Romantics Anonymous

 When I started to research for "Romantics Anonymous" (2025) I discovered I had already seen an earlier version, "Romantics Anonymous" (2010), seen over a decade ago.  In truth I don't remember much about the earlier French-Belgian version, but there were some differences. 

The 2010 version was an 80 minute movie while the Japanese version ('Romanchikku Anonimusu") was an 8 part series, giving them the advantage of character development.  The emphasis on the French-Belgian version ("Les emotifs anonymes") was on extreme shyness making it difficult for a couple to break the ice.  The more modern version chose to handicap each of the leading characters with unusual disabilities, one anxious about being touched (but not autistic) and the other anxious about eye contact known as scopophobia.  They also had a parallel romance  that complicated the main couple.

One common denominator is a focus on chocolate.  You will be tempted to taste some chocolates and they are very addictive.  There is a cut throat business angle with everyone wanting a cheap price, good quality and above all a profit.  Another angle is the father-son within the corporate structure.  Many of Sosuke's ideas are dismissed, but he does go beyond his father's wishes.  

By the second and third episodes the two leading actors become aware of each other's vulnerabilities, but each assures the other they will not fall in love.  Hana in fact has a crush on Hiro, a Kendo colleague who happens to be a close friend of Sosuke and oblivious to her.  Because of her scopophobia Hana avoids a lot of attention that comes with eye contact.  Her well regarded mentor Kenji trained her and encouraged her to present her chocolate creations anonymously, but in effect not part of any company.  She hides her secret, although everyone is envious of her creations and is perceived as a shy nobody .

It takes a talented crew to engage your attention over the series.  Here are a few key ones.

 Sho Tsukikawa was the director.  He has 32 director credits, 10 for writing and 7 as editor.

Yoshikazu Okada was a writer who helped adapt the French/Belgian script.  He has 79 writing credits plus 2 for directing.

Jean-Pierre Ameris was the writer for the original "Romantics Anonymous" (2010).  He has 19 writing credits plus 24 for directing and one for producing including "L'homme qui rit"(2012).

 

 

 

 

 

Dalpalan was the composer.  He has 27 composing credits and 4 for the music department including "The Good the Bad the Weird" (2008), "The Thieves" (2012), "For the Emperor" (2014), "Assassination" (2015), "The Wailing" (2016), "My Name is Loh Kinan" (2024) and "Killer Paradox" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/03/a-killer-paradox.html

 Kosuke Yamada was the cinematographer.  He has 24 cinematography credits and 4 for the camera and electrical department including "Beyond Goodbye" (2024).

Jinmo Yang was the editor.  He was educated in the United States.  He has 28 editor credits, 11 for the editorial department and 2 for visual effects including "Snowpiercer" (2013), "The Beauty Inside" (2015), "Train to Busan" (2016), "Okja" (2017), "Parasite" (2019) and "Mickey 17" (2015).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/09/parasite-breaks-oscar-tradition.html

Syd Lim was the executive producer.  He has 24 producer rests, plus 1 for acting and another for additional crew including "Oldboy" (2003), "The Beauty Inside" (2015) and "The Handmaiden" (2016).

Shun Oguri played Sosuke.  He has 137 acting credits, 1 for directing and 1 for writing including "Japan Sinks: People of Hope" (2021).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/japan-sinks-people-of-hope-emigration.html

 Han Hyo-joo played Hana Lee and is Korean.  She has 35 acting credit plus 1 for composing and 1 for soundtrack including "The Beauty Inside" (2015).

Jin Akanishi, played Hiro, close friend to Sosuke, a Kendo trainee and a jazz musician.  In reality he was a well established singer and song writer.  He has 24 acting credits and 1 for the music department and 2 for soundtrack including the Hollywood version of "47 Ronin" (2013).

Yuri Nakamura played Irene and on and off romantic interest for Hiro.  She has 135 acting credits including "Like Father, Like Son" (2013).

You might be put off by the initial demonstrations of the two leading characters' mental afflictions, but it does not become cartoonish and eventually you will feel a little of the anxiety caused by the sensitivities.  It is a typical enjoyable romance, with misunderstandings and a happy ending.  Available on Netflix with subtitles or dubbing.  If you like chocolates (or are you really strange?) you will find that part of the film of interest.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.