Ao Haru Ride (2023) Season 1 Live Action Review

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Today, I will share my thoughts about the first season of Ao Haru Ride (2023). I finished watching this live action series back in December, but I want to write a review since the second season is out today, if I'm not mistaken.

(Official Poster)

Another Title: Blue Spring Ride Season 1

Native Title: アオハライド Season１

Director(s): Mahito Kimura, Yusuke Matsuda 

Writer: Io Sakisaka (manga), Sayaka Kuwamura

Network: WOWOW 

Episode: 8

Release Date: September 22 - November 10, 2023

Casts: Natsuki Deguchi, Kaito Sakurai, Sara Shida, Riko, etc.

Futaba Yoshioka (Natsuki Deguchi) was still in a middle school when she fell in love with kind and warmhearted Ko Tanaka (Kaito Sakurai). That year, during the summer, Ko asked her to go to a summer festival with him. Futaba was so excited, but Ko never showed up in that festival. When the summer break was over, Futaba learnt that Ko was transferred to another school. Futaba was shocked and brokenhearted.

Now in high school, after many things happened, Futaba has changed a lot. She pretends to be a clumsy girl so her girl friends do not leave her. She also accidentally meets Ko again. But his surname is now Mabuchi. His personality is also very different from what Futaba knows. Ko Mabuchi looks cold and unapproachable. 

(Natsuki Deguchi as Futaba Yoshioka)

(Kaito Sakurai as Ko Mabuchi)

*** 

I really love Ao Haru Ride manga. I have read it, watched the anime, also watched the 2014 live action movie (did not love it; it was okay, but I love the supporting actors and actresses) so it can be said that I know the source materials of this adaptation. The manga is so good. I cannot quite explain it, but the feeling the manga gave me, it's so beautiful. But I'm open to the ideas of any adaptation, so here I am. 

First, the story. Of course there are some scenes that are changed. I also understand that not all of the original things can be brought to the adaptation. But the storyline is pretty much similar to the manga. The important parts that gave you butterflies (if you know, you know😉) are also included. So, I'm happy with the storyline.

(One of the scenes that gives me butterflies₊˚⊹♡)

But, I'm gonna be honest, I don't like the first four episodes. I just think the pacing feels weird. The direction of the acting is kind of weird as well; it makes the casts look awkward. The friendship between Futaba, Yuri Makita (Riko) and Shuko Murao (Sara Shida) seems stiff in the first half of the series. But the rest of the episodes? They are great! Especially between Futaba and Ko and a little love triangle with Toma Kikuchi (Ryousuke Sota). The friendship between the characters looks good too as the serie progressed.

(Sara Shida as Shuko, Riko as Yuri and Natsuki Deguchi as Futaba)

(Futaba and Ko's friend group)

And whoever says that Ko is a red flag, no. It's more complicated than what appears on the surface. The story is deeper than that and you will know why Ko acts like that and trauma that he's been through shapes the person who he is now. The story also discusses familial relationship, trauma and healing. 

Second, the acting. It's okay, but there's definitely room for improvement. But I really love Natsuki Deguchi and Kaito Sakurai. I think they are perfect for Futaba and Ko. They show a good chemistry together. The rest of the casts also develop the good chemistry towards the end of the episodes. I have a tiny thing that sometimes kind of irritates me. It's Makita's hair. I'm sorry, but her hair looks fake (maybe it's a wig, but it can be more natural, I believe?). 

I think that's all I can say, since this is the first season only. I will also write my review for the second season after it finishes airing. For the rating, I give this one 3,5⭐️ out of 5 stars, because I dislike the first half of the series, but really love the second half of it. What is your rating of this famous manga adaptation? Please comment down below✨️ see you next time!♡

(Bonus pict. Beautiful Natsuki💗)