ChocoJun
So, it's been a while since the last time I wrote a review, where was I ? That's the question, between Hamlet and Phonetics II, my only obssession, and I'm calling it like that, was this super cute kind of British butler (o^v^o) * he would be so helpful now*. Yes, I've been trying to translate it, the movie, in order to understand it myself, and it's being an awesome process, really tiredsome but rewarding, and I'm at the half of the movie or so; so, it's kind of an obssession by now 'cause I can't wait to see how it ends!!
But let's put a distance between Kageyama and my thoughts to take a moment to reflect into this dorama and let's start with the review.
For me? Thanks!
Introductory blabling
Well, to be honest, this took a while to reflect, Chocojun has low points but as well high points, even though many people would doubt of it (>o<") So, I'll try to be concise and summ up ... (~_~;) Ok I'm not like that at all, and to reduce my ramble will be hard, so I'll try to have some order at least!
So, this whole thing started with a very lame premise, and indeed it was the way it ended. But which is the plus into watching this ChocoJun thing?
( ・◇・)
Plot
In terms of plot, well... you can read the summary in dramawiki and based on your experience with without-closure-endings in Japanese doramas imagine the most unpleasant ending, and then you got it! So, there's no much to say about the plot, I think that it was during episode 3 or 4 that I realised that this was a story almost not worthy to be told, but... let's assume that there's some sense on it.
He wants to be with her but...
reality is different
He wants to do this but...
this happens
The characters
Ok, I have more to say about this. First we have Souta, let me tell you that Souta is a little different from Matsujun's previous roles, which is good, I've always appreciated that about his choices. Souta is just a guy who fell in love with cute cute Ishihara Satomi since he first saw her. And for many many many years all he was trying to do was to become worthy to have her, instead of actually trying to convinced her, which didn't seem much a difficult task. About his personality, he reflects a lot about his one-side love and it's a bit tiring. He has some good points, though, he is very imaginative, which is really funny at times, and he is very intuitive when it comes to anyone else, except him or Saeko.
he is usually daydreaming
Saeko is played by Ishihara Satomi, actually many people said to hate her, and even though I can understand why, I could never actually do it. I mean she is adorable, cute and edgy, she is not just a dumb cute girl, she tries hard to appear that, but she has goals and is not a coward, she just goes to get what she wants. I like her, you go girl, v(^o^) !
How cute is her!
The other characters were the half French guy of whom I totally forgot the name, mah, he is the guy who works with Souta as his shadow, even though he is the son of a famous chocolatier, rich and a chocolatier himself, and since he didn't seem to bother to achieve more, I don't find him much interesting. (-"-;)
Olivier, I just remembered
Then we have Kaoruko, which is hopelessly in love with Souta and he totally ignores that, but I liked her ending, anyway what I'm more interested is in the fact that she is the one suspected to be an Aiba's ex-girlfriend? So, unrelated, but she is cute, really cute and I'd love to see more of her work.
Why such an ugly shoes, and why does the director seemed to love them?!
And the rest of the Koyguri family, the father, the guy who played Nino's father in Freeter, but in a small role here, and Matsuri her little sister. She is meh, and her story is also meh, but she is kind of cute, as everyone in this dorama!
Meh! She's now in Neen drama
And I was almost forgetting, we have Rikodouku, this other chocolatier who at times acts as a senpai to Souta, he is hilarious, Sato Ryuta in his more mature yet hilarious role! Love it. And Erena, well I didn't like her, like at all, she is cute and beautiful indeed, yet extremely annoying in the way she talks, her story is lame, and... just lame.
Erena
The acting
Leaving the plot aside, most of the actors did a great job into portraying this absolutely pointless story. Mahh it may work as a manga. Anyway, first Matsujun, there's something wrong about Souta, who is able to travel around the globe, become successful in his profession, know how to relate with people and yet he doesn't know how to handle a heartbreak, I mean what? So, his obsession with Saeko is his weak point, major weak point. Due to this inconsistencies, I don't know how to judge his acting, I mean he was believable and I could recognise some growing in his monologues and also in the crying scenes, but I guess that I also got distracted by how good looking he is, sorry can't help it! (^_^;)
I can't focus when you look like that!
The girls, my fave by far, Saeko, this is the best role of what I've seen from Ishihara, I even started RMPW for her, haven't finished it, but she is not as edgy there. I mean at the end, I find her a rounded women, real, maybe shallow and profit-seeking, yeah not perfect but real, maybe many people find her upsetting because she can and does eat as many chocolates as she wants! (><#) *envious!* . I couldn't be her, but I find her ending kind of satisfactory, you go girl.
