#itazura na kiss: love in tokyo

[mabel-piness]

For all the Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo enjoyers

I made an edit after 10 ish years? Wild

[jdramablr]

Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo ~ opening

[naokiscoffee]

What makes Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo so special?

Season 01 Episode 02

We’re once again starting the episode strong. Kotoko’s strongest personality points are shining as brightly as ever.

“I can’t forgive Naoki, that’s why I’m serious this time, I will beat Naoki on these final exams”

Her determination, seriousness, and optimism are taking the wheel. Unfortunately, this also highlights how unsupportive her friends are. Truth be told if someone who’s in the lowest grades class says she will beat the student who’s first place in studying is hard to take that seriously.

When faced with this, Kotoko quickly settles for being on the bulletin board; or basically having her name written on the same paper as Naoki. Now this is a more realistic goal that I can get by. Her friends though think differently.

This here is very important. This is exactly what sets Kotoko apart from the rest of the people around her. Her friends limit themselves by saying “No way! We’re in Class F you know”, yet she doesn’t let herself be held down by such restricting thoughts or preconceptions. This is a very healthy and admirable way of thinking.

Also, I absolutely love how she’s doing all of this just to get back on Naoki for saying “I don't like girls without a brain”.

Something I hadn’t realised last re-watch is just how much of a pivoting moment this is for Kotoko. Naoki’s changes have always been obvious to me, but I never realised how Kotoko had also changed. I cannot picture Kotoko aiming for the top 100th place under any other circumstances.

I always really enjoy the dinner scenes in this version, they make everything so much more cosy and domestic. Another subtle detail that can easily be overlooked is how Naoki’s eyes follow Kotoko for a split second as she makes her way upstairs to study. He’s already showing interest in her.

Noriko is living her dream; she’s making midnight snacks, and she even has someone to vent to about how Naoki. She also feels close enough to Kotoko to speak to her about her worries and fears, and she even shows her pictures of Naoki as a child, which she would have probably never shown anyone else.

When Noriko speaks about how she misses taking pictures, my brain immediately jumps to when Kotoko becomes the reason why she gets back into the hobby later on (Kotoko has awakened the photographing beast in Noriko lol). This is also when Noriko first gets the feeling that Kotoko might like her son.

“Irie was already handsome even when he was little”

(I can already see Noriko’s brain going: so you think my son is handsome?!!)

Unfortunately, despite her seemingly innocent intentions, Noriko has seriously scarred Naoki by having him cross-dress as a child. This also helps us understand why he is so afraid of being wrapped up in a scandal at school (think back to the confession scene in the last episode).

Kotoko’s friends are beginning to notice the change I mentioned earlier, and don’t know what to make out of it. Just then, Naoki just pops up out of thin air. I really like the camerawork in this drama, and how the camera work conceals him so that his arrival is a surprise for us as well.

This is also an iconic moment, we’re learning more about Naoki; he would rather break his own rule and talk to her at school than take out a girl's bento box (and to potentially have people figure out that they are living together) (the trauma and fear are still there).

“if your nosy classmates see this it would cause a commotion”

Bro, you have already caused a commotion.

This scene here is a gold mine. For the first time ever, we are seeing Naoki get extremely worked up. Up till this point, nothing anyone has said or done has affected his stoic attitude, yet Kotoko has managed to do it, and I am eating it up. I know, they’re not a couple yet, he doesn’t like her yet, and they’re basically fighting, but nonetheless, I find this scene to be terribly cute.

Our girl is not only positive and hardworking, she’s also generous; she offers the picture back as long as he tutors her for a week, to get into the top 100. That’s a reasonable offer if you ask me.

“in other words, it’s a waste of time to challenge the impossible” Kotoko has proven this statement wrong, time after time.

“Mom, could you make snacks for two? and bring them to Kotoko’s room please?”

Naoki is finally beginning to have an outward sign of the change that’s taking place and is very nonchalant about it. By saying this he is also … everyone that he’s helping her study. This shift is clearly very shocking for all of the family.

Also, a few small details that are easily missed; Naoki has enough tact to get Kotoko’s permission before entering her room, but he doesn’t have enough sense to keep the door to her room open, while Kotoko leaves it open a few moments earlier. I haven’t decided yet if this is just Naoki having a lower EQ, or if it’s him knowing his family’s ways better.

