Last Friends

deseipher wrote:I understand that we've reached a high point where perhaps the writers can't go any higher with Ruka's character, but I feel that there is a bit more to be fleshed out.

There could have been so many ways for the writers to go about and developing the story, but I think they spread themselves too thin trying to tackle a whole lot of issues at once. The episodes were pretty haphazard in terms of what exactly needed to be discussed at a certain point in time. In the end, they had to sacrifice plot development for some of the characters (2 more episodes left, though), as they couldn't juggle both the issues the drama's supposed to deal along with the eventual repercussions for everybody. And early on, we did know prior to the show airing that the series was going to deal with some really heavy stuff.

Ruka was indeed forced to go through a whole lot of adversity in the series, but somehow it's all overshadowed by the introduction of violence that was used primarily as a crude plot device. They could have left the violence theme early on, and gone a bit more elegantly with how all the characters were going to deal with their own issues, but they kept coming back to that well of beatdown anyways, which somehow spoils it for me. Not because I'm squeamish about these things, but because they could have done it better for the sake of the story. Instead it seems like they did it for the ratings.

Maybe they have a 2-hour, let's-answer-everything episode/SP at the end? :mrgreen:

deseipher wrote: guess it's probably just me, but I'm still waiting for some resolution with Ruka's feelings towards Michiru. Perhaps it's been touched upon already and I just can't see it.

I probably don't see it, either.

Michiru has pretty much become a sideshow like Ogurin... Sure, she created the spark which started the drama on its way, but her character has paled compared to Ruka and Takeru...

FarOutFreak wrote:Ruka was indeed forced to go through a whole lot of adversity in the series, but somehow it's all overshadowed by the introduction of violence that was used primarily as a crude plot device. They could have left the violence theme early on, and gone a bit more elegantly with how all the characters were going to deal with their own issues, but they kept coming back to that well of beatdown anyways, which somehow spoils it for me. Not because I'm squeamish about these things, but because they could have done it better for the sake of the story. Instead it seems like they did it for the ratings.

Total, complete, unwavering, 100%, agreement. :victory:

If they abandoned the DV theme and focused more on the chracter's issues, this drama could've been something really special...

bmwracer wrote:
Total, complete, unwavering, 100%, agreement. :victory:

If they abandoned the DV theme and focused more on the chracter's issues, this drama could've been something really special...

Yeah, I agree with this too.. Even though we wanted to elevate Ruka to the halo role, she really wasn't because of that.

+1 in Agreement. Fact is, they keep falling back on the DV for the ratings, but they've got such a HUGE variety of other issues they have been trying to address (Infidelity, GID, Child Abuse, (implied) Incest, Stereotyping, and of course DV) that they quite literally are running out of time to resolve the issues. Since they introduced the series as a 'flashback style' more or less, they have no choice BUT to make sure the DV issue is resolved, even if that means leaving the other good storylines hanging in the air in the hopes for a 2nd Season or movie.

So, chiming in: is the series rewatchable? Even if I were a fan of this kind of genre (not really), the glaring issues with continuity and abundance of "why the HELL would they do that?" moments make it doubtful.

Tenshigure wrote:So, chiming in: is the series rewatchable? Even if I were a fan of this kind of genre (not really), the glaring issues with continuity and abundance of "why the HELL would they do that?" moments make it doubtful.

Yup.

To make it re-watchable, it'd have to be entertaining or thought-provoking and it's neither... More times than not, it's just frustrating to watch.

Sad. :sweat:

Someone please shake me T_T
I couldn't believe my own eyes
I couldn't agree more with the rest of u here
someone please...do something
:(

Yea i thought ep 10 is last ep..
I dont think I can take it on next ep
im really afraid to watch it

FarOutFreak wrote:

Ruka was indeed forced to go through a whole lot of adversity in the series, but somehow it's all overshadowed by the introduction of violence that was used primarily as a crude plot device. They could have left the violence theme early on, and gone a bit more elegantly with how all the characters were going to deal with their own issues, but they kept coming back to that well of beatdown anyways, which somehow spoils it for me. Not because I'm squeamish about these things, but because they could have done it better for the sake of the story. Instead it seems like they did it for the ratings.

I definitely agree with you on that. The violence was shocking the first time around with Michiru and Sousuke, but they kept going back to it and with what happened in the latest episode, it certainly appears they've done it simply for ratings. This series could be so much more, though with only two episodes left (I think), I'm not counting on that happening.

