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Kiss Him, Not Me

Kiss Him, Not Me

Representation Score

6.6/10

Good

2020

NR

Director

Norihisa Hiranuma

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Kiss Him, Not Me succeeds in giving its female protagonist significant control over her romantic choices, allowing her to navigate a world of suitors on her own terms. By focusing on a character with niche subcultural interests, the film provides a unique perspective on identity and desire. However, the film relies heavily on transformative clichés regarding body image, where the protagonist's social value is tied to her physical changes, limiting the depth of its commentary on body image and disability. Ultimately, the work is a localized romantic comedy that offers progressive character's ability to drive the story but lacks multi-layered breadth, particularly regarding racial and ethnic diversity within its social ecosystem.

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Category Breakdown

Does Kiss Him, Not Me have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The story centers on a protagonist who identifies with her interest in male-male romance. Her queer-coded media interests drive her internal motivations, even though the main plot follows more traditional romantic paths.

How does Kiss Him, Not Me portray gender?

Fair

The film challenges passive female stereotypes by giving the protagonist control over her romantic choices. It explores how social shifts affect a character moving from a less conventional body type to a more typical one.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Kiss Him, Not Me?

Limited

The cast is largely homogeneous, reflecting a localized setting. There is a noticeable lack of visible ethnic or racial diversity among the primary characters.

How does Kiss Him, Not Me represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative focuses on high school social hierarchies and individual romantic fulfillment. It avoids heavy religious or political themes, favoring the escapism of the romantic comedy genre.

Does Kiss Him, Not Me include disability representation?

Limited

Weight fluctuations and body image issues serve as plot catalysts for physical transformation. However, the film lacks a deeper exploration of chronic health conditions or neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

  • The protagonist has significant control over her romantic choices.
  • The film recognizes subcultural identities like the fujoshi as central character traits.
  • It disrupts traditional feminine archetypes by starting with a non-conventional protagonist.

Limited or Absent

  • The narrative relies on physical transformation as a primary plot device.
  • There is a notable lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the cast.
  • The film lacks depth in its exploration of disability or chronic health.

Official Synopsis

Kae is a fat high school girl who is a 'fujoshi', which is girls who enjoy reading homosexual romance novels. She is dismayed when her favourite character is killed off. She is unwell and refuses to eat. She loses weight. As a side-effect she is thin and suddenly popular at school. Boys begin to pursue her. She has a choice of suitors and can pick a boy of her liking. They are all pretty.

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