All the bickering that has been happening this far makes this interaction feel warm and domestic. You can also see the two of them symbolically start to blend together; she’s studying (which is his thing), and he’s using her ridiculous pen; he organised and printed out a neat table, yet he uses her cute flowery washi tape to tape it together, and she crosses out the days with stickers. We’ve already seen them influence each other personality-wise, and now we have a physical representation of it.

Naoki is already beginning to not only adjust to Kotoko but to even accommodate her, we see him accommodating her as he’s helping her practice her vocab at school; “on purpose” “What?” “On papasu”.  Our man troubled himself with going ahead and writing down a whole exam for Kotoko, and is even patiently and calmly explaining the equation to her. 10 points in his favour!

Another point that requires close observation; when Naoki and Kotoko fall asleep, neither has a blanket on, but in the morning, when Naoki wakes up, he has a blanket around him. Now if you look in Kotoko’s spot and all around the room, you’ll see that there’s no other blanket in sight. I think it’s safe to conclude that Kotoko was the one who put the blanket over him after having woken up first.

This, this is Kotoko as seen through Naoki’s eyes. As he makes his way into the kitchen he does a double take, and this is what he sees. I am sorry to say this, but this boy is already smitten.

Even though Kotoko can’t cook to save her life, she can obviously make a heck of a good coffee, which, as @Machitsuki2 mentioned in one of her videos, is basically the only thing he actually likes.

Now it’s exam day, and as Naoki makes his way down, he slows down a bit, perhaps in hesitation. Here, again, we see them adapting to each other; Kotoko is not outright speaking to him, and is thus somewhat abiding by his rules; and Naoki actually speaks to her willingly.

We’re transported to three days later; exams are over, and Kotoko runs around the school with Kinnouske’s arm around her. Watanabe, who is perhaps Naoki’s only friend (who is often overlooked, but is an amazing character), is also perhaps Naoki’s only source of emotional reason. He’s already poking Naoki towards being jealous since Kotoko has already “moved on to another boy”.

“it’s none of my business,” he says, as his eyes keep following her. My man, that is not something someone who doesn’t care would say or do. Another big change, Naoki is actually beginning to socialise with his classmates, something that even shocks Watanabe.

“you have never done anything like this in all three years here”

Think back to episode one when Kinnouske was gathering donations for Kotoko. What did Kotoko tell him in a fit of rage…?

If your answer was “Do you even have friends?” Then you are correct!! I’ll leave the rest to you.

The more I see Kotoko, the more I love her; she goes straight to the first place to make sure that Naoki is not affected by helping her. Naoki follows in her footsteps and only looks at her results. He also breaks his only rule, and actually talks to her at school, and has the audacity to then say “I told you this many times already, don’t talk to me at school”.

When Kotoko goes over the quote that Naoki mentioned earlier, he even smiles at her.

Now, unfortunately here’s where all hell breaks loose. We were making great progress, but this next part is an absolute setback. Ironically, a rumour comes out once again, also technically caused by Noriko, with the additional help of Kotoko’s friends. Regardless of the outcome, the picture was in fact a sweet gesture from Noriko.

In spite of everything, I feel terrible for Kotoko; her friends not only undermined her efforts on the exam when they learned that Naoki tutored her, they even broke the promise of not telling anyone about them living together, on top of that, Naoki is (understandably) very mad at her.

“since you wrote a love letter to me, perhaps you don't mind the rumour. but it really bothers me. Don’t screw up my life anymore”

This statement just proves that rumour is what bothers him and what holds him back, and Kotoko is there to fix that.

One minor omission from the Manga that I feel would have been a great addition/introspective is this scene.

We see Naoki leave before Kotoko begins to cry. In the Manga, Naoki sees Kotoko crying before She storms off. now this is a very minor difference, but it would serve as a good explanation for a few later events.

Bonus:

It’s all in the details; Kinnouske wiping down the table after picturing Kotoko as a servant is top-tier comedy.

