If it's with you 君となら恋をしてみても Ep 1
Just watched the first episode of If It's With You, and even while watching, I had a moment of "oh, this is different."
Amane is a very different protagonist from what we usually get, in his seemingly blithe pursuit of men and disregard for actual relationships. We don't get that a lot, particularly not in highschool stories. I'm not sure what to think about him quite yet, but he's interesting, very much so. Also him being so open about his likes and dislikes and all that, in a small town at that, gave me anxiety like whoa, but that's definitely more of a reflection on me than on the show. For the other characters … Yamasuge is so polite and so buttoned up but not at all closed off? He's polite, not standoffish, I really enjoy this. The Grandma seems lovely.
I'm looking forward to getting more backstory; the things they teased at were intriguing. Excited to see where they take it.
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If It's With You ep 5
This was pretty close to a perfect ending to a lovely little show.
Ryuji figured out what he was feeling, took a great object lesson from his mom, understood the extent of his feelings, showed how he was feeling before saying it with the assertive behavior around just the two of them watching fireworks, holding hands, and finding a place to watch together alone, and explained himself clearly.
Amane continued to make progress on his confidence, admitting that he had been ready to conceal his feelings in public and apologizing for his initially going along with the group to watch the fireworks.
This is one of those little shows where I almost don't want a second season because right now I just want to think of these two sweethearts having a happily ever after.
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If It Is You (2023)
Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo (2023)
Final review: sweet, the anguish only makes it sweeter.
Rating: 8/10
Summary: A highschooler (Amane) moves in with his grandmother after having his heartbroken by his first-love/crush who took his confession as badly as he could. His exploration of sexuality took into the arms of an older friend-with-benefit. In the new town he meets a gentle classmate (Ryuji) whose sincerity who have him thinking: if it is with you [I can fall in love].
The story revolves around their life – the high school experience, busy summertime and a love confession that sneaked out of Amane's heart. HE.
Pairing: mujaki, tsukushi seme X sasoi uke
What I liked:
Ryuji drinking tea and chatting with grandma while waiting for Amane to wake up. And leaving after making sure Amane is ok.
Early on in the story, we are made to feel Amane’s broken heart. The friend-with-benefit was definitely not the right person for Amane. This one gesture from Ryuji won him my approval. He proved perfect for Ryuji. If it is with him then I can rest assured.
2. Amane teasing Ryuji.
That was Amane’s way of testing Ryuji’s reaction to his androphilia. I love how that was a reflection of Amane’s failed attempt to connect with his first crush. Ryuji’s confusion and surprise are overshadowed by his tenderness in treating Amane.
It reminded me of the scene from His - Koisuru Tsumori Nante Nakatta (2019) where Nagisa tells Shun a love story to introduce his androphilia.
Not only that scene but also the location of Ryuji’s restaurant kept reminding me of His (2019).
3. Ryuji preventing girls from his class from stealing Amane from him by invoking their promise to watch fireworks together.
4. The cliff-hanger at the end of episode 4. Resolution at episode 5.
I was scared that Ryuji would forget about their date with how busy he looked. I was super happy to see his POV – throughout his summer vacation, while he was very busy, his thoughts revolved around Amane. Just like Amane kept thinking about him. Better yet, flowers, food, and other quotidian stuff reminded Ryuji of Amane. And that convo he had with his mother. Him realizing that it is love!
5. Ryuji taking Amane to the temple grounds so they can talk. Them turning up late to school.
6. Amane going all the way to Ryuji’s restaurant to take a look and returning right after. Amane not telling Ryuji about it later. That was so good!
7. Amane drinking tea in one cup and rushing out. Grandma’s smile.
8. Watermelon
It made me realize that the series was like that, tough on the outside, sweet & soft on the inside. Juicy and perfect for the heat.
9. Amane missing Ryuji while in a karaoke bar, surrounded by friends.
Reminded me of the Yunmeng extra from danmei novel Mo Dao Zu Shi where Wei Wuxian missing Lan Wangji while surrounded by friends.
10. The festival crowd.
11. BL quirk – how seme Ryuji’s name is.
12. Direction was neat. Actors were good.
13. Traditional shudo-type pairing: Amane is ideal Wakashu.
Especially the part where he realizes his friend-with-benefit was not actually kind. Ryuji is shown to be worthy of Amane.
Shigatsu no Tokyo wa... (2023) had a scene where Kazuma stops Ren from having friends-with-benefit situation with older guy. There is no one stopping Amane here. Ryuji is also not an average highschooler, having to take on restaurant duty.
What I didn’t like:
Post-firework extended date.
It was not bad. I didn’t care for it. I feel happy for them. It felt personal and a shorter montage would have been enough. This is probably because of Indian movie influence where date/dance montage are employed to depict romance efficiently. But then they had to add filler to make the episode full.
2. Camerawork in firework scene was a little off. What’s with that angle of looking at nose. The coloring didn’t help it either.
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Yamasuge Ryuji from if it's with you shares so many mannerism and facial expressions with zb1 Sung Hanbin it's uncanny (it's literally in the eyes, they look nothing alike but the face movement and the emotion, tell me I'm not alone)
hanbin gif from @shenquanrui
ryuji gif from @troubled-mind
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