First Kiss eps 1-3

Ok, Inoue Mao was good in Hana Yori Dango but was it because she was suited for the role or because she's a good actress? First Kiss is a good way to find out. She plays Mio, a sick girl who reunites with her older brother, Kazuki played by Ito Hideaki who just happens to be her first kiss. Instead of using her sickness for more melodrama, Mio is more of an arrogant brat who doesn't want pity, though she'll still use it as an excuse. This itself is such a breath of fresh air though its obvious that they'll amp sickness issue in the end.


At its heart, First Kiss is a fun show about two siblings. The princess and the useless brother. Ito Hideaki actually does a decent job as Kazuki. While I'll never understand why the got the acting award for Kuzu, he certainly shows that he has potential to be a strong lead actor.

Nothing like a woman who enjoys cooking :)

Basically there are three things I like about the show. First, the cat-fights between Mio and Sakai Wakana. Nothing as entertaining as two hot chicks unsheathing their clothe... I mean claws. Secondly, Matsuyuki Matsuko as the doctor. Her acting is always the same but I enjoyed the hell out of Nanisama and Midnight Rain. Third, I just enjoy the dialogue. Its got the fast back and forth banter and usually ends with a punch line or something amusing. Its sorta slapstick without the childish feel of Hanayome no Papa or Kira Kira Kensui.


So far, the 1st three episodes are decent. I expected to dislike this show but found the humour and pacing to be adequate. Now the important thing is the middle part of the series. Will it go the Koi Kaze route? Or will it go the usual they're not related by blood route? Of will it just be platonic. As long as they keep the humour coming, the show'll be ok.


To answer the first question, Inoue Mao is all right but I want to see whether she can play the nuance changes between being a demanding princess and kawaii imouto. For now the script calls on her to exaggerate her spoilt brat role to almost a parody. The test will be whether the audience will feel empathy for Mio as a person and not because the story threw the kitchen sink of misfortune at her.