Fan reviews: Moto Kare

icpmat · 6 Mar 2005

loved tsuyoshi's performence!

Unlike some of the previous posts, I didn't find Tsuyoshi's character wussy at all. Neither did I find Mokoto's character development abrupt. Success tends to bring down one's humility and it seems that it's the differences in maturities that brought Toji and Makoto apart in the first place: she had a goal in life and was working her way up, but Toji hasn't reached that stage of his life yet. Once Makoto experienced some set-backs, and Toji had some success, they stand on a more equal footing in terms of maturity. In addition to the fondness they had for each other, it seems only nature that they would get back together.

As to the Nao character. She said so herself in one of the episodes that she envied that Makoto had found the calling of her life while she was still wondering about hers. Perhaps one of the aims of the drama is to show how compatibilities in life experiences is as important as love in a relationship, so the focus was naturally on the two leads, and Uchiyama's character was only there for the ride, which might explain why her character was never quite as developed.

Overall I find this drama quite enjoyable. There is not too much unrealistic moments that we so often see in romantic dramas (eg guy runs after upset girl no matter what the situation), I find it refreshing in that respect.

kamikazestyle71 · 17 Feb 2005

It has THE best ending.. unexpected

ahochaude · 3 Feb 2005

I admit, Tsuyoshi is a wuss and the plot used is played out. But that didn't stop Rina from delivering a great performance. Although I wasn't too fond of the plot, I was still eager to see what happened in the next episode. The actors (especially Rina) did a great job in convincing the audience (me, in this case) to stay tuned for the next episode.

Nermal · 31 Jan 2005

At least 3/4 of the 6 I give goes to the actors.. aminly Domoto Tsuyoshi, Hirosue Ryoko and Uchiyama Rina. This is one of those that after I finish it.. I still don't know where I stand in my opinion of it. It doesn't have a very deep story, a quite frankly way too annoying/possessive girlfriend, and a developpement of the story that sort of drags. The lack of real developpement of the story kind of did it for me.. I quite frankly even fast forwarded some parts... this won't go into my favorites..

WinterLove · 30 Oct 2004

I thought this drama would be as good as Summer Snow because of the two main actors but I was rather disappointed. However, there are still some part of the drama which I find touching. And I love the theme somg too.....if only the drama was as good.

Zie75 · 24 Aug 2004

I don't like the way Lead actor and his ex-girlfriend together. The story line sucks....Both deserve together..hummp...poor my Rina.

Billy Wong · 10 Jun 2004

my few cents worth..
i personally feel that hirosue ryoko has made some slight breakthroughs in this drama... in the first few episodes, i felt like her characer, makoto, was a complete bitch... saying things to cause nao (rina's character) to become emotionally stressed, etc etc... basically being nasty... in such a light where she is portrayed as a strong and somewhat arrogant young lady and those later episodes where we see her true feelings towards her ex-bf and of course, her regrets and remorse (remember the part when the both of them were waiting for the train in the evening after she poured out her feelings him, she quoted the phase 'how true it is when people say that one will only learn to treasure something after it is lost') the audience is brought to a different level in makoto-- her softer, lonelier side as opposed to her stronger and more confident self earlier on...

this drama isn't the best to watch if your are looking for sensibility in a 3-sided relationship... even the ending seems just too unfair and 'unjust'... but i can't help but change my feelings for makoto from hate to pity... hirosue has done well in crafting her character's personality... there are defintely alot more to cirticize but this drama is worth your time...

juliana_phang · 9 Jun 2004

suprisingly i like uchiyama rina in this drama..
n dislike ryoko instead

Enzo84 · 30 Mar 2004

I actually wanna ask, anyone singaporeans here? Any idea where can I get the VCD of this show. Its hard to find japan drama in SG shops nowadays. I happen to get mine @ TS Laser but its produced by taiwan, and the whole batch of VCD is spolit. I changed the whole set for 3 times. Its either hanging halfway or giving out funny sounds Pls leave me an email @ [email protected] if u managed to find it in SG

maize · 18 Mar 2004

Erhm...I don't know why some people comment that this drama is not worth or some even comment that this is the worst drama that they have watched. But as for me, some part of this story are quite meaningful. Don't you think so? Anyway it just a show. And I think it is very unfair to comment bad because the script writer really make effort to produce good show. Furthermore I was shocked to see got one person even write Toji is ass+++ and Mokoto is S+++ and Nao is silly. Anyway it is really a good show. :)

