NOTE: Slight spoilers are in the section headlined ' spoiler section '. You have been warned.


A classic rom com with all the regular stuff you'd expect. The high school setting. A festival. Misunderstandings and so on. But the premise is slightly different so that is what slightly separates it from other dramas.

First item on the list is the cast. And I thoroughly enjoyed this cast. Nakagawa Taishi is right up there with Yamzaki Kentaro as solid romcom drama male protagonists and htis movie utilises him very well. Even though he is Mr. Good Looking, there is more dpeth to his character. Playing Furuya Touwa, he is a kind and caring guy even if he sometimes acts arrogant and dense. This is what makes him more likeable the movie goes on, considering that he sheds this boastful persona and reveals his true self. You want to root for him but you also sigh and condemn him sometimes for the things he says and does.

Karata Erika plays Miwa Misono is a great pick as the female lead for this movie. Like Furuya, she is a multi-layered character that conceals more than she lets on. Her cool exterior also hides a more vulnerable and sensitive side that is gradually revealed and explained more and more as the movie goes on. As for the the secondary and supporting roles, which are Touwa's squad, they're a fun bunch and give this movie some of its comedy and plot points. As Touwa's friends, they drive the plot forward as well as Furuya's character development.

The plot itself is a slight variation of the stereotypical romcom drama formula but it still holds its own. There are moments when it is serious and also when it chooses to be funny and both are executed well. As for the pacing, in my opinion, it is just right and allows the story to develop naturally which is something I'm glad to see in a movie.

Overall, this movie is a good watch. Not amazing, but certainly not bad. I liked this movie a lot and found it to be really entertaining while also being thought-provoking . Would definitely recommend.

SPOILER SECTION:

Onto some specifics. Furuya is just plain endearing, but it takes time for him to get to this point. Seeing him put in earnest effort and work for the sake of his convictions, coupled with his honest intentions, it puts him in a new light and make me smile. He sets aside his pride and ' cool image ' in light of pursuing Misono because he wants to prove himself to her, but also help her and see her smile. Watching his transformation unfold and insistence on proving himself is heartwarming. I love that he prioritises her and is not stalkerish or weird in his aproach. He's still awkward but he can't be faulted for that. Just wholesome.