You're My Pet (2017– ) User Reviews

Human Intimacy Tamagotchi Style

[AppleEye2U · 7/10 · 10 December 2017]

Tramps Like Us/Kimi Wa Petto/You're My Pet is the third live action version of a popular manga series in Japan. It is about a career woman in her thirties who takes in a ballet dancer eight years her junior as a pet. She calls him "Momo", the name of her old dog. At work she's in a relationship with a conventionally perfect boyfriend. The man proposes to her, but she's reluctant to accept him. Somehow she got addicted to the dopamines of petting her ballet dancer, especially his tousled hair that she washes every single day.

Imagine how weird this all is: a single lady who shares her apartment with a man under the pretence that he's her dog. She can cuddle him whenever she likes, no strings attached, like he's a living male Tamagotchi. The storyline about an older woman dating a younger man is more common in Japan, watch for instance TV shows like Rasuto Shinderera/Last Cinderella, Otona Joshi/Lady girls, Ishitachi no Reiai Jijyou/Doctor's affairs. The young men in these series share the same characteristics: they are attentive, soft, idealistic, and they aren't afraid of body contact. Perhaps this kind of man is fulfilling a need in modern Japan, who knows? I see these TV shows in a different light since I've watched some documentaries about the loss of human intimacy in Japan.

Nevertheless I enjoyed You're My Pet like a fairytale. The actors have good chemistry, I liked their dialogues, and their kisses. This adaption has a sound, fulfilling ending, so if you like sweet romance, this is for you.

A series with an interesting beginning, a muddled middle, and a nice ending

[gee-15 · 7/10 · 4 April 2021]

The premise of this odd but compelling series is that a woman in her thirties, after being rejected by her boyfriend of many years and experiencing a major setback at her job, takes in a 20 something young man she discovers hiding in a box. She will allow him to live with her if he will be her "pet" as he reminds her of her childhood dog, Momo. He enthusiastically agrees. (Just to be clear...this is a true "pet" relationship... not a sexual one). Complications ensue.

I have no complaints at all about the performances. Noriko Iriyama and Jun Shison are wonderfully comic and heartbreaking in their roles as they explore the boundaries of their odd relationship. In addition, even the minor characters have form and shape: Sumire's co-workers in the Lifestyle Department (one great moment is when they come together to defend her against a duplicitous new employee), her acerbic best friend (whose impatience and irritation with Sumire is tempered by her obvious loyalty and affection), and even the relatively small role of Sumire's coldly imperious sister (who, in the last episode, gives Sumire a gift that shows that she really has come to understand her sister a little better).

Unfortunately, the plot gets a bit tangled in the middle with some behavior from Momo that seems contradictory and behavior from Sumire that's just TOO vacillating. Even worse is the plot thread concerning Sumire's new boyfriend, Hasume (again nicely played by Terunosuke Takezai) and his eventual acquisition of his own pet in the form of the conniving receptionist, Fuku. It's an unneeded plot twist. While there are attempts to make Fuku more sympathetic, in the end, Hasume just looks slightly stupid for having gotten involved with her, undermining (in my mind) a character that was appealing and sympathetic.

But it all comes together very nicely in the end with the focus on the relationship between Sumire and Momo and how Sumire's ability to show her true self to Momo enables the romantic resolution that occurs. The series could have probably been reduced by three or four episodes but the eventual payoff is satisfying.

P. S. I have no idea why the English translation of the title is "Tramps Like Us." It doesn't really make any sense. I think the literal translation is "You're my pet"

Not what I expected. Light and sweet romantic comedy.

[leahcubed · 9/10 · 18 May 2020]

Although a beautiful and successful career woman, Sumire Iwaya (Noriko Iriyama) hides a painfully shy, socially uncertain and self-effacing nature from all but her close friends. Having both attended Tokyo University and Harvard she is considered elite in terms of a marriage prospect. Expecting a proposal from her current boyfriend, he instead breaks off the relationship after telling her he cheated and has fathered a child. Iwaya is devastated and gets inebriated to drown her sorrows. After staggering back home, she opens a cardboard box to discover an attractive young man who is hiding from the jealous partner of a current romantic interests. He looks up from the box at Iwaya and his wide eyed look reminds her of her beloved pet Momo. The next day she wakes up to find this young stranger, Takeshi Goda (Jun Shison) in her bed. When she tries to kick him out and he says he has no place to go. So Iriyama issues a challenge and says he can stay but only if he will act as a pet. Surprisingly, he agrees. Iriyama finds comfort in her new pet, Momo and can talk through her many concerns and worries with him. Things get complicated when Iwaya's long time love, Shigehito Hasumi (Seiiche Tanabe) returns from oversees. She must hide her unusual pet from friends and family. Who will she choose? The young man seems to understand her like no other but her lost love is back and just as handsome and charming as ever.

I was a bit surprised how well I liked this. I have known people just like Iwaya who are beautiful and people assume their lives must be perfect. Really attractive people must develop a tough shell as people have very high expectations and are often less forgiving of mistakes and flaws in persons they deem that lucky. Her vulnerability is what made the situation more plausible. Momo is also understandable as he is in desperate need of a place and also is drawn to Iwaya's kindness and vulnerability. Momo constantly builds Iwaya up and helps her to overcome her fears. Takeshi loves Iwaya but is willing to help her relationship with Hasumi if it means she will be happy. There was a female rival after Hasumi, Shiori Fukushima (Wakana Sakai), and evening if Iwaya and Hasumi did not wind up together I did not want to see him with Shiori because she went about it in a very catty way. But it became clear that love often has its own ideas. It ended perfectly all the way around. Noriko Iriyama is genuinely beautiful so it was easy to see why so many men would be interested despite her somewhat awkward nature. It is a fun, feel good watch.