Love Generation (TV Mini Series 1997) Poster

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9/10
True love never runs smooth
sunspitfire30 May 2006
Much to my surprise, Love Generation has become one of my favorite dramas of all time. The story revolves around a very energetic and cheerful young woman named Riko who recently breaks up with her fiancé. She meets Teppei, a fresh advertising designer who is popular with the ladies. The two cross paths in an unlikely situation that opens the ground for many conflicts of interest, misunderstandings, growth and maturity.

The drama and acting and dialog in this series is very natural and endearing, while the chemistry between Kimura and Matsu is refreshing. There are many memorable lines in this series that will remain salient in my mind. In this drama, you will come to understand that there is no real antagonist. It opens your eyes to human vices, and the realization that we often take many things for granted.

Love generation shows both strength and vulnerability between all four main characters. It incorporates well executed comedic tones while maintaining the overarching dramatic theme. You think you know, but it keeps you hooked till the very end. A wonderful drama that proves "true love never runs smooth." Kimura Takuya and Matsu Takako definitely shine in this one.
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10/10
One of My Favourite Love Films
larkinoz19 December 2011
I have watched this movie twice. That's how good I think it is. And the main theme song too. I love it and still play it often. It's an engaging romance that somehow keeps you watching, probably because of the excellent acting and a very good script. It has a great cast.Kimura Takuya and Matsu Takako work well together.I won't go into the story but it's mainly about a relationship and the ups and downs of love before that magic moment when two lives are entwined permanently together in happiness and warm regard. Anyone with a touch of romance hidden in them will enjoy this movie. Now I must go and play that theme song again. Wish I knew the words in English but I think it's called Baby You're Mine
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6/10
"I apple you"
daisukereds10 January 2023
This is a frustrating review to make for me. I've re-written it a couple of times now.. I had ample expectations for this, especially after seeing the cast! As both leads were part of one of my favorite JDramas from Japan's Golden Age: "Long Vacation" (a story I highly recommend). Of course, the credited writer is different, so it is entirely my fault.. but once you've heard the catchy theme song and immerse yourself in 90s Japan again, it'd be hard not to.

This is a romance drama that mostly deals in "it was a misunderstanding" and "you are lying", while the main couple has many chances interrupted by other things. But they are both very competent when it comes to life. So it is mostly their maturity, insecurities and context that impedes their development. Sometimes I couldn't help but slap my forehead and laugh in disbelief!

Tomoko Yamaguchi played a supporting role in Long Vacation. Here she plays Riko, and is basically the same energetic character.

I quite like her straightforwardness, conceitedness, and her constant push-and-pull attitude toward love. She balances immaturity, pushiness and weirdness in a very charming way, easily becoming the reason I wanted to watch more! Considering it is her personality that binds it all together, and makes it easy to understand how they would get into such situations.. repeatedly! Still, her constant bickering with Takuya Kimura's playboy Teppei, is endearing most of the time. And while it is easy to understand why she fluctuates so much between childishness and maturity.. Riko doesn't have much to develop! Teppei is a "nice guy" caught in the past and the present, and matures over time. Riko just is.

Sadly, this repetitive give-and-take gets tedious after a while.. especially since it tends to go in circles, like a dog chasing its own tail, repeating itself without adding much! And while they end up attracting each other through an understanding of their loneliness and their honesty, it is primarily one-sided most of the time. Ultimately, it feels like love can only bloom once they can "get it going", instead of tackling their relationship more deeply.. which is quite unsatisfactory.

It's not as compressed and polished as "Long Vacation", feeling quite underwritten in comparison.

Personally, I would have finished it after episode 9 (by picking up the call and letting her listen to the "speech"), instead of prolonging it for 2 more episodes where it dwells a little too much into situations they have already been in.

If curious, give it a go, as there were parts I REALLY liked, with plenty of memorable lines and great acting overall. The OST is also quite contagious!! But the script definitely needed revisions..

P. S. I'd love to know.. what does that damn crystal-apple mean exactly!?
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