Long Vacation's 10th Anniversary

[pineapplebun]

Rewatching my favorite jdorama ever, Long Vacation, in honor of its 10th anniversary. Read more about the series here. Even though I've watched this series well over 5 times, I still turn to mush every time. No series has ever tugged at my heartstrings quite like this one. My usual cynicsm, crankiness and doubt fly out the window and I'm left with the sense that everything will work out, and that true love does exist. That's why I can't watch this series too often. Can't let myself turn into those gilrs that are all fluffy and dot their i's with little hearts! Why do I like this love story but not others? Because I always root for the friend, and in this story, it's the best friend who gets the guy, not the dream girl. That's usually not the case with most dramas. I feel like most love stories have fall into certain groups.

Group #1: Love at first sight. Usually this involves a geeky guy and a pretty, but shy and polite girl.
Group #2: Hate turns into love. Girl and boy meet and hate each other. Usually involves misunderstandings. They end up falling for each other. 
Group #3: Mushy mushy. Lots of I love yous and it's them against the world.
Group #4: Tragic. Someone has a terminal illness. Lots of crying.  Someone dies.

#1 is overused, #2 is my favorite of the bunch, #3 makes me gag and #4 annoys me. Long Vacation doesn't quite fit into any of the groups.  Sena and Minami don't hate each other. Their friendship started off a little rocky, but they ended up enjoying each others company.  Sena is a dork, but Minami isn't shy or polite. They argue like crazy, but are each other's anchor.  They come home to each other, hurt each other, make each other laugh, and confide in each other. So you might just say they're best friends. Is it really possible to be best friends with a guy and have it be totally platonic? Momoko didn't think so. Neither does my dad for that matter. They think that those relationships stem from either bad timing (liking each other at points in time but never liking each other at the same time) or an everlasting one-sided love. Sometimes both. I think you can be friends with a guy and not be attracted to them, but BFF? Hanging out with him alone all the time, telling him your hopes and dreams, sharing your pains and joys, encouraging each other, and being able to be completely yourself with him... Doesn't that sound like the perfect guy?  What do you think? See, these dramas mess with your mind!

A few of myfavorite LV scenes. For those of you who have seen LV I'm sure you appreciate these moments too. :)

 Sena and Minami throwing the bouncy ball from the third story window

 Sena playing Happy Birthday for Minami after saying he didn't play the piano for other people

Minami playing "Close to You" on Sena’s piano to encourage Sena  (LOVE this part. Kimura Tayuka owns this scene. The way he tears up because he's so touched.... damn. I cried too.)

Sena and Minami first kiss on a whim (When they realize how they loved each other)

Sena telling Minami she smells like mosquito spray. (LOL)

Sena telling Minami that’s he’s a man and not her younger brother

Minami and Sena playing with fireworks

Multiple Sena and Minami  playing basketball and talking scenes

The look Sena gives Minami after he waits for her to come home and she stays over at Sugisaki’s house. (Such pain! KimuTaku’s eyes owned this scene)

Minami turning around to pick up Sena after Ryoko dumps him

The ending of course. (I always grin like an idiot when I see it)