The movie is an answered prayer for the fans of the original series. Unlike the series that has lots of changes from the original manga, this movie is very loyal to Volume 6-10 of the manga. The question is… Is it a good or bad thing? I’ll try my best to explain it with minimal to no spoilers.

Just like its predecessor, the movie focuses on the emotional aspect and character development of the main characters. Of course, they retained the fluffiness, cuteness, and romantic-comedy vibes of the series. But what I like about this movie is that it shows the growth of the beloved leads. One example is that Adachi asks Kurosawa that their relationship should be open to the people close to them, so if in any case something happens to either of them in the future, their partner will be notified especially in emergency situations.

If I have to be honest, the Nagasaki arc is one of the weak points of the movie. Sure, it is loyal to Volume 6 of the manga, but the fact that Adachi and Kurosawa didn’t communicate well and created the long-distance relationship conflict kind of feels unnatural to them, given that they established that they will be open to each other’s feelings in Episode 10 of the series. But then, I must say that for this conflict, it was Kurosawa’s fault for being too kind and so Adachi will not feel bad for leaving Tokyo. I just pretend that this conflict was the necessary push for Kurosawa to be totally out of his shell and be more true to his emotions. The succeeding part of the movie is what I like the best, which focuses more on the daily life of a gay couple and their relationship. They did an amazing job in that part and retained the lighthearted romantic atmosphere of the show.

The scene with the parents is probably my favorite part of the show! Adachi unleashes his hidden courage with a strong affirmation of his love for Kurosawa, EVEN WITHOUT THE MAGIC! In that scene alone, you can see how far these characters have come compared to what they were in episode 1 of the series. You can’t help but cheer and be proud of them! The scene alone is so touching that I literally end up crying. Akaso Eiji is brilliant in that scene!

Kurosawa in this sequel, shows more of his flaws. He is known to be perfect and undisturbed most of the time, even if he is pissed or uncomfortable. But when it comes to Adachi, he becomes hysterical that leads to impulsive decision making. When the camera pans on him, you can see in his eyes how terrified he is because of what happened to Adachi. I have to commend Machida Keita for his acting in that scene.

If I have to be very objective, I would say that the drama is better. But the movie is still wonderful as it is. The series set an incredibly high standard that is difficult to match, let alone surpass. Expecting any sequel to live up to its masterpiece predecessor is very unfair to everyone who is part of the show. That’s why I would say, the movie is great on its own.

Basically, if you are a fan of the original series like me, you will definitely love the movie as it was made for you. If not, then you might not appreciate it.