Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
The handsome young Matsumoto Sakae runs a small-cozy restaurant in Osaka, cooking up delicious dishes for his patrons, but when he falls for a shy nerdy office worker from Tokyo, it will take more than well-made meals to win over his big-city crush.
Directed by Shibata Keisuke and Takahashi Yuya, the Japanese series “Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka” (好きやねんけどどうやろか – Although I love you, and you?) is based on a manga by Chiba Ryoko. Spanning ten episodes, the series is slow-burn romance with mild comedy and a typical “opposites attract” trope. The charming Kan Hideyoshi plays protagonist Sakae, who is happy running his restaurant and is instantly attracted to the older Soga Hisashi (Nishiyama Jun).
While Sakae revels in the thrill of sports, while Soga finds solace and inspiration in the world of arts and culture. Despite their contrasting passions, a tender friendship blossoms between them. However, the resilience of their bond faces a poignant test when Sakae dares to unveil his heartfelt emotions to Soga. Kan Hideyoshi and Nishiyama Jun portray the lead couple, Sakae and Soga, with an awkward yet adorable charm, infusing the tale with subtle humor through their contrasting personalities.
The primary love story unfolds at a leisurely pace, delaying the entertainment factor, while a clichéd conflict involving Sakae’s ex-boyfriend adds predictability to the tale. Nonetheless, Okuno So, portraying Sakae’s charismatic ex, Mizuki, injects a lively spark into the series. Murase Sae portrays Kanda Kazuyo, Soga’s spirited colleague, whose overly inquisitive nature often blurs the line between endearing and intrusive, leaving viewers to interpret her actions as either charming or creepy, depending on their perspective. On the other hand, Sakae’s friend Tatsuta Kaname (played by Horike Kazuki) is equally nosy, but his interest in Sakae’s life makes a lot more sense because they are best-friends.
The cinematography of ‘Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka’ exudes warmth with its cozy, predominantly indoor settings, centered around Sakae’s quaint restaurant, where people are happily drinking and chatting post-work. Accompanied by a backdrop of moody, nostalgic piano melodies, the soundtrack isn’t particularly foot-tapping but effectively enhances the atmospheric mood of the plot.
The last few episodes of ‘Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka’ are paced a lot better than the first half of the show, with Sakae and Soga’s story seeing significant progress, however, their chemistry is quite lukewarm. A recurring comedic motif in the show revolves around the cultural disparities between Osaka and Tokyo, offering a delightful treat that may sail over the heads of foreign audiences but is sure to evoke hearty chuckles from Japanese viewers, tapping into the rich tapestry of regional humor.
Overall, “‘Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka” is a relaxed, simple, albeit predictable romantic story, which should appeal to viewers looking for something casual to watch over a few days.
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