Sky of Love (2007) User Reviews

Sending Wrong Messages to Teens

[Starlitelet · 6/10 · 15 December 2009]

First of all, this movie was slightly predictable and unpredictable at the same time. I decided to watch it because I saw so many comments on this movie, while surfing the net. There is also the drama version, but I didn't feel like going through 6 episodes.

SPOILERS: A lot of people cried for this movie, but I didn't. I mean don't get me wrong, I cried for One Litre of Tears.

Personally, I would given this drama a higher rating, if it made more sense. I couldn't attatch myself to the characters. They were too dull. The main characters met for a short period of time, then made love right away. I mean, where is common sense girl? At that moment, I just felt like he was using her. Like, I didn't feel any love between them. In other words, there was no chemistry. Also, I felt as if she was stupid.

When Mika got raped by Saki's order, she was ashamed of it and didn't want to kiss Hiro because of it. Hiro got so mad that he scared the heck out of me. I mean, how could he treat Saki like that? It just seemed inhumane for me.

I hate Saki's low character. I mean I don't think any normal person in real life would dare go and tell people to rape your ex's girlfriend. This shows how the scriptwriters were running out of ideas or they were being immature.

Who does se* in the school's library? Doesn't anyone guard that place? Where is the librarian? They were so happy after they found out she got pregnant, and their parents were so lenient that they accepted right away. Hiro said he would devote himself to go to work and drop out of school. This just does not seem right.

I also did not get the feel and warmth from her family much. They didn't describe them thoroughly based on their characters. Also, I did not know Saki's background or her previous relationship with Hiro.

Now, enough with me seeming to bash this movie, it was good near the end. There was emotion and depth between the two characters. I felt Hiro's pain after Mika finally got back with him in the hospital. If only the movie made it like this from the start.

Overall, the start was good, but the idea and message to teens were badly delivered. The middle or near the middle, where she had se* like three times just awfully degraded her image (I mean she was still in high school!). So the ending was where I basically gave my points. The songs were alright too. The casts were good, but acting wise weren't perfect. I'm glad I did not touch the drama.

A bit implausible but a beautiful love story

[mister_bateman · 7/10 · 1 July 2020]

My rational brain said that the series of events taking place in this movie is rather unbelievable. But while I felt slightly manipulated by this sentimental roller coaster, which has been very obviously crafted for maximum emotional impact on the viewer, I did enjoy it very much. It is a beautful story that will move you to tears. I particularly liked that despite some of the bad things that happen, it's still very wholesome and pro family. You don't get this from modern "western" movies.

If you like emotional love stories with some sweet sadness, this movie is for you.

Emotionally charged romance that will touch your heart...

[jmaruyama · 7/10 · 19 March 2008]

It can easily be said that Japan is one of the cellular capitols of the world, where people use their cellular phones not only as communication devices but also for a number of business and personal functions from text messaging and web browsing to paying bills online and watching streaming content. Therefore it was just a matter of time before novels and manga/comics became widely available via online cellular services.

"Mahou No i Rando" (a play on "Magic Island") is one of the more popular services to come out specializing in "Keitai Shosetsu" (mobile/cellular novels). Following the success of their first cellular novel "Deep Love", "Koizora" was touted as a "true story" based on the life experiences of its young author "Mika", a first time/amateur novelist.

With its tearful story of young love, loss and perseverance, it was an instant hit among readers particularly young, female high schoolers. However, much criticism also accompanied the novel particularly from those who saw its depictions of underage sex, rape and pregnancy as obscene. Many also criticized the novels portrayal of cancer victims as not really realistic.

Despite these criticisms, the novel was a best seller and widely read, spawning a couple of stories - "Kimi Zora" (You, Sky) which took the point of view from the side of "Koizora" character Hiro and "Another Koizora", a sequel of sorts.

It was only time before the film adaptation of "Koizora" became a reality. Directed by TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) TV J-Dorama director Imai Natsumi (Orange Days, Koko Kyoshi), the film is a faithful interpretation of the cellular novel and is every bit as tearful, heartbreaking and poignant as its source material. It's success at the Japanese box office (currently in the Top Ten as of 11/28/07) is another indication of the impact it has on audiences.

Screenwriter Watanabe Mutsuki (who wrote for the quirky "Keitai Keiji/Cellular Detective" TV series) does an admirable job at adapting Mika's novel and keeping the overall tone of the story without taking away from the story.