Wow! You guys are bloody brilliant with your analysis! Really good critics and analysts.. :applaud:

No other drama has frustrated me to the extent that this drama has! :twisted: The characters don't live in a sharehouse but in a problem house with everyone having their fair share of twisted issues.

ash_ton wrote:Wow! You guys are bloody brilliant with your analysis! Really good critics and analysts.. :applaud:

After Nodame, we're very demanding. ;)

No other drama has frustrated me to the extent that this drama has! :twisted: The characters don't live in a sharehouse but in a problem house with everyone having their fare share of twisted issues.

I hear ya... :sweat:

But I think it woulda been a whole lot more tolerable without the DV crap.

bmwracer wrote:
I hear ya... :sweat:

But I think it woulda been a whole lot more tolerable without the DV crap.

They overdid the whole DV thing for sure! But it was a real shock when they showed it first.. I don't know much about Japanese drama/culture, but this drama surely would be a pioneer with so many different issues thrown into the picture.. Guess the writer/director really wanted to throw in as many complex issues as possible in this drama and in doing so made it less enjoyable and seriously frustating. :nut:

ash_ton wrote:Guess the writer/director really wanted to throw in as many complex issues as possible in this drama and in doing so made it less enjoyable and seriously frustating. :nut:

You said it...

The drama should've been renamed Bucket o' Problems or Angst Smorgasbord... :hehe:

bmwracer wrote:
You said it...

The drama should've been renamed Bucket o' Problems or Angst Smorgasbord... :hehe:

I like to call it: Real World: Tokyo. :hehe:

Tenshigure wrote:

I like to call it: Real World: Tokyo. :hehe:

Eww.. Maybe "The Worst Metadrama" or "UFC: Small Japanese Woman edition"

hong kong magazine scans

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i've stopped watching LF since it was a pain waiting from week to week speculating what horrible decision the writers would make next. i'll watch it all after the last episode has come out, in hopes that it'll make shorter torture.

Naoko is out next month, i'm hoping it'll be somewhat better than the #@$&*%! that LF has become. :bleh:

Hmm.. I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet (sorry if someone has!), but softsubs for episode 9 came out on d-addicts ;)

noblsheep wrote:i've stopped watching LF since it was a pain waiting from week to week speculating what horrible decision the writers would make next. i'll watch it all after the last episode has come out, in hopes that it'll make shorter torture.

Naoko is out next month, i'm hoping it'll be somewhat better than the #@$&*%! that LF has become. :bleh:

Hmm, it's fascinating that most of us here are rather disappointed/disgusted/etc. with LF in some way, shape, or form, but just about everyone over at the D-Addicts thread are ga-ga...

Either we have higher standards or we're viewing the wrong drama. :sweat:

bmwracer wrote:
Hmm, it's fascinating that most of us here are rather disappointed/disgusted/etc. with LF in some way, shape, or form, but just about everyone over at the D-Addicts thread are ga-ga...

Either we have higher standards or we're viewing the wrong drama. :sweat:

I prefer the opinion of 'not watching the show through fan-tinted glasses' to be honest. I swear, 80% of those all over the damned show at D-A are solely because of who the people are who star in the show, and could care less about the plotline or anything else, just as long as they get moments with their 'dreamy kawaii Ryo-sama!', they could care less that he's a series-killer above all else. :bleh:

Not only that, but they're not exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer either. I mean, they DID fall for my fake news announcement after all! :beaten: :hehe:

bmwracer wrote:
Hmm, it's fascinating that most of us here are rather disappointed/disgusted/etc. with LF in some way, shape, or form, but just about everyone over at the D-Addicts thread are ga-ga...

Either we have higher standards or we're viewing the wrong drama. :sweat:

that'd be cool, we're watching the wrong show! :hehe:

LF is even worse than watching jodan ja nai, the latter was bad beginning to end, LF gets everybody's hopes up and then crashes...

Tenshigure wrote:

I prefer the opinion of 'not watching the show through fan-tinted glasses' to be honest. I swear, 80% of those all over the damned show at D-A are solely because of who the people are who star in the show, and could care less about the plotline or anything else, just as long as they get moments with their 'dreamy kawaii Ryo-sama!', they could care less that he's a series-killer above all else. :bleh:

The most sincere appreciation is that which occurs in the face of criticism :)

I would guess that we perhaps a little older here. Maybe that has something to do with it too.

And to Ryo's credit... he was nearly bad enough to kill the series.. it took far more work than that ;-)