Love Is Blind: Japan (2022) User Reviews

Even if you hate reality TV shows, you might like this one.

[brochite-346-167257 · 8/10 · 23 February 2022]

I like the premise of the first season of the American version, even though some of the contestants were disappointing in their behavior towards their partners. I had an inkling that the Japanese version of the show would be better than that first American version.

What really surprised me was the very healthy mix of contestants by the producers. Most of the contestants truly seemed more interested in being potential marital partners over promoting their own businesses or boosting their social media profiles.

In any matchmaking process, there are always going to be matches that don't work out along the way. An encouraging point is that these participants seem to have learned valuable lessons along the way, even if it didn't translate to forever love in front of the camera.

How different they are in a good and bad way

[dajmy · 7/10 · 2 March 2022]

It baffles me how polite they are, and communticate well with eachother with so much resepect.. yet still they struggle with the insecurety like lies and catfishing like personalities like portraying a better images of themselves. And even without this the still try to figuere eachother out without being intimate.. its like buying a car without trying it on the road, and yet alot of their parents are still together... its a special type of people these japanese... i would like to study them more :D.

Cultural nuances

[billzy17 · 7/10 · 10 March 2024]

Love is Blind Japan presents a captivating departure from the familiar dramatic flair of its American and Swedish counterparts. Unlike the exaggerated narratives that often overshadow sincerity in those versions, the Japanese adaptation offers a refreshing authenticity. Contestants in the Japanese version exhibit a keen awareness of their conversations, emphasizing meaningful dialogue over scripted drama.

One notable aspect is how conflicts are approached with artful skill and respect, showcasing a cultural nuance that adds depth to the show. The contestants, in their pursuit of love, demonstrate an admirable commitment to genuine connections. In a television landscape saturated with manufactured drama, Love is Blind Japan stands out as a more serious and realistic social experiment.

The subdued and muted demeanor of the participants contributes to a less theatrical, more realistic portrayal of relationships. The editing, too, reflects a commitment to authenticity, creating an immersive viewing experience. This Japanese adaptation feels less predictable than its American counterpart, providing a refreshing and unpredictable take on the familiar reality TV formula. For those seeking a departure from the norm, Love is Blind Japan offers a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of love and relationships. The cultural nuance in conflict resolution, although admirable, might not resonate with audiences seeking the thrill of more confrontational shows. The show's commitment to authenticity, while commendable, may inadvertently contribute to a less engaging viewing experience for some.

In the grand landscape of reality TV, where sensationalism often reigns supreme, Love is Blind Japan earns points for sincerity but might lose others for perceived boredom. Its unique approach may appeal to those craving a more realistic portrayal of relationships, but it could leave others longing for the exaggerated drama characteristic of many reality shows.

Considering the mix of cultural depth and potential dullness, the show earns a modest verdict of 6.5. While it offers a different flavor of reality TV, its appeal may be subjective, catering to those who appreciate subtlety in love stories but falling short for those seeking more traditional entertainment. Making it boring and uninteresting.

SO much better than the American version!! No fake TV, very wholesome. Felt my time was well spent by the end.

[thsalf1020 · 9/10 · 22 February 2022]

I was really interested to see how this show would translate to a culture where people don't open up so easily, and I was really pleasantly surprised. By the end of the show I felt my time was well spent exploring the concerns about relationships between contestants and partners, and it made me reflect on my own life as well. This is a rare quality for reality tv.

Good points: -The producers focus on the human emotions and experience, not the drama. This is what reality tv should be like!! The US version feels so drama-focused it feels like it's scripted at times, but the Japan version feels natural. Yet even though, there are still tons of surprises and tension in the Japan version. The stakes almost feel higher in the Japan version as well.

-Culturally, Japan takes match making much more serious than the US, so the contestants are on the show for love, not to become influencers like the US version. Even towards the end everyone isn't forced to wait until the altar to say "yes/no" in a performative way. This makes the show feel genuine, creates unexpected moments, and makes you even more invested in seeing the success of certain relationships.

-The budget is really high. So much higher than the US version, so it doesn't feel like any other cheap reality show. For example, they stay at Hosinoya Resort in Okinawa, one of the most luxurious resorts in Japan. They also dine in several high class restaurants. This will allow overseas viewers to see a different side of Japan.

