The hidden gem of japanese zombie drama

I don't often watch Japanese drama.

But I do know they have a knack of creating melancholic, heart-warming, and tear-jerking romantic stories. Either this, or on another extreme, with gory, thrilling, and absolute blood splattering stories. What both of these have in common is their ability to create the ambience, fluffy or choking atmosphere to bring out the emotions of the characters.

"Love You as the World Ends" manages to bring just this.

I was amazed because unlike other zombie drama, the main male character, Mamiya Hibiki is kind-hearted to a fault. Now, that's a definite no-no in a zombie survival situation. The story element of saving one even if it may affect the whole group is the core of characters having this trait.

Faced with decisions after decisions, with no clues as of the consequences that may occur, and a blurry line drawn between right and wrong—these are the emotional conflicts that shine in each character, in this drama. Although certain misunderstandings tangled into conflicts, can spiral out of control leading to unnecessary moments or deaths, but they were resolved well, well enough to not drag the plot down.

And in the middle of all this, there's this Hibiki who still tries to save the world, who seeks to believe that people are good, in nature. No one can lie without pouring a bit of themselves into their lies, without first living their lies. He believes that even in this hell of the world, he can work hard to create friendships and family bond, to survive. As long as he doesn't give up.

He believes, because he wants to be believed.

And as stupid as that sounds, it's just captivating isn't it?

To root for a character that only wants to protect his little world.

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"It's ok if you don't remember me; I'll remember you."

"Oh! My Gran" is a classic heart-wrenching movie with a twist of justice.

Nowadays, almost every movie with the synopsis of dementia on elders, it'd almost a guaranteed hit on the tear-jerking genre. Well, it's not wrong. But add the plot with a time constraint, say there's a criminal on loose who's getting away as day passes. Then, stack it up with comedic moments of misery that elder with dementia could cause, and serve it up with those bubbly backstories that add to sentiments.

At the end of it, you've got a korean movie that dances around your smiles and tears, tugging your heart along for the ride.

And that's "Oh! My Gran".

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