Love Village Episodes 5-8 Review: Love Village (あいの里) is a Japanese reality dating show hosted by Atsushi Tamura and Becky. The series consists of 8 singles ranging from ages 35 to 60, who come to an idyllic house in the countryside away from all modern technologies and issues in order to find their last loves. Here, they live together and slowly get to know each other in the hopes that something more comes out of their interactions while away from the distractions of their daily lives.
The series will have 18 episodes, and three episodes will release every week till May 30.
– Love Village Episodes 5-8 Review Contains Spoilers –
Love Village Episode 5
The episode starts with the housemates learning more about the three new contestants, wherein Yukorin is the immediate attraction for everyone. Tabo starts to make his moves on her almost immediately, much to Totchan’s annoyance. She talks to him later to get an idea about where his heart is heading, and she realises that things might not work out for her. Tabo almost admits that he is more interested in getting to know Yukorin than anyone else in the group.
Junpei, who is also interested in Yukorin, makes his move as well and spends some alone time with her while renovating the girls’ living room. And, just like that, a formidable fight brews between Junpei and Tabo for Yukorin’s affection. As nighttime comes around, Sakechan and Totchan start to bond with each other over their shared interests and habits, ending the night giggling and Totchan admitting to the camera that she is interested in Sakechan.
Meanwhile, Anchovy is having an existential crisis over his delusional thoughts that both Yukiemon and Totchan have feelings for him. When Totchan’s clear feelings for Sakechan are now visible, he mentions that she is playing with his feelings and letting her friend Yukiemon have him. To clear the air, Anchovy talks to Totchan to clear the air, and as everyone suspects (except Anchovy), Totchan has no idea about what he is asking her.
In the meantime, Minane gives her two cents about the situation and mentions that she thinks that the women are leading Anchovy on. Although the hosts disagree with her analysis, the crew interviewing her also chime in on the situation and mention that they would fall for a similar situation.
Either way, Sakechan and Totchan continue to talk more the next day, and she gets to know some very interesting things about him, pushing her feelings to grow stronger for him.
Also Read: Love Village Episodes 1-4 Review: Mature Dating Show is Sorta Cringy
Love Village Episode 6
Love Village Episode 6 starts with Okayo sharing her feelings about her romantic situation in the house. She mentions that she doesn’t connect to anyone in the house romantically and feels overwhelmed trying to fit in with everyone. However, with the new people coming in, Okayo’s interest in staying put in the house increased along with her interest in Junpei. She takes the first step in confessing her feelings for him, but will it turn out to be a good decision for her?
Meanwhile, Totchan continues to put her feelings out there and gives Sakechan a handmade coupon for a reiki message. Unfortunately for her, the next day, when they are tasked to remove the shoji paper from their doors, Sakechan takes Totchan’s enthusiasm negatively and mentions in his talking head that he doesn’t see her as his ideal life partner. Meanwhile, when it comes time to replace the shoji paper, the men and women divide up into teams, and Okayo is disappointed when Junpei picks Yukorin instead of her for the task.
As a storm brews outside and lightning strikes, Jupnei takes the opportunity to comfort Yukorin, which she finds extremely creepy. Meanwhile, Okayo wonders whether she should back off in order to not stir up trouble with the other women.
Afterwards, during tea time, Anchovy has a delusional breakup with Yukiemon and Totchan while discussing finances and realising that their spending habits don’t align with his. Even the hosts are left speechless, watching the lengths he goes to with the imaginary love triangle.
That night, Yukorin poses a question to the men about having children, and their safe answers get her thinking about her future marriage prospects from the house. She is quite serious about her thoughts surrounding children and childbearing, especially if she has children with developmental delays. Yukorin is left disappointed that no one replied, giving the question a deeper thought and understanding.
When Junpei asks everyone whether they would be ok with not being married to a partner, Yukorin answers that she would rather be married because in the event that something untoward happens, she will be secure. The answer makes Sakechan think, and soon after, he asks her to have a chat with him. It turns out that they have more in common than either originally thought and are able to find solace in each other.
The next day, Sakechan makes the first move and gives Yukorin a special gift, the news of which disappoints Totchan, who is almost ready to give up on her quest for companionship.
