Koe Koi (2016)

This is a beautiful watch.

This drama is the best j-drama I've ever seen. I love how unique (in a good way) this drama is. It's such an adorable, innocent, fluffy, beautiful and intriguing watch that holds your anticipation from start to finish. It had me grinning away to myself, and then I'm welling up the next minute. Don't let those fuwa-fuwa adjectives fool you though, there's also an underlying psychological theme and moments of intense emotions.

The acting - from the main roles to the sub roles - is perfect. I loved the side characters and their stories as much as I did the main characters. The characters are so well-developed. The music fits with each mood. For me, one of the highlights was just the production and camera work. There wasn't a single rushed or shaky scene, and the lighting added to the overall aesthetic. There isn't a single thing I didn't like.

I'm not exaggerating. It has skyrocketed to the top of my favorites list. I made my very manly male otaku friend who has never watched a drama in his life watch this, and he was hooked from scene one. If you're debating about watching it, you should probably just stop what you're doing and watch it right now.

This drama has just taken my heart and I'm sure I'll be watching it again very soon. I'm still reeling from all the happy feels it has just delivered. My poor kokoro.

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I'm not gonna do a drawn out review. If you read all the other comments and reviews there are many elements in which I agree....

I did like the development of the majority of characters. The acting was pretty good for this standard of drama.

I was okay with the paperbag and her acceptance of it for up to episode 10-11.... and I actually enjoyed her perspective and caring. In this regard, the message behind the story was well received.....

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SPOILER ALERT:

However, for all the effort put into it, I was at once stunned at Macchan's slowness to grow up. His reason for wearing the paperbag was now proof that he was always a kindhearted person almost to the point of ignoring himself for the sake of others. So, this mannerism isn't a new behavior pattern because of Yuchan. For everything she did to support him, and yes I know he supported her but in a way that goes with his character not necessarily special, I wanted him to be more willing and eager to give back to her as well.... They never even fully talked about and resolved the fact that Kaori never DID see his face yet Yuchan is left feeling he only cares for her to a point. Her love for him is stronger and she gets that strength from watching Makoto's bravery. Never have I felt a second lead be so slighted for emotional heroism in a plot. He was everything I wanted Macchan to be and never, ever fully was to me. He couldn't run after her, and every "heart-to-heart" talk was provided to him by others efforts.....
... so to not allow me to understand the meaning behind Yuchan's expressions when he finally takes of the bag left me feeling left out of the story. You wanted me to be invested in this, and then you don't even let me understand it fully. Like at one point, Yuchan almost looked disappointed, and it felt awkward because I couldn't make a discernment myself on whether it was because of his "expression [i.e. sad or nervous face] or "attractiveness".... It almost looked like she was disappointed then pulled herself together to show him she'll love him despite being unattractive. ....but that wasn't the point, and I hate being left to feel this way.... the whole point wasn't even "his voice" but the emotions BEHIND the voice. That he was forcing himself to look a certain way to please others even though his emotions didn't match it... THAT WAS THE POINT.... but instead by playing it out this way, for me, it did end up devolving into an issue over good looks versus not so good looks. I just wished they'd shown ONE expression. For me that was the meaning... being able to face the world with your true self and face.

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