[Discussion] Last Friends - Nagasawa Masami/Ueno Juri/Eita

Salz · Post by **Salz** » May 31st, '08, 03:30

does any know what happen to veoh coz it say Veoh is block in my country and veoh is not available anymore

that is my best source of download....
why this is happening???????????

Leyy · Post by **Leyy** » May 31st, '08, 04:10

the last scene is so emotionally, i couldn't hardly breathe..i wasn't cryingloudly..but tears were falling uncontrollably...eita sa soo good in playing that part..i don't understand japanese but both of them relayed their feelings to me..i felt what they felt during that piart ...juri is just soo amazing!!!

i know that there might not be romance between the two of them..but there's a deep emotion binding them together which is actually beyond romance...beyond temporary emotions.....goodness, i can't wait for the next episode!!!!!

off to rewatch that last part!!! lol!

spyefox · Post by **spyefox** » May 31st, '08, 06:27

Salz wrote:does any know what happen to veoh coz it say Veoh is block in my country and veoh is not available anymore
that is my best source of download....
why this is happening???????????

hi salz...yep it must be only your country cos I have no problem connecting to veoh and watching it online.

Somehow I still opt downloading from d-addicts. Cheers

finished download ep 8 hours ago and now silently waiting for the English sub to come
out either from seri or suketeru

son2 · Post by **son2** » May 31st, '08, 06:47

magicmusic wrote:Y'all are wrong about everything! Ruka is not IN LOVE with Takeru!

I guess you have never had the unfortunate luck to be gay and desperately in love with a friend who won't return your affections. After a point in time it just becomes too painful to keep hoping for something you know will never happen. So you start to distance yourself to protect your heart. That's what Ruka is doing. That's why it seems-to the untrained eye- that she could now care less about Michiru. That's why she only gave Michiru a handshake on the way out. But couldn't you see in her eyes how much more she wanted to say? Or do?

Ruka still loves Michiru. Ruka's love for Takeru is purely of friendship. Takeru is the kind of guy that even I (who is a huge lesbian) could have touchy-feely feelings for. You guys don't know what it means to just be coming out and feel all alone and disgusting in what you are. To have a good friend support you means more than the world because, at that point, there is nothing else. When I first came out I told one friend. To be able to be myself ONLY around him gave us a connection I could have with no one else at the time. It's a powerful connection. Maybe y'all don't understand that.

i understand... really understand.

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » May 31st, '08, 07:01

sarah117 wrote:can't help myself to watch the RAW ep8, eventhough i don't understand japanese at all~!!
can't believe Ruka and Michiru just shook each other's hand before Ruka's depart!!! how come~??!! as best friends, they should at least hug each other and cry like a baby~!!

and also when Ruka took his mug, she stared at Takeru's mug and not Michiru's~??!!

Yeah, it was totally weird and formal.

siutou_amy and other new posters: Welcome. Or should I say 'Okaeri'? Shall I ask Takeru to prepare some coffee?=)

crisdrag wrote:I don't understand Japanese at all so I don't know what they have spoken in ep 8 but in my opinion:

The fact that Michiru and Ruka didn't hug it's not because Ruka doesn't love her anymore. When you love someone secretly for such a long time, like Ruka loves Michiru, it's very difficult to show any emotion with that person, especially if it's a forbidden love. Ruka even said that she cannot be gentle with Michiru because she's afraid to lose her. I think it's enough only to see the way Ruka looks at Michiru to realise her feelings. Plus, Ruka clearly told Takeru that she cannot return his feelings that she likes someone else!
Takeru was the only person ever with whom Ruka can open up and the only person to understand her, without being afraid of rejection. When Ruka looked at Takeru's mug (I noticed that too!) I think it was because she thought about telling him the truth, writing him that letter. The hug at the end of the episode was a hug of friends who understand and accept each other, because they both have issues and secrets and pains.

I think Takeru's beating will happen in the middle of ep.9. In the preview there is his sister, dressed in black !, who rushes in a room. And I think Ruka will receive a call about Takeru too. I think Takeru will die but I hope he is the one telling Michiru about Ruka.
Michiru, confused and in pain, decides to run away, thus the "betrayal" and "disepear from Ruka's sight".

Right now I believe that in the end Michiru and Ruka will meet again. And as much as I hope for a happy ending, like the two of them together , I think they will remain just friends...the "last friends".
But if they put them together romantically they would have created an extraordinary drama and make history...are they brave enough to do that?

ShikyoxYaiba wrote:
^Yuuki wrote:EPISODE 8
I'm going overseas in half a year's time for an operation.
The real me is...
Thank you. I was happy when you told me you love me.
I should have told you my problems then, but I didn't have the courage.
It shocked me when you confessed to me. But I didn't want to disillusion you(not sure about this part).
Talking face to face is really scary afterall (scene shows Ruka looking at Michiru), that's why I wrote this letter.
I have always lived by lying to others around me. But Takeru, because you are the first person to say that you love me, because you are the one that opened your heart to me, that's why I can't lie to you.
Takeru, I...the real me is....
(basically she told him but in what exact words, we don't know. )
... .__________. Face to face...TAKERU'S SHIRT ANYONE? *twitch* That is totally weird...

Lol. The t-shirts are talking again. I've mentioned some stuff about Ruka's t-shirts before. This post and this one. =3

Leyy: To be able to feel that much without understanding a word they're saying proves just how great that whole scene is and how awesome Eita and Juri is as actors. I feel bad for Masami whenever she has a scene with any one of them. Heh. And with the two of them around, it's easy to see the difference in ability. She does have her own moments but it's pretty inconsistent.

sarah117 · Post by **sarah117** » May 31st, '08, 08:50

^Yuuki wrote:siutou_amy and other new posters: Welcome. Or should I say 'Okaeri'? Shall I ask Takeru to prepare some coffee?=)

yeah, i would be very delighted~!!

(the effect of Last Friends to me is sooo great that i can't resist to post comments in this thread!!

)

p/s: still waiting 'silently' for the eng sub..

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » May 31st, '08, 09:25

The three of them should run away and start a rock band together~

Monthly Wind and Rock [Kaze to Rock]

Ahh, kinda gives you a nostalgic feel for some weird reason.

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » May 31st, '08, 14:35

More image have been uploaded onto Ruka's album(that's what I think it is) at the Last Friends Another site.

That kid is cute~ Hope he doesn't grow up to be Sosuke, lol.

cuatro · Post by **cuatro** » May 31st, '08, 15:06

i cant w8 for the english subs i already downloaded the raw, so the minute the subs appear i can watch it..

any idea when will episode 8 englisht sub will come out?

spyefox · Post by **spyefox** » May 31st, '08, 15:29

cuatro wrote:any idea when will episode 8 englisht sub will come out?

when it's ready. been waiting all day, maybe tomorrow ..keeping my fingers cross for sooner

daegun · Post by **daegun** » May 31st, '08, 15:44

have you eevr thought of the fact, who the father of michiru's baby might be and who will die??? cause in the beginning we see her pregnant and she says something about "preventing that death"??? ^^

i think it's sousuke's baby and that takeru dies

sarah117 · Post by **sarah117** » May 31st, '08, 16:16

Yuuki, what are they doing exactly, in the Monthly Wind and Rock [Kaze to Rock] photo? judging from the haircuts, it must be recent rite?

Salz · Post by **Salz** » May 31st, '08, 17:48

thanks for all the pic ^Yuuki

minigoo · Post by **minigoo** » May 31st, '08, 17:52

Yuuki:
where did you get the comic scans?
is that a comic based on Last Friends drama?

Salz · Post by **Salz** » May 31st, '08, 18:19

HQ pic

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » May 31st, '08, 18:19

sarah117 wrote:Yuuki, what are they doing exactly, in the Monthly Wind and Rock [Kaze to Rock] photo? judging from the haircuts, it must be recent rite?

