Hello!
It’s me again and now I’m gonna review ep 5 of Hana Yori Dango. Not gonna lie, I have a bit of a love and hate relationship with this episode. The story is just a bit too… ummmm… yeah.. So here we go.
To start off, maybe I should just let it out of what makes me hate this episode before going into detail and making a conclusion of why I love it despite the ummh very flawed story. I just don’t like how strong the misogynistic undertones in this episode are. Like how it is so “dirty” that a girl played with boys, etc. I know, I know it is Japan, furthermore in 2005, but my 25 year old brain just refuses this logic. But yeah, what can you do… Now here we go for the details.
Now continuing from last episode, now Makino has to defend herself against the bully and I love how Makino isn’t worried, scared, or felt guilty, she just really really mad LOL. Seriously, Inoue Mao’s angry face as Makino is really satisfying. Yes, of course Makino should be mad, she didn’t do anything wrong! I love how strong Makino is and how she knows she didn’t do anything wrong that deserves to be bullied. She doesn’t cry, she just got really angry and I love it. Well, at least the bullying isn’t so bad and the scene went by pretty quickly thank god, I can’t bear to watch Makino getting beaten. After the bullying “session” ended, I really get why Makino was getting mad and irritated at Domyoji for not trusting her. Like WTF Domyoji… You should have trusted Makino. And Sakurako urgh… Why are you suggesting Makino to explain and make up with Domyoji, Domyoji is the one who should have apologized to Makino urgh. Such bad advice from Sakurako… Also I really like the sound effect of Sakurako, it’s eerie and like she is on the edge of cracking.
Makino angry face
So now at Domyoji’s house, Akira and Soujiro are being playful as usual, especially Soujiro. Soujiro said the man who did it must want to find a challenge, like eating an unidentified mushroom XD wtf Soujiro LMAO.
Now, we can see another great acting from Jun, when he saw Makino's bruises and scar he gulped and tried to contain himself. He was disturbed and felt bad, but he tried to conceal it. And Inoue Mao's acting… aaah so good, she pleads to Domyoji to trust her. I mean it's kinda weird that she needs to make him believe in her, but Inoue Mao's acting is just so good. But still, I hate Domyoji :) Also Sakurako makes things a lot worse…
But I see Domyoji tried to communicate his feelings and want to work things out when he said "You betrayed me" with his pleading voice. Anyway, such good acting from Jun. Makino, who knows she did nothing wrong still furious on why Domyoji can't trust her, blurted words "What did you mean I betrayed you?! We're not even dating or anything." This saying is true, Domyoji didn't have any rights to be angry since they're not dating. But this also means they don't have any special relationship that would lead up to dating. Makino felt sorry after saying this, because it also means he turns Domyoji down when she actually has lil feelings for Domyoji. Hearing this of course hurts Domyoji, you can see the shock in Jun’s face and sadness afterwards. You also can see Sakurako's little smile. Jun’s acting in this is so superb. You can hear his voice when he says “Oh is that so” is indifferent with a bit of cheer, but then his voice turns ice cold afterwards with “Then why did you come here.” Then you can hear the Kizuna music score start playing. Domyoji looked so hurt, I think mostly not from the photo, but from what Makino said before.
Coldness from Domyoji
Next we get Makino scene, being pissed at Domyoji. And then we get flashbacks of Domyoji defending Makino and saying he is the best girl. I really get Makino frustration. Why did Domyoji say that when he himself can’t trust Makino?
Makino pissed of at Domyoji with the flashback
We get back to Domyoji and for me it looks like Domyoji still has conflicted feelings. It’s not that he doesn’t believe Makino, he just still conflicted. And Jun’s acting… urrghh so good. You can see how much Makino meant to Domyoji, as he was still confused whether to believe Makino or not, you can see his soft gaze when he saw Makino’s scarf and remembered Makino in the elevator. Makino meant so much to him.
And then it cuts to Makino’s family. So here Makino finally realized her photo was taken by a third person. Makino wasn't really affected by the scandal photo is kinda jarring, but I think this is just how Makino is. Is it unrealistic? Well yes, a bit. She isn’t affected by what people said as long as people that are important to her aren’t hurt in any way, I think she is good. It is very manga-ish actually… Also Inoue Mao’s so cute and funny in this scene hihi. Next Makino called Sakurako and Sakurako voice changes.