[televisionquoteseverywhere]

Mischievous Kiss 2: Love in Tokyo

Irie Kotoko & Irie Naoki

[my-japanese-watch-list]

9 Japanese drama I love

[honeydewdonutgirl]

Gotta say, kinda sad at all the negative opinions over Itazura na Kiss 1996, which is perhaps one of my favorite versions of Itakiss. I actually love Kotoko in this version, I think she’s funny as all heck and she’s so passionate about everything she does and she’s so cute and I could go on and on. Also saw some people call this version’s Kotoko childish and I just don’t get it, cause she makes some very mature decisions through out the show that no other Kotoko seems to be able to make. It’s also plenty romantic, just perhaps more subtly so than other adaptions. I’m sad that is misses out on the college arc, which hold most of the obviously romantic scenes in the other adaptions. But they move some of the scenes around to make up for it. This version also contains my favorite Naoki! I get why other people like other versions better, but for me, this version is just so fun and it makes me feel so many emotions, and I just love it!

If you’ve never seen it and are curious, it’s on YouTube with English subtitles and it’s only 9 episodes. It’s mainly just the high school arc, with a time skip at the end, but like I said above they change things around in order to tell a complete story.

[aylinaliens]

itazura na kiss is my boys of flowers. i will absolutely devour every single adaptation that is handled my way. i don’t even know why considering i spend the whole time frustrated and annoyed. what did they put in this to make it so addicting and entertaining please someone tell me 🧐

[aretheyqueer]

List of Canonically Trans/gnc Characters

My own list in this post is anime, manga, games mostly but in the spreadsheet you can add anything.

Following my tierlist of them, I realized I should make a public list so theyre not just kept in my head, since I spent quite a while finding these characters. If you want to watch/play anything with trans or gnc characters, you can use this list.

They range from good rep to bad, characters viewed as "traps" or not taken seriously to ones that the whole fandom understands is trans. I've added trigger warnings to the characters and fandoms I know can be triggering. I've also put certain names in bold to show that they're a main character, but i've only watched a few on this list so some are missing.

I would add trigger warnings for "bury your gays" and similar tropes, but I want to avoid spoilers. Maybe you can look it up first if you're worried. I've tried to exclude characters that are referred to as hermaphrodites.

The "crossdressers" section obviously includes some spoilers.

Enjoy :D

Transfem

Alice Arisuin from Chivalry of a Failed Knight (Prefers feminine name and terms but doesn't care too much).

Arachne from Angel Sanctuary

Arashi Narukami from Ensemble Stars

Astolfo from the Fate/Grand series

Leonardo Da Vinci from the Fate/Grand series (unsure)

Cassandra Igarashi from The Wicked + The Divine

Dahlia Carpenter from Carole & Tuesday

Victoria October from Batman

Elendira the Crimsonnail from Trigun Stampede

Giselle Gewelle from Bleach (The fandom is very transphobic)

Grell from Black Butler (Unnecessarily debated)

Hana from Tokyo Godfathers

Okasan from Tokyo Godfathers (Could be a drag queen)

Hibari Oozora from Stop!! Hibari-kun!

Isabella Yamamoto from Paradise Kiss

Kanamori from Heaven's Design Team

Kano Ienaga from Golden Kamuy

Kaoru Anesagi from IDOLiSH7

Kaoru Hanase from Tamako Market (Speculated to be a trans woman)

Kenji Hikiishi from My Hero Academia

Kikinojo from One Piece

Mariandale/Marian from Ixion Saga DT

Mizuki Akiyama from Project Sekai (Heavily implied)

Momoko from Shangri-La

Kikyou Motoki from Itazura Na Kiss

Nao from Skip and Loafer

Nathan Seymour from Tiger & Bunny

Perfuma from She-Ra and the Princesses of power

Petrichor from Saga

Ruka Urushibara from Steins;Gate (Transphobic fandom)

Saber from the Fate/Grand series

Stephanie from Majutsushi Orphen

Ushiyama from All Worlds Alliance

Hiroyuki Yoshida from Wandering Son

Shuuichi Nitori from Wandering Son

Yuujirou Shiratori from The Highschool Life of a Fudanshi

Transmasc

Hachiro from Gintama

Kite from Japan Sinks: 2020

Kusuo Saiki from The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (Turned himself into a boy when he was in the womb, otherwise never mentioned)

Ryo Watari from Boys Run the Riot

Shou Fujita from Stars Align (Very minor character)

