Love Village Episodes 1-4 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. The series is inspired by the popular reality series Terrace House.
– Love Village Episodes 1-4 Review Contains Spoilers –
Love Village Episode 1
We are introduced to our MCs Atsushi Tamura and Becky, as they and the audience get to know the 8 singles and the house in the countryside with its own character. The 8 singles include Tabo, Totchan, Hollywood, Okayo, Yukiemon, Minane, Johnny and Anchovy. The first episode is all about the singles getting to know each other and becoming familiar with the 150-year-old house.
After the first night of cooking and eating together and exchanging spicy stories with each other, the next day, everyone gets busy making the house a bit more livable and making necessary renovations. In between, sparks start to fly between Totchan & Tabo and Hollywood & Yukiemon.
Love Village Episode 2
The second episode continues with the home renovations, wherein Totchan and Tabo continue to spend all of their time together, and although Totchan’s feelings for Tabo grow day by day, he seems to be taking it a bit slower than her. Meanwhile, Hollywood is dead-set on his feelings for Yukiemon, who is also interested in him. While working together, she starts to feel more appreciative of his skills, and his ability to take criticism while learning something new, but her praises do more harm than good.
Hollywood ends up wearing a denim kimono, snatches Yukiemon away from Johnny and then flashes her while telling her why the front of the kimono is kept open. We then are subjected to Yukiemon telling us about Hollywood’s “member”. After Tatchan comes in to give her thoughts about the incident, the hosts are left baffled for the rest of the episode, wondering who thinks about compatibility while going so deep into the sexual preferences of their potential partners.
Anyway, Johnny’s lack of sleep ends up being a thorn in his side as he gets into a verbal spat with Hollywood and accuses him of barking orders at him. The men then start fighting about whether Johnny took one pill or two, which escalates to Hollywood threatening to leave. Even the hosts are left confused at the bizarre interaction.
Love Village Episode 3
The third episode starts with some yummy food thanks to Anchovy’s chef’s prowess. Everyone is appreciative of his skills and praises him thoroughly.
The next day, Hollywood and Yukiemon get into a spat when he questions her about her workplace, and she refuses to answer. Later, Anchovy talks to Totchan and Yukiemon and although both the women like other men, Anchovy gets the notion that they both like him. Anyway, Totchan tries her best to get a reaction out of Tabo but is left disappointed when he doesn’t give her the attention that she craves.
The next night, while drinking, Yukiemon’s words hit Tabo, who mentions that he has baggage that is preventing him from opening up to everyone, and Hollywood mopes around after Yukiemon gives him the cold shoulder. The two of them sit down to talk, which ends up giving the hosts and the audience a look into the less pleasant side of Hollywood.
The next day, the contestants build a BBQ and, that night, have a hearty little surprise for Hollywood’s birthday. It’s a sweet watch as he gets emotional from the care shown towards him. Overcome with emotions, he goes up to the bell the next day to profess his love for her. The others are taken aback by the suddenness of the situation, but Yukiemon has a spring in her step.
The entire situation makes Atsushi Tamura cry, especially Hollywood’s mother’s tragic death.
Love Village Episode 4
The last episode for this week starts with Hollywood professing his thoughts to Yukiemon while holding hands and honestly being quite handy. Back at the house, Hollywood shares his last meal with everyone, and afterwards, Yukiemon shares everything that happened with Hollywood with the rest of the women, who advised her not to have any regrets, regardless of her choice.
The next day, it’s time for Hollywood’s true test – as he waits patiently for her, Yukiemon makes her way to him. Hollywood confesses his feelings to her, and she seems receptive to his rather sweet confession. In response, Yukiemon thanks him for choosing her but, in the end, tells him that he is an important friend to her, but she can’t leave with him. As Hollywood leaves, he wishes everyone the best. This results in Atsushi Tamura crying once again.
Hollywood’s time in the house leaves an interesting impact on everyone in the house. As everyone is getting the hang of their emotions, however, Johnny lets everyone know that he, too, will be leaving since a sudden work commitment has changed things for him.
After that, Yukiemon shares her feelings about Hollywood with Anchovy, but their conversation is interrupted by Tatchan, who also wants to have a word with him. Anchovy takes this as his theory of both women liking him coming to fruition. Either way, it’s time for the new housemates to make their entry, and they arrive soon after – Jupnei and Sakechan. Both men are in their forties, and while the housemates get comfortable with them, a new woman also walks in.
Yukorin immediately catches everyone’s eyes, and things are about to get even more heated after this!
Love Village Episodes 1-4 Review: Final Thoughts
With a ton happening in the first four episodes already, Love Village feels very scripted from the start. People’s interactions, the laugh track behind the hosts and the Backstreet Boys starting song feel too made up and cringy, and there’s a distinct old-time feel to it for some reason, even though it’s a new show. It’s bizarre watching this “mature” dating series, and although I must be thankful for its speed-of-light pace, it won’t keep many people on their toes.
That being said, I did enjoy the silliness, and there were some moments that got to me. I don’t understand the need for the animated bits describing people’s backstories, but then again, it’s cringy either way. Also, I must say that else mature people talk about sex a bit too much and in the most boomer way possible. It’s extremely uncomfortable to watch these interactions.
All in all, if you’re bored and need something to watch, this is probably something. Otherwise, go for Terrace House.
Love Village is streaming on Netflix.
This series is obviously spun off from Ainori, not so much from Terrace House. The production style and format is not for everyone but it is very distinctively Japanese, while Terrace House’s aesthetic has always been more catered to reach an international audience. You might want to check out Ainori to get a better grasp of the culture of Japanese dating shows.