The header there says "Triple Alternatives" so I guess it's something like what they would be doing together if they were in an alternate universe? Lol. The answer from what I can see would be to have a rock band together. Juri on the drums, Masami and Eita with the electric guitars. Of course, you can barely see them, I don't know if they think it's artistic or what but it's certainly interesting. =3

(preview...it's supposed to be the latest issue. And it's free btw, so anyone in Japan, go grab some for me~)

Salz: It's my pleasure~ (Btw, ur siggy there says baidu wif no pic. they don't allow hotlinking, heh, I learned it through you)

minigoo: Yeah, the manga is based on the drama but from Ruka's perspective. The prologue was released early May in a woman's magazine. Next issue should be next month...

P/S: I translated the summary for episode 9. Will post when more people have seen ep8. ^^

gustov · Post by **gustov** » May 31st, '08, 18:36

^Yuuki wrote:That kid is cute~ Hope he doesn't grow up to be Sosuke, lol.

hahahahahaha

Salz · Post by **Salz** » May 31st, '08, 18:44

^Yuuki
owh i forgot bout the hotlinking^^"
btw can u c the pic that i post at the pages before???
im not too good at posting pic it might hotlinking again lol^^"

sleepyzzz · Post by **sleepyzzz** » May 31st, '08, 18:47

Salz: Love your signature pics! My favourite one is the one from ep 9!!! Oooh! Their faces are dangerously close!!!

hahahah Oh I love this show!!

Salz · Post by **Salz** » May 31st, '08, 18:49

yeah i luv the pic^^
their face is super close<3333333333
hope they not going to cut that scene^^"

Leyy · Post by **Leyy** » May 31st, '08, 19:11

siutou_amy and other new posters: Welcome. Or should I say 'Okaeri'? Shall I ask Takeru to prepare some coffee?=)

thanks yuuki

i wonder which mug should i use..??? hmm...at this point after watching epi 8, i'd pick takeru's...i would love to hug ruka and assure her that i love her no matter what...

episode 8 is just soo good i couldn't help but post here...sumimasen minna...

Leyy: To be able to feel that much without understanding a word they're saying proves just how great that whole scene is and how awesome Eita and Juri is as actors. I feel bad for Masami whenever she has a scene with any one of them. Heh. And with the two of them around, it's easy to see the difference in ability. She does have her own moments but it's pretty inconsistent.

they are indeed great actors...no dialogues needed...must have ben hard fo masami though, pitted against 2 awesome actors, good thing she has a weak and indecisive character and it just complements and highlights juri and eita talent.

thank yuuki for the pics...and salz for the hq ones...they were having a blast just being together...kawaii!!

saved1122 · Post by **saved1122** » May 31st, '08, 19:26

magicmusic wrote:Y'all are wrong about everything! Ruka is not IN LOVE with Takeru!

I guess you have never had the unfortunate luck to be gay and desperately in love with a friend who won't return your affections. After a point in time it just becomes too painful to keep hoping for something you know will never happen. So you start to distance yourself to protect your heart. That's what Ruka is doing. That's why it seems-to the untrained eye- that she could now care less about Michiru. That's why she only gave Michiru a handshake on the way out. But couldn't you see in her eyes how much more she wanted to say? Or do?

Ruka still loves Michiru. Ruka's love for Takeru is purely of friendship. Takeru is the kind of guy that even I (who is a huge lesbian) could have touchy-feely feelings for. You guys don't know what it means to just be coming out and feel all alone and disgusting in what you are. To have a good friend support you means more than the world because, at that point, there is nothing else. When I first came out I told one friend. To be able to be myself ONLY around him gave us a connection I could have with no one else at the time. It's a powerful connection. Maybe y'all don't understand that.

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » May 31st, '08, 20:25

saved1122 wrote:
AGREED 300%. IMO, Ruka is not confused about who she loves. Its more like she is holding back from her to hide how she feels, thats why no hug scenes with Michiru.
Takeru and Ruka's FRENShip bond as fren is soooo strong compared to RukaXMichiru FRENShip bond....mainly becuz Ruka has feelings for Michiru, more than as a fren..that explains the barrier between them. Ruka cant tell her everything bout her feelings cuz she scared that it will push Michiru away. The painful expression on Ruka at the park scene explains all. Now with the special connection (Takeru and Ruka), their bond would be stronger than ever! Others mite interpret them the other way so i tink Michiru will think the same (more misunderstanding..sigh)

Monthly Kaze to Rock HQ scans:
(I've included some of what Salz posted as well)

Update 2(2/6):

sarah117 · Post by **sarah117** » May 31st, '08, 20:39

thanx Yuuki.. watching them together, i'm very happy~

p/s: OMG, i'm dying for ep8's Eng Sub~ still no sign of it. I think seri and suketeru are very busy right now..

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » May 31st, '08, 20:52

sarah117 wrote:thanx Yuuki.. watching them together, i'm very happy~

p/s: OMG, i'm dying for ep8's Eng Sub~ still no sign of it. I think seri and suketeru are very busy right now..

No prob. I'm happy too. It does seem like they're in another universe there. ^^

I know Suketeru is busy since I'm keeping her busy. Lol. I guess I should stop distracting her with all the goodies...but don't worry, should be soon. =3

magicmusic · Post by **magicmusic** » May 31st, '08, 22:20

This is the 1 time in my life I'm wishing a threeway couple could be legitimate. Those scans are SO cute, Yuuki

Hey...anyone know what is going on with Kioku? Thank God for soft subs, but I like to make DVDs of "Last Friends." Why is Kioku so behind on releases?

LukiaWhitney · Post by **LukiaWhitney** » Jun 1st, '08, 00:52

Episode 06 is in the torrents pending section.

I think it's hard for them, as its probably around finals time right now.

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Jun 1st, '08, 01:22

magicmusic wrote:Hey...anyone know what is going on with Kioku? Thank God for soft subs, but I like to make DVDs of "Last Friends." Why is Kioku so behind on releases?

You can always hardsub the videos yourself, using the softsubs.

You just need to download and install a couple of (free) programs to get the job done.

magicmusic · Post by **magicmusic** » Jun 1st, '08, 02:08

bmwracer wrote:
magicmusic wrote:Hey...anyone know what is going on with Kioku? Thank God for soft subs, but I like to make DVDs of "Last Friends." Why is Kioku so behind on releases?
You can always hardsub the videos yourself, using the softsubs.

You just need to download and install a couple of (free) programs to get the job done.

Yeah, I know how to do that...but I prefer Kioku's cuz I think the quality is overall better. Plus their translations are really good.

Lukia, glad to hear ep 6 is pending! I forgot that it's finals time. For us workers it's business as usual

LukiaWhitney · Post by **LukiaWhitney** » Jun 1st, '08, 02:15

Yup. Eh. For us high school people, it's cram time. -.-" icky icky icky.

By the way, this morning I couldn't stand not watching this for so long (I was waiting for hardsubs), so I downloaded the raws and watched with softs. When I was done, I checked the torrent pending and saw the release. Eeeeeh. Ah, well. I'll be probably end up watching ep. 8 with softs, too.

Watching this series has made me really, really like Eita. And Juri is so gorgeous...I can't see why people would mistake her as a man.

Getting past that, I want Eita to end up with...both Ruka and Michiru. I still can't decide... Personally, I think they overdid it a little with Eita having issues, too. Oh, well.

Must go back to studying now. -.-"

magicmusic · Post by **magicmusic** » Jun 1st, '08, 04:56

Oh my goodness, I could NEVER wait for hardsubs! I can hardly wait for Thurs. night as it is! I watch LF in Japanese (can't understand so much though).

I LOVE Eita! He and Juri are the stars of this drama, for sure. Their acting is amazing, and personally I wouldn't mind it if Takeru, Michiru and Ruka could all live happily ever after. Like in "A Home At the End of the World."

