Last Friends (Jdrama Discussion)

[applebee]

Since I love this drama so much, I want to start a discussion about it. You can talk about anything.

Introduction:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GmbzWsiNq1g

What are your theories for the ending?
Why is Sosuke so abusive?
Who will Michiru ends with?
Why do you think Takeru is afraid of intimate contact with people?


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[Lady Zhuge]

This is my favorite drama of the season. I'm always dying to see the next episode. What exactly is Ruka's "medical condition"? What happened to Takeru in the past that now he gives people the impression that he's gay (and no, I don't just mean happy) due to such fear of intimate situations?

I can see Ueno Juri winning Best Supporting Actress already. Nodame makes a complete 180!

They haven't gone into Sosuke's past much yet other than the fact that he also grew up in a single family household. His father was probably an abusive alcoholic whenever he happened to be around. Right now he really has no redeeming qualities and I don't know what Michiru sees in him. However, knowing her family background, from a psychological perspective I can understand why she may gravitate toward an abuser, but it didn't seem like Sosuke was like that before she moved in with him.

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My two favorite characters (and probably most people's) are Takeru and Ruka. Does it surprise you that there's a heart pointing from Michiru to Takeru in the above correlation chart?

[f.alchemist_freak]

ah....this is fast becoming one of my favourite dramas as well. I like Takeru & Eri the most...haha - I like the 2 lead actress Michiru & Ruka as well, but not as much as the formers.

Not surprised at all regarding Michiru falling in love with Takeru because in the opening song PV, there's a shot where Michiru was staring at him.
Talking about the song- love it. And i like the PV as well - Even before watching anything - i can already see the relationships and characteristics of all the 5 leads. It's really a different way of shooting the opening song video.

[applebee]

Sosuke:
Why is he abusive towards Michiru?

We learned that Sosuke's mother abandoned him for another man when he was young. I haven't hear anything about his father yet. I think because his mother left him for someone else, Sosuke doesn't want to see it happen to him again. I think that is why he is OVERly-protective of Michiru.

Takeru:

He is not gay. He could be with the reactions he gave, but I think something in his past caused him to be intimate with another human being. One theory could be rape or molestation. Usually, rape or molestation victims will develope a sense of fear,uncomfortable-ness, and disgust when is in close contact with another person. They have been too traumatized to be put in that "similar" position even though the situation is totally different.

From the poster and drama introduction, it seems like Michiru will develope feelings for Takeru later on in the drama. However, I doubt it. I think he would be someone that can bring happiness to her if she doesn't choose Ruka.

Ruka:
I need the watch episode 5 with substitle before I can comment on Ruka's medical condition. I have a lot to say about Ruka but little to write about.

Michiru:
She needs to understand that what Sosuke doing to her is not really love. She can love him but don't be stupid. Domestic abuse is never okay. To love a person doesn't neccessary means you have to be with that person. I want to see Michiru pulling the plug on Sosuke and done with. However, it is impossible to walk away from Sosuke now since the baby is (assumingly) his.

@f.alchemist_freak,

I think it is clever to do a introduction clip like that. The audience will have a slight understanding of the relation between the characters but at the same time, they are clueless what will happen. Many of other dramas (particularly Hong Kong) will show clips of the drama for the introduction and the audience used that to speculate but it is not much of a mystery no more. With a introduction that gives no insight to the storyline, it keeps the audience on the edge.

[Lady Zhuge]

Sosuke:
Why is he abusive towards Michiru?

We learned that Sosuke's mother abandoned him for another man when he was young. I haven't hear anything about his father yet. I think because his mother left him for someone else, Sosuke doesn't want to see it happen to him again. I think that is why he is OVERly-protective of Michiru.

Overprotective is one thing, but obsession-->DV is another.

click to show/hide spoilers

I hope Sosuke's the one who dies at the end.

He evokes absolutely no pity from me.

Takeru:

He is not gay. He could be with the reactions he gave, but I think something in his past caused him to be intimate with another human being. One theory could be rape or molestation. Usually, rape or molestation victims will develope a sense of fear,uncomfortable-ness, and disgust when is in close contact with another person. They have been too traumatized to be put in that "similar" position even though the situation is totally different.

I don't think he's really gay either. It's just that other characters in the series assume he is. That mysterious woman on the phone from earlier must have inflicted profound emotional damage on him. It's hard to picture her molesting him though, but who knows.

Talking about the song- love it.

Me too. The song is catchy and the lyrics fit this series perfectly.

[applebee]

The woman that TAkeru was talking to was his mother. I don't mean his mother raped him. I think it could be a boyfriend of hers or a relative. It could be that his mother did nothing to prevent whatever it was from happening so he hates her.

About the song, it is really good. I'm a fan of Utada but became a bigger fan because of the song.

[f.alchemist_freak]

The woman that TAkeru was talking to was his mother. I don't mean his mother raped him. I think it could be a boyfriend of hers or a relative. It could be that his mother did nothing to prevent whatever it was from happening so he hates her.

How did you know it's his mom? was it mentioned before?