Akakage · 20 Feb 2004

Well..basically, it's just retarded and not original at all...go watch mukashi no otoko at least you can see Osawa Takao, Abe Hiroshi and Norika Fujiwara...it's worth it. The only cast I like is Uchiyama Rina and the lady who teaches dancing (For those who've seen Shall we dance?..that's the same set and the lady who teaches also the same). Anyhow, just don't waste your time watching it. I bet those who love it only because they drool over Dohmoto Tsuyoshi, Hirosue Ryoko or Uchiyama Rina. The reason I watched it? ..OMG blame me..I just want to know what's so great abt it since it has created a big fuss..It's such a big let down.

cass_dust · 9 Feb 2004

Watched the show yesterday night and argued with my sister on the ending... I feel that the most baka is toji.

It just pains to see him torturing two pretty ladies with his indecisiveness... :(
Glad that he expressed the true feelings to makoto in the end, even though is because nao has decided to "let go" of him.
I think maybe the ending should be that he gets nothing.. stupid guy...
the show gets me pretty frustrated, especially with toji's indecisiveness..

the ending is pretty sudden and abrupt... gives a feeling that they just want to end the show and that's it.

I think both rina and ryoko are great actresses! :o) sugoii! kawaii! daisuki!
tsuyoshi's acting is kinda stiff... compared to both actresses, but the crying scence towards the last part when he rejected makoto was good.

I think even the support actors and actresses are really good in the show. :)
Though with some parts that i do not like, i still recommend a show to watch!

dannylai · 27 Jan 2004

i like the way the person who commented on how bad this movie was. the one with the rating 1?? well.. i have to thank him/her for making me interested to watch it for myself.. and i find it a very good show..
nice soundtrack... great looking chicks...
the draw back... yes.. the indecisive asshole.. how can any girl fall for him?? i mean, how?? and moreover, the ex gf who wants him back?? as a man.. make decisions!!! dun drag and drag...
maybe it's the pissing off indecisive part that makes it interesting... :) watch it.. at least for ryoko... :)

btw rina's acting is not that good.. ryoko's much better...

Hiro Toyo · 26 Dec 2003

These dramas are for entertainment purposes. We watch them for enjoyment, and that's exactly what this drama delivers. Although some may argue it strays way too much from reality, but I see it as entertainment, and just that. The writers have managed to turn a simple concept of a love triange and made it much more interesting and original than those of the same storyline in the past. There are no huge twists in plot, nor are there any extremely exaggerated scenes. I like the way the story plays itself out, and like even more how the characters develop so you know why each one did what they did and reacted how they reacted. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

nagaioyasumi · 16 Dec 2003

I don't understand, if one can get so worked up over a drama, then it must have been pretty damn engaging, ne? So to the person who gave this drama a 1: are you really reflecting upon the quality of this drama or are you being biased by your dissatisfaction of the ending? I do believe that if you hadn't enjoyed the drama one little bit, you would not have bothered to write a long long essay review for it.
Personally, I thought that this drama was excellent. The acting exhibited by Tsu, Ryo and Rina was all A-class standard. I do agree that in Ryo's character in Motokare is a big leap from the "sweetie girl-next-door" stereotypes that she normally plays, but as always, Ryo's superb performance pulls her thru and she is utterly convincing as the independent and work-orientated Makoto.
I don't think anyone could have played the part of Toji better than Tsu. Toji's indecisiveness and hesitancy seems to come so naturally to him. Even tho, at times (esp the scene where Makoto sacrificed her self-respect and ran to ask Toji if he still liked her a 2nd time), Toji aggravated me to the point when I felt like reaching into the TV slapping him awake it made the ending all the more enjoyable for me when he finally decided to voice his true feelings.
I must admit that at the beginning, I did feel sorry for Nao having Makoto deliberately trying to get between her and Toji, but as the dorama progressed, Rina's character lost all her independance and began to cling onto Toji like he was tje only thing that existed in her world. The line "Perhaps one day you will learn to love me" was the last push I needed to completely detach my sympathy for Nao. I could not help but hoped that Nao could have saved herself some self-respect and walked away sooner from the man that no longer loved her with a little more dignity.
The plot is not complicated. Makoto and Toji dated for 6 months in Uni but broke up suddenly and lost all contact until 2 years later when Makoto is hired by Toji's company to be the publicity agent. Toji and Makoto meet again but Toji already has a new girlfriend, Nao. Makoto's appearance causes huge commotions to Toji and Nao's relationship which leads Toji to question himself whether he is really over Makoto or not. Nao, after finding out that Toji's heart lies with another girl is extremely upset and Toji feels that since he is responsible for Nao's discontent, he is now obliged to be with her. On the other hand, Makoto has experienced some setbacks in work and her only choice is to move away from Tokyo and seek work elsewhere. Resigned to the fact that Toji is now Nao's, Makoto forces herself to suppress her feelings and forget about Toji.... Will this be another re-enactment of 2 years ago?
A rollercoaster ride of emotions, this drama was a pleasure to watch.