-The aesthetic is on point. They clearly brought in designers to create pods that are creative, sophisticated, and more interactive than the US version via little doors that fit seamlessly in the design where contestants can exchange items. This makes the experience more personable for contestants. Also, the area where the contestants meet for the first time is very romantic and uniquely Japan with flowers hanging down and a bridge over water; much more magical than the US's red carpet.

-The music pairings are good.

-The producers didn't try to incite jealousy by forcing contestants to have conversations about other people they had crushes on. The US version does this too often.

-There is a lot of diversity in the cast despite being a Japan-focused show culturally, ethnically, and socio-economically. I hope this can open viewers' eyes to see Japan is a lot more complex than just 'Japanese'.

-Great title screen shots and locations to showcase Tokyo and other parts of Japan. It ties in the metropolitan feel to the cast.

-The program showcases the struggles and stigma around being a divorced woman in Japan in an empathetic and open-minded way. That is a true accomplishment by the show's producer in a country with such strict stigmas. Well done.

Things to be improved: -The wedding officiant was a random foreigner who spoke English, and most of the contestants and their families don't speak English.. It just felt out of the blue and performative. The venues were beautiful though.

-The producers chose a few famous people, like Kaoru and Priya. I wish in the future they stick with just normal non-famous people, not people who are children of famous actors/entertainers. Even on other shows like Terrace House Japanese producers will choose already famous people, likely so their viewer ratings will be higher.

Overall, I was really impressed for a debut season. It was wholesome, fulfilling, and edge of your seat at the end. Provides a great insight to Japanese dating culture. Highly recommended, and hope they make another season.

Better than the US Version

[tyrpak · 9/10 · 22 February 2022]

I'm really enjoying this show. After watching the American version, with a number of backstabbing/egocentric people, it's refreshing to witness a culture in which the participants are respectful and supportive of each other--even when they have differences.

Watching this has given me insight into Japanese culture.

PS Having just watched the final episodes, I raised my rating from 8 stars to 9. The kindness and respect between couples and families is amazing and enlightening.

Much better than the American version

[con-fan · 9/10 · 23 March 2022]

Not only did the people act in a much classier way (such as not swearing, not talking about their sex lives, wearing more modest clothes) but they acted nicer to each other and it showed in the friendships formed in the female/male groups. I felt I learned a lot about Japanese culture and how it has changed over the last decades. For example I was surprised that these couples easily wanted to live together immediately as I thought that was still kind of taboo in Japan. I really felt the emotions were very real in this show, especially when the men would cry / be upset. It made me sad when one of them was crying, man or woman and I felt sorry for the couples who broke up early on, but was glad it wasn't up at the alter like the American version. That made it also seem more realistic. And the couples that made it through were so adorable. I really hope there will be a season 2 of this version. My favorite part in each show is the wedding gown try ons and the wedding scenes, the women look so beautiful.

a mature dating show

[jennifermiller-10256 · 9/10 · 2 March 2022]

I really enjoyed this series. As an American that has never been to Japan, I found it even more interesting to learn about the culture and how the contestants went about dating. The contestants led with their brain instead of their heart which is typically seen in American dating shows. I also enjoyed seeing the places that they visited for the getaway and the apartments that they lived in leading up to the wedding. Plus their budget is huge as shown by the design for the pods, living quarters, the flower filled bridge for where the couple meets if they get engaged and the hotel for the getaway!

The contestants took the experience seriously especially when compared to those on the American version. Although some of the contestants fell for the same person, there wasn't any animosity or drama over it. There were no cat fights and both the male and female groups provided a sense of support for one another. This show was filled with love and you can't but hope that everyone finds someone.

I liked that the couples who did get "married" or just walked down the aisle showed that it is possible to fall in love without seeing the other first. I enjoyed hearing about their reservations before the wedding and how they worked on them as a couple. All of the couples took the dating process more seriously and that is shown in the types of conversations that they had on the dates.

They missed the point...

