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Because I'm feelin' chill and have nothing else to do while waiting for Whenever You Call, I present some reasons why HanaDan is, in my opinion, the best version of all beyond just "visuals" (this'll probably end up as another video on my yt so count this as my notes too):
1. Inoue Mao's Makino Tsukushi. Unlike the other versions, to me, she actually felt like a high school girl with realistic feelings. She's resilient and tough but not boyish, she gets giggly and insecure at times and Mao played it off most naturally. None of her actions felt ooc.
2. The F4 felt untouchable but still human. This element of the F4 being 'above the rest' felt too polished in the other versions, whereas this felt like these are just boys enjoying powerplay 'too much'. It highlights the toxicity and childishness of their actions, which...
... gave made their growth more glaring as the narrative went along. You can see how they somehow matured/moved past their childish whims. They are also flashy in terms of dressing, but not over-the-top.
3. Domyouji, compared to his other counterparts, actually had a proper redemption arc. I've talked about this before but lemme reiterate. None of the other versions grew as much as Domyouji. None of the other versions actually properly repented over their actions. But...
...Domyouji, in HYD S2, with that arc with Ken, learnt what the meaning of his recklessness meant as the heir to the Domyouji group. He evolved when he thought he wrecked someone else's life and family because he was being childish to the point that he almost gave up Makino
//side note: even my dad thought it was the heaviest this character had to go through because the other versions never really directly owned up to their past faults. most of their changes were also because of the fem lead but Domyouji's was based on his own trauma and agency.
4. From my last point: Domyouji and Makino's dynamic. These two never really changed per se, but rather realised their inner strengths because of each other. Domyouji was already great but Makino brought out the right kind of greatness out of him. Makino was already strong...
...but Domyouji made her realize that sometimes, she doesn't have to handle everything by herself all the time. It's not a she-changed-him story but rather a rivalry of sorts in encouraging the other person to reach their best potential.
5. Speaking of... BEST. CHEMISTRY. EVER. Rui is cool and all but it's hard to have second lead syndrome with HanaDan because MaoJun's chemistry is just perfection. Still one of the best I've seen after all these years...
6. Going back to F4 (scattered thoughts haha), they felt like they had the most genuine relationship within themselves and with Makino. The other versions felt divided two-on-two than a holistic 4 and that their 'Makino' version felt more like a friend's friend than a friend...
...but HYD felt like the boys truly had a fondness and friendship formed with Makino esp. during TOJ and when S2 happened.
7. It balanced comedy with heartwrenching moments seamlessly. HYD may seem caricaturish for a jdrama first timer. BUT beyond some ridiculousness (i mean the apple grating thing is2g hahaha), it also brings in depth and emotional rawness beyond the other versions.
8. FRIGGING ICONIC SOUNDTRACK. Wish, Love So Sweet, Planetarium, Flavor of Life... heck even that Harry Potter tune. You know what I mean!
9. Their happily ever after. Don't wanna spoil if an HYD first timer sees this but none of the other versions can top HYD's happy ending.
10. Talk about "visuals" all you want, but if that's all there is to a narrative, it won't stand the test of time. HanaDan is well-loved because it delivered flawed characters that had a chance to actually redeem themselves. It discussed growth beyond romance...
...it re-explored friendships, delivered both happiness and pain and everything else in between, all while effectively setting itself apart from just being a formulaic narrative.
There are more to say tbh. But I'll leave it at this. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
There are more to say tbh. But I'll leave it at this. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
P.S. Since I'm such trash for this franchise 
instead of a reboot/remake, they did HanaHare instead. Aside from nostalgia, it is an addition that actually added additional value to the HanaDan narrative, reinforcing Makino's influence in Domyouji's life...
instead of a reboot/remake, they did HanaHare instead. Aside from nostalgia, it is an addition that actually added additional value to the HanaDan narrative, reinforcing Makino's influence in Domyouji's life...
...and again, I REPEAT, they actually addressed Domyouji's problematic past (episode 7)!!! none of the other versions did this. Plus, HanaHare's just a good baby sibling to HanaDan.
okay, really ending it this time.
okay, really ending it this time.