LukiaWhitney · Post by **LukiaWhitney** » Jun 1st, '08, 05:06

Eh. I can only understand 10% at most, and I don't feel like guessing and feeling like my Japanese is crappy throughout watching the whole episode.

So now I guess I'll be using softsubs. For some reason, sometimes Vobsub doesn't pick up the subs, so I have to watch in a subbing program, and then I can't use my beautiful full-screen. :'(

Yup...Well, I think Michiru's good at acting, too. But her part's weaker, so her acting is naturally also "weaker."

chocotaco2308 · Post by **chocotaco2308** » Jun 1st, '08, 05:24

best ep cant wait till 9[/u]

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Jun 1st, '08, 05:33

suketeru's Episode 8 subs are out: http://www.d-addicts.com/forum/viewtopi ... tm#1021008

Leyy · Post by **Leyy** » Jun 1st, '08, 06:30

ureshi!!!!

thanks for the heads up, bmwracer!!!!

spyefox · Post by **spyefox** » Jun 1st, '08, 06:44

Just finished watching the ep 8 with suketeru's sub. Wow! this is the saddest eps so far and my chest is still hurting. I can't believe that I cry ...

so damn sad...really powerful performance by both juri and eita

can't wait for next episode 9..

p/s i hope sousuke killed himself in the next episode. He's so evil. Just a wishful thinking lol

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » Jun 1st, '08, 06:54

magicmusic wrote:Oh my goodness, I could NEVER wait for hardsubs! I can hardly wait for Thurs. night as it is! I watch LF in Japanese (can't understand so much though).

I LOVE Eita! He and Juri are the stars of this drama, for sure. Their acting is amazing, and personally I wouldn't mind it if Takeru, Michiru and Ruka could all live happily ever after. Like in "A Home At the End of the World."

I'm thankful for my otaku background else I wouldn't be able to understand a thing either. Watching subbed anime for the past few years does help one to learn. I haven't taken any Japanese lessons before. ^^ It would be an excruciating wait for the subs otherwise(even though for LF, gotta thank the softsubbers for doing such a speedy job).

Yeah, I think this is the first time for me too, hoping for the 3 of them to live happily ever after together. Of course, don't forget the baby~! We would have Michiru mama, Ruka is obviously the papa, lol, Takeru can certainly take over both roles when Michiru and Ruka have their alone time. LOL. Wow, so Sailormoon-ish. I guess that makes Takeru Sailor Pluto? Haha, j/k...

Btw, episode 8's title is "The Last Letter"...The question is...for who? It's probably another bad sign for our little 'threesome'...^^;

Good news, Last Friends got the No.1 ranking in a poll conducted by Oricon Style magazine~
『オリスタ読者が選ぶ好きな春ドラマランキング』　ＢＥＳＴ５
Your favourite spring drama ranking. Best 5:

１位／『ラスト・フレンズ』（フジ系） (Last Friends)
２位／『ROOKIES－ルーキーズ－』（ＴＢＳ系） (Rookies...hmm, I probably should check this out)
３位／『ごくせん』（日テレ系） (Gokusen 3)
４位／『おせん』（日テレ系） (Osen)
５位／『ＣＨＡＮＧＥ』（フジ系） (CHANGE...poor KimuTaku...haha)

Utada Hikaru's Prisoner of Love got No.1 too in the favourite drama song~

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Jun 1st, '08, 07:13

so happy LF got no1 and Rookies no2....
both drama is obviously the best this season^^
but poor Kimutaku lol got beaten by all his kohai^^"
yeah u r right Takeru is Sailor Pluto and their child should be Sailor Saturn/Hotaru coz those 3 lives together to take care of her when she turn into babies....
that would be perfect sailormoon liveaction^^

QNSpider · Post by **QNSpider** » Jun 1st, '08, 07:19

Ugh...I do not like the whole TakeruxRuka angle at all. But whatever, I don't think it's going to end up that way.
I do agree that the actors portraying these characters are outstanding. I wish Michiru had a bit more going for her other than the whole DV crap.

LOL @ Salz
I think Takeru = Seiya (manga version)

This deserves a fanfiction~ xD
Man this drama has got me reminiscing...lmao.

I bet the non Moon-fans are getting fed up with these comparisons.

And OMG @ the preview

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Jun 1st, '08, 07:29

Seiya???
i dun remember much but she is the singer who crossdress as a guy like Haruka and like Usagi??
sorry im TakeRuka shippers so im happy with their development even just as best friend^^

spyefox · Post by **spyefox** » Jun 1st, '08, 07:34

^Yuuki wrote:I'm thankful for my otaku background else I wouldn't be able to understand a thing either. Watching subbed anime for the past few years does help one to learn. I haven't taken any Japanese lessons before. ^^ It would be an excruciating wait for the subs otherwise(even though for LF, gotta thank the softsubbers for doing such a speedy job).

Yuuki, lucky you for understanding japanese

I was learning japanese 2 years ago until i became obsessed with chinese drama condor heroes and abandoned it for mandarin. Last Friends really get me really excited to learn japanese now except my brain can't process 2 new languages at one time LOL

I'm hoping for a happy ending for LF else I'm gonna be grieving for months after the drama ends LOL

spyefox · Post by **spyefox** » Jun 1st, '08, 07:39

Salz wrote:Seiya???
i dun remember much but she is the singer who crossdress as a guy like Haruka and like Usagi??
sorry im TakeRuka shippers so im happy with their development even just as best friend^^

I just want Ruka to be happy..don't really care if she'll end up with either Takeru or Michiru or both. Don't know why i have a soft spot in my heart for Ruka

QNSpider · Post by **QNSpider** » Jun 1st, '08, 07:43

Salz wrote:sorry im TakeRuka shippers

lol jk

magicmusic wrote:Y'all are wrong about everything! Ruka is not IN LOVE with Takeru!

I guess you have never had the unfortunate luck to be gay and desperately in love with a friend who won't return your affections. After a point in time it just becomes too painful to keep hoping for something you know will never happen. So you start to distance yourself to protect your heart. That's what Ruka is doing. That's why it seems-to the untrained eye- that she could now care less about Michiru. That's why she only gave Michiru a handshake on the way out. But couldn't you see in her eyes how much more she wanted to say? Or do?

Ruka still loves Michiru. Ruka's love for Takeru is purely of friendship. Takeru is the kind of guy that even I (who is a huge lesbian) could have touchy-feely feelings for. You guys don't know what it means to just be coming out and feel all alone and disgusting in what you are. To have a good friend support you means more than the world because, at that point, there is nothing else. When I first came out I told one friend. To be able to be myself ONLY around him gave us a connection I could have with no one else at the time. It's a powerful connection. Maybe y'all don't understand that.

*BOWS TO YOU*

Yes, we all want Ruka to be happy. Yes, that's right. >_> <_<
*cough*RukaMichiru*cough*

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » Jun 1st, '08, 07:54

spyefox wrote: Yuuki, lucky you for understanding japanese I was learning japanese 2 years ago until i became obsessed with chinese drama condor heroes and abandoned it for mandarin. Last Friends really get me really excited to learn japanese now except my brain can't process 2 new languages at one time LOL

I'm hoping for a happy ending for LF else I'm gonna be grieving for months after the drama ends LOL

Lol. Condor Heroes huh? I can't read chinese but at least I can understand when I watch those Cantonese and Mandarin dramas. I guess you sorta pick up the language if you've been watching them since young.

I'm hoping for it not to be a sad ending. Something bittersweet but hopeful would be good enough. Ruka deserves to be happy though. ^^

QNSpider: That pairing is called MichiRuka. Like TakeRuka. Haha, did they think it in advanced? "People are gonna be pairing them up so lets make it easier for them." Don't see how Takeru/Michiru would work though so they obviously had no intention of letting them be together. =3

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Jun 1st, '08, 08:11

QNSpider wrote:
Salz wrote:sorry im TakeRuka shippers

lol jk

magicmusic wrote:Y'all are wrong about everything! Ruka is not IN LOVE with Takeru!

