Fan reviews: Long Love Letter

ester_grace · 14 Dec 2010

The strangest dorama ever even it has some meaning about life but I still don't like it.

ester_grace · 8 Dec 2010

i bought this for yamapi but it was really dissapointing.. the story was strange,, too much sci-fic!!

ester_grace · 6 Oct 2010

I was so excited in the beginning because yamapi, satoshi & takayuki. But the story was too weird for me.

8thSin · 16 Jun 2008

I'm a big fan of both Kubozuka and Tokiwa, so I was really looking forward to watching this series. Kubozuka simply cannot disappoint, and Tokiwa was great as usual. It was an unique series that I really enjoyed. Most of the characters developed really well, and there were quite a few touching scenes.
It's just mind-boggling how young actors in this series like Yamada Takayuki, YamaP, Tsumabuki, Karina etc have become big-name today. What an all-star galore!

However... I must say that CG/SFX were horrible, and it turned out really fakey. Another thing was that, I felt the connection between the "present" and the "future" were unnecessary and outright stupid. I know this is based on a manga series, but they should've only focused on the "future". The "human 2.0" was really stupid as well.

Had they fixed couple of plotholes, removed manga stupidity, and made this series around now with way better SFX (and possibly higher budget), it would've been a masterpiece.

jed_ka · 25 May 2008

2 worlds, which strongly linked with the feelings of the people!
It is about survive together to increase the environmental awareness,c
One should not against other turn our backs!

A strong history, friendship and love tells!

Wynter · 21 May 2008

Contrary to the theme of the drama, I wish I had been transported to the future so that this review would already be written. I have no idea how to begin.

I guess I can start with the easiest first, which is the cast. I absolutely adore Kubozuka Yosuke, who won me over with his role as the King in IWGP. Although his hair was completely whack in this drama, he did a fine job. Ifm not a huge fan of Tokiwa Takao, having seen her in only one drama, but she really sucked me in. I loved her portrayal of the character and she was definitely the thread that wove the plot with the characters. The people who were playing the students were okay. I mean, you have teenagers playing teenagers without a whole lot of substance. How hard can it be? Still, Tsumabuki Satoshi and Yamada Takayuki were quite believable, where poor YamaPi was a huge disappointment.

The genre of this drama is definitely Sci-Fi, so if youfre not into that sorta thing, you may want to steer thing. I really enjoyed the drama. Besides the fact that the girls maintained their make-up, that the kids survived on barely nothing, that some plot elements were a little too gout thereh, I thought the story was handled very well and the writers definitely got their point across. The drama was very gripping in the beginning. Granted, the 2.5 episodes revolving around Asamifs life-death situation was kinda lame (a little too unrealistic) and boring. I was really disappointed when Misaki got killed. I even cried. Ifm not quite sure if I liked the ending. I know that Asami CALLING Misaki started the domino affect that would change everything, but really, it kind of belittled what the students had gone through. Ifm a little uncertain about the end.

Doesnft matter tho, because overall I enjoyed the drama, and regardless of all the bad reviews, Ifd definitely recommend it to people tiring of the regular, standard, blue-printed drama.

poopiefish · 5 May 2008

Seriously I don't know about you guys... but this drama creeped the hell out of me. Maybe it's because I'm always way too immersed when I watch dramas...

I loved Yosuke in here, he acting was superb and his character was also very lovable. I didn't really like Takako here though... Her character lacked charisma.

The storyline is top-notch... not to mention the fact that it's adapted from one of the most famous Japanese horror manga. Other than being suspenseful, it is a story that really leaves an impact on you. Before watching this drama, I wasn't really environmentally-conscious, but now I seriously stop and think before I casually throw an empty bottle into a non-recycling bin. Also it made me realize how much I actually love life.

It's a drama I'd definitely recommend... you'll get something out of it for sure. The overall tone of the drama is pretty depressing though... especially the moments when it's trying to expose the ugly part of humanity. It's not a drama to watch if you're just looking for something light and pleasant...
Even the ending doesn't offer much hope to the whole situation... which makes you cherish what you have right now even more.

Eve · 4 Apr 2008

Well I watched the entire thing, thats why it rates a 6 and the beginning had some real promise.......and then the plot kind of drifted off into who knows where........
Sci Fi fans might like it more.

sinned12 · 19 Feb 2008

The title does NOT say anything at all about the drama. In the end they mentioned something about the relevance of a long love letter but that was in the end.
I was hesitant to watch the drama but I heard some good reviews so I said why not see for myself. It starts out as a typical romantic story. Boy meets girl in the beginning and by some chance lost contact with each other. So a year later boy becomes teacher and girls works in a flower shop. Boy had some interesting students who had love stories of their own. During winter vacation boy asks some of his students to come to school for remedial class. That day it so happens Girl goes to school to deliver flowers and bumps into boy again. They have a little catching up and ends up in a quarrel about each others personalities until girl walks away only to stop and speaks to boy about that day they met a year ago. Their romantic story is about to start again until a quake happens....
This is when you find out that the whole school disappeared and warps into the future somehow.
Interesting story, kinda reminds me of LOST, a TV series in the US. Everybody learns how to fight for survival in this new futuristic world while the love ones they leave behind cope with their loss. I like how the creator of the drama envisions a totally different future not of technological advancement but instead the end of the world because of technology and global wars. The whole story makes you wonder that it is possible that the world can end up that way.
The ending was open to interpretation, it wasn't a happy ending nor a sad ending. Throughout the series not everybody survives and some of my favorite characters dies. But does anybody survive at all? Like I said the ending is open to interpretation.

