I finally got to see this movie yesterday and thought it was excellent.

Seriously this man is going through it for the entire series and it is a delight to watch.

The people who loved you still love you even after they are gone. Their influence and the love they left behind persist.

There’s a sequence right at the end of episode 6 that might have changed my brain chemistry a little. Just COOL.

The actors playing the two main antagonists are also very good at what they do. The actress playing Reina in particular really kills it. The way her expressions shift dramatically in the moments where she lets the mask drop are legitimately chilling.

No detail is wasted. I’ve been rewatching and catching all kinds of little details that tie into / set up later elements. It’s a show that rewards you for paying attention.

For just one example: if you’re wondering where the orange came from in the first episode? You should.

Grapes as a metaphor for love.

Very expensive grapes.

Every time the characters are snacking on grapes at the vineyard in the third episode, those are like $100 bunches of grapes.

Satoh Takeru in waistcoats and glasses.
Satoh Takeru in an apron.
Satoh Takeru covered in blood.

(The wardrobe in this one is hit or miss, but when they hit, damn do they hit.)

Misa gets to form real, supportive female friendships to replace her toxic relationship with Reina. Her bonds with Yuriko (her immediate work superior) and Miku (her junior) are an important part of the story and offset the negative dynamics between her and Reina and her mother-in-law.

Both leads regularly talk to a turtle like it is a person.

Both of the leads are great, actually, and they have a lot of chemistry. Koshiba Fuka as Misa is allowed to make faces that aren’t elegant or pretty but convey a lot of raw emotion. Which is nice. You don’t always get that.

Satoh Takeru as the male lead has an amazing command of subtle facial acting. The character is very restrained, and he’s great at conveying that restraint, and that there’s a lot going on in his head underneath it.

I also like his voice a lot.

So many loving, lingering shots of food. So much wagashi!

Ohhh. Gotcha!

Oh lord what’d I miss this time?

The only one of mine who would get a tattoo at all is Meiyi. What are she and Aldo getting?

You gotta figure most clothing in Eorzea is already being custom made, though. It’s just a question of whether you have the time and skill to do it yourself or pay someone else. So it’s probably less an issue than it would be if sewing machines and mass production were a thing.

Eep?