Love Is Blind: Japan – Which Couples Will Make it to the Altar?
Instead of watching the Winter Olympics and despairing about Hanyu Yuzuru’s loss, this February, I have been keeping myself busy watching “Love is Blind: Japan”.
“Love Is Blind” is a dating show on Netflix, where people meet up in ‘pods’. In the pods, they can talk to their counterpart and get to know each other. The catch? You can’t see each other’s faces. It’s definitely an interesting concept, for, in a world where looks matter so much, you see men and women fall first for each other’s voices, personalities and conversation.
For all the sceptics who are raising their eyebrows at this – girl, I hear you. I am definitely in Team I-Smell-Bullshit, and for good reason too: as we see as the show progresses, getting to know someone in a pod is just as tenuous as your average dating app experience. Is love really blind? Does love really not look with the eyes, but the mind in the 21st century, in the age of Instagram? And what’s more? Once a man and woman ‘match’ in the pod, they not only become a couple, but they become engaged to one another. Engaged! As in engaged to be married!
This dating show has been done in the States and in the U.K.; it’s nothing new, and it’s nothing exclusively Japanese either. What’s interesting about this version is that it offers a look into the country’s dating culture, and provides a point of comparison between the West. Of course, there are some similarities: like in the West, there are definitely some participants in the show who only entered for the exposure (looking at you, Yuudai!).
But overall, the pace of the Japanese version is different: it’s slower and more demure, and it exposes certain faux-pas that exist in Japan. Like Ryotaro’s dyed blonde hair – something which would be such a non-issue in the West, is a point of worry for his fiancée who is concerned that her family would not approve of his delinquent looks.
Overall, compared to the West, the couples seem to be taking more time letting their guards down to each other, with some choosing to sleep in different rooms, even though they are to be wed in a matter of days. Unlike the American version, there is a lack of raunchiness, flair and dramatics.
Personally, there are times when I feel that “Love is Blind: Japan” fills the gap that “Terrace House” left, especially when Kaoru is on screen singing her songs. But this show isn’t about individuals; it’s about couples, and people who really do want to get married and build a life together with another person.
So, which couples are going to say ‘I do’? Read our predictions below!
1. Ryotaro x Motomi
The last episode just ended with Ryotaro and Motomi meeting her family. Motomi had warned Ryotaro that her father was not only strict but also disapproving of their match, and in an attempt to bridge the divide, Ryotaro dyed his hair black before the introduction.
I thought this gesture was sweet – in fact, I have consistently liked both Ryotaro and Motomi. Their interactions are cute and both seem like very gentle, kind souls. The Japanese word I would use to describe their interactions would be ‘hono-bono’, which means heartwarming and cosy. I genuinely hope it all goes well with her family, and that the family don’t ‘Romeo and Juliet’ this relationship.
Our prediction: I DO! We think this couple will make it to the altar, and that they will affirm their commitments to each other.
2. Wataru x Midori
Honestly, I totally relate to Midori. Her worries of not having enough ‘me’ time in a relationship; her worries of ‘Can I really spend my life with this one person?’ are all too familar. Personally, I think at times she can act a bit coldly towards Wataru with her sharp words, but honestly? I get that too.
But now, about the couple: I think Wataru and Midori make a great match. They are compatible in their lifestyle, and it’s really heartwarming to see how much Wataru cares for Midori. The way Wataru’s hands were shaking when he proposed for the second time in the restaurant was a moment of true heart-on-your-sleeve vulnerability.
Personally, I think their overall interactions make them seem like a couple who has been dating for a year: I don’t really get a sense that they are in their lovey-dovey ‘getting to know you’ phase, but they are already three steps ahead in the ‘I’m comfortable around you’ stage. To me, they offer a sense of realism, like a sobering anchor.
Our predictions: I DO! Team Realism forever!
3. Misaki x Kaoru
As individuals, I like them. Misaki is like a cute puppy, always running to the next adventure. I feel like he’s someone who lives in the moment, and he doesn’t let the burden of the past or the fear of the future weigh him down. Overall, a great person!
Kaoru is too a great person! She’s talented and very self-aware, with an air of mystery. It’s cliché, but I feel like they are like yin and yang: both are different in their approach to life, but it doesn’t mean that one is correct or one is better than the other. They are just fundamentally different people.
I have to say, I did really sympathise with Kaoru when she opened up about her difficult past to Misaki. I think for people like Kaoru, opening up can be difficult, and so Misaki’s overly upbeat positive response (“Oh, focus on the future instead! The past it past!”) actually felt incredibly dismissive. I’m sure he meant no harm, but I think this was the point in their relationship when I felt that these two were probably better off going their separate ways.
I feel like Misaki doesn’t understand Kaoru, and what’s worse, he doesn’t really try to understand or get deeper into her complexity, and that’s ultimately making Kaoru feel more alienated. They are both great people, but unfortunately, they aren’t great together.
Our predictions: I don’t. I don’t know if they will even make it to the altar, but I feel like the stars aren’t aligned for this couple.
4. Shuntaro x Ayano
Last, and definitely not least, Shuntaro and Ayano! Honestly, I love watching this couple so much because I just don’t really understand either of them. Both of them have stated that they find it hard to open up to other people, and whilst they always say, “Let’s talk” they never actually do! It’s like people who make plans to make plans: they talk to say that they will talk, but then don’t do much proper talking.
I am apprehensive about Ayano’s parents, as they seem to strongly disapprove of the couple’s age difference. Not to mention the fact there is an undeniable divide between them – maybe it is their age, or as Ayano herself said best, Shuntaro’s manner of speaking like her boss at times. If you don’t speak Japanese, you might not notice these little nuances from the subtitles alone, but he really does! Maybe not ‘boss’ at all times, but ‘elder’ (i.e. superior) for sure.
I say all this, but I genuinely want this couple to get together! It broke my heart when Shuntaro said that he felt that Ayano was just a ‘tourist’ in his life, looking at his flat with no intention to stay. I wish, wish, wish he’d communicate that directly to Ayano though, and not have to think he needs alcohol to be honest with his feelings!
Our prediction: I DO! Despite the obstacles, I do think that these two are well matched. They just need to do a bit of good ole fashioned talking!
What do you think about our predictions? Do you agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments below!
Also, I cannot end this article without mentioning Priya. Before she ended things, her match Mizuki used to call her Princess. Well, let me just say Priya is the QUEEN of my heart!
The final episodes of Netflix’s “Love is Blind: Japan” will be released on the 22nd of February!
[1st March 2022: Our afterthoughts after watching the last two episodes…]
3/4 of our predictions were correct… Ayano, you sorely disappointed us! Well, we hope that you all find happiness and congratulations to the two newly-weds! PS Shuntaro – please hit me up, as I would happily marry you!