[doniquemay · 1/10 · 6 March 2022]

The show is supposed to be about finding love without being blinded by physical features, yet in the pods they still discussed each other's physique instead of actual helpful topics like how many kids do you want, if so, when?.... Additionally, I found the women very unappealing character wise. Always putting the blame on the guy and never outwardly admitting their shortcomings or try to work on it.

I just need to vent about that one girl with the blond guy. He was so sweet and very handsome but she kept insulting his looks and saying he looks scary just because he has blond hair. Their culture can sometimes be so ostracizing, it's sad. He is too good for her even. I'm sure there are lots of amazing women willing to take him off her hands...

I freaking love this show

[freedom_addict · 10/10 · 2 March 2022]

It will bring to you all the emotions from being strangers thru to the process of getting married from different people's perspective.

Sometimes I feel sweetness, sometimes I feel stress when I put myself in the guys' shoes.

Definitely a must watch. I bet the girls will love this more than a guy do. But I am a guy! :)

I wish they can continue filming their lives but alas, it's not possible as once the love ends, most likely they will never return.

Very realistic dating show

[pandahowlbaby · 10/10 · 25 February 2022]

Everyone come from all walks of life. There is no perfect Prince Charming or princess. Everyone has their flaws and definitely their own charms. It is a really interesting and diversified show.

Less sexualized than American version, couples more serious

[leahcubed · 8/10 · 28 April 2024]

8/10 is my rating. This is a 2022 Japanese reality dating show. It is patterned after the American show of the same name. It ran for 11, 47-71 minute

First I provide a Unique synopsis then review

Synopsis

Eleven women and thirteen men live on a compound where the genders are kept separate at first, site unseen. During the first ten days members take part in speed dates where they seek to find out as much as they can about each other with marriage in mind. Following the speed dates, they can then choose to participate in longer dates with partners of their choice by going into adjacent pods where they are unable to see each other but can clearly hear each other's voices. The intent is to fall for each other enough to propose marriage. Once the couples are engaged (and many will leave at this level never having found that level of connection) they are allowed to meet face to face where they see the other physically and the ring is presented. Affianced couples depart for a one week resort vacation Other couples that have taken part in the "experiment" are at the resort so the participants get to see others they may have "dated". After spending their time at the resort, the affianced couples move into apartments for the remainder of the show. The couples are encouraged to spend their time introducing their fiancé to friends and family. While planning their weddings they go about their daily lives and learn how the person they chose goes about their days. All of the women go shopping for wedding dresses together and offer opinions on cut and style. Likewise the men shop for suits and offer each other opinions on the look of those suits they select. Each couple gets a day at the alter where they decide whether, after having real world time together, they want to say "I Do" or they regret their decision and say "I Don't".

HOSTS

Takashi Fujii Born in 1972. Would have been about 5O years old when the show aired. He is an actor, comedian, singer, presenter and music producer.

Yuka Itaya born in 1975. She would have been about 47 when the show aired. She is an actress, model and presenter.

SINGLES

Women

Priyanka Yoshikawa (Priya) (28) Mixed ethnicity with a Japanese and Indian ((India) parent. She is an interpreter, model and kick boxer. She was crowned Miss Japan world in 2016. Born in 1994. She would have been about 28 when the show aired.

Toshie (39) Aromatherapy instructor

Midori (30) Business planner

Motomi (27) Advertising salesperson

Minami (26) Architecture firm

Eri (32) Fitness trainer

Ayano (30) Corporate worker

Maki (34) Yoga instructor

Nana (31) Online marketing

Priya (27) Entrepreneur

Kaoru (31) Singer-songwriter

Nanako (35) Ex-ballet instructor

Men

Takumi (23) Ex-Maritime Self-Defense Force officer

Jinya (26) Hair and makeup stylist

Yudai (23) Men's hairstylist

Mori (37) Cosmetic dermatologist

Shuntaro (56) Consultant

Odacchi (31) Comedian

Atsushi (42) Business owner

Sho (28) Design firm owner

Misaki (31) Baseball coach in Kenya

Ryotaro (32) Hairstylist

Ryoga (30) Real estate

Mizuki (29) Restaurateur

Wataru (38) Executive

Review

This is such a popular reality dating show that it started in the US and several other countries have done their versions. As expected the Japanese series was less sexualized than the US and if the couples were intimate it did not show it. The singles also seemed to consider marriage a lot more seriously than the US version. Is Love Blind? I think in watching the US version, this Japanese version and now starting the Swedish version I would say it depends. It goes back to how much importance the individual and the culture places in physical appearance. With a major in psychology it is fascinating to me they can do what they even call an experiment. It most likely would not pass an ethics panel if it were an actual psychological experiment.