dekatrain · 4 Feb 2008

I have mixed feelings about this drama...on one hand, its different and nothing like any j-drama I've ever seen and for its exactly that reason, I thought it was a bit pedestrian in the possibilities the plot presented. With such important themes such as how we use resources, the inability of man to live beside each other, conservation etc, it seemed a waste to not extend these themes. Also, it was simply depressing to have so little communication between the "now" and the "future" people because had there been a stronger link, it would've given more hope and comfort to both sides. Also, talent went unused - Kubosuka, usually an intimidating tough guy was given little room to really let go and barely did anything to really motivate his students - this coming from a guy who jumped from a building in real life! Tokiwa upstaged him easily. I'd choose Battle Royale over this survival-of-the-fittest drama any day.

ichiban_noodles · 19 Feb 2007

Boy meets girl. Things happen. Nine or ten episodes later, boy gets girl. Throw in a time travelling post-apocalyptic backdrop (though not like Terminator or Twelve Monkeys stuff), then think Lost meets The Martian Chronicles meets The Planet of the Apes meets The Day After. Or something like that. Definitely not for everyone, but entertaining for me, with a sci-fi eerieness and suspense to keep me gladly hanging on for more.

aznpride26 · 14 Apr 2006

I loved watching this drama especially because kubozuka yosuke was in it. i know it can get tiring at times and it has a confusing ending but a great drama nonetheless.

ellenfosh · 29 Oct 2005

This is one of the best japanese drama I've seen. I like the plot, characters, and the story itself.
Yosuke had bad hair style in this drama but I still loved him
I would give "9" if the ending wasn't like that !!!!!!!!!!!
But thats OK

October Face · 8 Sep 2005

Take feeling alert! Don't stop... because it's ta leat. Kubozuka look strong in chaming style. ^_^

CasbaKelly · 21 Jul 2005

The series was just rerun on Japanese TV during July 2005.

Paper thin plot with some characters thrown in to make the series reach 11 parts.

The female character wearing the red outfit and a sheer black dress... why would she have a 9mm semi automatic? Why didn't some of the guys slap her in the her while she was sleeping?

The girl with the dud leg hobbling in the middle of nowhere... What value did she add to the story?

Why were the other Asians portrayed as bad guys with terrible eating habits?

Personally I would have prefer that the school was teleported to some alien world to be enslaved. At least that would have given the story some credibility.

Do not buy this turkey... borrow it from a friend.

elizchris · 25 Jun 2005

As a science fiction story, I'd say this story is mostly a failure. The time elements are arbitrary and seem to exist only for plot convenience, the nature of the future inhabitants is trite and unsurprising. The only sci-fi aspect that worked for me was the multi-world stuff at the very end. I don't mind the cheesy effects at all. I'm a fan of Blake's 7 and Dr. Who, so I'm used to ignoring poor effects.

I love this drama to pieces. Objectively, I give it an 8, but subjectively it's a 10. I really love the interpersonal dynamics. Kubozuka and Tokiwa act rings around their teenaged companions, but for once the teenagers are doing a pretty good job too. The jumps between past and present help build the tension over whether the school's inhabitants will ever make it home. I thought the ending was very satisfying.

Isa · 24 Oct 2004

I was quite surprised when I saw the second episode of this Drama... andit made me curious to find out what happen next... coz this isn't just another love story
...I laugh... but mostly i cried.... it made me want to see my old school......from 1 to 10....i'd give it an 11.

chaos · 6 May 2004

Long Love Letter is not for everyone. The theme (human survival: physically and emotionally) is brought in role playing games style: world destruction due to humans wrong conduct on the environment.

*** spoiler warning ***

I particularly like the storytelling: it jumped back and forth to the future and today, and also flashbacks, to reveal each character's story and the loss brought to the ones they left behind. Just like puzzles, that I think, would not appeal and be confusing if this drama was shown one episode per week since I would run out of patience.

Mainly covered by despair and depressing atmosphere throughout, at times can be funny, the drama slowly built hope and positive stance towards life, to live today, tomorrow and the future. Regardless the slow pace at times, this is a unique and refreshing drama.

Tokiwa Takako (Misaki Yuka) and Kubozuka Yousuke (Asami) were good actors as always. Misaki's cheerful and optimistic nature balances the gloomy mood. Asami, although obviously younger and did look too young to be a teacher but it worked!, was calm but rather mysterious since he didn't have anyone left behind. The students were also interesting, each one has story to tell, that sadly weren't explored enough.

leoninesevenone · 3 May 2004

well, what can i say. this drama is nothing of what you thought when you read the title. at first i thought this is just another love story, but it a total opposite when u finish watching the first episode. i was like "WHAAAATTT???!! ‚¤‚»‚È‚ñ‚¾‚낤II" nway, the way this story unfolds is just great plus there's YAMAPI in it! ;-)

a BIG note about this story: if u really are into sciance fiction then watch this drama. if u really are into YAMAPI then watch this drama. if u like tokiwa takako then watch this movie. if u hate computer generated graphics DONT watch this drama. if u hate unfulfilling endings DONT watch this drama, its gonna ruin your day.

all in all, id say that this drama is great cos of the great acting, great actors/actresses, innovative storyline and the (not so) touching moments.

but still the ending..... WHY?!!

cass_dust · 12 Apr 2004

Defintely not the normal dorama that you see... plot is rather unique, and very very meaningful i think, it just makes you think twice about wasting the resources you have right now.

Both lead actor (handsome!!!) and actress are good in acting, but i think the ending part is a bit sad... that's why only have 9 lah..

Definite must-watch.