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ahogan62
Reviews
Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo (2013)
Hard to Watch
The comic relief aspect of this series is bareable, although, the series reinforces negative tropes about gender that make the show unbearable to watch: the manipulative, cold-hearted boy and the overly-eager and persistent girl. The series leading lady is one the audience will naturally root for. However, it gets to be ridiculous and redundant when tv tropes romantize toxic and unhealthy relationships. I don't find this series romantic. Kotoko's identity is manifested entirely around a boy who torments her emotionally. The first kiss between Kotoko and Naoki is a good example of this. Once Kotoko realizes her feelings are unrequited and decides to "give up", Naoki realizes this and decides to rope her back in with a kiss. He even says something along the lines of "try forgetting about me now". I realize this is a common theme in Japanese pop-culture media, especially within the domain of romance. The formula is scripted all the same: unrequited love, toxic relationship, "perfect" boy and "clumsy" girl. It's sad to see a woman being portrayed with little to no agency. Kotoko's whole development as a character is hyper-centered around a cruel, pretentious, and narcissistic boy who gaslights her almost every episode. Then you have a secondary male character who is compassionate and emphatic ( a love triangle design) who gets rejected for actually being a good guy?
Anyways, if you want a light hearted series to watch. This would be it.