Makino wants to find the culprit behind her photos and Akira and Soujiro happen to be in the Dango shop. Why? Mostly just because they’re bored XD so Soujiro wants to play detective games by finding the culprit. So yeah, nothing really serious on why Akira and Soujiro helped Makino LOL.
Soujiro and Akira having fun LOL
Now at Domyoji’s house, Sakurako visited him. Domyoji being Domyoji… he is being really harsh to Sakurako. Yep, that reminds us how crazy Domyoji is. And with that melancholic music score played, we see how confused Domyoji is. Should he trust Makino or not? He is again reminded by how important Makino is thru her scarf, you can see his gaze soften whenever he thinks about Makino. Then his mother barges in showing Makino’s photo and prohibits him from seeing Makino again. Domyoji mad and accused her, showing that in fact he actually believes in Makino, but he was just confused on how that photo exists. He couldn’t think of someone who could actually do this beside his mother. Also hands down to Domyoji as the rudest son out of all Hana Yori Dango drama adaptation XD Domyoji called his own mother “TEME” was just really really rude LOL. Notice how Jun’s voice changes when he says “don’t spying on me” with sadness, wanting to forget about that photo cuz it hurts him to see Makino with someone. Then how his expression changed to disbelief-anger-sadness when his mother said “I don’t like it, love and these feelings”. This is the catalyst for Domyoji to find out the truth about Makino. He wants to believe, but due to his upbringing and surrounding all this time, he couldn’t just simply believe a new person.
So next was the investigation by both Makino-Soujiro team and Domyoji-Sakurako team. I like how crazy rich Soujiro was played here LOL. So funny. In fact I like how Hana Yori Dango mostly played the crazy richness of F4 as comedy rather than romanticized it. HanaDan rarely made the wealth of F4 is something that is romantic and desirable.
And then Makino and Domyoji cross passing. I like how Matsuda Shota's voice changes to coldness when he asks “then what are you doing with her?” It's like he also disapproves of that and considers Makino feelings too. The direction was also really superb with Kizuna music score and the slow motion when Makino and Domyoji passed each other. It’s really telling on what Makino felt, she felt something when she saw Domyoji with Sakurako.
Great acting from Matsuda Shota, his voice projection is just spot on
The slow motion when Domyoji and Makino passed each other
So Domyoji was being deceived by Sakurako as they started to investigate Makino’s photo. I think it’s fair that Domyoji thought that Makino really is going to the hotel by her own consent based on what these people (falsely) said, I mean they are really convincing… Now back to the club for investigation by Makino. Makino felt unsettled due to Domyoji-Sakurako, kinda can’t concentrate on the investigation. Meanwhile Soujiro, besides he does this to have fun LOL, I think he also partly does this for Makino. After crossing paths with Domyoji-Sakurako, I think Soujiro was more determined to find the culprit. He really considers Makino’s feelings.
Also now Domyoji is in the room where the “scandal” happens. When Sakurako explained, Domyoji gulped, his eyes wide, then he took the photo from Sakurako’s hand… He was in disbelief, but all the proof presented to him said otherwise. He was shocked and sad, but there’s also anger and part of him still in disbelief. As Sakurako makes move to Domyoji, you can see his eyes are empty, his mind was somewhere else, he was thinking about Makino the entire time that he wasn’t listening to any of Sakurako's words. In the end, I think he still not 100% believe as he angrily stroms out.
A little thing I noticed during closely watching this eps is, the person who take Makino and Domyoji’s elevator date was Sakurako. She was probably also the one who put up the news poster in the cafeteria.
