10. Hibike Euphonium (2014-) The value of putting in effort and caring, even in the face of fear of failure or wasted effort, and an argument for competition in something as seemingly subjective as a music performance. R:10
09. Girls Band Cry (2024) Another girls band plot! Nina is, as Subaru tells her, temperamental, stubborn, confrontational while being shy, timid. She butts into others problems without a second thought, but yeah genuinely wants them do the right thing (which she repeats over and over). R:10
08. Swing Girls (2004) Tomoko is bored, lazy, screws up often, and has given up on a lot of interests before - but now with Jazz it's different. Lot like Linda Linda Linda. R:10
07. Perfect Days (2023) It's pretty obvious Hirayama was born into privilege. Romanticizing his current life where he can appreciate music, books - I don't see much of a point in, as its not grounded in reality. Good soundtrack though. R:7
- Swing Girls - Perfect Days - Ritual
..I think we can all keep that in mind as we get older. It’s never too late to forge new friendships and get into new relationships.'
06. Mada Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (2019) Just realised this is my first J-Drama. From a review - 'In the beginning, he was insistent that as people age, everyone will end up alone. Over the course of interacting with Madoka, he has learned that you don’t always have to be alone if you don’t want to..
05. Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (2006) The doc getting annoyed by Kuwano's comments was hilarious! Hiroshi Abe x Yui Natsukawa (been crushing on her since Still Walking). Always thought Kaneda was just a nice guy. 'このドラマはフィクションです' at the end had me in knots. R:9
04. Laapataa Ladies (2023) Could pass for a malayalam movie. R:9