Itazura na Kiss: Love In Tokyo 2 (2014)

When you’re an Itazura Na Kiss fan, no matter how many adaptions of INK you’ve watched or how many times you’ve watched them, you’re still never ready for the end. It always seems to come by surprise and leaves one overwhelmed with emotions.

For those who’ve said goodbye to Kotoko and Irie several times, we know it doesn’t get easy. Maybe because they truly are the perfect couple. Every flaw Kotoko has is a strength Irie has and every flaw Irie has is a strength Kotoko has, but they graciously accept it and consider each other the half they need to be complete.

Theirs is a relationship of encouragement. The INK story is about never giving up. Never give up on your dreams, whether it be what you want to do, who you want to do it with, or who you want to be. The seemingly impossible is possible. (Sometimes it just takes an earthquake, meteorite, or fire to get fate going.)

I actually think I might’ve liked season two of Mischievous Kiss more than season one. It’s a pleasant mixture of comedy and fluff. From Kotoko’s iconic yells and zone out moments to Irie watching over Kotoko fondly as if she’s the sun itself, what could anyone possible dislike about this show?

Now newly wedded, our favorite couple try their best to finish internships and become legitimate medical professionals. However, being married to the love your life doesn’t mean the rest of your life is magically uncomplicated. There are plenty of insecurities and doubts that sprout up between our leads, but it's not as dramatic as other dramas. If you're looking for realistic but quickly solved troubles this is it. It's interesting enough that it's not boring, but it's light enough that you don't get too stressed.

We see how much better these two are when they have each other. Our Kotoko becomes a (semi-)capable nurse when just a couple years ago she was in the lowest grade class. And our Irie shows emotions never seen before. Who could imagine the practically permanent “stone face” Irie Naoki laughing? You’d have to see it to believe it.

Furukawa Yuki and Miki Honoka play their roles as if they were made for them. Yuki flawlessly transitions between attitudes of indifference, annoyance, and warmth like no other actor I’ve watched and I couldn’t get over how amazing Honoka played Kotoko in this season. She grew a lot as an actress. I’d watch scenes and it’d feel like I was watching an actual anime because she gives so much life to Kotoko that it’s unreal.

The soundtrack is pretty decent. As of now, I still prefer season one's ost but maybe that's because it already makes me a little nostalgic. You can tell care went into the soundtrack unlike some dramas that just throw any instrumental mess into the background and recycle the main themes every ten minutes. INK’s music has always enhanced the characters' actions and the overall moods.

So the million dollar question. Is this show re-watchable? As a certified Itazura Na Kiss stan that's watched almost four of the five show adaptions completely, I'd say yeah. It's kinda totally re-watchable.

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Before I begin, I would like to warn that this review is biased because I enjoyed the story, the entertainment value, the antics, the acting, and I read things into the characters' faces and actions to give more analysis to the story and plot. I also love Honoka Miki since Love in Tokyo days, as well as Furukawa Yuki (and the entire cast really) so they can't do any wrong with me. So let's begin...

This IMO, is a true dramatization of Itazura na Kiss the manga. Irie-kun is not sweet and loving like They Kiss Again, and the story is very true to the original story. So true that I loved it very much. Honoka Miki's expressions and loudness is also very close to the manga. Some people may not like her outrageous and overboard expressions, but I loved her 100%. Irie-kun was cold, but you could still see his love for his wife. I admit, I didn't like his character, but I didn't mind because I never like any Irie-kun characters. I always think Kotoko deserves a better man, one who treats her better and adores her. But actually, Irie-kun always is aware of Kotoko and her wants and needs. Always.

What helped me understand Irie's character better was this video entitled "Why we Japanese can seem robotic" by a Japanese guy whose married to a foreigner in Japan. The link... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7diGxLECF4

It explains so much about the average Japanese and helped me understand Irie's character better. I still think he should have been more considerate of Kotoko early in their marriage, but I forgive him. Kotoko makes you keep your attention on her and not her husband's behaviour. In fact, I like the love she has for him. She's too dependent yes, but he relishes that dependence and actually drives it sometimes because which guy doesn't like his wife needing him? He loved her love for him. And also, yes, she shapes her life for him, but you have to realise, he shaped his for her too. The guy does whatever she tells him to, even the big, life changing decisions. He does it all quietly. Yes, he pulls a face sometimes, but that's just for posterity because he thinks he has to be cool. The guy is happy to follow her directions. Kotoko is so full of life and love that yo can't help but love them together. She is the main one in that marriage lol, the one that is loved, though she shows her love for him more - her character is more flamboyant.