After Domyoji confronted his feelings, it was Makino’s turn. Makino felt unsettled with Domyoji-Sakurako and the talks between her and Yuuki explains it. Makino is indeed starting to fall for Domyoji, as she felt pain when she saw Domyoji with Sakurako, even though she knows there’s nothing between them. Finding out feelings through jealousy is something that has been told multiple times in romance stories. So even though this is a bit cliche, I think this is a fast and easy way for characters to confront their feelings. If Domyoji didn’t ignore her after the photo, if Makino didn’t see Domyoji with Sakurako, would Makino confront her feelings? I highly doubt it. Maybe she will, but it will take MORE time and since Hana Yori Dango only has 9 episodes to cement their relationship, they need to do something fast. I also like the direction in this. Before we already saw how they accentuate the Domyoji-Sakurako and Makino-Soujiro meetings, and now we see that again with what Makino thinks about it. It's effective storytelling. The music also builds the scene really well with Chisana Negai music score that indicates growing feelings in Makino. Then it cuts to a scene where Domyoji is still in disbelief punching random people. Domyoji said “Nande dayo?” or “Why?” as he is confused, he still wants to believe in Makino, he still believes that all interactions that they had are sincere. I like how this scene also reminded us that Domyoji is indeed crazy and violent, but all of that is just a facade, a mask, a wall he builds because on the inside, he has some goodness in him, his feelings for Makino are pure and true. Back to Makino’s scene, I also like how Yuuki didn’t push her to say she likes Domyoji, but only said “sometimes love happens when you least expect it.” But of course Makino denies it haha. I like how they make this parallel scene.
A realization from Yuuki
Then Sakurako calls Makino to trap her. The truth about Sakurako also start to came out with Soujiro finding the host that cooperates with Sakurako and Akira finding out the Momiji (maple) leaves. The direction also quickly changes from the growing feelings of Domyoji-Makino to be eerie again with the Sakurako story. The music is eerie and full of suspense. Makino also found the yearbook with Domyoji Tsukasa photo ruined by Sakurako. Since all the characters already find out the truth of Sakurako, the music changes from eerie, suspenseful, mysterious to Mysterious Chocolate music score.
Now Domyoji gets a phone call from Sakurako, she reveals that all of that is just a pretense she makes and wants him to come to Eitoku cafetaria. Now since we kind of already know Sakurako’s story, I want to finish talking about her arc first before moving on to Domyoji-Makino relationship again. Sakurako's motive is mostly revenge, but she also has some feelings for Domyoji. If you watch other Hana Yori Dango adaptations, you’ll know this is the only Sakurako iteration where her main motive isn’t jealousy toward Makino. She wants revenge, she wants Domyoji to bow down to her, fall in love with her beauty. She is also a bit crazy and twisted. Now, I don’t think Sakurako is a bad person or that she got the ending she deserved. She is deeply wounded by what Domyoji said when they were kids, which I know is kinda ridiculous but we know Domyoji is a jerk. She indeed gets to beat Domyoji up, but she doesn't get what she wants from Domyoji. All she wants is Domyoji's approval and him being head over heels with her beauty. When Domyoji ignored her in the hotel room, hell broke loose, she had enough. She is so pissed at Domyoji, hence why she uses Makino to lure Domyoji. She wants to kick his ass and wants him to dump Makino to make a point that she is more beautiful. But then, Domyoji surprises her on how he would do anything for Makino, someone who isn’t considered to be beautiful. It isn’t fair for Sakurako, she did terrible things but she had enough reason to do so. It is unfair for Sakurako, but sometimes things like this happens when two people with strong conviction clash.
Now, Makino is in the cafeteria with Sakurako as Sakurako explains all she did. I also like how Makino didn't defend Domyoji, cuz she knows and is probably the one who condoned Domyoji bad behavior the most. She only focused on how low Sakurako is to betray people that trust her. At the end of that scene, Sakurako said that Makino is just bait to lure Domyoji. At that scene Otsuka Ai’s Planetarium starts playing. Such a good direction and storytelling. Domyoji is simple minded, he runs to the cafeteria, not thinking about anything except Makino. Akira and Soujiro call to warn him about Sakurako. This is also really good storytelling. From Akira and Soujiro call we know two thing, one is that Sakurako is dangerous and what Domyoji gonna faced is danger, two is that Akira and Soujiro really cares and a really good friend of Domyoji that they don’t want Domyoji go somewhere dangerous. From that call and the direction of this drama we know the weight of danger Domyoji has to face if he chose to save Makino. This really put much emphasis on how much Makino meant to Domyoji that he will do anything for her. He also lied to Akira and Soujiro cuz Sakurako wanted him to come alone. That part Akira and Soujiro were really worried about Domyoji and wanted to could help him, Domyoji only simply replied with “Then I wouldn’t be able to protect Makino.” With that he hangs up the phone, clutches Makino’s scarf, and he looks determined at that point, with the fireworks blast from Ai Otsuka’s Planetarium indicating at that moment he already made up his mind. He has to save Makino whatever the cost. Meanwhile we went back to Makino in the cafeteria saying “Domyoji won’t come, he has turned his back on me” this indicates that Domyoji coming for Makino is something really big and that Makino doesn’t know or believe how important she is to Domyoji. Otsuka Ai’s Planetarium ends as Domyoji arrives at the cafeteria and Makino reacts to it with “Why? Why did you come here? Baka!”. That is the emotional intensity that Hana Yori Dango so excels at.