I guess you have never had the unfortunate luck to be gay and desperately in love with a friend who won't return your affections. After a point in time it just becomes too painful to keep hoping for something you know will never happen. So you start to distance yourself to protect your heart. That's what Ruka is doing. That's why it seems-to the untrained eye- that she could now care less about Michiru. That's why she only gave Michiru a handshake on the way out. But couldn't you see in her eyes how much more she wanted to say? Or do?

Ruka still loves Michiru. Ruka's love for Takeru is purely of friendship. Takeru is the kind of guy that even I (who is a huge lesbian) could have touchy-feely feelings for. You guys don't know what it means to just be coming out and feel all alone and disgusting in what you are. To have a good friend support you means more than the world because, at that point, there is nothing else. When I first came out I told one friend. To be able to be myself ONLY around him gave us a connection I could have with no one else at the time. It's a powerful connection. Maybe y'all don't understand that.
*BOWS TO YOU*

Yes, we all want Ruka to be happy. Yes, that's right. >_> <_<
*cough*RukaMichiru*cough*

lol u dun have to sound so irritated with im liking TakeRuka pairing....
i never say anything bad bout MichiRuka....they cute together but im more of TakeRuka...
not that im saying they r in love with each other or something eventhough it will be great if they are for my own satisfaction but this is not what the story about.....but i will be happy as long as TakeRuka have plenty of scenes together and comfortable with each other.....as long as Ruka smile and happy that will be great....just friendship sometime is better than love.....
not everyone like the same thing lol so PEACE

even TakeRukaMichi together at the end would be fantastic eventhough from the first ep it is not likely a happy ending

sarah117 · Post by **sarah117** » Jun 1st, '08, 08:13

owh i loooveeee this Ep8~!!! finally with the sub, i can understand better now. lol.. thanx to suketeru.

spyefox wrote:I just want Ruka to be happy..don't really care if she'll end up with either Takeru or Michiru or both. Don't know why i have a soft spot in my heart for Ruka

yeah, i'm agree with u. Ruka is my favourite, so as long as she's happy, i'll be happy too, no matter who she'll be ended with..

QNSpider · Post by **QNSpider** » Jun 1st, '08, 08:23

Salz wrote: lol u dun have to sound so irritated with im liking TakeRuka pairing....

I know. That's why I added "lol jk"

As they say, "To each his own", I guess. xD

Salz wrote:....just friendship sometime is better than love.....

I agree with this statement. I do like their friendship. It's very strong and there is a lot of understanding. I want a friend like that. ;_;

^Yuuki wrote: QNSpider: That pairing is called MichiRuka.

Yeah I know (I really should know) I didn't use it though.

Salz · Post by **Salz** » Jun 1st, '08, 08:47

what does jk mean actually^^"
"just kidding"??
yeah to have a friend like Takeru is great^^

spyefox · Post by **spyefox** » Jun 1st, '08, 10:43

My 1 cent worth of thought about the whole situation. Sorry for long rambling. Can't wait for 4 more episodes

magicmusic · Post by **magicmusic** » Jun 1st, '08, 11:45

spyefox wrote: Can't wait for 4 more episodes

But isn't it only 3 more?

BTW, just watched ep 8 again with subs.

Anyway, I was right!

ashton · Post by **ashton** » Jun 1st, '08, 12:18

Hey everyone. I'm new here, as i'm sure you all can tell. I've been following this thread for a while and i finally decided to register because i can't help but throw in my two cents (or five).

First of all, i just wanted to tackle some of the recent "omg Takeru/Ruka or Ruka/Michiru?!" comments. Do i think Ruka loves Michiru? Sure. But i don't think it's the same overpowering level of love we witnessed in the beginning of the series. Either that, or i'm just not picking up on any chemistry. I'm starting to think that although Ruka still cares for Michiru, she knows that it wouldn't be a happy, golden relationship.

Now as for the Takeru/Ruka discussion, there are a couple of things i'd like to point out- and most important among them are the concerns that Ruka won't go through with the surgery or will somehow find herself content with being a woman. Being transgendered isn't usually something one is "confused" about. Although some people don't develop the feeling that something is "wrong" until they're a bit older, most transgendered people know they're different even as children. For many, it's a feeling as innate as knowing you're left-handed or right-handed.

I, for one, don't see her backing out of it. And even if she does, that doesn't mean that she's just "decided" to be a woman. There are plenty of reasons transgendered people choose not to go through with surgery or hormone therapy and many instead try to do what they can without those medical procedures. So if Ruka backs out for some reason (whether because she's found someone who will accept her no matter what, or for some other thing), she's still going to feel like a man on the inside, despite any "feminine emotions" she has.

There's also the fact that Ruka has gone so far as to see a psychiatrist. It's hard enough for someone in America to work up the courage to get that far. Imagine what it must be like for someone in Japan, where the very thought of seeing a psychiatrist- for any reason- is so highly discouraged that it's almost taboo. If she's worked up the nerve to seek advice from a therapist, she's pretty darn serious. There's no way Ruka is going to simply be "comfortable" as a woman, even if she (or should i say "he"?) accepts her body.

And, of course, there's also the concern that Ruka might turn "straight" for Takeru. For starters, they're kindred spirits. I'd go so far as to say that they're soul mates. That doesn't necessarily imply a romantic relationship, merely that they're emotionally as close to one another as people can get. And if Ruka does eventually return Takeru's feelings and their relationship becomes non-platonic, who's to say that's made Ruka straight? Since Ruka is transgendered, wouldn't we be just as able to say that they'd be gay and/or bisexual men? (Trust me, it's totally possible.)

And no matter what the details might be, what would be so wrong with Ruka and Takeru ending up together? Like i said, it doesn't mean Ruka isn't as queer as a football bat. To be honest, i'd much rather see them together than to Ruka and Michiru. Ruka and Michiru would never work out; if they did end up together, it wouldn't last and Ruka would, at the very least, be uncomfortable. I prefer the Ruka/Takeru pairing because they actually deserve each other. I can relate to Ruka and i have an inexplicable fondness for Takeru, and i think they actually go well together. It would be a comfortable, open, happy, and honest relationship- and theirs is already the healthiest relationship in the entire series.

Okay. That's probably long enough. I'm done. For now, at least.

magicmusic · Post by **magicmusic** » Jun 1st, '08, 13:47

ashton wrote:Hey everyone. I'm new here, as i'm sure you all can tell. I've been following this thread for a while and i finally decided to register because i can't help but throw in my two cents (or five).

First of all, i just wanted to tackle some of the recent "omg Takeru/Ruka or Ruka/Michiru?!" comments. Do i think Ruka loves Michiru? Sure. But i don't think it's the same overpowering level of love we witnessed in the beginning of the series. Either that, or i'm just not picking up on any chemistry. I'm starting to think that although Ruka still cares for Michiru, she knows that it wouldn't be a happy, golden relationship.

Now as for the Takeru/Ruka discussion, there are a couple of things i'd like to point out- and most important among them are the concerns that Ruka won't go through with the surgery or will somehow find herself content with being a woman. Being transgendered isn't usually something one is "confused" about. Although some people don't develop the feeling that something is "wrong" until they're a bit older, most transgendered people know they're different even as children. For many, it's a feeling as innate as knowing you're left-handed or right-handed.

I, for one, don't see her backing out of it. And even if she does, that doesn't mean that she's just "decided" to be a woman. There are plenty of reasons transgendered people choose not to go through with surgery or hormone therapy and many instead try to do what they can without those medical procedures. So if Ruka backs out for some reason (whether because she's found someone who will accept her no matter what, or for some other thing), she's still going to feel like a man on the inside, despite any "feminine emotions" she has.