Much of the film deals with the growing affections high schoolers Tahara Mika (Aragaki Yui) and Sakurai "Hiro" Hiroki (Miura Haruma) have for each other and the troubles that transpire during the course of their relationship. Their love story plays almost like a "Harlequin Romance" as Mika is at first scared and apprehensive of Hiro but soon begins to see the romantic and sensitive side behind his punk exterior. It's a bit too dramatic at points and some of the story plots seem to be overly contrived (in the style of a J-Dorama/K-Drama story). For instance, Hiro's former girlfriend, Saki (Usuda Asami) arranges to have Mika kidnapped and raped as a humiliation tactic against Hiro. While it does add drama to the story, it's a bit gratuitous and over-the-top in my opinion.

While many have criticized the physical relationship between these two characters (Mika and Hiro are both around 15-16 years old) director Imai is very tasteful in not emphasizing or exploiting that aspect. Even in the much criticized scene where Mika and Hiro make love in the school library, Imai thankfully leaves the details to one's imagination without going into too much salacious territory.

There are some aspects of the film that were a bit much. While the story takes place in Oita Prefecture in Kyushu, the high school seems to be almost too "hip" to be a school in the Japanese countryside. All the students looks like they belong on MTV's "The Real World" and it seems a bit too staged. Also, both Mika and Hiro seem almost too perfect to be for real. They seem far more mature for high school sweethearts.

Okinawa born model and actress Aragaki Yui plays the title character of Mika. Tall, cute and sweet, she is perfect as the main love interest. Her charisma and charm radiates from the screen and one can't help but be captivated by her. J-Pop Singer/Actor Miura Haruma is also spot-on perfect as the loner/rebel character of Hiro. His character is the atypical Japanese hero (brash and carefree, strong but sensitive). With his bleached blonde hair and dark tan, it is little wonder why he captured Mika's heart.

Yamamoto Ryuji, Aso Yumi, "Karina", Takahashi Joji, and Fukada Aki are all very good in their supporting roles. Koide Kesuke, who plays Fukuhara Yu rival lover to Hiro, is also very likable as the nice guy character who can't seem to compete with the "bad boy". It was nice to see veteran J-Dorama actress Asano Yuko again and she is perfect at Mika's understanding mother.

Kudos also go to cinematographer, Yamamoto Hideo whose wonderful shots of the Kyushu surroundings as well as the skies over Japan are breathtaking and grand.

On the whole I was quite happy with "Koizora". It is weepy and sometimes overly dramatic movie at times but still a good enough film for couples in love. A good "chick flick" with a little bit of a bite and one that won't have male viewers bored to tears.

Not a reasonable plot for love

[ebiros2 · 3 December 2011]

The movie is based on the novel by the same title that was uploaded on to a mobile site called Mahou No Airando (魔法のiらんど). It's supposed to be based on a real life event, but due to the improbable way pregnancy and cancer is depicted, its authenticity is under suspicion.

Mika (Yui Aragaki) is a high school student. She loses her cell phone one day, but a boy named Nozomu (Aoi Nakamura) finds it and leaves it on the shelf in the library. From this incident she gets to meet Hiro (Haruma Miura). They fall in love but Mika becomes pregnant. She has miscarriage due to being pushed by Hiro's ex-girlfriend Saki (Asami Usuda). Hiro then suggests that they break up. They break up, but later Mika finds out that this was because Hiro had terminal cancer.

When I watch this movie, the story did seem kind of artificial. It has rather stereo typical story about teen pregnancy, and that being equated to sincere love. More simplistic plot follows of moving away due to illness equated to sincere love. There's kidnapping, and rape, which shows the underlying violence of society as well. The overall depiction is that love is easy, or loving someone is easy. Consequences are not written realistically. The effect this has on youth who are impressionable might have very negative consequences. Hiro shown in this movie was just a violent and thoughtless idiot. That's depicted as the proper behavior for the white knight. His expression of love was of violence to show loyalty, and sex to show affection. The end result can't be good.

So even for a simple juvenile love romance, this story is rather a poor one. The movie had imbecility that was difficult to watch at times. I especially hated the character of Hiro, and how he sold his love and heroism on screen.

Good enough

[PennyReviews · 7/10 · 7 July 2017]

It seems like one of those love stories that could be found in all of the romantic movies. But this one goes further than that. Actually, the guy had me fooled as well. Which made the ending even more beater and sad. Rooting for the second lead would come up naturally, because of the course of the events, but that will change easily. The story started okay, and it didn't fear to explore issues like teenage pregnancy or loosing a child. The performances helped with building up the emotions as well.

wonderful, touching tearjerker!

[cerijam-1 · 10/10 · 1 June 2008]

This film is one of the amazingly touching Japanese drama films. In truth, I only started watching the film due to the fact of Haruma Miura playing the lead male character.. Well I'm certainly glad I did watch it!

