Fan reviews: Over Time

elalendi · 28 Jan 2011

I didn't expect to enjoy this but it came out as a pleasant surprise. Basically, the drama's about two people who eventually become best friends - the kind who understand everything about each other - while parallel subplots go on about the people they are currently dating. Then, at about 3-quarters into the story you get that "sliding" into should-we-be-more-than-friends territory. Someone else here has said that the drama makes you think about the fact that maybe sometimes you don't end up marrying your soul mate.... your soul mate just remains your friend. And yes, this drama does center around that. And it's a very nice message about how life works. The acting and script delivers well with really cute chemistry between the two leads.

Still, like another reviewer said, the ending was disappointing only because I can't understand why the lead girl made the decision that she did. She made it clear that she loves the doctor very much, but it's just so hard to believe that she loves him more than Soichiro who's you know her best friend and soul mate. And she knows Soichiro loves her. Speaking of, he let her go because he believes she would be miserable with him. Well, I can't see why he should think that because she seemed much happier when she hung out with him. So, although I like that it wasn't fairy-tale, the bittersweet ending was just lacking because I couldn't completely empathize with the characters. Either Soichiro should never have fallen in love with her - so that both best friends can mutually think of each other as friends - or there should have been a better, more powerful reason for them to stray apart. Or, you know, they could've have just chosen each other.

I also felt that this some minor characters were just so random. Like, Kobayashi-kun. I thought he might end up with Nozana but it seemed like Nozana still likes Soichiro. What was his point in the story? I don't know.

Anyway, I would recommend this. It's slow-paced but in a good way. It makes you warm inside and gives you hope of finding a friendship as strong as Soichiro and Natsuki's. :)

Sajen16 · 25 Aug 2010

until the last two episodes the score would have been a 10 but Soichiro was a stupid childish baby and Natsuki for some idiotic reason chose to marry the stupid doctor that she doesn't love or even like

Sakebitosan · 7 Jan 2010

...ing

[Beware: Possible spoilers!]

I remember this being the first J-drama aired on the International Channel in early '99 after the excellent "With Love," the first after FCI (stupidly) discontinued English subtitling. It took a full ten years, but I finally got to see it and... color me frustrated.

The acting in this is phenomenal by all involved - particularly Esumi and Sorimachi in the leads - to the point that it's difficult to believe that these are actors playing roles. The soundtrack is excellent too, but then I never could resist Tomoko or BuriGuri, and Yamaguchi Yuko is a revelation. The problem is with the writing and that horrid, illogical ending.

For a story to be good it has to adhere to its own internal logic. So here you have an artfully-constructed development of characters and their relationships from a chance meeting, a clear chemistry building between two people (a chemistry palpable between the actors, Esumi and Sorimachi,) but in the end it's all for a huge, anticlimactic nothing.

This isn't about "realistic ending" vs. a "fairy-tale ending," but rather an ending that is utterly arbitrary, that runs counter to a story that had painted a convincing picture of two people who are really "halves of the same whole." Natsuki's decision - and Kaede's insistence on her making that decision - is a massive short-circuit to the entire story up to that point. Forget "fairy-tale endings" - in real life, when two people meet and discover over the course of time and experience that they're kindred spirits, the most "realistic" outcome is for them to become an item. I disagree too with the point someone else made here about Kaede's stoicism. I don't think his stoicism makes his professions of love for Natsuki hard to believe - if anything it increases their depth and intensity.

The "love triangle" thing is necessary for the story's conflict, but for that to work the relationship between Natsuki and Kuga-sensei needed to be much deeper - at least as deep as the bond between Nat-chan and Kaede. I'm not talking about Shiina's acting - which was superb - but the fact that his character, Kuga, has virtually no chemistry with Natsuki. His character is written almost like a supporting role - like Haruko or Fuyumi - but it needed to have the same depth as the other two leads. Balance is everything, and the love triangle is horribly lopsided. The result is that Natsuki's climactic decision seems completely arbitrary, nothing more than a pragmatic whim.

