Fan reviews: Love Shuffle

Isabelle · 14 Aug 2012

The frame of the story is that eight people, four women and four men, date each other for a week to find out what they want out of their love lives. As is usual for a Japanese drama; it ends up being about more than just love. It discusses our motivations to live and love, what we really look for in a relationship. Sometimes you just need to give people a chance, and find out who they really are. In the beginning you may think you have it all figured out, but the ending will suprise you. Half the fun is trying to predict who will be with whom.

This is also a drama about finding friends, and then letting them help in the course of their lives. No one is left untouched by the shuffle.

Tanihara Shosuke plays the psychologist Kikuta Masato. He is in a way the main character and motivator in the shuffle. As the oldest member of the team he pulls the strings, and helps the others deal with the hurdles in their lives.

I do have to note that Daigo, the singer of BREAKERZ has his only longer-than-one-episode role in this drama as the shy, but wealthy Oishi Yukichi. If you thought his singing voice was unique, his speach voice will surprise you. It does take a bit of getting used to, but he is as cute in his role as he is while singing. His character first seems really boring, but he turns out to be more devious than expected.

I'm not going to go through all eight characters. They're all unique and interesting. I'm going to leave it up to the viewers to get to know them. Let me just tell you, that they all have a secret, and all will be revealed by the end.

For the women out there, I do also have to note that this has more male nudity in it than usual.

And for everyone, this also has more sexual themes than is usual for Japanese dramas. Also, I warn you, you will never think about the word "Panda" in the same way.

For more reviews go to: isabelle-reviews.blogspot.com

Ayanosekai · 20 Jun 2012

I love this drama. I like all the characters. Tamaki Hiroshi and DAIGO are the best "Tara-chans" and Matsuda Shota "Yay panda".

This ending was the best, I was so happy when I was watching it but I would like more scenes with Usa-tan and Ai-Ai.

ester_grace · 14 Dec 2010

Matsuda shota and yoshitaka yuriko..weird but cute couple..

yuki_yoru · 10 Sep 2010

I think I'm very picky with my dramas and prolly am too harsh in my comments. Anyways, I found this drama kinda long at times. The character dynamics were interesting, there are some interesting mysteries and who doesn't love PANDA! The drama definately had good moments, funny moments, things that you will remember for a long time ( watch out for a kiss scene with shota and hiroshi!!!). Perhaps i'm just old fashion and were at odds with the entire concept of love shuffle.

mel105 · 22 Mar 2010

It has been so long since i've been this hooked up with a romance/comedy drama. It is really not the usual j-drama that's why it is really refreshing. I really like the plot. And how it ended (though i really want more... hope there is SP.... kekeke).
I think among the jdorama i've watched with a romance genre, my all time favorites would be Love shuffle and Proposal daisakusen.

Love love O-chan and Kairi <3<3<3

Yay panda! I will really miss it!

Lorry0607 · 3 Jan 2010

Good dramas are few and a far between! Overall this one is good but it has many odd moments! I like the use of "Joe" and "Panda" thats cute! The couples in the end made sense! Well acted!

lordnigelkeavy · 28 Dec 2009

Just finished this. Very enjoyable, certainly one of the best I've seen. Yuriko Yoshitaka was outstanding - very little actual dialogue, but so much emotion and acting ability. She was the star for me. Yay panda !

strawberryfzz · 25 Aug 2009

I have so much love for this drama. I started it without high expectations...specifically, my first impression being how skinny and sickly Tamaki Hiroshi was looking. 8I

To my pleasant surprise, things really picked up from the 2nd episode and I was hooked. It was one of the most engaging dramas I've seen in a long time with witty dialogue and flawless writing that I absolutely love.

This drama might not be for everyone considering the unconventional subject matter of switching partners, but if you can get passed that you're guaranteed a good time. I would even go as far as saying it has some of the cutest, most romantic moments in J-drama history!

Wynter · 20 Jun 2009

Like with all dramas that are recommended to me specifically, I go in hoping I really enjoy it. And I really enjoyed Love Shuffle.

Ifm already a huge fan of Karinafs, and to a smaller degree of Tamaki Hiroshifs, so the casting was really easy getting into. The chemistry between the four main characters is what makes the show hold for me. I fell in love with Ojiro, I got carried away with Kiku-rin, I wanted to be Ai-Ai, and I wanted to bully Usa-kun. Among the outer circle, I have to admit that Kojima Hijirifs character, Reiko, is my favourite, with Kairi being the most endearing.

The storyline is very interesting, but the plot is very normal. When you get over the initial shock of the gLove Shuffleh concept, the drama falls back on character development. I find the success of the drama, for me, comes from this fallback.

To be sure, there was one nagging element that really bothered me throughout this drama, and that was Shihori-chanfs character, Mei. Why couldnft someone have killed her off?! I have never experienced such a fake, stupid, manipulative, oblvious character in my life. Shefs the reason I rated the drama a 8/10 and not a 9/10 or 10/10.

Other than her, I found the show good. Ifve seen it three times already, so I think itfs safe to say that I highly recommend it. ^_^

bakardiri · 28 May 2009

Light but ot an unpredicted story, Funny but sometimes had a tense on it, with Perfect actor/actrees..all of those can only been found on this Love Shuffle..Great...

leftleg · 12 Apr 2009

was originally put off by the idea of shuffling lovers week by week and couldn't understand how the storyline would flow, therefore didn't expect much from it. turned out that it's a really nice drama with a few pleasant surprises. very different to the typical jdorama. would def recommend this to anyone. absolutely love the background music - light and refreshing.

jed_ka · 5 Apr 2009

Love Shuffle

baloos · 29 Mar 2009

so good! not typical japanese comedy, it is rather silly, but still so romantic, and relationships between main characters are great.

Jereriviel · 21 Mar 2009

I didnt regret watching it! I started it quite late so within a day I cleared 9 eps and I juz watched the last eps and it was magnificent!