Yes! That was one of the most interesting patterns.
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minami and mori (~episodes 4/5)
Still only at about episode 5 but… I felt like either there was a ton of missed context, or omitted conversations. Which, to be fair they say “we talk until 2 or 3 in the morning” so I guess there is a lot we aren’t seeing!
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I finished!
I realiy enjoyed how different that was from the American version! There just seemed to be far more healthy relationships all round - I thought it was really interesting that most of the American couples just soldiered on to the dramatic end even when there was absolutely no chance that they were going to say yes, whereas in this one everyone who had problems discussed them when it was inevitable and ended it privately (In a slightly mean spirited thought I’m wondering whether Ayano just liked her dress enough to attempt an exception. She did look gorgeous. And yes the hoody thing was a travesty).
I was slightly surprised by how Shuntaro reacted and seemed shocked and upset that Ayano seemed relieved. It felt super obvious to me that her stand-offishness was basically rooted in ambivalence, but that she didn’t really want to be the one to initiate anything. I guess we had the benefit of seeing her around him and around the other cast members and could see that she didn’t always act quite so reserved? Shuntaro still gets cool points for having grown up in a wild shrine cave though.
Ryotaro and Motomi - what is there to say other than cuuuute 
His friends in their incredibly baggy suits made me laugh a little! Also that lake is such a beautiful place to get married. And the pre-wedding hair cut was just lovely. Also Motomi going blonde too in the reunion - like some rebalancing of the universe after Ryotaro dyeing his black to meet the parents 
I’d spoiled it for myself, but if I hadn’t known I would have been a little surprised that Midori and Wataru made it. I have a heck of a crush on Midori (no, she doesn’t look like choir crush, what are you talking about 
), but I’m not sure I would have put up with the the comments on his appearance and it being so one-sided! They are really good together apart from that, I just hope she can stop dwelling on any doubts now the decision is made- I’m pre-emptively nervous for Wataru. Wataru’s parents seem precious, and I love that they hung out with Midori’s parents and they’re all gunning for it to work together. I do wish he’d brush his hair though - come on dude, it’s your wedding day.
I wonder how they pick where they’re going to get married? Obviously here there were only two, but on the American one there were just two locations, and presumably they were all getting married pretty much on the same say so did they have a strict schedule? And was the random bilingual priest part of the production crew or something?
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Summary
Yeah I feel like the bilingual officiant was part of the production crew. Also it sounds like those weren’t the real weddings? A celebration yes but not legally binding, just guessing from some of the discussion about filing paperwork and going public about their marriages in the reunion episode.
I also loved Motomi also going blond in the reunion, they’re so cute together.
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end season spoilers
Ohh I also had a huge crush on Midori. Even when she was being a jerk. 
God, she’s just so cute. Their Instagram posts together after the show aired have been very sweet too! Apparently they just moved in together to a new apartment and they’ve been posting lots of cute puppy pictures.
Motomi and Ryotaro are sooooo cute. And the symmetry of her dyeing her hair blonde after he dyed his hair black for the parents! That was really touching.
wedding ceremony
Apparently the weird bilingual priest is a standard Japanese thing at “Christian” wedding ceremonies. And often they’re not actually a priest, and the couple doesn’t want a “religious” wedding, it’s all about the image and casualness of a Western style wedding.
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Stunning Conclusion
Most of my thoughts are well-reflected above.
I was a bit off on Midori. She seemed a bit too quick to emotions in the pods, but that wasn’t really how she came across later. She did seem indecisive, but as everyone agrees, her mom kind of whipped her in line. MvR said something along the lines of “most of these men aren’t very impressive!” Ones like Odacch, Misakii and Mitsuki just left us with such a sour taste in our mouth. But props to Wataru for putting in all that effort. He really cared about Midori, making her happy and doing his part to make things work. She really cares about fitness, and yes she comes off on the show as superficial in that respect, but I think he was able to “do the work” to make fitness a part of not only his life, but something they do together. (And she said as much!) OK and yes I have too much of a crush on Midori to say anything really negative about her. Shut up 
I cried though basically every Ryotaro and Motomi scene for the last few episodes. I was really worried about Motomi’s dad. I don’t know how much of his charm when we met him was him just trying hard, but he ended up coming off just sincerely wanting the best for his daughter. We were very touched by Ryo dying his hair, and loved seeing Motomi dye hers! Also MvR and I disagreed. In the very final scense, they showed Motomi with what I gathered to be kind of purple hair? But then MvR said no that was just her color the whole time (except when it was blond.) But I’m right, aren’t I??
When Minami was embracing her being “weird” at the end, I was cheering for her. You do you! I’m still kind of mad we didn’t see what happened there, other than that he had dreams of owning a business, and she didn’t want to give up her career? And I guess she can be direct? I know that so much of the subtly of the language is lost on me, and subtitles do no justice, but I’m still left feeling like I missed the entire boat.
The one positive thing we have to say about Shuntaro and Ayano is that they actually did lots of fun things and went to cool places! We didn’t see much with the others of “doing fun things.” But then again, knowing whether a marriage is going to work out is not exactly about distracting yourself from real life 
Pri seems super smart, and Mizuki stopped being handsome when we realized how selfish and deceptive he was! Being buds with Misaki probably isn’t going to teach either of them the lessons they need to learn… sigh They both ended up super quiet and red in the face like “oh shit, she’s on to me!”
Overall SO much better than the American version. In some ways I feel like they are completely different shows. The worst part of LIB Japan was the officiant at the mock wedding 
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If any of you are on Instagram, there’s two LIB Japan babies!! Both Motomi and Midori had babies in the last year. 
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I saw!!! I was so excited!!! Man when is season 2 coming out
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