Tooru Mutsuki from Tokyo Ghoul:re

Yamato from One Piece

Yawara Chatora from My Hero Academia

Yoshino Takatsuki from Wandering Son

Nonbinary

Anne Faulkner from Paradox Live

Asra from The Arcana

Alucard from Hellsing Ultimate (genderfluid)

Chaos from Hades

Berg Katze from Gatchaman Crowds (androgynous)

O. D. from Gatchaman Crowds

Daishikyou from Gintama

Chevalier D'Eon from Fate/Grand series

Enkidu/Lancer from Fate/Grand series (Inherently no gender/sex)

Double Trouble from She-Ra and the Princesses of power

Envy from Fullmetal Alchemist (can transform into any gender)

Francois from Dr. Stone

Halara Nightmare from Master Detective Archives: Rain Code

Hange from Attack on titan (Fandom mostly refers to them as female)

Ivankov Emporio from One Piece (i'm not sure what they identify as)

Juniper from Xenoblade Chronicles

Kaoruko Someya from Okane ga Nai (Okama)

Kimera from Kimera (nb or transfem)

Kyuubei Yagyuu (Born female, raised male so has an unconventional relationship with gender)

Vanitas of the Blue Moon from The Case Study of Vanitas

Milo Belladonna from Monster Prom

Mogumo from Love Me For Who I Am

Najimi Osana from Komi can't communicate (Unknown gender)

Nakuru Akizuki from Cardcaptor Sakura (Sexless, identifies as female)

Nico from Tokyo Ghoul (Okama)

Opera from Marimashita! Iruma-kun

Orochimaru from Naruto

Ryuuji Ayukawa from Blue Period (Unsure, can be gnc/transfem/nonbinary)

Satan from Devilman

Shion Zaiden from RWBY

Someone (yes thats their name) from Shimanami Tasogare

Xanthe Zhou from Prime Earth

Yuuta Asuka from Stars Align

Intersex

Asuka Ran from Devilman Lady

Luca Esposito from Asra Lost in Space (identifies as male)

Desmond from Carole & Tuesday (Became intersex due to universe stuff but is at peace with this)

Megumi Yoshikawa from Princess Princess (Raised male before she found out she was genetically female, decides to live as a girl)

Richard III from Requiem of the Rose King (Struggles with his intersexuality, feels his body and him are unloveable)

Yoite from Nabari no Ou (Lives as male but they're unsure of their gender)

Crossdressers

Aki from Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

Azumi Agonoske from Gintama

Buzam A. Calessa from Vandread

Ferris from Re:Zero (I've heard that the novel version is transfem)

Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran high school host club (Nonbinary coded)

Ranka/Ryouji Fujioka from Ouran high school host club (Drag queen)

Hatsuka Suzushiro from Call of the Night

Hazumu Osaragi from Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl

Kurako from Kuragehime

Naoto Shirogane from Persona 4 (The reveal can be triggering)

Chihiro Fujisaki from Danganronpa (The reveal can be very triggering - I recommend looking it up first if you're worried.)

Nuriko from Fushigi Yuugi (Unsure)

Rui Ninomiya from Gatchaman (May be transfem)

Cis characters that are gnc

Haruka Tenou from Sailor Moon

Kaoru Orihara from Oniisama e... (not sure what gender)

Kashima Yuu from Monthly Girl's Nozaki-kun

Complicated

Angela from Black Butler (Changes form)

Berg Katse from Gatchaman (Changes form)

Fushi from To Your Eternity (Can change into female but presents masc)

Ginshu from Amatsuki (Raised male, turned genderless, dressed feminine. Idk their gender identity)

Inazuma from One Piece (Can present as both male and female, okama)

Izana Shinatose from Knights of Sidonia (Genderless to female due to universe rules)

Kou Seiya from Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars (Has a male and female form, I think)

Mahiro Oyama from Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister! (Was turned into a girl against his will)

Mermaid Sisters from Carole & Tuesday (I don't know, man...)