Love Village Episode 7
Love Village Episode 7 starts with Yukorin taking a yoga class. The men are unable to keep their eyes from wandering as Yukorin does her poses and helps everyone out. Okayo meanwhile takes the opportunity afterwards to talk to Junpei and realises that his needs are not in-line with how she is. However, she doesn’t give up and asks the other women to help dress her up. As it turns out, people are extremely fond of her thoughtfulness.
Unfortunately for her, Junpei still finds a reason not to acknowledge her efforts and mentions during the talking head that he doesn’t like her using so much makeup. Meanwhile, Minane finds her interest dwindling as the men don’t consider her to be an option as a partner. On the other hand, Okayo continues to try with Junpei, who only has eyes for Yukorin. Unfortunately, he, too, is shut out thanks to Yukorin’s friendly banter with Tabo.
As if this drama wasn’t enough, the women decide to make bracelets for the men and let them choose one without knowing who made what. Okayo’s bracelet is the only one not chosen, but she finds a ray of hope in the fact that Junpei takes it and holds it. It’s a sweet moment, although, in the end, Okayo decides to keep it with her. That night, she breaks down under the weight of her emotions, mentioning that Junpei is very kind.
Love Village Episode 8
Love Village Episode 8 starts with Totchan asking Tabo about his thoughts regarding the bracelets from the other night as well as his comments about Okayo’s remaining bracelets. The women are clearly unhappy about him asking for the bracelet to be given to the next housemate. Confused, Tabo takes Anchovy for a conversation, but considering Anchovy’s own comment, it seems like Tabo isn’t going to get good advice. Either way, he asks his friend to apologise to the women because “women like stuff like that and will think less of you otherwise”.
Either way, Tabo does end up apologising to Okayo. Later in the afternoon, Junpei and Okayo work on the women’s room renovations; although Okayo is excited to see the man she is interested in working in his zone, Junpei gives his 100% to the task on account of his promise to Yukorin. While working together, Okayo gets another blow to her already broken heart when Junpei calls her Yukorin. However, in the talking head, he mentions that he finds both Yukorin and Okayo attractive.
Either way, the next day, Okayo and Junpei continue to work together, and Okayo asks Junpei whether he would propose to a girl whom he knows doesn’t like him back. Junpei tells her that he would confess later on, which breaks her heart further. However, she pushes through with Junpei on the second floor, and 54 hours later, they get the job done. Unfortunately, she still has unresolved feelings for Junpei and decides that she’s had enough of bottling her feelings up.
It’s time for her to ring the bell! After she comes down from the hill, she takes Junpei away from the group, leaving the women sobbing behind them. Okayo confesses her feelings in front of a gorgeous waterfall, and afterwards, after a hearty dinner, we learn Junpei’s feelings in front of the camera. Unfortunately, he mentions that he doesn’t want to leave with lingering feelings in his head, and he wants to spend some more time in the village.
Love Village Episodes 5-8 Review
Episode 8 ends with Okayo’s confession not answered – a classic cliffhanger. I think, with some more time to learn about the housemates, the series gets a bit more interesting to watch. Plus, the hosts’ funny commentary adds a layer of reliability, especially their thoughts surrounding Anchovy’s delusional thoughts. I enjoyed this episode and especially the fact that they decided to focus on Okayo, whom we haven’t had the chance to really meet or know. She’s the underdog you’d want to win and have a happy life, and with the cliffhanger, viewers are sure to be left extremely frazzled at the lack of a conclusion.
I wonder, by the way, why Junpei and Okayo were the only ones to redo the women’s quarters. Like, were the others barred from helping these two in order to push their story forward? It seems a bit out of place, considering everyone always works together.
That being said, the men in the house are really frustrating to watch. Some of their comments are just so sexist and odd that you’d feel like you are watching an old show. I mean, I can talk about Anchovy’s odd behaviour here, but honestly, this is all scripted poorly, or there is something really wrong with him.
In that vein, it also sort of seems like most of the show is scripted – there are moments that seem so odd and ingenuine that it leaves you a bit confused. Either way, it’s a good show if you need something quick and forgettable, especially after all the episodes come out.
Love Village is streaming on Netflix.
Also Read: All of Our Reviews of Love Village
I don’t think it’s scripted at all. People are just weird. Anchovy aside, which parts do you think were “ingenuine?” (Not a word, by the way)