There's also the fact that Ruka has gone so far as to see a psychiatrist. It's hard enough for someone in America to work up the courage to get that far. Imagine what it must be like for someone in Japan, where the very thought of seeing a psychiatrist- for any reason- is so highly discouraged that it's almost taboo. If she's worked up the nerve to seek advice from a therapist, she's pretty darn serious. There's no way Ruka is going to simply be "comfortable" as a woman, even if she (or should i say "he"?) accepts her body.

And, of course, there's also the concern that Ruka might turn "straight" for Takeru. For starters, they're kindred spirits. I'd go so far as to say that they're soul mates. That doesn't necessarily imply a romantic relationship, merely that they're emotionally as close to one another as people can get. And if Ruka does eventually return Takeru's feelings and their relationship becomes non-platonic, who's to say that's made Ruka straight? Since Ruka is transgendered, wouldn't we be just as able to say that they'd be gay and/or bisexual men? (Trust me, it's totally possible.)

And no matter what the details might be, what would be so wrong with Ruka and Takeru ending up together? Like i said, it doesn't mean Ruka isn't as queer as a football bat. To be honest, i'd much rather see them together than to Ruka and Michiru. Ruka and Michiru would never work out; if they did end up together, it wouldn't last and Ruka would, at the very least, be uncomfortable. I prefer the Ruka/Takeru pairing because they actually deserve each other. I can relate to Ruka and i have an inexplicable fondness for Takeru, and i think they actually go well together. It would be a comfortable, open, happy, and honest relationship- and theirs is already the healthiest relationship in the entire series.

Okay. That's probably long enough. I'm done. For now, at least.

But why do 2 people who share a beautiful relationship always have to end up as lovers? Can't they just have a beautiful relationship as friends?

fifimimi · Post by **fifimimi** » Jun 1st, '08, 13:52

Oh my god..my thoughts on ep 8...

The ending was the best ever!!...It totally beats the ending of ep3 which was my fav ending of the series. I was crying buckets full of tears at the ending...the Takeru x Ruka embrace...I really lost sight of Michiru as i was only concentrating on RxT...I was worried that Ruka would push him away but I watch her wrap her arms around him too. I didn't want the scene to end...it was just so beautiful! I had been rooting for Ruka x Takeru all along but I never thought it would happen...I was only hoping for them to be as good friend forever as they already were but they are far better friend now! I don't think there will be anything romantic between them but I think both Takeru and Ruka love each other but not in a romantic way..not in a boy/girl way but more than just love of friends...soul mates? I don't know how to describe it but I think despite people saying Ruka doesn't love Takeru..love isn't just about romance when its between a boy&girl...they have another sort of love between them deeper than friendship...I guess its build from the trust they have between them.

Absolutely..mind-blowing brilliance in that embracing scene...but then they had to show me the SHOCK I will receive from the ep9 preview..its almost like I was in pure emotional heaven watching the end of ep8...then its's like they never want to end on a happy note...they smack me into nightmare zone immediately afterwards with the sight of Takeru being beaten up by Sousuke! SOUSUKE DIE..if you don't die I will kill you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man..I don't want to hate Michiru but with all the pain Sousuke is bringing to Ruka and now Takeru..I hate Michiru as well cos its her fault that everyone is getting caught into her troubles.

With everything that has happened in ep8 and all the attention around the 3 main characters, I want to say...THREE CHEERS TO ERI!! She has done only good and wise things in this episode. After finding out about Ruka's secret, she doesn't confront Ruka cos she knows better..plus she still accepts Ruka for who she is..she is one true friend! ONE CHEER! Second she tells Takeru about it (which is want I predicted/wanted..so to give Takeru the chance to understand Ruka more and make the bond and understanding betweem them stronger)..good move Eri! TWO CHEERS!! Then she gives all of Sousuke's letters to Ruka and discusses with her on what to do as opposed to giving it all to Michiru cos I thought I sensed some moments of weakness in her and was really worried she might really give them to Michiru...THREE CHEERS!! And a bonus one for her bravery when visiting/confronting Sousuke!! CHEERS!!!!

Although my feelings towards Michiru is growing negative...I still feel that Ruka loves Michiru..the way she looked at her in the park like there's so much she wants to tell Michiru but is afraid to..and how Michiru turns over and noticed Ruka staring at her and then smiles..it reminds me that they haven't really changed that much..Michiru is sweet and visual to Ruka but Ruka is too shy and suppressed...just like in ep1 when they reunit and hug. Ruka loves Michiru in a different way to Takeru..her love to Michiru I would say is more like Takeru's love to Ruka than Ruka's love to Takeru...Michiru is precious to Ruka but she feels its too delicate for her and in fear of anything bad happening...she'd rather retreat and watch/guard over her from a distance...making sure she is always happy but not being part of her happiness...its so sad and as much as I want Ruka and Takeru together...I feel that is not how things are..the love triangle is between Takeru x Ruka x Michiru is not returned in any of the instances.

When Michiru put her hand out to shake Ruka..I was waiting for her to pull Ruka into a hug...then she put her other hand on to Ruka's hand and I was still waiting..it didn't happen but I guess that fact that it didn't happen would have made the impact of Ruka x Takeru so big...imagine what might happen is Michiru went to hug Ruka instead? Even if it came from Michiru purely as a friendship thing..I don't think Ruka would have broken down into Takeru's arms and cried so badly..I guess its good that when I was waiting for Michiru to hug Ruka that it didn't happen cos I sooo prefer what really happened in the end!!

I can't bear to think what will happen in the end..whether it's Takeru or anyone else cos I'm convinced that Ruka will not be happy and this lovely friendship between Ruka x Michiru and Ruka x Takeru will not last.

I still think that Michiru will go weak one last time and go back to Sousuke...I don't think she has completely cut her love line for him...I think the happenings with Ruka, Takeru and the breakdown of the shared house will drive her weak and make her run back to Sousuke who is trying to get the message through to her that his love for her is forever and with her seeing friendship and companionship so fragile in the share house that she foolishly falls for Sousuke's words...I need to watch more...I want to see Ruka and Takeru's bond grow stronger and I want to watch Michiru understand more about Ruka...I want to also see Michiru start feeling her guilt for not understanding and regretting her neglection to Ruka because up until now Michiru still doesn't understand much about the pain in Ruka..it's only the monologues we hear that we sense her regret and sorrow but we still don't see it in the real-time scenes!!

Seriously...if Sousuke doesn't die or go to prison in the end...what is still one of the best dramas I've seen will become a drama with the WORST ending. I'll have to make a sequel/special ep called "The revenge"...where I hunt him down and

"?%xyz@£"!" him!!

SSpiegel · Post by **SSpiegel** » Jun 1st, '08, 14:40

ashton wrote:Hey everyone. I'm new here, as i'm sure you all can tell. I've been following this thread for a while and i finally decided to register because i can't help but throw in my two cents (or five).

First of all, i just wanted to tackle some of the recent "omg Takeru/Ruka or Ruka/Michiru?!" comments. Do i think Ruka loves Michiru? Sure. But i don't think it's the same overpowering level of love we witnessed in the beginning of the series. Either that, or i'm just not picking up on any chemistry. I'm starting to think that although Ruka still cares for Michiru, she knows that it wouldn't be a happy, golden relationship.

Now as for the Takeru/Ruka discussion, there are a couple of things i'd like to point out- and most important among them are the concerns that Ruka won't go through with the surgery or will somehow find herself content with being a woman. Being transgendered isn't usually something one is "confused" about. Although some people don't develop the feeling that something is "wrong" until they're a bit older, most transgendered people know they're different even as children. For many, it's a feeling as innate as knowing you're left-handed or right-handed.