I can't help wondering how much more powerful this story - and its ending - would have been, if Kuga's character and relationship with Natsuki had been written with enough depth to balance against her relationship with Kaede. It would have lent far more weight to her conflicting emotions, and far more dramatic punch (not to mention plausibility,) to her final decision.

In short-circuiting what had been an excellent romantic buildup, the writers effectively pulled the rug from beneath the audience's feet. I feel like I've just been through a lengthy, heart-wrenching ordeal with no satisfactory resolution. The series is well worth watching, but I can't say that I'm sorry it's over.

jdoramadotcom · 28 Nov 2009

The plot revolves around a group engaging 20-somethings in varying states of love, with each character finding their way other characters' lives. It's more like community (and sometimes like a commune), but the cast is so likable and basically good-hearted that you can't help but enjoy the relaxed drama.

The cast is strikingly attractive, so even the "plain jane" (Naomi Nishida) is a former Shiseido model. The stately plot is the kind you can predict episodes in advance, but it's so agreeable there's no hard feelings.

Wynter · 28 Jul 2008

Over Time was a great drama, and very well written (as is expected from Kitagawa Eriko).

I wasnft sure at first how strong the chemistry between Sorimachi Takashi and Esumi Makiko would be. Ifve seen a lot of dramas for each and wasnft convinced that it would be great. It WAS great, and Ifm glad. The supporting cast was awesome, especially Ishida Yuriko who always plays these type of roles with perfection.

I was a little disappointed with Kimura Toshinofs character. The acting was superb, as always from this actress, but her character was terribly annoying. I had no sympathy for her whatsoever, and therefore didnft like Sorimachifs character when he was with her. Theyfre pairing seemed forced and unbelievable.

What I did like about this drama was the way they pulled off the ending. Normally, in a romance, if the lead male and female donft end up together, then the ending sucks. But in this case it seemed appropriate. Personally, I have always believed that onefs soulmate doesnft have to be the one they love/marry. I think this was the premise of the show. Soichiro and Natsuki were soulmates. The path they choose to follow in the end may not be ideal, but I can see why it had to be. I think Natsuki made the right choice. The end of this drama was very powerful and I commend Kitagawa Eriko for writing something this great.

Mint · 8 May 2008

The overall idea of this story is perhaps to answer the arbitrary question of whether a grown man and a grown woman can be merely best friends. The exploration of friendships and relationships in this drama is pretty enjoyable to watch and at times even funny, but the excitement doesn't last for too long.

In the first few episodes, the character development is credible and thanks to the superfluous yet clever script, viewers are able to understand the characters and their idiosyncrasies at an individual range. However, the drama is later aggravated by the rather weak storyline that becomes more pronounced as the story moves on. It doesn't have a strong arc to follow but only to vacillate between the inconsequential subplots that are neither properly nor convincingly built. Somewhere in the middle of the drama, it just drags on and on endlessly with unnecessary scenes.

Takashi Sorimachi does not shine here, delivering an insipid, mundane and self-conscious performance which kills the drama for me. This may perhaps due to the character himself, who seems too confused and disingenuous with his own feelings between the 2 women in his life. His expression is too stoic that as the story progresses, I don't believe his confessions of love at all.

Esumi Makiko, however, is wonderful. She has her own style of acting which complements the character of Natsuki perfectly. The rest of the cast is great, especially Shiina Kippei. And the soundtrack is really good which lingers on ideally throughout the drama.

Although I'm disappointed and not too keen on Sorimachi's portrayal and the storyline, or lack thereof, I find the ending to be very strong and moving. Overall, this drama isn't as good as it could potentially be for me.

Shindou · 24 Oct 2006

Definitely liked a lot fo the one-on-one scenes that were taken in this dorama. Sorimachi Takashi worked very well with Esumi Makiko in this dorama and I wish their was more interaction between them in GTO. Takashi also seemed to work well with Rena which probably explained their cast selection in the GTO special later on. Kitagawa wrote a fine script for this dorama although personally, it may have been a bit overly draggy. All in all though, i'd rank it among the best doramas i've seen.

idetakun · 10 Jun 2006

though a little boring at the beginning, and a little too similar to LongVacation,
its good overally. I like it!