The basic story line itself is quite a simple one, two young lovers fighting through many hardships to remain together. Of course, there are twists and more complications within the story :)

Everything within the film is very well directed and tastefully done, the actors/actresses despite their young ages (Yui - 19, Haruma - 17 at film release) acted amazingly well and you really feel for Hiro and Mika through out the film.

I would recommend this film to anyone I know, although, due to the fact it is a tearjerker.. make sure your not already very upset over something or I doubt you'll stop crying... It took me a long time!

Beautifully Depressing

[hentaipogboi · 10/10 · 22 July 2022]

I Honestly Believe, In My Opinion, This Is The Best Romance / Tragedy Film I Have Ever Seen. I Still Feel The Impact To This Day. I Often Cry Thinking About It. This Film Is Very Personal To Me Because It Hits Home. It's Truly Depressing But Comforting. I Laughed, Smiled and Of Course, Broke Down In Utter Tears Watching This. I Feel Like More People Should Watch This Film To Feel Closure If You Ever Lost Someone Important To You. Therefore, I Highly Recommend This Film. I Beg of You. Please Watch. You Will Not Be Disappointed.

Nice cast, nice idea, disastrous story

[ethSin · 4/10 · 1 May 2008]

"Koizora" is another one of those Junai movie that showed a lot of promise, but flopped miserably.

The first 20 minutes of this film was a terrific love story. Aragaki Yui was really cute as Mika, and although the male lead's character was a bit too outgoing for a Japanese high school student, I enjoyed watching it, and wanted to have a sweet relationship like that one day. But then, cheesefest began after the Mika got raped outdoors. The story and character development after that point was more like a soap drama than Junai film, filled with cheesy lines and inconsistent character behaviors. It was corny, but I loved the whole "Koizora" and "I'll watch over you" idea of this movie and the way it ended, but the mid-section of the film was just so poorly executed that it was impossible for me to cry watching a movie like this.

There was also too many plot-holes in this film, such as Aragaki Yui in her usual innocent role, yet she goes around having sex everywhere. What kind of person takes out a dying guy at night then have sex with him outdoors and gets knocked up twice? And this character happens to be played by the idol of ultimate innocence, Aragaki Yui, who didn't even kiss in 2 kiss scenes in this movie (using camera angle manipulation). And is it even possible for someone under cancer treatment to reproduce? I also don't see how Miki could so easily forgive a woman who ordered her rape and killed her baby. There were too many inconsistencies and questionable character behaviors that I find it hard to believe this story is really based on a real story.

It's a really poorly made chick flick, but I must admit it was very visually pleasing. Scenery in this movie was beautiful, and it was perfect for an Aragaki Yui fan like me since she was on screen almost the whole time, cute as ever. The male lead Miura Haruma was abnormally good-looking in this film, in fact, he looked totally like an anime character. I'm not gay, but he was damn hot. He definitely didn't look like that in "14sai no Haha". Although the blond hair seemed really out of place, the makeup artist for this movie did an excellent job. Overall, horrible story and direction, but a treat for fanboys and girls.

Wonderful, heartbreaking, unforgettable

[shannonvinani · 10/10 · 11 May 2020]

This movie may start as a childish love story between an innocent girl and a "bad boy" but as the story goes by you will witness how these teenage lovers grow and mature. I remember watching this as a highschool student and yes i cried so much. Now that I became an adult, I re watch this from time to time. Koizora is still unforgettable for me and will remain as one of my best-love. The impact may not be the same for every person but i really recommend watching this movie.

Bland and pretty

[kcla · 4/10 · 16 June 2008]

Koizoro starts out pleasant enough, seeming to be a gentle coming-of-age romance. The two leads are attractive and surprisingly young (both were teenagers when the movie was made) Japanese idols, with charisma and ease in front of the camera. Unfortunately neither of them can emote, despite the soap-opera/Lifetime movie melodramatics Koizoro cycles through. What started out as a possibly understated romance where high school freshmen good-girl Mika and bad-boy Hiro fall in love, degenerates into a second-rate tearjerker within half an hour, as Mika (Aragaki Yu) is gang-raped by a group of boys paid by Hiro's ex-gf, becomes pregnant, miscarries, and dumped. Mika eventually meets another guy totally different from Hiro but of course plot devices contrive to draw the two former lovers together.