I, for one, don't see her backing out of it. And even if she does, that doesn't mean that she's just "decided" to be a woman. There are plenty of reasons transgendered people choose not to go through with surgery or hormone therapy and many instead try to do what they can without those medical procedures. So if Ruka backs out for some reason (whether because she's found someone who will accept her no matter what, or for some other thing), she's still going to feel like a man on the inside, despite any "feminine emotions" she has.

There's no way Ruka is going to simply be "comfortable" as a woman, even if she (or should i say "he"?) accepts her body.

And, of course, there's also the concern that Ruka might turn "straight" for Takeru. For starters, they're kindred spirits. I'd go so far as to say that they're soul mates. That doesn't necessarily imply a romantic relationship, merely that they're emotionally as close to one another as people can get. And if Ruka does eventually return Takeru's feelings and their relationship becomes non-platonic, who's to say that's made Ruka straight? Since Ruka is transgendered, wouldn't we be just as able to say that they'd be gay and/or bisexual men? (Trust me, it's totally possible.)

I haven't commented much on this thread, but I've been lurking around since the start of this drama. What I've gathered from reading everyone's comments, it seems some people are pretty obsessed with the whole lesbian love thing. I'll continue behind spoiler tags...

Anyway, whether Ruka or anybody else in this series ends up with anyone, I don't really care. I guess I wish for everyone to find someone who understands them and cares for them as they are. I've really enjoyed this series as it is, with all the sad stuff and the painful stuff and the fun stuff, too. I just hope this drama will have a good ending, whether it is happy or sad.

sarah117 · Post by **sarah117** » Jun 1st, '08, 15:15

SSpiegel wrote:
Some of you say that it's a cop out from the writers to make her a transgender, but I think they started to give us hints about it pretty early, so the whole transgender thing is what they intended, and the lesbian thing is something that viewers decided on.

i never thought about that, but maybe u'r rite!

fifimimi wrote:
With everything that has happened in ep3 and all the attention around the 3 main characters, I want to say...THREE CHEERS TO ERI!! She has done only good and wise things in this episode. After finding out about Ruka's secret, she doesn't confront Ruka cos she knows better..plus she still accepts Ruka for who she is..she is one true friend! ONE CHEER! Second she tells Takeru about it (which is want I predicted/wanted..so to give Takeru the chance to understand Ruka more and make the bond and understanding betweem them stronger)..good move Eri! TWO CHEERS!! Then she gives all of Sousuke's letters to Ruka and discusses with her on what to do as opposed to giving it all to Michiru cos I thought I sensed some moments of weakness in her and was really worried she might really give them to Michiru...THREE CHEERS!! And a bonus one for her bravery when visiting/confronting Sousuke!! CHEERS!!!!

yes, CHEERSSS to Eri~!!!

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Jun 1st, '08, 15:31

Episode 8 subs from seri are now up: http://www.d-addicts.com/forum/viewtopic_60626.htm

chrry370 · Post by **chrry370** » Jun 1st, '08, 16:07

Hmm...i cant really remember who post it, but someone commented on how the endings went in pairs. ie 3/4 Ruka protecting Michiru, 4/5 had Michiru going back to Sosuke, 6/7 had a confession.
And because at the end of 8 had a bonding scene, are we expecting something similar for 9?

i hope so

AJisS2 · Post by **AJisS2** » Jun 1st, '08, 16:11

waa the preview for ep 9
sousuke looks brutal! eek.

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » Jun 1st, '08, 16:59

So people are starting to throw in their money to the pool. That's why you guys should have joined the discussion earlier, won't have to explode all of a sudden. Haha. =3 Episode 1 already made me come out of the (lurker) closet and register which I'm glad I did. I'm just a tad tired of talking about mainly the same issues over and over again though...^^;;

My post about episode 8 again just to join in the new crowd. Lol. Here.

ashton wrote:Hey everyone. I'm new here, as i'm sure you all can tell. I've been following this thread for a while and i finally decided to register because i can't help but throw in my two cents (or five).

First of all, i just wanted to tackle some of the recent "omg Takeru/Ruka or Ruka/Michiru?!" comments. Do i think Ruka loves Michiru? Sure. But i don't think it's the same overpowering level of love we witnessed in the beginning of the series. Either that, or i'm just not picking up on any chemistry. I'm starting to think that although Ruka still cares for Michiru, she knows that it wouldn't be a happy, golden relationship.

Now as for the Takeru/Ruka discussion, there are a couple of things i'd like to point out- and most important among them are the concerns that Ruka won't go through with the surgery or will somehow find herself content with being a woman. Being transgendered isn't usually something one is "confused" about. Although some people don't develop the feeling that something is "wrong" until they're a bit older, most transgendered people know they're different even as children. For many, it's a feeling as innate as knowing you're left-handed or right-handed.

I, for one, don't see her backing out of it. And even if she does, that doesn't mean that she's just "decided" to be a woman. There are plenty of reasons transgendered people choose not to go through with surgery or hormone therapy and many instead try to do what they can without those medical procedures. So if Ruka backs out for some reason (whether because she's found someone who will accept her no matter what, or for some other thing), she's still going to feel like a man on the inside, despite any "feminine emotions" she has.

There's also the fact that Ruka has gone so far as to see a psychiatrist. It's hard enough for someone in America to work up the courage to get that far. Imagine what it must be like for someone in Japan, where the very thought of seeing a psychiatrist- for any reason- is so highly discouraged that it's almost taboo. If she's worked up the nerve to seek advice from a therapist, she's pretty darn serious. There's no way Ruka is going to simply be "comfortable" as a woman, even if she (or should i say "he"?) accepts her body.

And, of course, there's also the concern that Ruka might turn "straight" for Takeru. For starters, they're kindred spirits. I'd go so far as to say that they're soul mates. That doesn't necessarily imply a romantic relationship, merely that they're emotionally as close to one another as people can get. And if Ruka does eventually return Takeru's feelings and their relationship becomes non-platonic, who's to say that's made Ruka straight? Since Ruka is transgendered, wouldn't we be just as able to say that they'd be gay and/or bisexual men? (Trust me, it's totally possible.)

And no matter what the details might be, what would be so wrong with Ruka and Takeru ending up together? Like i said, it doesn't mean Ruka isn't as queer as a football bat. To be honest, i'd much rather see them together than to Ruka and Michiru. Ruka and Michiru would never work out; if they did end up together, it wouldn't last and Ruka would, at the very least, be uncomfortable. I prefer the Ruka/Takeru pairing because they actually deserve each other. I can relate to Ruka and i have an inexplicable fondness for Takeru, and i think they actually go well together. It would be a comfortable, open, happy, and honest relationship- and theirs is already the healthiest relationship in the entire series.

Okay. That's probably long enough. I'm done. For now, at least.