Takumi Am Soichiro · 7 Mar 2006

I like so much this story. Same with my love story, hehehe. Butaway, great acting for my favourite artist / actress, xpecially Esumi, I love her very much (acting only ;)) Great drama !!! Get for it !!. keep on rockin' Sorimachi !

aki_07 · 26 Apr 2005

Are you into fairy tale jap story? Well, me too but I luv this drama nevertheless despite its realistic plot. But life is like that sometimes, you enjoy the moment while it lasts and you have to go back to a more practical world. The show doesn't just centre around the main couple and good if you find tight plots boring. It shows you the lives of the other minor characters too. As what the title says, the two main charac find themselves developing a special chemistry more than just friendship OVERTIME. It tells you sometimes the pretty person you admire may not be your soulmate afterall but your buddy who click well with you grows on you subconsciously. The last few episodes will touch you so deeply you will fnd your face streaking with only warm tears. Because it's real it touches hearts. Very heartwarming which makes you want to hug the pillow and shriek and sigh. Ending puts viewers in a thinking mode and reflect life. Not for viewers who cannot cope with the true bittersweet symphony of life. My first fav jap drama. Cute cast too.

pingpong · 10 Mar 2005

The first 11 episodes were great but the end has left me, much like Fuyumi was, contemplating suicide. Now where's that bottle of ketchup? -;<).

chep ammar · 20 Nov 2004

i love sorimachi more in GTO and makiko in power office girl but this drama have its own pesona. the unexpected love from unexpected person with unexpected ending.what can i say?! just two words, great drama!

shiruchsn · 13 Nov 2004

This drama series is really good. Funny and romantic at the same time. Just love this type of dorama. Takashi Sorimachi is wonderful, charming and a pretty good actor (now I understand why Nanako is married with him!). Makiko, I love her acting, she's so full of charisma!!!
The story isn't that great, but is realistic, since it shows every-day-life-thing.
The OST is amazing, I just love listening to Believe.
A must see!!!!!!

gomibagu · 1 May 2004

Definately one of the best I've seen. This drama is about deep relationships and the various forms of love people can experience. The ending is what pushes this drama above others.

tingtongbell · 23 Mar 2004

This has been my fave drama since yr 2000(and still is). Probably because of the things that happened to me that year, so this drama acted like an reflection of my life at that point.
Indeed the love between the lead actress and actor is deep yet incomprehensible. He chose to give up her, so that she can be with the doctor...It is indeed a true eg of sacrificial love. Profound and melancholic..

Hiro Toyo · 9 Jan 2004

Everything about this drama is soft and slow. Yes, the drama is slow, but no, it's not boring. I can see the producers of this drama wanted the story to develop slowly. They wanted the chemistry of the characters to slowly develop, and they did. It doesn't have all these complicated twists or obstacles in each episode, nor are there any use of one main catch that rides the drama all the way to the end. It's just about people having feelings for each other, and how through time they begin to understand and have feelings. I like the drama for its simplicity and for its mellow tone. I am sure they intended it that way, and it came out that way, nice and soft.

adhi-kun · 17 Jul 2003

One of the most boring doramas with lack of character developments. Nothing special. Didn't like the lead female character's acting/face.

windrider · 29 Jun 2003

The actors all did pretty good in this show, especially takashi. The music is superb... i believe is a great song, and the brilliant green just rules!! The ending is not really a happy ending, but i felt that it was a good and rather touching one

juliana_phang · 21 Jun 2003

gosh!~
esumi n sorimachi looks good together too!
dont u guys think so?

ladyelf · 21 Jun 2003

I like the part when he is making the decision, the suspense the audience feel when you don't know which one he is going to meet, that part is great, it makes you suck in your breathe and you can even feel the great internal struggle and love between the characters....ah, this is the kind of J drama I like, the climax and high at the end.