Natsuru Senou from Kämpfer (Transformed into a woman)

Shi Qingxuan from Heaven Officials Blessing (Can transform)

Ranma Saotome from Ranma (Changes between them)

Hinata Tachibana from Life with an Ordinary Guy who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout (Gets transformed into a girl, goes on a quest to get their original body back)

--------

If you see anyone missing, feel free to let me know if I should add them. Input on who is a main character, triggering themes and offensive characters can be commented or sent to me.

[pinkprettycure]

what shoujo would you recommend to folks just in general? like your favorites or top 5

my top five and what i'd recommend are probably two different things because i love boys over flowers and i can't tell people to read it without six hundred asterisks because nineties toxic ML

I can do that with itakiss way more easily though i only need one sentence to defend my position on why it's the best romance ever and it's that nobody understands irie the way i do

anyways im more into romance and magical girls (duh), so anything i like will be romance centered lmao...

my faves are itazura na kiss, boys over flowers, lovely complex, and obligatory tokyo mew mew is my childhood and what shaped me as a person. i loved karekano/his and her circumstances but everything i listed i finished the manga too except this, i watched the anime, which apparently stopped being good after anno left and that's where i stopped. and haven't finished the manga.

lovely complex is a riot through and through everyone should actually read it it's funny. and i mean read it. because the anime is fun too and the ops go hard but there's a lot that wasn't adapted that i really loved in the manga. esp after the two start dating.

if you actuallt really the whole beauty and beast terrible bad boy redeemed thing and can put up with just trash guys and drama and shit then yeah, i liek boys over flowers a lot because tsukushi is that bitch and we will never be her, she's the coolest lead ever. he falls for her because she kicked him in the face. she's so cool.

i honestly can't recommend the tokyo mew mew manga over the original anime i think it's just way better paced, but it's worth it if you loved tokyo mew mew or tmmn, or if you like magical girls in general. a classic.

liam is just naoki irie from itakiss in another font moving on.

karekano is like insanely good and i love yukino a lot. the anime is on youtube also. but again i heard the anime stops being good after anno leaves.

Pretear has a manga. i prefer the anime. i love pretear id put it under my faves too but just the anime didn't care for the manga as much. most of my favorite mg stuff i prefer the anime tbh, i love mermaid melody but you gotta have the music. it needs music. u gotta watch the show. oh but i remember liking ultra maniacs manga more than the anime.

peach girl is a good show if you love drama and mess and like being pissed off 24/7. you will feel so violent all the time because of THIS FUCKING BITCH.

also didn't finish it so it's not on the list of my Faves bc like i guess that can change lol. but i still looovfeee it:

obligatory pochamani post

[kissmthru]

Mischievous Kiss - Love in Tokyo é a versão do mangá Itazura na Kiss e minha adaptação favorita!

[cerinelle-stellarium]

The Quinssential Shoujo Beginner's Guide

General

Aishiteruze Baby

Baby and Me

Chibi Maruko-chan

Claudine

Dennou Coil

The Fox and Little Tanuki

Gakuen Babysitters

Haikara-san ga Tooru

Happy Happy Clover

Kageki Shoujo!!

Laughing Under the Clouds

My Roommate is a Cat

Nana

Natsume's Book of Friends

Not Your Idol (Perfect Blue but shoujo)

Nukoduke!

Paradise Kiss

Psychic Detective Yakumo

Raven of the Inner Palace

Shounen Maid

Spirited Away

Sukeban Deka

Unico (+ the reboot manga; Awakening)

Romance

Ame Nochi Hare

Ao Haru Ride

Beauty Pop

Boys Over Flowers

The Cherry Project

A Condition Called Love

La Corda d'Oro

Dawn of the Arcana

Dengeki Daisy

Dreamin' Sun

Earl and Fairy

Faster Than a Kiss

Hakuoki

Hana-Kimi

Hana no Kishi

Here is Greenwood

Hibi Chouchou

High School Debut

Hiiro no Kakera

His and Her Circumstances

HoukagoXPonytail

I Am Here!

Itazura na Kiss

Kamisama Kiss

Kimi ni Todoke

Kitchen Princess

Lovely Complex

Maria Watchess Over Us

My Happy Marriage

My Love Story!!

