(Jmovie review) 1st Kiss (2025)

Release date: February 7, 2025

Duration: 2 hours 4 minutes

Content: G- all ages

You are given two choices: save someone's life but lose your own or let someone die and stay with the person you love. These two choices were presented by Suzuri Kanna to Suzuri Kakeru 15 years before Kakeru died. How did Kanna know when Kakeru would die? Kanna is Kakeru’s wife from the future who came back to save him from the accident that took his life.

Kanna and Kakeru were originally a couple who were perfect for each other. They got married because they loved each other, but their love faded over time. Kanna was busy with her job, and Kakeru worked hard in his role as a husband to provide for the household even though his job didn’t match his passion. After the accident that claimed Kakeru’s life, Kanna experienced time travel to 15 years before she met Kakeru.

The young Kakeru—full of enthusiasm for his work and constantly talking about dinosaurs—felt strange to her at first, but it made Kanna fall in love again. Kakeru, who usually felt nervous around girls, felt comfortable talking and even arguing with Kanna. Kanna did everything she could to keep Kakeru alive, including trying to make him fall in love and marry someone else, but it was all in vain.

When Kakeru finally learns the truth about himself 15 years in the future, what will he do?

pic from mydramalsit

At first, I was reluctant to watch this Japanese movie because the poster showed a younger man with an older woman. For some reason, I’m not fond of that trope. But when I tried watching just a few minutes, I ended up really enjoying it. The story repeatedly flashes back to Kanna’s life after Kakeru’s death, and to the time when she first met Kakeru. I found it somewhat confusing because there was almost no difference in color tone between the present and the past.

Another thing that threw me off was that the flashbacks were like a parallel world in which Kanna could see herself 15 years ago. At first, I thought Kanna had traveled to the past and would live normally until the accident happened 15 years later. Ah, it reminded me of the plot from the drama Marry My Husband.

As for the cast, I’ve always liked Matsumura Hokuto as Suzuri Kakeru. His voice is incredibly addictive. His sweet face is an extra reason to watch this Japanese film. His acting has improved tremendously since the first drama I watched him in, Red Eyes. Hokuto suits the role of a “green flag” guy, but he also plays antagonistic and nerdy roles very well.

Meanwhile, Kanna is played by senior actress Matsu Takako. As far as I remember, I’ve never watched any drama or film she starred in before. But her portrayal of both young Kanna and older Kanna was truly delightful. Older Kanna is still charming even though she feels insecure around the young Kakeru. No wonder Kakeru falls in love with her again.

It's highly recommended for everyone.

pic from mydramalist

Story: 9/10

Acting/ Cast: 10/10

Music: 8/10

Re-watch value: 8/10

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