Love Is Blind - Japan review: This series in the franchise ups its game

3/5

Story:

Various men and women from Japan interact with each other but cannot see each other. They have to decide their life partner during the process, in order to see who they are engaged to and plan to get married to. These couples then explore a life together for the few days before D-day.

Review:

As soon as you enter the world of Love Is Blind: Japan, you understand why Japan is the perfect destination for this reality show. Known to love drama and believing in romance like a fairy believes in magic, the men and women are nothing but a perfect fit for the show that sprinkles a lot of faith, some magic and too much love.

The sets have, of course, been changed to meet the Japanese standards. However, these sets meet the modern Japanese standard rather than the traditional one and thus, you see high-bar stools and couches over mats and ground-level sitting. The makers have actually upped their budget this time to recreate the Sakura branches, a bridge with artificial pond in the studio. The setup is perfect for some romance and exhibits the energy of Japan almost perfectly too.

The Japanese are known for being naturally shy. Thus, seeing their conversation during the blind date is pretty adorable.

For the first time in the franchise, we meet a comedian who becomes an instant hit among the women and we'd be lying if we don't include the viewers. While doing comedy, he also manages to be a man with an open mind. He is sure to win you over.

Obviously, not everything is hurky-dory with Japan either and the country has men who look down upon women. This has been a common issue with Japanese men which is also visible through how women are portrayed in the art of Japan - through cinema and animes. Love Is Blind: Japan has one such man who believes that a woman's place is in the kitchen and thus, he wouldn't enter that place.

Another incident that reveals the state of women happens in the episodes itself. You get to see that most of the women were married off early and were unhappy in their marriage and thus, fell through with a divorce. Most of the women in the series, thus, are scared of love and trusting men easily but do so nonetheless because they are hopelessly romantic.

While it is unbelievable to meet someone qnd find out they are just as you expected, there is also some magic in it. Love Is Blind brings this magic to the front.

One of the men perfectly points out to a fellow male contestant, "We are so used to solving things with logic and have never used emotions. It is easier that way but then again, nothing would change." It is something that Japanese men need to think about and seriously consider implementing.

The way men and women spontaneously create music and bond is truly heartwarming. Every J-pop fan is sure to smile seeing these moments.

Although there is a lot of magic happening, the series also shows heartbreak and confusion, both of which are very real. Changing your mind mid-way is also very real and it has been explored well in the series too. The five episodes which have been released end on that note - where every relationship hits a rocky road before the wedding and second thoughts become a common thing.

Verdict:

Love Is Blind: Japan has definitely upped its game since Love Is Blind: US or Love Is Blind: Brazil. While the too-good-to-be-true moments are still a part of the series, this one is a fairly better watch in the franchise.