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Jyncs
Reviews
Vivant (2023)
VIVANT = Viva Nippon Teikoku?
If the organization in question is Beppan, why did they go through all sorts of fake linguistic jiujitsu to call the series VIVANT? My theory is that this is ultranationalist dog-whistle code for "Viva Nippon Teikoku," i.e., "Long live the Japanese Empire." It's consistent with the plot line of paternalistic Japanese do-gooders saving poor third-world Asian people from their own corrupt government (and at the same time securing precious natural resources to compete against China). The hero sacrifices everything for the sake of Japan, even the life of his own father, and giving one's life to the greater Japanese cause is portrayed as the noblest deed possible. Sound familiar?
Kingyo Tsuma (2022)
Alternate end for Last Cinderella?
In Last Cinderella (2013) Ryoko Shinohara stars as Sakura, a hairdresser who is torn between the salon manager and a guy, Hiroto, half her age. In Fishbowl Wives (2022) Ryoko Shinohara stars as Sakura, a former hairdresser who is married to a salon chain owner, but has an affair with a guy, Haruto, half her age. Coincidence? Seems implausible. My interpretation is that FW is an alternate universe continuation of LC in which Sakura had chosen her boss over the young pup, and this is her second chance to get it right. Too bad FW is nowhere near as entertaining as LC. It's impressive how little Shinohara has aged, though.