So Domyoji now arrived at the cafeteria, apologized that he was wrong and should have trusted Makino before. Makino is relieved and moved that Domyoji comes, you can see her expression soften. Now, Sakurako wants Domyoji to “prove his love” to Makino. This development may kinda stretch it a bit, but I think Sakurako did this to prove her point that Domyoji is a low human being. When she can’t get her way with manipulation, she uses intimidation to make him bow down to her. Surprising her and Makino, Domyoji took that punch. The direction, acting, and dialogue for this is very splendid too. As Domyoji took the first punch, Tsukushi music score started playing. Domyoji still clutches Makino's scarf when he takes numerous hits. Sakurako's line emphasis on how the great Domyoji that usually prancing around like a king takes that hit, she then said “Just fight back then. No one cares for this (Makino’s) face anyway, her face is already ugly to begin with.” But Domyoji replied with empty-eyes, a determined look that he won’t let anyone hurt Makino. He acted strong, even though it must have really hurt and he challenged Sakurako by saying “These punches do not hurt at all.” This fueled Sakurako's anger more. Domyoji took numerous hits again and as the music swells we also get Makino’s line “Why? Even if they gang up on you, you’re tough enough to bring them down. Why won’t you fight back?!”. Sakurako and Makino basically baffled on why Domyoji would go this far for Makino, someone who has been stated by Sakurako as ugly. The music ends as Domyoji falls on the table with the henchmen saying “This guy is not normal” meaning he didn’t put up a fight even just a bit. Sakurako’s line again emphasis on what Domyoji did for Makino was beyond words, “Why don’t you fight back? Why would you do this for that ugly? Why does it have to be her?”. And then we get Makino’s shot, her expression softens like she starts to get it that Domyoji really does this for her. Makino is someone who is selfless, to see someone do this much length for her really hurt and moved her.
I just love Jun's acting... The little detail like his teary eyes show how much the detail put into his potrayal.
Now, Sakurako's backstory starts to unveil but we see Domyoji didn’t hear any of what Sakurako said, he only thinks about Makino and Makino only, his eyes empty, pleading for Makino and his hands still clutches Makino’s scarf. It’s heartbreaking tho to see Sakurako this desperate, as she said “Why won’t you fall for me?!” it's just really heartbreaking… But for Domyoji he doesn’t care about anything except Makino. His love for Makino is really endearing... Sakurako throws a chair to Domyoji, but Makino covers for him. At that point Sakurako realizes, no matter what she does, Domyoji won’t ever look at her, Domyoji only looks at Makino and there’s nothing in this world that can change that. She gave up and left.
Domyoji and Makino are now left alone in the cafeteria and this scene is my favorite scene in this episode. As the Chisana Negai music score start to play, we get this very sweet dialogue between Domyoji and Makino. Even though I hated Domyoji at first in this episode, his looks when he said “I love you” just melted my heart and made me forgive him. You can also see that at the end when Domyoji hugs Makino, there’s a sign of relief in her and at that point she truly believes and realizes that Domyoji is indeed really in love with her. This scene is a really emotional and turning point moment in their relationship, especially Makino.
A quick trivia, the fact that even when he professed his love he said “omae” instead of kimi or anata is very Domyoji LOL. Omae is the equivalent of “lo/lu” in indonesian, idk in english, it’s a really really casual way to say “you”.