Spoilers

What is clear to me is women, cross culturally can be very harsh with men. Some of the critical comments were hard to take. If you have seen the show you would know who I am referencing but I will leave names out of it.

One male was a little heavier than the woman preferred so she decided to put him on an intense training schedule. Wanting someone you care about to be physically healthier is understandable but all of her comments pointed to her being worried about appearance, she said a lot of things indicating that she thought she was more attractive than him. Her mom was funny as she took a liking to the future son-in-law and told her daughter to quit being arrogant. Basically he is a catch and you should realize that.

Then there was the beauty queen who saw herself as a leading expert on how to do business. The guy she selected told her he was a partner in a business he owned. She found out that the partner had put the money up so she said he was the owner and you are just an employ. Even though both men said they were partners, and it was a case where one is "the talent" and the other was the investor, she still insisted he was not an owner. That is a common business arrangement so I thought it was both rude and short sighted of her to characterize his business according to her standards alone. She also pressed him so hard on what he thought a good income would be that he said a high figure. Then she belittled him for saying so high saying that he didn't have goals that were realistic. He said that he had inflated it because he was nervous and basically thought that that was what she would expect so she was responsible for making him feel that nervous to disappoint her. But rather than self reflecting, and realizing that she had made him feel that way, she harshly criticized for not stating a realistic amount. I thought he was way better off without her but could tell her opinion impacted him deeply and he was hurt their relationship ended.

Then there was Kenya guy. He had an innocent sweetness about him. The woman he selected made continual comments about him being an air head (which, from anime, can be considered cute) but not in a complimentary way. She was snippy and sarcastic when they met with her friends about various aspects of Kenya guy. I understood she did not feel they were a good match but a lot of her comments were personal attacks. And to bring him to her friends and make mean comments was not a good look for her.

To have two couples remain together is surprising because these type of shows rarely form couples with any longevity. Ryotaro and Motomi were refreshing. They liked each other from the beginning and never wavered. I think it was proof of concept because he was not someone, based on appearance alone, she would have interacted with. It was clear how much they enjoyed being together and their mutually supportive and caring relationship was so infectious it quickly won their families over. They are a lovely couple and I hope they have a future full of the love and happiness they conveyed so well. All signs on the internet pointed to them still being a couple.

Wataru and Midori also had a very nice relationship. I do not think she fully realized how happy he made her. Her mom could see how well suited they were and was an advocate for their relationship. They remained together based on social media posts.

#LoveIsBlindJapan.

Oh well, it exceeded my expectations by a lot!

[soneagu · 10/10 · 11 February 2024]

Years ago, I watched the first "Love is Blind" (US version) ever. It sounded kind of false: people just trying to be on TV for growing exposure. Actually, I was watching just the first few episodes, and abandoned, for the lack of authenticity. Oh well, I tried it again with "Love is Blind: Sweden" and that one impressed me a lot. Sincere people who REALLY wanted to find a partner for life tried their best over there. After two Japanese reality shows (Love Deadline and Love Like a K-drama - oh well, the last one is Korean based, but it casted four astonishing Japanese actresses!), I tried this one too, and I was not disappointed at all! If you like reality shows, this is one of the most authentic ever! Oh well, except for Odacchi and Yudai, who clearly went there for publicity, and I think that playing with a human being's emotions (and life, in the end) is pitiful. I didn't like them at all!

I understand the population decline in Japan now

[betul_ayberkin · 1/10 · 17 February 2022]

After watching this I understand Japanese culture and the reason for population decline in Japan.

I didn't enjoy the show; people are too dry and fake. Especially women, they keep giving the men impression that they want to marry but in reality they don't.

Most of them lack EQ big time. Boring show in summary.