Even though this movie has been described as a tearjerker, I didn't really cry at all because the lead actors did not give any pathos to the roles. Aragaki Yu and Miura Haruma are still superficial actors, they're pretty to look at but they have no facial expressions, particularly Miura. The cheesy lines the male actor has to say don't help. Surprisingly, Koide Keisuke, as Mika's second love, also seems to be phoning it in. Keisuke is one of those young actors that seems to pop up in a background role in a lot of the popular Japanese movies. He's talented and usually gives a strong performance even in minor roles, but here he seems bored by the material, as was I.

The director doesn't let scenes play themselves out. Plot devices are introduced and resolved without giving time for the material to make an impact. Compared to other Japanese movies of this genre, the film is more frank about teenage sexuality but it has incredibly inept depictions of issues, like rape, divorce, cancer, etc.

Despite the plot flaws, it was hard for me to outright hate this movie. The cinematography is beautiful to look at. There are better films of this genre out there, though this is probably one of the better looking ones. Despite being set in the countryside, the high school students look like they stepped out the pages of Seventeen magazine. And the pacing does keep things moving, so you don't have to dwell on how awful a scene as at least.

Tissue! This movie owes me a box of tissue!

[yumitakuma · 10/10 · 19 September 2016]

Koizora was the reason why I am fond of romantic comedy drama nowadays. I always yearn for more if a movie has this this kind of tear-jerking story which is a trend on Asian films. I never expected to be going what it went through. Me and my friends were surprised and our tears began to fall. This really played our emotions very well. The actresses and actors are good-looking. In fact, I had a crush with Haruma Miura the first time I watched this movie. I said to myself on the first time I saw this movie that this will be the last time I'll watch it because I already had enough chest pain — crying, obviously. I hardly breathe while watching it and I felt good. I really like to cry a lot when I'm watching a movie. That's why this movie deserves a perfect 10 even though it owes me a box of tissue.

worth watching for!

[www-angelicaalvarez · 10/10 · 24 January 2018]

I never thought i would say this but, this is one of my top fave film. everything all of it. I'm never tired of watching this over and over again. And every time i watch this it makes me sad,cry as in all of the emotions you gonna feel it in this movie. Thumbs up!

Very bad story

[olee-bangladesh · 1/10 · 9 May 2020]

Nothing special... everything average below. I have high expectation about movie. But I am totally disappointed... Nothing is going good to see.

the most heart-warming movie in ages!

[light_up_ur_world_with_s · 9/10 · 27 June 2008]

This movie is excellent, very sweet and true. It is a touching love story between Tahara Mika (Yui Aragaki) and Sakurai Hiro (Haruma Miura) which spans high school years through to early college years.

Mika is in her first year of high school when she encounters Hiro, a boy in the year above hers. When Mika loses her phone, she finds it in the school library. She starts receiving mysterious phone calls from a boy who won't reveal his identity, but they start getting to know each other. Finally, they arrange to meet a day after Mika's birthday. The boy is none other than Hiro, and he stands in front of Mika holding a bunch of baby breath flowers, wishing her a happy birthday. From there, their romance unfurls...

When watching this, tissues are recommended! (:

a younger loves

[s2423076 · 8/10 · 17 December 2008]

Watching this movie made me cry. I cared about erveryone so much and I was enthralled to see how the film would be resolved. The ending, I could not stop my tear. Hiro (Haruma Miura) is very good actor. He did good job in a TV series"14sai no haha". Mika and Hiro are high school students, and they love each other. I felt a lot of sympathy. So, I think, I want to do suchlove. I recommend this movie to a loving couple. The leading female actor is very cute , and a performance is charming. This movie's theme song is sung by Yui Aragaki (Mika). This song is also very good. The last scene was sad. There are several sad scenes but this last scene, everyone in the theater cried, including myself.

Heartbreaking

[joanne-78049 · 10/10 · 27 February 2019]

Best japanese film i have watched so far it's an emotional rollercoaster really felt empathy with the leading characters

Unique, a Beautiful Tale of Young Love

[kizzy-48947 · 9/10 · 19 August 2015]

Upon finishing the film I'm left feeling a mixture of feelings. While the first half I disliked characters Hiro and Mika, (Hiro for seeming to use Mika and discard her quickly after, and Mika for blindly loving Hiro even after all the turmoil he caused her directly/indirectly,) I'm now trying to recover from what I can honestly say was one of the most grueling and heartbreaking love stories I've ever seen!

Taking a step back, I will admit my doubts at the beginning of the film. For starters, I felt the chemistry between Hiro and Mika was definitely lacking. Within hours of first meeting, Hiro has somehow managed to persuade a cautious and reserved Mika into bed with him?! It felt cheesy and rushed and very much like a shallow and melodramatic romance between teenagers who are falling in love for the first time.... oh wait..! Perhaps that is exactly what we are meant to feel? I was reminded of my first High School romance... and I reflected AND cringed at the similarities. Not in the awful rape scene or the premature sex per say, but more in the mushy gooey "I know we've just met, but you are my everything!" behavior. Keeping in mind that the characters are in fact young teenagers at the beginning of the film, and incredibly impressionable in Mika's case (as was I at that tender age), it is easier to watch and digest these beginning scenes.

