Screen Time

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO160
“Chihayafuru: Full Circle” Torrance, 2025

I’ve been getting some quality screen time in while staying at my folks’ house. I just finished Chihayafuru: Full Circle, and it was excellent. I really enjoyed the two live action movies, and this 10 episode Netflix series does a great job continuing the story. Almost all of the original cast makes appearances, which was such a fun surprise, but the main focus is on an entirely new team. I loved it!

I’m also making steady progress on Who Rules the World. I’m around episode 23 out of 40 now, so there is still plenty more to enjoy. Not a bad way to spend some downtime at all!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO200
“Who Rules the World” Torrance, 2025

Haken no Hinkaku

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/3.6, 1/160 sec, ISO640
“Haken no Hinkaku” Cedar Park, 2025

Mariko told me way back in 2007 that I would like Haken no Hinkaku, and here I am finally watching it eighteen years later. I am five episodes in and really enjoying it. The acting and plot are classic J-Dorama style, a little silly, a little unrealistic, and definitely over the top, but it all feels so familiar and cozy. And the best part is that there are two seasons waiting for me. I am excited to see the rest of the episodes!

Umi no Hajimari / 海のはじまり

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO250
“Umi no Hajimari” Cedar Park, 2025

I started watching Umi no Hajimari / 海のはじまり after a fellow co-working Twitch streamer recommended it, and I’m completely hooked! It’s a really sad show, but the acting is excellent, the story is engaging, and the characters feel very real and believable. I might end up binge-watching the whole series over the next couple of days.

Tokyo Love Story (1991) Rewatch

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO200
“Tokyo Love Story” Cedar Park, 2025

Tokyo Love Story (1991) recently arrived on Netflix, so I decided to revisit it. I believe I first watched it in the early ’90s while living in Los Angeles. One of the local TV stations used to air Japanese doramas on Sunday evenings, and I’m pretty sure that’s where I saw it.

I only have a faint memory of the storyline, but the theme song? That’s unforgettable – so nostalgic! And that bassline…