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I've Always Liked You

Name: I've Always Liked You
Director: Tetsuya Yanagisawa
Released: 2016
Duration: 63 min

Representation Score

2.7/10

Limited

2016

Director

Tetsuya Yanagisawa

Runtime

63 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

I've Always Liked You is a naturalist, slice-of-life romance that prioritizes emotional realism over social disruption. The narrative adheres strictly to genre conventions, focusing on the unrequited feelings and adolescent social dynamics of a high school setting. The film operates within a specific cultural context, presenting a homogeneous cast that reflects its Japanese setting. While this provides a sense of realism, it lacks the intentionality needed to explore broader intersections of identity or diverse social perspectives. Ultimately, the film functions as a standard coming-of-age story. It avoids systemic critiques or the subversion of traditional hierarchies, opting instead for a character-driven exploration of romantic tension.

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Category Breakdown

Does I've Always Liked You have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story follows a traditional heterosexual relationship structure, focusing on typical courtship without exploring non-binary or transgender identities or challenging societal norms.

How does I've Always Liked You portray gender?

Fair

Natsuki Enomoto demonstrates strong emotional involvement in her romantic pursuits. However, the film upholds typical high school social dynamics without questioning traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is I've Always Liked You?

Limited

The cast is uniform, reflecting a specific Japanese high school environment. The narrative maintains a singular cultural viewpoint without integrating diverse ethnic backgrounds.

How does I've Always Liked You represent religion and culture?

Limited

This minimalist drama avoids engaging with political or systemic critiques. It portrays conventional social behaviors and interactions with authority figures without depicting institutions as oppressive.

Does I've Always Liked You include disability representation?

Minimal

No visible or invisible disabilities are shown as central to the character development or plot progression.

Present on Screen

The film offers a realistic, character-driven exploration of adolescent emotional involvement.
The naturalist storytelling style provides a grounded, authentic look at high school social dynamics.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-binary perspectives.
The homogeneous cast limits the film's engagement with diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds.
The story does not challenge or subvert traditional gender hierarchies or social structures.

Official Synopsis

Love is blooming at Sakuragaoka High School. Natsuki Enomoto has finally mustered the courage to confess to her childhood friend, Yuu Setoguchi. However, in the final moments of her confession, an embarrassed Natsuki passes it off as a "practice confession." Oblivious to her true feelings and struggling with his own, Yuu promises to support Natsuki in her quest for love. While Natsuki deals with her failed confession, fellow classmate Koyuki Ayase struggles with his own feelings for Natsuki. Despite his timidness, he is determined to win over her heart. This movie follows Natsuki as she dreams of one day ending her practices and genuinely confessing to Yuu. Meanwhile, close friends also find themselves entangled in their own webs of unrequited love and unspoken affections.

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