Itazura na Kiss 2 - Love in Okinawa (2014)

After having seen all the versions of Itazura na kiss existing (including the 1996 Japanese version), and particularly loved the “Love in Tokyo” version, saying I was waiting for this special would be an understatement. Though, I wouldn’t say my thirst was completely quenched. Let me explain.

STORY (8). I won’t talk about the initial story here as I find it almost perfect. Still I want to comment some aspects of the special episode, and one in particular...
Until now, only the Taiwanese version has dealt with the honey moon (as I don’t recognize the Korean 7 minutes episode as a real adaptation), and as I thought the honey moon story was deserving a long episode (just like in TKA), I was really happy to see on the details the episode would last 3 hours… and here comes the trouble. I really found this special was too short, and most of all too HURRIED! I know announcing days is part of the “joke” with Mari-chan, but when the week ends up only being a list of days and short episodes, I only can be disappointed. I know the manga was like this too, but I found the liberties taken by TKA interesting, I wish love in Okinawa had taken some too!
(A detail that always annoys me in dramas… No one in the world kisses like that, please stahp…)
Bonus: As spoilers are forbidden, I won’t say too much, but I just LOVED the cross over, it made me laugh out loud, for real! (+1 for the music and the japanese by the way ~ !) [you’ll get it when you’ll see it].

ACTING/CAST (9.5). Miki is still a perfect Kotoko, cute, sweet, and… so in love! I discovered her in the first season, and couldn’t imagine a better actress to play this role. As for Naoki, I was a little disappointed as Yuki Furukawa acted the same way he did before Naoki and Kotoko’s wedding. I haven’t been able to see the love in his eyes for like ¾ of the episode. Sure Naoki Irie has to be Naoki Irie, but I was expecting at least a smile from time to time (Finally I’m just like Kotoko, I want him to love her so hard I can’t stand such a distant behavior, hihi).

MUSIC (7). The music is neither wonderful nor awful, I would say it was average. It was light, and perfect for the story. Though I didn’t appreciate the fact that there was music during all the episode, to my mind, the ost is here to improve the story, to accompany it and make it more alive. I had the feeling it was always trying to catch the attention. Seriously, some moments and some dialogue need their silence.
On the other hand, I HAVE to put a stress on the opening, because I just found it really cute, colorful, and loved the music. I’m listening to it again right now!

*43 minutes of re-watching, please wait…*

REWATCHING (8.5). After watching it again, I feel split between my first feelings, for some stronger than ever, and the joy of discovering things I had missed or misunderstood the first time (subtitles didn’t work and my Japanese isn’t that perfect).
Though I have to correct some things I wrote before. There ARE moments when Naoki smiles, even if they are discreet and short (watch out!). As for the music, it’s well and truly omnipresent, BUT it’s not that bad, as it stays behind the story, and it’s not that bothering finally.

OVERALL (8.5). I had a great time watching this, without any doubt, even the second time. The Itakiss series are parts of my favorite dramas ever, which explains the high score I gave (after all) and… why I was so critical :p. Though, as explained, my disappointment is real… maybe I was expecting too much from it? I have to admit I spent all the summer waiting for it to air, while expecting the Japanese version to go further than the Taiwanese (and obviously the Korean)… Well, after all, I still love it! To conclude, I would even say, hmmm…. WHEN IS THE SEASON 2 COMING OUT?? (pliz ;_;)

P.S. Sorry for the length of the review, I think I was inspired. It’s my first review here, so don’t hesitate, and comment !

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Story : No doubt that Itazura na kiss is my All time favorite rom-com story .. so after watching all versions I have to say this is the cutest version ever ! this Honeymoon special was EXACTLY like ep 15 of the anime Itazura na kiss witch I LOVE ! it made me even more excited for season 2 ! I was extremely happy with this" movie ? / special ? / episode ? "

Acting : Yuki did an amazing job , as wel all know naoki is not really the most emotional honest normal guy in the world , yet he was able to deliver his feelings to kotoko through his beautiful eyes *-* And omg can I just fan-girl over his Perfect English ! no kidding it is the best !
Miki is to me my favorite kotoko of all times *including manga and anime * she is seriously amazing in this version ! she doesn't cry all the time she is not extremely weak she honestly loves Naoki but doesn't forget her pride -sometimes Lol - she is cool .....overall she is really a great actress
However the only thing that made me uncomfortable was the age gab I was completely okay in the first season but in this movie especially the bed scene it was little uncomfortable to watch lol it felt weird i can never imagine how awk it was for yuki poor guy ! she is so tiny and cute that it doesn't feel ... yeh but i got over it xDD


Music : It was not good in my most humble opinion , i was hoping for a better music but i didn't like it .. season 1 ost was far far better to me ..but it is not THAT bad .. it was just not that good .

Re-watch : oh dear ! we all know we have a long long time before season 2 so I kept re-watching it and every-time it made me happy it is light fun and cute so I gave it 10 for re-watch value

Overall : well I may be biased little bit to give it a 10 .. yeh even I admit that giving the fact that I could be harsh on other dramas * but it made me happy no moment in the movie made me cringe *except the black guy moment * xD but the fact that this story is Itazura Na kiss and the acting is good just makes it perfect to me !
So yeh .. that was my review on INK2~LIO !
I hope you liked it ^^ Peace *

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