Thanks for sharing your 5 cents. ^^ I agree with what you say about Ruka being pretty darn sure about herself. She's had quite a long time to understand and accept the truth about herself after all(accepting the truth and accepting herself is different though). Notice that the websites she reads are just those related to surgeries? She's way past the 'what am I' stage already at this point. Her main worry is not that she has GID. She's suffering because she can't tell anyone about it. She has to lie to her family and friends everyday. And she's afraid that those same people will reject her if they know the truth...The counseling thing is probably her last gate before she really goes through with it. From those sessions, she talks about how painful it is because she can't show people her true self. But then again, even as she says she doesn't like having a female body, she doesn't exactly express the want for a male body too. I think for her, if it was possible, she wants to be neither...Even in the letter, they didn't show or let us know clearly what exactly she told Takeru about her true self. We're just assuming that she wants to be a guy at this point like what we assumed about her being gay when we saw episode 1. Maybe she wants to become a whole new gender...Lol. Just kidding. So...can we continue the debate after episode 11? Haha... ^^;

But about Ruka's feelings towards Michiru, you can feel it pretty strongly in the first couple of episodes because that was what they focused on then. After they had established that, there's pretty much a mountain of other issues to tackle... Perhaps that's why people are feeling that "hmm, maybe Ruka is gonna fall for Takeru instead" since last few episodes have been pretty much placing more importance on Takeru's role and Ruka's issue. Michiru's DV issue is now at the 'coping with loss' stage so it isn't that prominent anymore except when it involves Sosuke terrorizing Ruka/Takeru. Ruka pretty much have programmed into herself that a romantic relationship with Michiru is impossible and is content to just see her happy from far. She has expressed her thoughts about what love should be a couple of times before. And it's being reiterated in episode 8. Loving someone means knowing when to pull back/distance yourself for the sake of the one you love. It's what she has been doing with Michiru. But she's a little too stubborn to see that she's hurting the one she loves at the same time with her actions. She might tell herself that it's better for Michiru's sake but she's also doing this for herself, a self defense mechanism to avoid rejection. Telling herself that it's impossible and expecting the worse. So I think, even if it doesn't seem like current Michiru is ready to be as accepting or open like Takeru is at the moment, the Michiru narrating from the future would be someone that is able to accept her own faults and mistakes. She would be someone who is able to accept the real Ruka no matter what. That's a good start whether or not there would be anything romantic in the future.

Takeru and Ruka, they might deserve each other or has the most healthy and understanding relationship but that just seem like a good basis for a friendship to me. Nothing wrong if they do end up together of course. I just want Ruka to be happy. Takeru, if anything wants that for Ruka even if it's not with him so the important decision still lies in Ruka's heart... Don't think love is something that one can 'decide' though.

chrry370 wrote:Hmm...i cant really remember who post it, but someone commented on how the endings went in pairs. ie 3/4 Ruka protecting Michiru, 4/5 had Michiru going back to Sosuke, 6/7 had a confession.
And because at the end of 8 had a bonding scene, are we expecting something similar for 9? i hope so

That'd be me. Heheh. But for the next episode, I don't know...some people are predicting the that the Takeru/Sosuke scene would be brought over to the next one...is that 'bonding'? LOL.

Well, I translated the preview for episode 9 from the main site. Spoiler alert:

kishimoto-ruka119 · Post by **kishimoto-ruka119** » Jun 1st, '08, 17:25

okay i found this forum and i joined ^_^
Mind if i join the topic?..
i like ruka too

kishimoto-ruka119 · Post by **kishimoto-ruka119** » Jun 1st, '08, 17:37

^Yuuki wrote:So people are starting to throw in their money to the pool. That's why you guys should have joined the discussion earlier, won't have to explode all of a sudden. Haha. =3 Episode 1 already made me come out of the (lurker) closet and register which I'm glad I did. I'm just a tad tired of talking about mainly the same issues over and over again though...^^;;

My post about episode 8 again just to join in the new crowd. Lol. Here.

ashton wrote:Hey everyone. I'm new here, as i'm sure you all can tell. I've been following this thread for a while and i finally decided to register because i can't help but throw in my two cents (or five).

First of all, i just wanted to tackle some of the recent "omg Takeru/Ruka or Ruka/Michiru?!" comments. Do i think Ruka loves Michiru? Sure. But i don't think it's the same overpowering level of love we witnessed in the beginning of the series. Either that, or i'm just not picking up on any chemistry. I'm starting to think that although Ruka still cares for Michiru, she knows that it wouldn't be a happy, golden relationship.

Now as for the Takeru/Ruka discussion, there are a couple of things i'd like to point out- and most important among them are the concerns that Ruka won't go through with the surgery or will somehow find herself content with being a woman. Being transgendered isn't usually something one is "confused" about. Although some people don't develop the feeling that something is "wrong" until they're a bit older, most transgendered people know they're different even as children. For many, it's a feeling as innate as knowing you're left-handed or right-handed.

I, for one, don't see her backing out of it. And even if she does, that doesn't mean that she's just "decided" to be a woman. There are plenty of reasons transgendered people choose not to go through with surgery or hormone therapy and many instead try to do what they can without those medical procedures. So if Ruka backs out for some reason (whether because she's found someone who will accept her no matter what, or for some other thing), she's still going to feel like a man on the inside, despite any "feminine emotions" she has.

There's also the fact that Ruka has gone so far as to see a psychiatrist. It's hard enough for someone in America to work up the courage to get that far. Imagine what it must be like for someone in Japan, where the very thought of seeing a psychiatrist- for any reason- is so highly discouraged that it's almost taboo. If she's worked up the nerve to seek advice from a therapist, she's pretty darn serious. There's no way Ruka is going to simply be "comfortable" as a woman, even if she (or should i say "he"?) accepts her body.

And, of course, there's also the concern that Ruka might turn "straight" for Takeru. For starters, they're kindred spirits. I'd go so far as to say that they're soul mates. That doesn't necessarily imply a romantic relationship, merely that they're emotionally as close to one another as people can get. And if Ruka does eventually return Takeru's feelings and their relationship becomes non-platonic, who's to say that's made Ruka straight? Since Ruka is transgendered, wouldn't we be just as able to say that they'd be gay and/or bisexual men? (Trust me, it's totally possible.)

And no matter what the details might be, what would be so wrong with Ruka and Takeru ending up together? Like i said, it doesn't mean Ruka isn't as queer as a football bat. To be honest, i'd much rather see them together than to Ruka and Michiru. Ruka and Michiru would never work out; if they did end up together, it wouldn't last and Ruka would, at the very least, be uncomfortable. I prefer the Ruka/Takeru pairing because they actually deserve each other. I can relate to Ruka and i have an inexplicable fondness for Takeru, and i think they actually go well together. It would be a comfortable, open, happy, and honest relationship- and theirs is already the healthiest relationship in the entire series.

Okay. That's probably long enough. I'm done. For now, at least.

Thanks for sharing your 5 cents. ^^ I agree with what you say about Ruka being pretty darn sure about herself. She's had quite a long time to understand and accept the truth about herself after all(accepting the truth and accepting herself is different though). Notice that the websites she reads are just those related to surgeries? She's way past the 'what am I' stage already at this point. Her main worry is not that she has GID. She's suffering because she can't tell anyone about it. She has to lie to her family and friends everyday. And she's afraid that those same people will reject her if they know the truth...The counseling thing is probably her last gate before she really goes through with it. From those sessions, she talks about how painful it is because she can't show people her true self. But then again, even as she says she doesn't like having a female body, she doesn't exactly express the want for a male body too. I think for her, if it was possible, she wants to be neither...Even in the letter, they didn't show or let us know clearly what exactly she told Takeru about her true self. We're just assuming that she wants to be a guy at this point like what we assumed about her being gay when we saw episode 1. Maybe she wants to become a whole new gender...Lol. Just kidding. So...can we continue the debate after episode 11? Haha... ^^;

But about Ruka's feelings towards Michiru, you can feel it pretty strongly in the first couple of episodes because that was what they focused on then. After they had established that, there's pretty much a mountain of other issues to tackle... Perhaps that's why people are feeling that "hmm, maybe Ruka is gonna fall for Takeru instead" since last few episodes have been pretty much placing more importance on Takeru's role and Ruka's issue. Michiru's DV issue is now at the 'coping with loss' stage so it isn't that prominent anymore except when it involves Sosuke terrorizing Ruka/Takeru. Ruka pretty much have programmed into herself that a romantic relationship with Michiru is impossible and is content to just see her happy from far. She has expressed her thoughts about what love should be a couple of times before. And it's being reiterated in episode 8. Loving someone means knowing when to pull back/distance yourself for the sake of the one you love. It's what she has been doing with Michiru. But she's a little too stubborn to see that she's hurting the one she loves at the same time with her actions. She might tell herself that it's better for Michiru's sake but she's also doing this for herself, a self defense mechanism to avoid rejection. Telling herself that it's impossible and expecting the worse. So I think, even if it doesn't seem like current Michiru is ready to be as accepting or open like Takeru is at the moment, the Michiru narrating from the future would be someone that is able to accept her own faults and mistakes. She would be someone who is able to accept the real Ruka no matter what. That's a good start whether or not there would be anything romantic in the future.

