Fan reviews: Ai wo kudasai

Ming · 10 Jan 2007

I suppose not many people like this drama because of the generally depressing story and the initially unlikable (even nasty) character played by Kanno Miho. This is not one of those feel-good type of dramas that leave you all fuzzy and warm inside, but is instead a brutally honest character-driven drama about the almost unbearable fate suffered by its main character.

Kanno Miho again confirms her reputation as the Queen of Gloom and Doom (TM) by her award-winning performance (her performance in this show won her the best actress award in the Japanese Drama Academy Awards in 2000) as the lonely and vengeful Tohno Ririka, who was abandoned when she was a baby, grew up in an abusive orphanage, and ended up as a nursery school teacher plotting sweet revenge on the unloving world that abandoned her. But her road to revenge and self-destruction was obstructed by a seeming stranger who rescued her from suicide attempt and went on to support and encourage her through written correspondence...

While there aren't a lot of tear-jerking moments in this drama, it's nevertheless a moving statement about one unfortunate soul's journey through loneliness and despair, played to gloomy perfection by Kanno Miho. She even sang the very addictive theme song "Zoo"! Highly recommended!

UWFShooter · 22 Oct 2003

Less than what I expect from such talent because:
-There's no buildup to the eventual relationship between Kanno and Ito;
-Eguchi's influence is overpushed, as is the conflict between Miho and her father (actor = Kazuyoshi Kushida).
I had actually turned off the TV in 2000 when this came out and only recently took the time to watch it in its entirety from rentals.
The ending is good, but at the same time disappointing. Seems to me as unlike Kono Yo no Hate, these guys are just happy to be themselves and there's no reflection on what the relationship means to both.

ct_subang · 10 May 2003

the theme song by zoo is a haunting one..gets u singing along wen u hear the song…the story was so-so..I found it abit boring somehow..

Anjiro · 27 May 2002

Ai wo Kudasai is the very first J-dorama that I watched, and probably the one that got me into other Japanese dramas. Ai wo Kudasai, really hits the drama-o-meter pretty high. The storyline is depressing for the most part and unlike others dramas, it doesn't contain humor. This is overall, only for people who likes to see sad dramatic scenarios till' they cry. Nonetheless, it's still outstanding. Miho Kanno really did a good work on how to portray a lonely-depressive individual. Ai wo Kudasai also has a cool theme song called, Zoo (by, Echoes), with ballad acoustic guitar strings accompanied by the slow-melodic piano that perfectly fits the drama's essence, which is the main protagonist, Syuka Hasui, in deep vain wishing please give her love/relief.

I think this drama is also trying to imply a lesson about hope; never give up no matter what or how worst matters get. I will confess that I even cried at some of the most dramatic scenes of the series.

Ai wo Kudasai is so awesome, if only I could see it I would! ^_^' However, I would only recommend, Ai wo Kudasai, for mature audiences, otherwise, younger viewers might find it boring or inappropriate for them. ^_^

piglet44 · 14 Apr 2002

I like the ending but the process was a bit draggy. Ito Hideaki had to act the role of the reserve player. So poor thing!