[Lady Zhuge]

click to show/hide spoilers

Why the hell was Sosuke not arrested for assaulting Takeru? He wasn't even punished! Unbelievable. Luckily, from the end of episode 10 and preview of the final episode, it seems like he will be the one who dies in this series. Good riddance! I feel no pity for him at all.

[avanpiper]

err...the woman talking to Takeru is his sister, not his mother. He called her Nee-chan. Not okasan.

click to show/hide spoilers

So i think he was sexually harassed by his own sister during his younger days. The finale is this thursday night and at the end of episode 10, we already see Sousuke's suicide. I'm just interested to see whether they get back together as friends. I want to know how Michiru and Ruka make up again.

About Sousuke's suicide, at first i really felt like laughing when i saw him lying there, holding the wedding dress with *cherry-like soda* blood dripping. I felt like it was one of the lamest death scene i've ever seen. but after watching that episode for the second time, i do feel slightly sorry for him. But it's good that he ended his death quietly, at least he didn't danger the others anymore.

And yeah, i really really hope Ueno Juri wins Best Supporting Actress!!! She deserves it! What's with having her to cut her hair short and taking a controversial and challenging role like Ruka, if she didn't win it, i'm gonna be really mad.

Well, just kidding. But overall, the casts are excellent. And this drama is also one of the BEST for me this season. I can't believe how much headache it gives me having to think hard for all the speculations and such. It's very thought-provoking. And look at the impact it gives the viewers. People are literally giving away their views and thoughts in forums, even real-life people who have experienced these issues. I'm amazed by the reaction.

That said, i'll recommend this to everyone.

Just sharing some pictures:

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more to come later...xD

[avanpiper]

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finally the house they stayed in. The Sharehouse.

[Suet Seung]

Kya....I'm so slow with these new popular dramas. That and I'm spending more time reading books. Finished about 4-5 books within these past couple of weeks.

I love Eita and Ueno Juri! Another drama with them! Sometimes I don't recognize Juri, like that movie she was in, she had long hair. I did not recognize her, until I look closely and knew it was her.

I just started on this drama, I'll come back later with comments.

[Suet Seung]

Ah.....! When I was watching Nodame Cantabile, I was kind of happy to see Mine develop a crush (a short one, but still very cute) on Nodame. And I like how here in the opening theme clips, Takeru brings his hand close to Ruka's hand, wanting to hold her hand. Aww...being a supporter of Eita, I'd like his character to have some hope of happiness. But it looks like love triangles are meant to be here. Oy oy.

oy, Ryo really has that evil look down pat huh? Now I understand why his issue is contradictions. I don't see how he's being overprotective with Michiru. Being overprotective is not allowing other other men be close to her, but it does not involve beating her like that. If he was overprotective, he'd hurt himself first than let anything or anyone hurt her. That's just wrong. The first i've seen Ryo acting, so I think he's doing well in such a psycho role.

I've only watched 3 episodes, but I'm loving it already!

[strawberry]

I just started on this so will not read the posts until I am done (if I can help it) but even with 2 episodes of watching, I can make connections among the characters and at this junction, I do find the plot very believable eventhough it sounded crazy to me in the beginning...

[Suet Seung]

Somehow all the different themes and issues in this drama reminds me much of the manga/anime NANA. With NANA it starts out simple and happy, but it develops a more serious tone and themes too.

I was looking at the other dramas Eita and Juri has been in and this doesn't seem to be the only drama besides Nodame Cantabile, with them. Takeru is such a nice guy, I like how he's so perceptive and attentive.

[jadebunny9]

Eita and Juri are awesome! The lead actress....I forgot her name......IMO, her acting is a bit lacking and boring. Perhaps it could be due to her character itself. I'm just really proud of Juri in here....she always exceeds my expectations. Such a talented and lovely actress.

[Suet Seung]

Moe! I found this old commercial with Juri and Eita! It's so cute!
http://www.crunchyroll.com/media-354...no-Calbee.html

No, I am not being unfaithful to Tamaki Hiroshi and Ueno Juri coupling, but hey Juri and Eita looks cute too!

[CanDEE]

i finished this series but i'm still confused abotu takera..what really happen to him?

[strawberry]

This drama is not light-hearted but its interesting and makes you want to find out what happened...I am at episode 6...as soon as I can find time, i am going to carry on waching it. I think ryo's pretty good! lol

For some reason, I am just doomed with heavy-going dramas this period....maou, code blue last friends...lol

[Suet Seung]

i finished this series but i'm still confused abotu takera..what really happen to him?

You mean Takeru?

click to show/hide spoilers

I think Takeru's sister, who's not blood-related but still sister---his father married her mom. She wanted to get Takeru on her side, so I think she either molested him or raped him. That's why he's comfortable with kissing, touching or sleeping with women. Not that he disliked women.

[CanDEE]

You mean Takeru?

click to show/hide spoilers

I think Takeru's sister, who's not blood-related but still sister---his father married her mom. She wanted to get Takeru on her side, so I think she either molested him or raped him. That's why he's comfortable with kissing, touching or sleeping with women. Not that he disliked women.

click to show/hide spoilers

she probably molested him cuz I can't imagine a girl raping a guy..

I guess it was kinda weak on how he described it....Thank you Suet!