Now, for the closing. We get the outcome of the build up of Domyoji-Makino relationship when they playfully bicker in the cafeteria. They’re a lot closer now, not just due to the Sakurako accident but also off-screen, they had spent some time since Makino nursed Domyoji due to the outcome of the accident too. Also Jun and Inoue Mao’s chemistry is just sooo good. I also like the closing chapter of Sakurako's story when Makino said even though she is still pissed with Sakurako, because Sakurako praised her mother’s onigiri honestly, she defended her from 3 mean girls. It also indicates how much Makino loves her family. It is also very very japanese-manga like LOL. With the Hana Yori Dango theme music score, it really felt like a proper closing for the Sakurako arc. Domyoji smiles as he is proud of Makino being a compassionate person that he knows even though she is also tough the same way he is.
Makino and Domyoji so cute XD
Makino f you attitude is just so satisfying LOL
The episode close with Rui comes back.
Now, the end note from me. In this episode, I really learn that Hana Yori Dango drama (2005) is truly first and foremost a love story between Domyoji and Makino. If you saw other Hana Yori Dango adaptations you’ll notice that HanaDan 2005 is the only drama adaptation that made Domyoji get beaten up in the Sakurako arc. And why is that? HanaDan (2005) is the only one that truly made the romance of Domyoji and Makino as the forefront of the story. It also has the shortest episode compared to other adaptations. I know you’ll say “but HanaDan had 2 seasons!”. But the thing is, HanaDan wasn’t supposed to have 2 seasons, it wasn’t made with season 2 in mind (I’ll explain later in another post, the background story on how HanaDan 2005 was made). So in 9 eps they need to make these two impossible characters, Makino and Domyoji, fall in love and make us believe in the development of the romance. So how are they gonna do it fast and effectively?
Despite my distasteful of this episode, I still love this episode and it is very necessary to develop the romance. We already know Domyoji is in love with Makino. Makino sees him for who he is beyond the tiger mask and how she is tough the same he is but capable of compassion. He falls for that reason. And the reason why he is so head over heels for her is just because he is a simple man, he moves by instinct. His instinct tells him that she is important, to fight for her and never let her go. But for Makino who is very impossible, who is very careful, how is she gonna accept and believe this? Especially since Domyoji is a monster and horrible to her in ep 1 and 2. The fast and effective way for Makino to believe this is by Domyoji proving his love. Someone who thinks so highly of himself, who is very strong, going as far as he did (getting beaten up for her) is very effective to really show how much Makino meant for Domyoji. Another thing that really accentuated is that Domyoji doesn’t care about Makino looks, as it is stated by Sakurako on how he mocks her for being ugly and even though she is already this pretty, Domyoji still doesn't look at her. Domyoji sees Makino for her heart and there’s no girl in this world for him other than Makino. These are very endearing. If the beating up and proving love doesn’t happen, if the story is like the other adaptation with Domyoji only saving Makino from bullies, would Makino believe how strong Domyoji love for her is? I highly doubt it. Hana Yori Dango don’t just follow the story, but really consider what narratives they want to tell. The way they weave the story, the direction, the acting, the music, everything, all for one purpose only. To tell the powerful and beautiful love story of Domyoji and Makino.
Now, I want to talk a bit about Sakurako. As I said, what happens to her is indeed unfair. She is horrible, yes, but she had her reason. It is heartbreaking that after all of this, she is still lost and not satisfied with herself. But then again, Hana Yori Dango is as I said first and foremost a love story between Domyoji and Makino. It may disturb some people how Hana Yori Dango is not addressing these issues and sometimes take it too lightly, but for me I can look past that. For me, even though HanaDan isn’t necessarily addressing and really talking about it, at least it’s not glorifying it or directly stating that it’s okay. HanaDan just left it that way, undeveloped in favor of developing the romance. Which, for me, is fine. Another thing I want to mention, despite the flawed story and Sakurako didn't get her deserved ending after the bully, Hana Yori Dango was actually quite progresive in it's time. I really appreciate that they don't show lil Sakurako "ugly" face. This very progresive cuz they don't want to give example on what ugly face is, beside it also protect the lil Sakurako actress (imagine if a kid was told that she played the ugly, urh it hurts). They also noted that having plastic surgery isn't something bad. As Makino said "What's wrong with using money to buy beauty?". I really appreciate it.
This has become a very long essay LOL. Thank you so much for visiting.
Aya