Takeru and Ruka, they might deserve each other or has the most healthy and understanding relationship but that just seem like a good basis for a friendship to me. Nothing wrong if they do end up together of course. I just want Ruka to be happy. Takeru, if anything wants that for Ruka even if it's not with him so the important decision still lies in Ruka's heart... Don't think love is something that one can 'decide' though.

chrry370 wrote:Hmm...i cant really remember who post it, but someone commented on how the endings went in pairs. ie 3/4 Ruka protecting Michiru, 4/5 had Michiru going back to Sosuke, 6/7 had a confession.
And because at the end of 8 had a bonding scene, are we expecting something similar for 9? i hope so
That'd be me. Heheh. But for the next episode, I don't know...some people are predicting the that the Takeru/Sosuke scene would be brought over to the next one...is that 'bonding'? LOL.

Well, I translated the preview for episode 9 from the main site. Spoiler alert:

Michiru contacted Ruka through cellphone and manage to find out that she won another motocross race(manage to represent Japan I think). When the rest found out about the great news, they wanted to have a party to celebrate it.

The next day, Ruka came home to the share house. It was the first time seeing Michiru and the others since she moved out. They prepared a big celebration to welcome Ruka back. While Eri and the rest prepared the food, Ruka and Takeru talked. She expressed her gratitude towards Takeru. She told him that she never thought that having someone that could understand and accept her would provide her that much strength. Takeru suggested that Ruka should move back into the share house, that every member of the share house is waiting for her to return.

After drinking and celebrating for the whole night, they fell asleep in the living room. Michiru who got up earlier, heard the door bell and went to see who it was. It was Takeru's sister, Yuuko. She told Michiru she was worried because Takeru didn't show up at their family's Buddhist memorial service and came to visit. When she knew that he's inside, she sorta barged inside the house...and saw the sleeping Takeru. She asks Michiru to give him the bread she baked when he wakes up. Awoken by the noise, Takeru later finds out from Michiru about her sister's visit and suddenly became pale. He asks Michiru not to tell the others about it.

Then, Michiru accompanied by Takeru went tp see her mother. Something about in order to continue staying in the share house, she needs to submit the signatures from a guarantor. But monitoring their movements from the shadows,is Sosuke.

Michiru told him the other day that she has someone she likes, so adding up the numbers, he thinks that it's Takeru and prepares to ambush him on his way home. Taken by surprise, Takeru was mercilessly attacked by Sosuke...!!

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » Jun 1st, '08, 17:43

kishimoto-ruka119: LOL. THEY DID NOT! Stop misleading ppl...and put that under a spoiler tag will ya... ^^; Btw, Okaeri~ *Gets Takeru to make coffee*

Everyone go download this! MentoreG. The one with Masami making weird sounds. Haha. More Juri, Eita and Masami to tide us through to Thursday. ^^
http://d-addicts.net/torrents/mentoreg% ... vi.torrent

kishimoto-ruka119 · Post by **kishimoto-ruka119** » Jun 1st, '08, 17:45

^Yuuki wrote:kishimoto-ruka119: Okaeri~ *Gets Takeru to make coffee*

Everyone go download this! MentoreG. The one with Masami making weird sounds. Haha. More Juri, Eita and Masami to tide us through to Thursday. ^^
http://d-addicts.net/torrents/mentoreg% ... vi.torrent

oh thanks

kishimoto-ruka119 · Post by **kishimoto-ruka119** » Jun 1st, '08, 17:46

didnt mean too im new so im very very sorry!

sarah117 · Post by **sarah117** » Jun 1st, '08, 17:59

kishimoto-ruka119: as ^Yuuki said, okaeri~

it's sooo much fun that this forum keep receiving new people..

SSpiegel · Post by **SSpiegel** » Jun 1st, '08, 18:19

^Yuuki wrote:So people are starting to throw in their money to the pool. That's why you guys should have joined the discussion earlier, won't have to explode all of a sudden. Haha. =3 Episode 1 already made me come out of the (lurker) closet and register which I'm glad I did. I'm just a tad tired of talking about mainly the same issues over and over again though...^^;;

Whatever emoticons you cover that comment with, it still sounds like you own this thread. I think people are free to register whenever they want, join this discussion whenever they want and talk about whatever they want (unless it's offensive, of course). If you're tired of talking about it, you can always just not comment on it.

Anyway

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » Jun 1st, '08, 18:21

SSpiegel: True. I do try and comment on things I feel that I don't agree on even if I have to repeat it. But just as you said, we can't really control what people think and say so when they still say it's a "lesbian drama"...erm, maybe it is to them? ^^;

Something from MentoreG

Still, my favourite picture at the moment is this one~

"I can't find a ring so I guess this will do for now."

kishimoto-ruka119 · Post by **kishimoto-ruka119** » Jun 1st, '08, 18:44

sarah117 wrote:kishimoto-ruka119: as ^Yuuki said, okaeri~
it's sooo much fun that this forum keep receiving new people..

heheh yeah

bmwracer · Post by **bmwracer** » Jun 1st, '08, 18:49

^Yuuki wrote:Everyone go download this! MentoreG. The one with Masami making weird sounds. Haha. More Juri, Eita and Masami to tide us through to Thursday. ^^
http://d-addicts.net/torrents/mentoreg% ... vi.torrent

Cool.

Thanks for the link.

^Yuuki · Post by **^Yuuki** » Jun 1st, '08, 19:13

No prob.

Since that's pretty big, you can watch the video here if you want. Quality isn't so good though.

Btw, I updated some new Kaze to Rock scans at this previous post. Those look so much more natural than the other magazine promo shots. Really feels as if they're in a band or something. The interview was really interesting too. The 3 of them really sang. Wow, I wish it was a tv show instead. ^^

kishimoto-ruka119 · Post by **kishimoto-ruka119** » Jun 1st, '08, 19:19

^Yuuki wrote:No prob.

Since that's pretty big, you can watch the video here if you want. Quality isn't so good though.

Btw, I updated some new Kaze to Rock scans at this previous post. Those look so much more natural than the other magazine promo shots. Really feels as if they're in a band or something. The interview was really interesting too. The 3 of them really sang. Wow, I wish it was a tv show instead. ^^

Thank you for the video yuuki!

QNSpider · Post by **QNSpider** » Jun 1st, '08, 19:20

OMGOSH, this picture is <3 *dies*

siutou_amy · Post by **siutou_amy** » Jun 1st, '08, 19:20

Guys, did anyone noticed that when Ruka goes back to the Sharehouse, everyone seems to sing a Japanese version of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah? xD

I just rewatched ep08 with subs, and the last scene still makes me cry. hahaha. I'm on the boat for Michiru/Ruka/Takeru, xD I think it's going unconditional love to Takeru -> Ruka -> Michiru... "love you unconditionally, no matter what you are or who will you be", "love you so much, I have to let go" Gosh~~

And I need to see more of Eri, she needs some non-stalkery-unconditional love. I wonder, will Eri ever ask Ruka how come she was never into her? Lol'

QNSpider · Post by **QNSpider** » Jun 1st, '08, 19:23

I just had a random thought. Wouldn't it be funny if Eri and Sousuke got together? I know she despises men like him, but what if Eri became his cure?

Wow, that was lame. hahaha

sarah117 · Post by **sarah117** » Jun 1st, '08, 19:40

QNSpider wrote:I just had a random thought. Wouldn't it be funny if Eri and Sousuke got together? I know she despises men like him, but what if Eri became his cure?

Wow, that was lame. hahaha

ouh no, don't give this idea to the screenwriter..

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