Para quem está curiosa (o), eu já lhes adianto que sim, tem treta, términos, ‘DR’, e tem casamento. Mas claro, são mais amenos. As ‘brigas’ - se é que podemos chamar de brigas, não são acaloradas, com aquele ‘BO’ todo que estamos acostumados a assistir no ocidente, como já frisei, é outra cultura. As trocas de carinho e demonstrações de afeto deles também são mais discretas, como já conhecemos. ?

? Eu recomendaria?

Se você conhece pouco da cultura japonesa, oriental, pode ser interessante. Mas para quem já está acostumado, por dentro, o reality é maçante. Os episódios são longos demais, e muito parados. Só de tempo nas cabines, o reality gasta mais de quatro horas em episódios somados. Cansa! Dá vontade de ir passando as cenas, então, como entretenimento, deixou a desejar.

Para mais resenhas, lhe convido a visitar o meu IG. <3

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