sadako-sempai · 26 Nov 2003

when i first heard about motokare, i was shocked when sum ppl said it was SOO bad that its just best not to watch it. But when i got a copy of the show, all i have to say is.. I LOVED IT. the plot of the show isn't of course too original, but i have to say i havent seen a theme like this in a very very long time.. of course SOME ppl might criticize toji for being too damn indecisive, but then again that's real life isn't it? i could understand why some ppl hate it so much (probably because theyre such a big fan of nao?)
i guess why he chose makoto over nao is simply because.. makoto is the love of his life and so is toji for makoto. nao is just so pushy.. asking toji to be with her even when toji is not willing. so when he ended up with makoto in the end i was pretty satisfied, i think toji and makoto are so 'comfortable' with each other.. and so i would give this drama a 9. i would give it a 10.. it's just that for me it ended abit 'abruptly' .. but then again, it's just my opinion guys :)

kyouki · 24 Nov 2003

Im only giving a 6 because the cast acted really well in this drama.. as for the storyline, hmm.. i dont know.. i just cant believe makoto.. she was the one that broke up with him, and now here she is again in the middle of nao's happiness.. I dont blame toji for being stupid becoz he has always been in love with her.. BUT why play around with a sweet girl like Nao.. I really hope there's a continuation to this movie where Toji will get dumped again by Makoto.. Selfish n mean Makoto..

moku999 · 11 Nov 2003

After watching a lot of "cr@p" shows out there this one is not that bad. Almost all Jdramas and Japanese shows go according to routine themes and this one does again but its kind of fun if you like the actors. I like the Kinki Kid actor and Ryoko Hirosue seems to look a lot better grown up. The main character is a typical Japanese guy who's pretty stupid, we just want him to make up his mind, but he's playing that role. The elevator girl just isn't his type and he's too dense to avoid being manipulated but it plays into the show. Of course it ends happily.

jdfan · 7 Nov 2003

I think the person who gave this dorama a "1" is a bit harsh. This is an old fashion "soap"script that you don't see too often these days. After I finished watching this show, I kept thinking about the characters. The 3 leads had done a good job in creating the characters' personalities. Well, I also like the realistic ending. The truth came out. All three character is being truthful to each others and their own feelings...

BrEAD · 29 Sep 2003

Motokare is great and has its share of popularity not because it's dramatic but realistic. Makoto play mind games just like girls in REAL LIFe do. Like near the end Toji is torn between the one he truly likes but is moving away (Makoto), and the one he kindda likes but is right there (Nao), just like guys in REAL LIFE do. I'll have to say that this situation is TOO realistic, from experiences. The only unrealistic part is the ending because YEAH if it's real life, chances are the guy will choose Nao because guys are weak. =P

I got nothing against other people's poor review on this drama, because after all, it's a drama and is meant to be dramatic. It does have its unrealistic moments, but I don't think they interfere with the main point all that much. I'd recommend Motokare only if you are not looking for a dramatic story full of original surprises and only-in-drama moments, but rather something that you can relate to, or something that even happened to you or around you. It is at times so painfully true to the point that you'd rather change the channel to seek other mind-pleasing tv poisons. Motokare is not the best nor the most realistic drama ever, but I love it. Still, it does not fit everyone's taste.