[A Mars orbiter mission that has your name. A pop star that's the same age as you. Dreams that never came true. Love stories that ended. People who drifted away from you. From our best memories to our most horrible experiences that make us want to curse at our destiny... These are all unique pieces of our lives.]

First Love 初恋  Episode 2 - Your Voice - tastes like cigarettes - call it ‘flavor’

"Someone once said... life is like a jigsaw puzzle. From our best memories to our most horrible experience that make us want to curse at our destiny — these are all unique pieces of our lives."

FIRST LOVE: HATSUKOI (2022) Episode 1: When the Lilacs Blooms

First Love Hatsukoi Casts by Netflix

Aw... they’re so adorable! I love them so much! 😫🥰

I started watching for Takeru Satoh and Hikari Mitsushima but Yagi Rikako and Kido Taisei stole the show for me! 😍

The bottom pic cracked me up, Hikari Mitsushima is like all happy, “It’s snowing!” and Takeru Satoh just standing there like “Can I go now?” 😂

Lilacs are my favorite flower

- When Lilac Blooms, Episode 1, First Love Hatsukoi, 2022

First Love: Hatsukoi (初恋)

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2022

First Love: Hatsukoi (初恋) (2022, Japan)

Director & Writer: Yuri Kanchiku

Mini-review:

I'm going to start by saying that, from the very moment this drama was announced, it was like a dream come true for me: a story inspired by music from one of my favorite artists of all time (Hikaru Utada) and starring one of my favorite actresses in the world (Hikari Mitsushima). My expectations were obviously super-high, and fortunately, it didn't disappoint at all. Sure, there were a lot of clichés, but I firmly belive that clichés are great when you know how to use them properly, and it's clear Yuri Kanchiku knew exactly what she was doing. The acting is brilliant and there is no weak link in the cast, but I need to give a special shoutout to Taisei Kido. I had never seen him before and I felt he was so charming and charismatic, I really hope this becomes a breakout role for him. Another thing I want to highlight is the cinematography, which is absolutely gorgeous and unlike anything I've seen in a J-drama, it looked even better than many movies. To sum up, this is without a doubt the best Netflix Japan Original released so far.

P.S. The one little complain that I have is that I wish they had used more Utada music, beyond the title songs and Automatic. They have a lot of hits that span more than 20 years, and those songs would have helped a lot with setting up the time-periods. But anyway, that's it.

1 year of First Love : Hatsukoi ❄️💙

Date Released (Netflix) November 24, 2022

PS: Cried like a baby when this scene hits!!! 😭 

not for one moment have i forgotten about this scene www that was the biggest face palm i ever did when namiki said 'napolitan' with such a proud smile😂

People are made up of memories and encounters.

First Love (2022) dir. Yuri Kanchiku

Finding that special someone, you can fall head over heels. Makes you feel grateful to live. I think it's a pretty amazing feeling. No matter where they are or what they are doing with any person, doesn't change anything. So I think that's enough. Well I guess it should be more than enough.

- Yae Noguchi

First love 2022

First Love 初恋  Episode 3

- I’m so happy you can visit! It’s been eight months - It’s been eight months, three weeks, and six days, babe

First Love: Hatsukoi (Ep 5/8)

He’s a Man of Culture. 😆

I fell instantly in love. It was laughably easy.

Harumichi, I know that you are my first love. I know it!

- Hatsukoi, Episode 9, First Love Hatsukoi, 2022