Kimi niwa dodokanai

Kakeru and Yamato shows that when two souls know each other, nothing stops them from being together. This is a sweet story about how feelings can be complicated, but yet so sweet and subtle.

Kimi ni wa Todokanai is fresh, clean and feels like a dream. The backdrops, the bridges, the costumes, the gardens are so perfect that the entire series just laid out a nice theme for these young lovers. And I loved every scene of this series.

Yamato played by Kentaro Maeda is the handsome young man who looks stunning in all those statement clothes and wraps and overalls. But I just fell in love with Kakeru played by the charming Haru Kashiwagi and his expression of being confused or just having a bad hair day. Both these men have the perfect chemistry of hesitation, affection, confession, feelings, confusion and ultimately love for each other.

I loved to see the pair in each other arms. When I find the person who loves only me in all the world, I would drop everything to be with him and just to be there in his arms.. Kakeru, you did the right thing, trust your heart!!

This is a classic Japanese High School Romance drama. It uses all of the tools you can find in every manga about High School stories. From sending a love letter to your crush at the school, going on a study tour with your classmates then getting under the same blanket with your crush, going to a temple to get a love charm for your crush, to gifting sweets as a way to confess to your crush. You can find them all in this series. The story was unexpectedly sweet and likable, just like the main characters. It was well acted and the plot was delivered beautifully. There wasn't any unnecessary long scenes, so you won't have to worry about getting bored watching it.

It's a slow burn and the pacing is definitely quite "Asian" in Kimi ni wa Todokanai--the title actually translating into I Can't Reach You with Peace--but the two young leads are really fine. The series reminded me of Heartstopper in that it is emotion, not sex, at the heart of what drives the plot: one character struggles to express his hidden feelings and the other must come to grips with the feelings blossoming inside him. There's no mindless sex or inane double-entendre and that saves it from lapsing into rom-com territory: it's simply a story of two classmates who've been childhood friends and then slowly face the reality of what's happening between them. I liked that they're a bit of a visual mismatch, which also placed more emphasis on the emotional side.

There 's a lot of manga-induced "HUH!?" and some fun cultural stuff. Kashiwagu Hari is especially good at the bumbling parts of his role, a natural comic. I think Maeda Kentaro has a tougher job, as his character is supposed to be aloof. I can't say there's much "heat" between the two leads, but it's enjoyable nonetheless.

I cannot express enough how much I Cannot Reach You has impacted me. I've watched this Japanese drama series probably 50 times, and it never fails to amaze me.

1. The Characters - Both Kentaro and Haru delivered outstanding performances. Their chemistry is palpable, and every emotion felt genuine. The supporting characters, like HOsaka, were equally magnificent, adding layers to the story and enriching the overall experience.

2. The Storyline - The storyline is incredibly focused and clear, leaving no room for boredom. Every single scene is precious, meaningful, and essential to the progression of the plot. It grips you from start to finish, ensuring you're always hooked.

3. The Script - What I love most is how the script challenges societal norms, particularly the idea that a man must only fall in love with a woman. This series takes a refreshing approach to love and relationships, offering a more nuanced and open-minded perspective that is rarely seen in mainstream media.

4. The Direction - Credit must be given to the entire team behind this drama, especially the direction. Kentaro's portrayal of Yamato is nothing short of superb. He brings to life every ounce of pain and vulnerability his character experiences. The way Yamato falls in love earlier but with even greater intensity than Kenkaro makes for a beautiful, deeply emotional storyline.

Overall, I Cannot Reach You is a true masterpiece. It's a drama that challenges norms, delivers brilliant performances, and tells an unforgettable story. I give it a perfect 10/10!

I found this short series on Netflix by accident and really enjoyed it. I didn't know what to expect and didn't know it was LGBTQ genre - kinda reminded me of "Heart Stopper" ...but set in Japan. I give this show a solid 7 (a "10" rating is only for something exceptional & special). This is not a "must-see masterpiece," but was actually VERY ENJOYABLE.

The show offers an interesting glimpse into Japanese society: eg. How girls "confess" their love for boys and how some things (high school courtship) differ from the West. It's something different from the usual Hollywood offering that makes me dislike certain kids these days. ;-)

Story told well, no boring slow drawn-out moments The acting was not great (perhaps a bit cheezy at times ...they're kids) ...but overall believable and decent. Production is good with some beautiful Japanese scenery. The series goes by quickly (watched the whole thing in one evening) since each episode is only 20 minutes.

The title, "I Cannot Reach You" didn't really make sense to me ...but maybe this is something that was "lost in transation." Note: unlike most shows, the series is NOT dubbed into English ...so at times, you need to be quick on the subtitles; I had to rewind several times to catch the dialogue.

Overall ...I thought it was really cute and even a bit touching.