{Review} コーヒー＆バニラ (Coffee & Vanilla)

Synopsis|줄거리

Original Title: コーヒー＆バニラ
Also Known As: Coffee & Vanilla
Director Smith, Keijiro Tsubakimoto, Hiroto Totsuka
Distributor: MBS
Released: Jul 4, 2019
Genre: Romance/Drama/Mature
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan
My Rating: 10/10
Add To: VIKI
Risa Shiroki (Haruka Fukuhara) is a 20-year-old university student. She came to Tokyo from her hometown in the countryside to attend a university. Although Risa Shiroki is pretty and popular with male students, she has never had a boyfriend. She dreams of having a sweet love. One day, Hiroto Fukami (Dori Sakurada) appears in front of her in a suit. He is a 30-year-old business man. He is gentle and looks perfect. Risa Shiroki and Hiroto Fukami fall in love, but Hiroto Fukami has a dark past.

~~ Based on manga series “Coffee & Vanilla” by Takara Akegami

Review|리뷰

★★★★★★★★★★ Stars

Me: "I'm just going to watch a episode and see what the hype is."

Also me: *clicking the non existing "next episode" button*

I had zero intentions on binge watching this WHOLE thing the way that I did. As I watched this, I realized through updates... a lot of people hated this show. Lol Which is sad. I thought it was REALLY good! But then again, it might just be because I'm Dori Sakurada biased. Don't hate me. Lol

But I think it also helps that I watched Good Morning Call first. I know this has nothing to do with this show but because I seen Haruka Fukuhara in GMC, I know her acting is a bit... bland. But when it came to this show, it was her advantage. Coming from a shy person, I know damn well this is how I act around a guy I like too. Lol. Not saying I'm proud of it, but saying I can relate.

Now here is where I'm sure people will come for me. This really gave me 50 Shades of Grey vibes. Like a lesser/non bondage version. Which make me think those that hated 50 Shades, will probably hate this show, and those that liked it, will probably like this show. I could be completely wrong though. Lol I just get those vibes from it.

I loved the story. I know it had it's issues and for the most part could be labeled a mess. Mostly because it focused more on their relationship rather than a actual story... but I still enjoyed it. But I get it. I just hope if they ever redo this show, they keep the original cast. I would love to know more about each character's back story. Especially Hiroto. You are told throughout the show that he has a dark past and people want to tell Risa but she always says she would rather hear it from him. Which again, I understand... but I wish she had brought it up and fully asked him about it. Especially since she was put in so much danger throughout the time of them being together. It leaves it like a open ending which is a bit annoying.

I must say for the first time, I like the FL this way. Usually when a FL is loved by all but ditzy and timid all the time, it gets extremely annoying -- so I get the frustration people have. But to me, something about it just seemed to fit perfectly. But I also loved that even though Risa was hella shy, Hiroto was very patient with her and attempted to bring her out of her shell a lot which I find extremely respectable. Lol sometimes shy people need a dom to help do that. (don't come at me for this, I'm saying what I know and feel).

This says a lot though because I really didn't like her in GMC so for her to play this so well and make me feel like no one else could play this part as well as she did says a lot, imo.

Can I talk about Yuki for a second though? The man had all my respect up until he pulled that "I'm moving in and about to fuck all your shit up" mess. I know he had his reason but it literally made me hate him by the end -- even though he explained why and stuff. It's just a hard no for me. To many people got away with assault in this show for my taste. While I know Hiroto showed up most of the time, I wish more could have been done. Now mind you, even her friend was a bitch. Like I get it. You see this hot guy and instantly simp. It's Dori Sakurada, I don't blame you. Lolol but to sit there and be like "you know what, let me date him one time, he might not even like you" is some absolute bullshit. How are you going to call someone your best friend and pull that shit? Then not only that, date one of the guys that assaulted her at one point? Excuse me while I vomit.

This show is a hit or miss for a lot of people and I can see why. But it was a hit for me. I loved it. And it also showed a new side to a few actors that I haven't seen before.