The film didn't begin to leave a major impression on me until after the couple's spilt and I saw Mika's world without Hiro. Her reluctancy to let him go and then her syrupy-sweet and gentle new relationship with Yu. (What a lovely boy he was!) Beyond this, I found it incredible just how much Yui Aragaki was able to embody Mika's character through her loss of innocence and maturity throughout the film's progression. Her character at the beginning and ending of the film seemed entirely different not only in behavior, but outwards appearance...

And then Mika's first encounter after quite some time without Hiro at the spot they promised to meet and remember their unborn child... seeing Hiro again, but now sporting a hat... and paler face. Instantly I put the pieces together, something Mika's character only realizes later down the road.

When she has discovered Hiro's sickness, there is only brief hesitation over whether to leave her healthy relationship with Yu. This... was a bit far fetched to me. How can you, now having matured and promised Yu a relationship, so quickly run away? These are issues I would not have dealt with so rashly... but then again this was not me.

Returning to Hiro... the scene in the hospital room and our first encounter with a deteriorated and sickly boy instantly tore at my heart. Whether you loved or hated him before, now you feel pity. Entirely stripped of the ridiculous silver hair and tough boy facade ... you see him plainly. I need not gush over the hugely talented Haruma Miura, or remind you he was only 17 upon the movies release (so only 16 during filming?) , but I will anyway. Tackling roles dealing with terminal illness is tricky to begin. Throw in the fact you're still so young, hardly lived life's hardships firsthand, and this seems like a recipe for disaster yet.. one Haruma conquered delicately and with eerie realism. This film is a testament to his talent.

Interactions between the two from this point onward were so beautifully acted. I'm reminded AGAIN that both were still teenagers themselves with these roles... and that just blows me away. The romance we're shown at the end of the movie is entirely different. It's... so natural. Small tiny interactions that were so minute yet pivotal in making the relationship seem realistic. And the scene at Hiro's favorite spot, where he went to feel strong, but now cries against a tree for a life he knows he will not have... Needless to say I was a mess of tears the remainder of the film. To describe these interactions is hard, but for this portion of the story alone the film is worth watching.

The ending will take your already tender heart, stomp on it repetitively, and then calming walk away leaving you.... exhausted from crying. But it takes you on a journey. An incredibly tragic coming of age tale with no frills, very much realistic when you take a step back and compare it to others in this genre.

Would I recommend this? Yes. ONLY, though, to those who are prepared for a tragic story, those with an open mind, and those with a box of tissues near by. We were all teenagers once, perhaps you still are. There is something very real and very honest about this story. Watch if you're prepared for that. If anything, marvel in the talent of Yui Aragaki and Haruma Miura. This film was brought to life through them.

One of the best Japanese teen movie I have ever seen

[drithishetty-88399 · 9/10 · 11 July 2022]

So I watched a recap of this movie like half of it in YouTube and It caught my eye so I planned to watch this and it is such an amazing movie...I cried really hard and the lead actor and actress acting was amazing and both the leads did an amazing job and the casting was "chef's kiss" everyone in this movie was amazing and whenever I watched this numerous time and it doesn't fail to make me cry and I don't get tired watching this this is one of the best teen romance movies gosh I wish I could say more but I don't want to waste your time so just watch it quickly.

The Most Wonderful Movie I Have Ever Seen In My Life

[alishalee · 10/10 · 2 April 2016]

Koizora, otherwise known as Sky Of Love was one of the first Japanese/Korean movies I had ever seen. At the age of 15, I dove right into the beautiful world of all things K and J (that's Korean and Japanese in case you didn't know) and goodness, am I glad I ever did. I have never seen something so wonderfully beautiful than Sky Of Love. From the first moment, It had me hooked. Get to know Mika and Hiro on their heart breaking Journey of true first love as teenagers and I am sure you wont regret it! Lots of plot twists and a fresh storyline. Acting which was for me, much more than decent can ever be. Sky Of Love will have you Laughing out loud, Smiling and In Tears all in the time span of 129 minutes!

Love this movie

[snehapanging-93011 · 10/10 · 24 June 2021]

One of the best movie I watched till now I still remember when Hiro is die my tears are automatically started, it's really heart touching movie love this movie 💓 please watch this movie.