Koizora/Koi Kyokusei

I was watching Koizora for the first time a few nights back.

Yes, it was my first time.

I can't believe it took me this long (the film was released in 2007) but I finally gave in and watched it.

And spent the rest of the night crying in my room with a box of tissues beside me.

IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.

AND SAD.

MOSTLY BEAUTIFUL.

BUT SO SAD.

JUST SAD AND BEAUTIFUL IDEK.

For those who don't know, Koizora (which is the shortened name for "Koizora: Setsunai Koi Monogatari" or "Love Sky: A Sad Love Story") was a 2005 bestselling romance and coming-of-age novel written by an author called Mika. The story was originally posted on this cell phone website called "Maho no iLand", where chapters were released for cell phone viewing. The story became so popular that it led to a film, a drama series (6 episodes, I'm currently on episode 2) and a manga series.

Amazing, isn't it? Also nice to know that I got all of that from Wikipedia. ;))

Story-wise, it's the usual good-girl-meets-bad-boy-who-is-actually-nice-guy kind of story, with tons of sweet moments and tragic events that occur (usually to the girl). And quite obviously, someone will die.

I won't say who if you haven't watched it, but if you have, you already know the story, and if you haven't, then go watch it and you'll know the story. And shame be upon your soul if you cheat and read Wikipedia before watching the film.

I didn't really like some parts of Koizora, because it was pretty saccharine and my reaction to those bits was somewhat along the lines of "ewwwww", and I didn't really like Mika in Koizora because she was always so weak and easy to bully, but I guess in the end it all made sense. It wasn't a coming-of-age film for nothing, because you kind of see how her character matures.

(On a personal level, there were some bits of Koizora that stuck in my head because of how familiar they were... Hiro constantly ruffling Mika's hair, and her constantly looking to the skies for comfort... Plus the fact that it was released in 2007, which was when I was in sec 1 and... It's a bit familiar in the sense that it makes me wonder about a few things... Like, was I a Mika to... But then again I tell myself that if anything really was supposed to happen, it would, instead of having me end it. If this doesn't make sense to anyone that's fine, it's just me organising my thoughts for a bit.)

I cried so hard watching this film, though it wasn't as bad as when I watched Koi Kyokusei. I was a sobbing mess by the time the credits rolled for that film.

Now that I think about it, the films I choose to watch these days are all pretty sad. I used to wonder why, but now I think I might have a reason, though I won't reveal it here. All the Japanese films I watch lately are all about romance and death and loads of crying. And after watching the film, I just curl up in a ball and cry more and wish I could live in the film.

It may be terribly naive of me to think so, but I think I'd like to know what it's like to be in a relationship like that in Koi Kyokusei and Koizora, to know what it's like to love and be loved that way. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go and watch the films. What are you even waiting for?!

Koizora:

Promotional poster for Koizora.

Excuse me while I go grab my box of tissues again.

Koi Kyokusei:

Sobbing.
Dying.
Reaching for my box of tissues and a mug of hot green tea.