Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love Review

Drama: Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love

Network: AbemaTV

Screenwriter: Nakagawa Ryutaro

Actors: Yokohama Ryusei, Minami Sara

Duration: 30 min.

I haven’t watched the Korean drama or read the webtoon this story is based on but it seems this Japanese drama is a less toxic version. I don’t see any super toxic relationship in this drama like most reviews from the korean version is saying. From the main couple to side couples they are still fine to me just to compare this is a more mature, less toxic Coffee and Vanilla minus the cheesiness. There are a lot of indie people behind the production, it was produced by Fujii Michihito (Yakuza and The Family, The Parades, 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days), directed by Nakagawa Ryutaro (Summer Blooms, Mio on the Shore, Tokyo Sunrise) so there is that indie vibe and I love it. Each episode is just 20 to 30 minutes so the pacing can appear fast.

The setting is an art school where the female lead, Hamasaki Miu, an art student, met Kosaka Ren, a new substitute teacher. Ren is a young talented artist who loves to flirt but doesn’t want to commit to a relationship. Miu hasn't moved on from her ex and is very pessimistic when it comes to love due to the heartbreak she experienced. This drama is psychological as there is push and pull in their relationship and symbolic of how they use the butterfly to explore the main theme of the story.

I don’t know about the Korean version but the approach they do in this drama is very philosophical as it asks you this basic question, would you approach love even if you know it may hurt? Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love explores this theme among all the characters from main to supporting ones. It is very poetic too as what you can expect with Nakagawa Ryutaro. He loves to play with words and with that the drama appears thought provokingly beautiful. Speaking of beautiful, the drama is able to showcase all the beautiful sides of Kamakura as someone who finds it a very underrated tourist destination is another thing I appreciate about this drama.

Now for the most important question, how is the chemistry between the leads? It is not great but good at least just note that my barometer for romance is very high. I use romance in 90s Japanese dramas as my yardstick. Even modern Korean dramas I saw on free tv can’t be compared. The acting is not bad though I think it is good, it is just that the chemistry is lacking. Yokohama Ryusei is fine, he fits the role but I think Minami Sara is a bit miscast. Nothing against the actress. I just think she is a bit too young for the role. Maybe someone like Ai Yoshikawa would be better. Much better casting for the side characters as some of them worked with the director before, Aki Asakura, Fukuichi Momoko, Natsuko etc. I like the side couples more than the main couple as they are very experienced indie movie actors and due to that they appear to be more natural.

If you like deep philosophical themes like I do then this is for you though it might be a letdown if you are here for romance. Nonetheless even if you don’t like the main couple in this story it is worth your time for the side characters alone.