I adored the rest of the cast - Kinosuke, mom, dad, other dad, the little brother, Christine, her best friends and their boyfriends ... every character had something to love and I was interested in all of them. Every single time. The best parts was where Irie-kun's mom always stuck up for Kotoko - even against Irie lol. Best mom-in-law award goes to her. I want a mom-in-law like her. And honourable mention goes to Kinnosuke for his vibrant, emotional, love. The acting is on point as always. This lead pairing never disappoints. Miki Honoka is fabulously talented for such a young girl. Hope to see her in more lead roles. Honestly, sometimes the music is inappropriate for the scene, but the beginning and ending themes I really liked. Found myself bobbing my head and singing along. Rewatch value of *sigh* over and over and over again.

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Instead of talking specifically about how endearing the lead couple is, or how the fun and silly plot elicits both squeals of exuberance and laughter, I want to talk about the value of this drama. I think the other reviews sufficiently cover the basic points.

Most of the time (not always), dramas spend an entire season just bringing a shy, hesitant, or resistant couple together. Once all those trials and conflicts have been resolved and the couple is ready for their happy ending, the dramas is over; sometimes we get a sneak peek of their future through a time leap. I always wondered why dramas couldn't go on to show the happy lives of couples we've invested so many emotions and late nights binge watching, in. Maybe it was because they thought it would be boring to watch a happy couple, vis-a-vis the exciting and turbulent "are we? or aren't we?" phase of a relationship. I don't know, that's just my speculation, you tell me.

With that in mind, this drama really gave me what I've always wanted and proved that there is a story to be told in happily ever after. While there is no longer that back and forth development, or the anxiety of "will they end up together?" since Irie-kun and Kotoko-chan are already married, there are still a lot of adventures and romance to be had. Silly scenarios, and some more realistic life challenges and disturbances in a marriage, keep the story moving and audiences engaged. Watching the characters develop and grow as individuals and as partners in a marriage was so enjoyable, and really you just never get tired of seeing this pairing together.

I hope we have more dramas like this, that really allow us to journey on with our favourite characters. Moreover, the interplay between Kotoko's loud rambunctious way of expressing her love and Irie's more quiet and discreet expression, makes for all the excitement you need.

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This follow on from the first Love In Tokyo, I think excels what they did in the first series. Personally, I enjoyed this one more and thought it was full of a lot more cute moments, and certainly made me more satisfied with what happened within the first series. Also I think it's partly a journey of seeing all of the characters evolve and become at one with their emotions, which I really enjoy. There is certainly a development in the character of Irie Naoki, which makes the drama a lot more satisfying.

Story - 9.5
I loved the story within this series. Even though it's not original, I think it is a lot more pure and lovely to watch compared to the original series. However it is less of an on-going story line, and more like each of the episodes are slightly off course. In the first series, there was a clear ending goal, whereas in this series it is less of a straight line, and more like going around a huge house, where you are going to different strange places just to see what it is like. Despite that, I think that is a lot sweeter, but then again wouldn't work without the first series.

Acting/Cast - 8.5
I think the acting gets a lot better within this series. This may have been due to the progression of the actors or the characters, but it seems a lot more fluid. The only critism I can properly think of is I think the change between the actors of Irie Yuki was a bit strange, because I think the second actor didn't get the full personality of him out.

Music - 8
Similar to how I viewed the first one, within this series the opening theme was very catchy. However it didn't play a lot of music, but to go from that song, I liked the music.

Rewatch Value - 9.5
I think this has a larger rewatch value then the original because it was so much cuter. Also having watched the first one, I wouldn't be confused by the general plotline, but I would appreciate rewatching this one more then the first series.

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My heart could not handle this show!

Wow, this really is one of the best dramas! My love for these two is as strong as their love for each other. I love them so much!

The story, acting and music was everything!

Where to start!

I really liked how their story progressed with them both becoming professionals. I think the nursing job really suited Kotoko as she is the kind of girl to put her heart and soul into anything she does.

Even though he was a bit nervous for her at first, I was so glad Naoki encouraged Kotoko in becoming a nurse. That moment where he pulls the cap down over her eyes and says, "you better pass the National Nursing Exam in one try." This had me weak - he was finally showing that he wanted to be with her and to work with her, and that he didn't want to wait any longer! So sweet!

