The Ties That Bind

Remind Me Of A Word:

 Someday.

——

Last Friends

 Image from here

If I were asked last year of the reason why I’d like to watch this series, my answer would be “Nishikido Ryo.” One Liter of Tears definitely made its mark on me, but my intent to watch Last Friends grew stronger (even the Ryo-factor was eliminated) because of Ueno Juri. And Eita. And Mizukawa Asami.

It’s the Nodame Cantabile spill-over, so to speak.

I have always known that Juri’s role here has been a hallmark in her acting career. And being smitten by her talent from the very start, I knew I had to watch this. What’s more, even Nodame’s friends Mine-kun and Kiyora were with her.

Juri as the confused Gender Indentity Disorder patient was well-crafted—complex, humane, emotionally evolving, and strong yet makes the viewer care for her. I have learned that she is the kind of actor who becomes the character even off-cam. [Kyoko from Skip Beat!, anyone?] Her haircut [dude, the haircut! XD], the aura, her movements, her speech—the whole package convinces the viewers, and makes them empathize with Ruka.

Eita was also remarkable as Takeru. The character’s natural charm, the subtlety of his emotions, his touching actions, his homey, reliable, caring, and kind, yet tormented and confused personality was justified by Eita.

Mizukawa Asami as the vibrant, independent, empowered Eri was one of the (good) reasons why I was able to withstand this otherwise highly-strung and tensed series. Even though her story stayed in the sidelines, the longing for companionship of the “modern” woman Eri represents touched me. I guess it’s a basic human instinct after all, no matter how she puts up a show of indifference. I watched the series ’til its end because I want to see Eri happy. :3

 
(more…)

A Re-evaluation

Just because they’re crazy about themself (sic) they think you’re crazy about them, too, and that you’re just dying to do them a favor. It’s sort of funny, in a way.”

— The Catcher in the Rye [J.D. Salinger]

 … Now don’t, please.

be quite so single-minded, self-involved,

or assume the world is wrong and you are right.”

— Antigone [Sophocles]

Okay, because my emometer is on the loose now after watching the tear-jerker special of Zettai Kareshi courtesy of Alea, (Aside: I like the series more. The essence of this special was just about the same as the series proper’s. End aside.) I had to write these thoughts down.

I really hate it when I’m being forced to do something I (repeatedly) refuse to do. I hate it more that that the “something” isn’t even important at all. I hate it when they don’t even listen during the seldom instances that I talk. On the contrary I always try mightily hard to listen to them. I hate myself for being this passive. Is it because of that that they regard me as someone who would always compromise for their sake? Gosh, this is so pathetic.

When the grudge (I’m so adept at holding) just spills this way, I feel immobilized. I hold them dear, but sometimes my patience reaches its limit, that I just want to scream at their face and run away.

What’s saddening, too, is that the thing that you enjoyed “doing” with them just suddenly felt like an assigned task you’re expected to accomplish. It’s beginning to feel like it’s not fun anymore because they keep insisting you to do things (however subtle the insistence is).

And I hate my tendency to patronize. This concept of courtesy in our culture inhibits one to be frank and blatantly declare dislike towards something or someone… Maybe I’m at fault for pointing my inability to express myself properly on a cultural nuance, but I guess it’s just innate. Sigh.

This would probably be it, right? That “familiarity breeds contempt”? That during your “bonding time,” at the back of your mind, you’re wishing that they’d pay more attention to what you’re saying or that they would think first before speaking? Or that you wish that they’re good friends enough to know what your take on a particular subject would be, and that they’d quit insisting you to change your mind and do as they please? Or that it’s just a phase and your friendship is deeper than something you refuse to do? But then again, maybe it wasn’t such a great friendship at all that it is only anchored on one or two similar interests? And that a change of heart in these is enough to trigger uncertainty and dislike?

Saa na~