Only Yesterday

Orange

Ore-sama Teacher

Otomen

Ouran High School Host Club

Pochamani

QQ Sweeper (and its' sequel Queen's Quality)

Red River (1995)

The Rose of Versailles

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts

Skip Beat

Snow White With the Red Hair6

Special A

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale

UFO Baby

The Wallflower

Whisper of the Heart

Yona of the Dawn

Yumeiro Patisserie

Introduction to the Magical Girl Genre

Aikatsu franchise

Akazukin Chacha

Artiswitch

Bee and Puppycat (Just be aware that tthe story isn't really up to snuff)

Bishoujo Kamen Poitrine

Corrector Yui (Just be aware that the transformations in the anime are full of fanservice)

Creamy Mami, The Magic Angel (and her fellow 80’s and 90's Studio Pierrot magical girls)

Full Moon

Girls x Heroine franchise

Hime-chan's Ribbon

Himitsu no Akko-chan

Jewelpet franchise

Kaitou Saint Tail

Kiki's Delivery Service

Magic Knight Rayearth

Magical Angel Sweet Mint

Mewkledreamy

Nurse Angel Ririka SOS

Ojamajo Doremi

Phantom Thief Jeanne

Pretty Cure (Just avoid tthe 2 seasons between Splash Star and Fresh plus the 15th anniversary season if you don't want to get jumpscared by p*dophillia showing up in a kids' cartoon)

Pretty Series

Princess Knight

Princess Tutu

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Sailor Moon (Manga and reboot anime series)

Sally the Witch (The capstone of all magical girl media to exist)

Sugar Sugar Rune

Super Pig

Tokyo Mew Mew (Personally rec reading the manga first, then watching New then the first anime)

Tweeny Witches

Ultra Maniac

Umi Monogatari

Urahara

[naokiscoffee]

What makes Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo so special?

This is probably my twelfth thousand re-watch of this drama, but this is not like all the other rewatches. I have decided to make this one special by using it to analyse the drama in more depth, and attempt to uncover why I love it as much as I do, despite all it’s flaws. I am writing this as I watch the episodes, so it might be considered somewhat of a commentary.

Season 01 Episode 01

Starting off with the first episode, the opening scene is fantastic in my opinion. I love how we are getting introduced to Kotoko in the comfort of her own room, and getting a peek into her hearts deepest wish. I honestly think that this might be what made me like this version of Kotoko from the get go.

However, technically, the actual first scene of the story is the iconic confession scene (if you would even call it that). I am going to go on a tangent here and just say that I am an absolute fan of her letter, but I will get back to that in a later episode.

The way she is nervous and excited before confessing and the way he flat out rejects her before she even has the chance to confess always makes me feel crushed for her, and is the reason why I initially disliked him. But now that I am actually analysing it, it is less harsh than how I’ve always perceived it (or this might just be me trying to explain it away).

Hear me out, consider the implication that he has a whole queue of girls that like him, drool over him and confess to him in school, his reaction/rejection is really not that surprising. Imagine receiving confessions from a bunch of girls, when you just want to live your life in peace … that must get old and tiresome fairly quickly. Additionally, the fact that the whole entire school is talking about the rejection might explain why he didn't accept her letter; had he accepted it (even if he rejected her afterwards), the whole school would probably assume that they were dating. On the other hand it makes me think, why would the whole school be interested in someone confessing? are we back in kindergarten?

We see later on that she still has that card with her. I think that for her, getting rid of it would feel like getting rid of her feelings for him, which is why she holds on to it.

Anyways, I find it quite ironic when Kotoko’s friends tell her “you and Irie are from different worlds” . Their worlds are literally going to forcibly merge under one roof very very soon.

Another random thought I got, like a lot of my thoughts are, was why did Kotoko like Naoki, and not like Kinnouske? I mean he might not be handsome, he might not be smart, he might not be rich, but he is hardworking, talented and most importantly, he liked Kotoko, and was always nice towards her. This version’s Kinnouske has always been my favourite one. I think this version does a good job at portraying him as a three dimensional person, rather than a comic relief kind of personality *cough* Itazura Na Kiss 1996 *cough*.

When I started to pay more attention, I realised that although I do love Kinnouske, I do find him to often do things based on his own feelings, and does not consider what Kotoko wants. For example, I cant help but feel that he is a bit insensitive for being happy when Kotoko is sad after deciding to ‘give up’ on Naoki. This is a small detail, and perhaps I am reading too much into it, but I do feel that Itazura Na Kiss is all about the details. He sort of redeems himself for it by asking his friends to come and help her move, but soon it goes to shit again, which I will come to later on.

