So, this is very enjoyable. The masochistic concept of two nice people who belong together but can't quite manage it thanks to bad timing isn't new of course. Yayoi ( Haru ) and Taro ( Ryo Narita ) meet in high school, though he dubs himself "Santa" : as a skilled soccer player, his goals will be "gifts" to the fans. She's a strong-willed girl who speaks her mind while he tends to lack maturity/focus.
It didn't take long for me to like this pair, & that's an important plus which needs to be re-enforced with a script which can take a familiar story & inject some periodic freshness. This one does, with an added degree of intelligence and empathy amidst the "feel-good" factor.
The quality of the leads is obviously crucial, & Haru does an excellent job as the alpha character who nevertheless has a weakness or two. Mr Narita is just as accomplished in his own sloppy way and the cocky, all-conquering footballer does eventually get to make a difference. Supporting cast are as reliably good as I would expect.
Direction and photography are both on the money, & I basically just enjoyed the time I spent with these people. Which is what any movie/TV experience is about in my opinion.