A list of some of my favourite scenes:
*The boat scene: how Naoki looked up to her as he said, “so are you going to listen to some ridiculous jinx and get off the boat...or” and the he’s kissing her!!! (Just like a romcom novel)
* When they're sitting outside of the house on the swinging seat and Naoki is talking about how he wouldn't mind having a baby and says, "should we make one?"
* When Naoki declares his love for Kotoko in the cafeteria after realising he was jealous of Keita.
* When he put the nursing cap on her head in the auditorium
* When he talks to her dad before visiting her mother's grave.
* When Kotoko was jealous of his cousin and Naoki puts his hand on the wall behind her and says, “I chose you!”
* When he is about to perform heart surgery on the little girl and he says that Kotoko is the reason he became a doctor.
* When Naoki's lying on the seat and he finds out she passed the nursing exam and says, “I’ll finally be able to work with you.”
* When Kotoko is taking a picture of Yūki and the girl, and Naoki says Yūki is following in his footsteps...poor thing. And Kotoko is like what? But Naoki just smiles to himself.
* The head butt during surgery

I could go on...

Each time there was a tender scene (i.e. the above list), I felt like I had to rewatch it 10 times before it sank in that Naoki was being sweet. Although for the most part he was still quite a cold person, he did warm up a lot towards the end. His warmth towards Kotoko honestly melts my heart. His hugs and kisses are so gentle and soft! Pure tenderness. And the head pats. Wow. Also his little smiles when she isn’t looking is something else. Needless to say the actor did such a great job of Naoki's character as he is completely different in real life. The way Yuki plays Naoki makes him seem like an actual anime character with his slow movements, and when he goes ‘hmm.’

Kotoko was simply the same happy, very much in love with 'Irie-Kun', over joyous girl. I feel like she could have been acted up a bit more. She still seemed very childlike - I know this is how her character is meant to be, but it would have been good to make the wardrobe a bit mature at least. I still loved her character I just didn’t feel like she aged up at all.

I thought how Yuki ended up doing the same as his brother was cute. Although I was a lil bit shook when they changed the actors. The little Yuki was too cute.

I enjoyed watching Kotoko’s new friends.

Can we talk about the opening song!? It is honestly a banger and I like how it shares the same name as the show’s title. I really liked he music box version and how that was played at such sweet moments.

The very final scene I could not handle! They had a little girl!! Ugh my heart!

This season was just as good as the first one... no, even better because we got to see Kotoko and Naoki get closer to each other. Kotoko’s love always remained strong for Naoki, whilst we got to see him warm to her even more.

When I watch this again I’d probably do an episode for episode review as there are just too many points to discuss!

I really loved their story and am sad that it’s now over and don't get to see anymore :( but I'll definitely watch this again some day soon :)

-E

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spend my whole weekend for this drama including season 1 and never regret for sure. this is my first Japanese drama i ever enjoy i guess because I'm really enjoying the story

never know ITN have a lot of remake but I'm pretty sure no one can beat this one.. the female main cast doing such a good job because her silly characteristic such LOL... and irie naoki.. sometime his character make me mad..

the storyline is based on anime/manga? no wonder its look so weird but in a good way.. i don't leave a review in season 1 because for me, season 1 just hype at the start and getting bored at middle.. and the climax is save my mood again to continue to watch and boom just know there will be season 2.. for season 2, the story obviously like a roller coaster, but the whole damn episode never get me boring.. it's much more better than s1..

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una caricia al corazón

definitivamente es una de las series más clichés que he visto en estos 5 años viendo dramas pero definitivamente dejó en mi una sensación de calidez que al principio no esperaba. por sobre todo creo que está temporada es mucho más disfrutable que la primera, vemos un crecimiento en los personajes y a pesar de que kotoko sigue dependiendo demasiado en naoki y hay puntos en su relación que no son completamente el mejor ejemplo de amor, su relación 100 por 100 te da ternura y acabas encariñándote con ellos. otra cosa a destacar es el avance de kinnosuke y chris !! su relación a pesar de no ser mostrada demasiadas veces tienen momentos lindos muy destacables y es precioso de ver como acaban juntos, así como todos los personajes van consiguiendo las cosas que anhelan y les hacen felices. el final definitivamente me ha dejado llorando y muy triste porque era lo que yo esperaba y ansiaba. definitivamente se ganaron mi corazón, sobre todo el cast que hicieron un trabajo increíble ¡¡

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Return to Form

The OG story that this show is adapting has always been a weird case of curiosity for me ever since I was a child, albeit it was the Koren version "Playful Kiss". I have only discovered that there are several different adaptations to this, and after watching the first season I was left kinda wanting for more.

The first season felt like a cookie cutter in many areas, blame my nostalgia for "Playful Kiss" on that, but this second season really sets up this one on a different league simply because it went beyond the weeding, there is an entire life after Kotoko and Naoki get married in the first season and having grown up over the years, I definitely appreciated the more mundane adult life of the couple as they moved on past school and college, and to the real world.

I would argue that this season, as it tacked the relationship outside school and home put both leads into more believable scenarios that definitely pushed their characters to be develop more, especially for old cold folk Naoki.

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