I really like — at this point, everything really, but anyways — the reoccurring mentioning of “less possible than getting hit by a shooting star”, which is a kind of teaser to what is to come later on in the show. Although I’ve always thought that the reason for their house being destroyed in this version to be a bit dumb, I admit, I do like the thought and metaphor behind it, so I will turn I blind eye to it. I also find it hilarious how it ended up all over the news.

Kotoko’s extremely optimistic outlook despite everything that happened is perhaps her most charming personality trait. It makes me feel that her optimism is somehow what everything work out for her in the end.

Now, to one of the scenes I dislike most in this story. I am always tempted to skip the first episode altogether to avoid it. And that’s the scene where Kinnouske is collecting donations for Kotoko. Here we see Kin-chan’s good intentions having not so good results. I get the feeling that he does what he thinks is helpful for her, and never once stops to consider her feelings or ask her opinion on it, and the way she gets annoyed with him tells me that she’s not that fond of this either, despite what his intentions were.

Back to Naoki. Looking at the size of that entrance, he could have 100% just walked around Kotoko and Kinnouske and gone in. Heck, following the little pattern we have so far, wouldn’t he purposefully avoid them to maintain a quiet and peaceful life? Now, he did just the contrary and approached them. Considering the fact that by the end of the episode he already knows about the arrangement (of her going to his home to stay there with her father), it would be safe to assume that at this moment in time, he already knows that she would stay in his house. This is supported by his response to her “preferring to die over taking his money”; “are you sure you want to tell me that?”. Therefore I assume that he approaches her out of curiosity.

If you pay close attention to this interaction, you will notice that Naoki did not say one thing that was wrong or out of line. Naoki giving Kotoko the money was not very nice. But more than anything, it was quite confusing. He told her “If I donate this money, you won’t argue with me anymore”. Now, Kinnouske was the one arguing with Naoki, so why would Naoki tell Kotoko that? Is it because he sees her as the most reasonable one, or rather, is it because they’re ‘her’ friends (thus making her responsible for them)?

Kotoko was the one with an explosive reaction in this situation [although she was in the wrong, I like how she stood by her friend eventhough they were fighting a few moments ago (if she realised the previously mentioned point that is).], and was more than a bit mean when saying “do you even have friends?”. Here we see just how much of an opposite to her he is. Instead of having an explosive reaction like Kotoko had, Naoki just finds her reaction amusing and leaves calmly.

Now to when she goes with her father to the Irie household. Naoki’s mother’s (Noriko’s) comment of “you and I seem like we were meant to meet” and the fact that she knows that she’s in the same school as Naoki tells me that he told her about Kotoko; which in turn makes me think that she left a memorable impression on him. Kotoko’s reaction to seeing Naoki is Hilarious, especially te part where she’s too shocked, and is not shy to say “I’m just do surprised … because Iri-chan-san and Irie-kun don’t look alike at all” (I really am starting to realise and understand why Naoki finds her amusing).

Another one of those small details; the way her father scoots away right off the bat when he saw Yuki asking her a question about a kanji character, and pretending to look at a random décor piece kills me (It’s nice to keep in mind; despite how similar Kotoko might sometimes be to her dad, he still has more awareness of his own ‘stupidness’ than her).

I recently watched one of @Machitsuki2 ‘s analysis videos, and like she pointed out, I did in fact notice how Kotoko was going straight to the food and cakes, while Naoki was mainly only sipping coffee (even during breakfast). This will become really important later on.

Lastly, I love the interaction between Noriko and Kotoko when she takes her up to show her her room; Kotoko found a mother she never had, and Noriko found the daughter she never had. They are the first puzzle pieces that fit into each other perfectly.

When Naoki comes in and tells Kotoko that she took Yuki’s room, I get the feeling that rather than an insult it served to make Kotoko understand why Yuki disliked her so much. I might be a bit delulu, but I kind of feel that Naoki did this on purpose? anyone?

