Black Lotus Tactics Manual (2024)

In a most positive way possible, it's S+ after all

I remember one OP on twitter said it's interesting how people didn't have high expectation despite this drama is classified as S+. Well, i'm guilty, i'm part of those people.
I read the novel, drop it tho, but i read pass the halfway mark. I think part of the reason i didn't put high expectation is because as far as i know, transmigration trope is loosely banned. i said loosely since many mini dramas still have this trope. So because this drama rely heavily on transmigration trope, i just wanna keep my expectation on check in case of major change in the premise.
Plotwise, i actually like the pace. how everything reveal slowly and not dump everything at the end as an afterthought. Although the last 2 episodes could feels like that for some yet it doesn't seem forced, at least for me. It's true how every character including the minor one deserve to shine. The biggest plus imo is the heartwarming ending which in sync with how the drama been carrying on the lighter side from the star. Like i said, nothing seem forced and just go with the flow.
Acting department is good. Again, every character has chance to shine. Our leads shine brighter ofc duh, their chemistry casually overflowing and they served, despite no kissing scene 🤐
And yes, the budget spent wisely during post production. For high budget drama, i can see it result in many departments. Just like Miaomiao said at the beginning, it cost a lot lol.
In short, i love it, still it has so much more to improve. Although if the goal is light drama, i don't mind this ending.

Leia Mais

To be transported into a book is a Chinese curse

TL;DR: my score is 8.4*

I'll be honest, I wasn't going to write an review initially but the later eps and the ending is worthy of a few choice words. So here goes . .

The first half is actually quite good. A lot of that is attributed to the ML. His character is morally ambiguous and definitely dark and brooding. I think this type of role suits him better. The FL has mastered the cutesy, bubbly girl role. She plays it to perfection here. It helps that the script injects just enough modern references to milk the odd wink-wink jokes without labouring the point.

The A-plot is the usual good vs evil/save the world xianxia trope. Nothing new but totally serviceable. Everything fit nicely up to the point of the ultimate confrontation. If you were expecting a final push then you will be disappointed. The story did a detour and our two CP’s goes on separate grand tours to make peace with their inner demons. The pace and feel changed significantly for several eps. They did resolve their backstories but the amount of effort expended feels disproportionate.

Regardless, the A-team reassembles for the final confrontation. It was suitably epic but it feels rushed as so much time was spend on their backstories. If you think that is the signal for some decent fan service then you are wrong (again).

If anything, the last ep was a narrative mess. The show throws everything into the pot and prayed. It has fate, time traveling, fourth wall breaking and leaps between the book world and the real world.

It is not the first time this type of drama has to realigned with the real world because of censorship issues. We are basically told what we just enjoyed and immersed in for many hours are just a figment of our imagination and we need to get a (real) life. Nice.

Most writer will try to play the fate card so that our leads will still fall in love in RL. Usually within a couple of scenes. In this case, it was particularly ham-fisted. It links our leads all the way back to junior high. But this only confirmed that the ML has a crush on the FL for years but she was totally unaware. Even with all the dream state confessions, she woke up with only a vague hint of what transpired. We got the HEA ending but it felt contrived. It is the ending we have to have.

BTW, the skinship quota for the series is fairly low. The 2CP did all the heavy lifting but their interactions are a bit wooden. The OTP finally has a “kiss” in the final seconds of the end credit of the last ep. Is this a joke?

This is where the show left me scratching my head. The bulk of the show is decent and enjoyable. It does flag towards the end but the ending is an awkward scramble to make sense of their tenuous link. One time watch for me.

Leia Mais

Delightful escape into a world filled with humor, some truly amazing characters

If you're looking for a delightful escape into a world filled with humor, heart, and some truly amazing characters, "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" is an absolute must-watch! This show is a perfect blend of lighthearted romance and whimsical adventure, and it had me laughing from start to finish.

The plot weaves together enchanting elements of Eastern fantasy with a playful twist on the classic love game trope. The characters are wonderfully quirky and relatable, each bringing their own unique flair to the story. From the charmingly clumsy hero to the fiercely independent heroine, their chemistry is both hilarious and endearing, making every moment a joy to watch.

The humor is spot-on—there's just the right amount of comedic mishaps and witty banter that keeps you grinning throughout. The vibrant settings and stunning visuals add an extra layer of charm, transporting you straight into this fantastical world.

Overall, "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" is a refreshing and entertaining ride that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Whether you're a fan of romance, comedy, or fantasy, this show has something for everyone. Grab some popcorn and get ready for a delightful adventure—you won’t regret it

Leia Mais