(Recommendation) Japanese movies to watch on Valentine's Day (Part 1)

Valentine's Day is coming, minna-san. Anything you will do? Anyone to celebrate with? If you don't have anyone to celebrate with, or even you have someone to celebrate with, I think watching some movies might be a good idea. Some western movies about romance or Valentine are hundreds to select, but why don't you give a chance in Japanese movies? I know that Japanese movies always lack in romantic scenes, even it has a tragedy at the end (and it has romance tag, though 😅). But, there are some good ones I'd like to share with you.

I'll divide my postings into two since I have around ten. I will include some short Synopsis, my opinion and trailers taken from YouTube. So, are you ready?

10. Heavenly Forest (Tada, Kimi Wo Aishiteru) 

The movie was released in 2006 based on a novel by Takuji Ichikawa entitled Renai Shashin: Mo Hitotsu no Monogatari. The story is about Makoto (Hiroshi Tamaki) who travels to New York only to visit his friend Shizuru (Aoi Miyazaki). They know each other when they are in college. Makoto was introvert and tend to shoo people away due to his inferiority complex. But Shizuru manages to make him open. Makoto loves taking pictures and he aims to be a photographer one day. Shizuru happens to like photography, too, and she learns a lot from him. They spend a lot of time together in the forest, their secret place to enjoy the nature beauty. One day, Makoto falls for Miyuki (Meisa Kuroki). Shizuru, however, tries to support him even though she starts to grow feelings to him. When asked about what kind of birthday present Shizuru wants, she answers that she wants to join a photography competition. She wants to be the model of her own picture with Makoto kissing her in the forest.

As I told you before, that it's true that Japanese sometimes lacks of romantic scenes, even kissing scenes are scarce. But I put this movie as Valentine's recommendation since it has quite a lot of scenes of Makoto-Shizuru in the forest. Don't expect they walk together hand in hand, look at each other romantically, no no no.... Makoto only has feelings for Miyuki, at first. But then, his feelings change after the kiss....

I watched the movie long time ago. I remember I just finished watching Nodame Cantabille. I was wanting to see Chiaki senpai more. So, I ended up watching this. Alert, please provide some tissue while watching this movie. OK? 😁😁😁

9. I want To Eat Your Pancreas (Kimi no Suizo wo Tabetai)

The movie was based on a novel with the same title by Yoru Sumino published in June 19, 2015. The story is about a high school student who talks about himself in the past. He uses I as he calls himself. Takumi Kimura was cast I as a high school student. He accidentally finds a diary belongs to his school mate, Sakura Yamauchi (Minami Hanabe) who suffers from pancreatic disease. She believes that if she eats her pancreas, she would get better from her disease. Even though she knows that she won't live that long, she has cheerful personalities that change I bit by bit. 

I know that this movie is based a novel, but I'm not lucky enough to read the book before watching the movie. But, so far, I did enjoy it. The first thing that made me shocked was Oguri Shun who plays as I years later when he is adult. This movie has a romance genre, while these days, I watch Oguri Shun plays in many police or detective movies/ drama. I wonder how he would do that. I didn't watch him in romance Dramas before. Oya, it was the first time for me to see Takumi Kimura in this movie. His flat expression depicts I's emotion clearly. He is someone who doesn't want to involve in people, a loner until Sakura spots him reading her diary. Until then, his life has never been the same. Alert, tissue please while watching this movie. A. Lot. Of. Tissue 😷😁😁

8. The 100th Love With You (Kimi to 100 Kaime No Koi)

What would you do if you could turn back time? Would you go to the same place or to the same person over and over again? Riku Hasegawa (Kentaro Sakaguchi) has feelings for Aoi Hinata (Miwa), but he never expresses his feelings. Actually, Aoi has the same feelings towards Riku. One day, Aoi gets an accident, but then she wakes up a week before the accidents happens. Riku has the key to turn back time so that he could be together with the one he loves.

Oh. My. God! I never watch Kentaro in romance movie before but this one is superb. His sad emotion when he finds out that Aoi gets hurt is really heartbreaking. The moment when they are together, in class, in music studio, in library, anywhere when they are together is something that Riku cherishes for. Will he continue to turn back time for the sake of being together with Aoi? So, another alert, handkerchief or even towel to shed your tears while watching the movie 😁😁😁

7. Tomorrow I Will Date Yesterday's You (Boku wa Ashita, Kinou no Kimi to Date Suru)

The movie has another English title, that is, My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday. Maybe this is the original translation of the Japanese title. Besides romance, the movie has fantasy genre. Do you believe in parallel world? Does Parallel world ever exist? We never know 😁. Takatoshi Minamiyama (Fukushi Sota) is an art student at university in Kyoto. On the train to school, he comes across Emi Fukuju (Nana Komatsu), he instantly falls in love with her. He courageously expresses his feelings for her. And miraculously, she accepts him. They go dating and seem to have a good time together. One day, Emi tells him that his painting would be put in a studio, something that Takatoshi never knows. And the next day, what she says is true. Is she a fortune-teller? She has her secret that she keeps on her own. Oh, one more thing, she has her curfew like Cinderella does.

First time I watched this, I didn't really get the idea. Second time, I finally knew what it is. And it broke my heart. 😢😢😢 The time they spend together is really sweet, especially when Emi cuts Takatoshi's hair. They try to call their first name awkwardly. But then suddenly, Emi cries secretly. What kind of secret does she have?

I'm sorry to give you this movie as my recommendation since the movie is sweet but heartbreaking. You need a big napkin to shed your tears 😢😁😁

6. Color Me True (Konya, Romansu Gekijo de)

Tonight, At The Movies is another title of this romance Jmovie. If you like classic movie, with black and white in some parts, you might find this movie interesting. Kenji (Kentaro Sakaguchi) is a young aspiring movie director. He loves watching black and white movie. He even falls in love with one character in the movie, Princess Miyuki (Haruka Ayase). One day, Princess Miyuki appears in front of his eyes, with black and white background. He is both shocked and happy he finally can meet his idol in real life.

It was my second time watching Kentaro Sakaguchi playing in romance movie. His being clumsy in his workplace and when he is together with Princess Miyuki is really hilarious. You may find this as slapstick but it's fun. His love to hot-headed princess is really touching. His love of her until the end reminds me of one anime that broke my heart long time ago, Hotarubi no Morie. You maybe won't cry much, but, I still warn you, please prepare your heart 😊😊😊

Well, minna-san. I’ll be back soon with more romance Japanese movies. Keep updated, OK?

Share this post