Both of them are too beautiful
The others were just fine, in the case of Kaoruko and Matsuri, Matsuri had little time to show something deeper, but I find it hard at times to believe her emotions. About Kaoruko, she is alike Souta a little bit immature in some aspects, but she can be funny. Erena was insufferable, I mean I didn't believe her about being in love, and couldn't understand why she was so stiff at times, I mean she just smiles or pouts all the time, maybe because she couldn't do both at the time, and I found that pouting horrifying! I'm sorry Erena, and the actual actress, a no for her.
Annoying!
But also cute
The half French guy was nice, I mean I wish I could hear more of his story, why he goes to Japan and relies in a guy like Souta, why? Rikodoku was hilarious, but not annoying, great acting! And Sekiya, I don't know what's the big fuzz about News guy, he is not that good looking and he is just quiet and motionless, I just highly dislike his type, sorry Sekiya, you hardly spoke and yet I was annoyed! ب_ب * LOL while correcting some grammar, there were so many errors!! I read this! I'm sorry Shige for my first impression of you, love you now :D I still don't like this character much, but you're so cute!!*
Didn't like your character!
The bad and the goods!
Ok, as I said, or wrote, there are many low points, but most of them are related to the plot, I mean the idea; but the high points all are related to the execution. I don't know where to start!
First the OST, this was a delight, yes! *Are you listening to it?* the perfect present for my bday. The OST was perfect, I mean thanks Ken Akari. I just play those amazing tones just for my amusing. The scene with Souta in bed in episode 1, saying something incredible masochist while this incredible tune sounds, is the reason why I kept on watching this.
Magic \(◦’⌣’◦)/
The effects were great, the fairy, Souta's imaginations, the hearts in the messages of Saeko, all the effects were great, fitted perfectly, and showed the quality of the product, definitely a plus. Not overdone or wacky.
Another type of magic
The sceneries were sooo cute, the shop, well all of them, Souta's, Rikodouku's. Souta's place and his bedroom, they weren't small, and they give a sense of comfort. Even Kaoruko's place was so stylish, ah and Erena's too, small but super cute. The open spaces where so nice, like in the last scene between Souta and Saeko, and when they went to the date ♡ They were few but nice and I love that feeling of peaceful open spaces.
This is a great shop
About the chocolate, the first episodes were great, Jun + Chocolate is a win-win situation, (-o-; The chocolates looked delicious and his inspiration was indeed enjoyable. That Saeko's bday cake!! and the little box for Valentine! Those were probably my favourites.
Bday cake!!
Valentine's choco box
Overall a great execution, the pace was a bit slow, but the views were awesome, this did wonders. specially for the main characters, I mean Ishihara looked gorgeous, her looks, her clothes, her boots. I found myself so focus on the gorgeous imagery that as soon as the episode was ending I was like "wait, but nothing happened!", yet the looks were great and attractive.
So to sum up great chocolates, good looking people, nice places, beautiful music, fun effects and the worst story ever. So make the maths and draw your own conclusions.
And a lot of kissing! (* ･´з)(ε｀･ *)
My conclusions
Well, after all, when you think about something what really matters is their essence and in here there's no much, I mean this could be an episode of someone's life that is not worth to tell, probably someone would pick a different one. But I'll give it that, the fact that it was possible and lame, well to make it short, it's a 3. Probably my least fave Jun's dorama, because of the story, not the least fave character or role, but the dorama in general. Of course, it's full of good points, so the remaining balance it's kind of positive.
Details
Title: 失恋ショコラティエ
Title (romaji): Shitsuren Chocolatier
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 11
Viewership rating: 12.3% (Kanto)
Broadcast network: Fuji TV
Broadcast period: 2014-Jan-13 to 2014-Mar-24
Air time: Monday 21:00
Theme song: Bittersweet by ARASHI
And another plus about this one was that it was the first dorama I weekly saw raw first. That was really fun, I mean I could notice how as the episodes passed my comprehension was slightly better, and my hearing abilities improved. So, I'm really satisfied for many many reasons about watching this, but none of them is related to the plot, major bad point ( ' - '*)
Cute!
In other news, this was my second Arashi dorama that I watched while ongoing and it was really fun, next will be Ohmiya's ones. My predictions! Let's start with Nino's, well I really like Guts!, the song, or how much Nino played of it, I mean it sounds super shounen to me and cheery, and I like that. Yet, I don't have much expectations, because Baseball is not something I'm interested in, but you know Nino has a natural ability and the camera loves him, so, it may turn out nice.
And about Oh-chan's, I'm really interesting in it, I mean I love Ohno's work, he is so mysterious plus I like the thematic, I think it suits Ohno. And well, I guess Satoshi + death makes me think about Maou, and that is always a plus. So, my expectations are slightly inclined towards Riida's dorama, but let's see how they'll turn out!
Non of the gifs are mine, I just collected them during the weeks
Jaa ne!
PS wish me luck in my phonetics test! Gambarimasu!