When Noriko asks Kotoko “do you like(suki) Sukiyaki?” and Kotoko looks at her (in Naoki’s direction) and confidently answers “I like it! (suki-desu!)” almost feels directed at Naoki. It is in fact the first time he hears her say it. This next part I had to go back and watch once more; Naoki only starts being mean to her when she pulled the bag from him (not wanting his help) and he saw the letter she wrote him drop out of it. I do wonder if he is mean to her because of that letter, or maybe because he thought she was rude towards him?

To be continued…(maybe)

[sailorstarr-chan4]

Anime I'm Currently Watching

The last time I made this sort of list was in 2019, and it's hilarious how few of those titles I actually managed to check off.... ^^" All of these are titles I still haven't completed. All completed titles will be included in my 2022 master list after the New Year.

~~~

Recently Started Watching:

(In this case, in the last 2 months, from most recent at the top)

Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

Baccano!

The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat

The World is Still Beautiful

Jing: King of the Bandits

Otome wa Boku ni Koishteru

Read or Die the TV

Tokyo Mew Mew New

Short-Term Hiatus:

Basically, anime I started in the last year, made some progress, but haven't really touched it in over 2 months, from most recent at the top.

A Place Further Than the Universe

Hamtaro

Chi's Sweet Home

Futari wa Pretty Cure

Crescent Love

Gurren Lagann

Arata the Legend

Arte

Darker Than Black

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits

Outlaw Star

The Twelve Kingdoms

Magic User's Club

Long-Term Hiatus:

Barely touched it in the last year or more. Most of them I started in 2017-2019.

Fairy Tail

Hanyo no Yashahime

Death Note

Neon Gensis Evangelion

Revolutionary Girl Utena

Slayers

Kiznavier

Ascendance of a Bookworm

Aggretsuko

Pandora Hearts

Saint Tail

Boys Over Flowers

Little Witch Academia

Anne of Green Gables

Excel Saga

Kare Kano

Angelic Layer

Ultra Maniac

Maison Ikkodu

Tales of Zestiria the X

Samurai Champloo

Aria the Animation

Kekkaishi

Rurouni Kenshin

Ranma 1/2

La Corda d'Oro ~primo passo~

Cardcaptor Sakura

Rin-ne

Wolf's Rain

Yona of the Dawn

Lowkey Given Up On (Until Further Notice):

(This time, from oldest to newest)

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (?)

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!

Deltora Quest

Saint Seiya: Sanctuary

Earl and Fairy (?)

Ah! My Buddha

Watamote

Urusei Yatsura (?)

Flame of Recca (?)

DN Angel

Baka & Test: Summon the Beasts

Azumango Daioh

Miss Benard Said

Trapp Family Story

Durarara!! (?)

Wedding Peach

Fairy Musketeers

Itazura na Kiss

Honey and Clover (?)

Cutie Honey

The Adventures of Peter Pan

FullMetal Panic!

Bleach

Teasing Master Takagi-san

Denkigai no Honyo-san

Gravitation

Samurai Pizza Cats

Okami-san and Her Seven Companions

Fate/Zero

Million Arthur

Moeyo Ken

Blessing of the Campanella

Sands of Destruction

Bungo and Alchemist

Lilpri

Kuromajo-san ga Tooru!

[ukshineegirl]

Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo (2013)

イタズラなKiss〜Love in TOKYO

Episode 14

[ghibliadventures]

👘Most Popular Dramas👘

💮Hana Yori Dango (“Boys Over Flowers”)

💮Zettai Kareshi (“Absolute Boyfriend”)

💮GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka)

💮Gokusen

💮Koizora (“Sky of Love”)

💮Kimi wa Petto (“Tramps Like Us”)

💮Ichi rittoru no namida (“One Liter of Tears”)

💮Code Blue

💮Bambino!

💮Million Yen Women

💮Beautiful Life

💮My Boss My Hero

💮Itazura na Kiss – Love in Tokyo

💮Ikemen Paradise

💮Liar Game

[theshadowofsorrow]

I was o b s e s s e d with Itazura na Kiss back during the academy. I devoured so many versions. It's really nice to get back to it. The obsession was kind of ground to a halt when I couldn't find all the They Kiss Again episodes and because I thought Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo was a tad creepy. It's definitely not my favourite but I am enjoying it now.