Soruya

I think love is most beautiful in this form. Not to say other forms are not as special or important, of course they are. It’s just the way that love is seen not out of any desire but pure adoration for someone as an individual. It’s them seeing each other, recognizing their flaws but promising to always be by their side. No expectations, no doubt. They just love each other.

I think more people need to get used to the idea that love isn’t just about a romantic connection. It’s a genuine, human bond that can never be simply defined. Just because two characters don’t “get together” in canon doesn’t make the love they clearly feel for each other any less real. I would take a pair who don’t ever get together that take time to build a bond and trust each other over a pair that starts dating just because it’s the “obvious” thing to do (If that makes sense?) any day.

Wanted to write down my thoughts on this movie because it was AWESOME and I don't want to forget lol. Non-spoilery thoughts above the cut and spoilers below it.

First of all, the colouring of this film is gorgeous. Everything is in dull greys and navy blues and cream, except for the red, and the red is throughout. There's red roses, red lighting, red ties, red viscera, and so, so, so much blood. It makes for a really stunning watch, to see this heightened red spurt and colour the white clothing of the protagonists, and on their faces.

The cinematography is also a lot of fun. So many dirty shots, where the creepy decorations of this school sit in the foreground and the characters having a conversation are left blurred in the background. Quick, hard cuts, so it's not clear whether something was real or not.

And I love the tension being around what is real vs what is fake rather than jump scares. The way cinema and pranks and voyeurism is woven into this plot to make everything more confusing is so well done; it puts us in the same situation as the characters stuck in this school with no clear sense of what's happening or why.

Most of all this was just fun. It was a wild ride where gross, gory, discomforting, messy, and generally weird shit happened constantly lol and I really, really enjoyed the experience.

Cutting here because I couldn't help but spoil from here on out.

Hardsubs by me.

I'm so excited I can hardly keep it in my pants..........

A bittersweet adult love story about the lives and romance of two people in their late thirties who’ve left their corporate jobs. Two former top sales rivals spend one night together on Kuji’s last day at work. Eight years later, they unexpectedly meet again. The one-time relationship they had buried sets their lives in motion after this sudden reunion. As they face aging parents, loss, questions of career fulfillment and whether to live alone or with someone, they begin to share the world and their emotions with a grounded authenticity that only comes with age. A not-too-sweet, bittersweet adult love story deeply rooted in the life experiences of people nearing 40. (translated from the official site)

I pretty much hold my breath every episode and pray to the show gods that they don't ruin the absolutely beautiful thing they've created.

And so far...as of episode 7...they haven't.

Because every episode has built on the idea that it really takes all THREE of them to make this relationship work. The framing reinforces this with frequent triangle shots (and even triangle dialogue). There must be a connection between all points, and no point is more important than the other. Every person is essential.

Because while Takuzo may be the "responsible" one, he's rigid in his ways.

And while Mia is the realist who easily speaks her mind and expresses what she wants, it can make her very focused on herself.

They already tried it with just the two of them. It didn't work.

And Mia and Shinpei have already tried it with just the two of them too. It doesn't work.

Because they struggle with managing responsibility on their own.

They are willing to do the work, but they need someone to guide them with structure and remind them the laundry exists. I feel that.

And although Shinpei is a free spirit who really brings "joy" to everything he does...

With just Mia, he still feels a bit insecure and not quite good enough.

And with a younger boyfriend that has so many fans, Mia can sometimes feels insecure too.

As the men have developed and taken their relationship further.

Takuzo is able to affirm Shinpei and give him the words he needs to hear.

And Shinpei's earnest and sweet nature is able to break through Takuzo's walls to help him see that his rigidity can have consequences.

His infectious energy pushes Takuzo to go places he wouldn't otherwise and encourages him to try new things.

But both men recognize that they NEED Mia.

She holds them together.

Because she's the one who can express words and speak her mind easily.

Who will make the first move when things get difficult.

And push them to make the necessary decisions.

Because they're a throuple. And no (good) relationship exists without all three of them.

Bonus: There's food symbolism (even more than I mention here). Be still my beating heart.

Mia is gyoza.

Takuzo is curry.

And it's best when the chef (Shinpei) serves both.