Perfect for the Optimists
I now consider this the best drama I've seen ever! No matter how many times I see it, I always get teary-eyed and touched by the good-naturedness of the characters. Call me old-fashioned but I find nothing wrong with this kind of worldview. Though, I doubt if anyone's as noble as Dr. Koto (he's just too kind and pure!)As for the actors, I just love Yoshioka Hidetaka! He's amazing! I discovered this drama while looking for Sakai Masato dramas (only to find out later that he only showed up in the 2nd season). But with just the first ep. of Dr. Koto, i fell in love with him (Dr. Koto) in an instant! Some actors were just as convincing like Izumiya Shigeru (Shige), Sengoku Noriko (Uchi), and of course, Kakei Toshio (Wada). Even Tomioka Ryo (Takehiro) did amazingly well!
And who can forget about the OST! It's just perfect. I love the instrumental versions of Gin no Ryuu no Sei ni Notte and Omoide Dake dewa Tsura Sugiru. One of the best drama OSTs I've heard.
This drama isn't getting that much attention b/c the actors here are not the usual "idols", except maybe for Shibasaki Kou. And the story isn't the usual "love story" either. But I'm glad it was well received in Japan.
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The stories within this series are so heartfelt, honest, and true to life that at some moments it's scary to see it happen. A few times I had to pinch myself to remind me that this was "just a tv show". I'm unfamiliar with the main actor (Yoshioka Hidetaka) however, after this series I've become a very ardent fan, very quickly! The way he carries himself as a person, not to mention as a doctor, is something very unique that you don't see very often in any type of drama. Each episode was filled with such strong emotion(s) that I felt as if I was living within the community on the island.
This drama is not one to be missed if you are a medical, suspense, slice-of-life, family, or any genre type, to be honest. This show held a lot of morals and/or lessons too; it is a very sweet, very realistic show!
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More frustrating than uplifting
I don't find many faults with the core concept and story. The acting and casting for the adults were very good, for the kids less so. The setting was, of course, rugged and gorgeous. It has the basics down rather well. Beyond those basics I find issues that have nothing to do with the telling of the story.Most of my issues are with the lead character writing. Obviously something in a medical drama necessitates a savant with magical diagnostic powers and a knack for succeeding at ill-advised surgeries. You can't be a TV doctor without a touch of a god complex, even if you landed in it as a miserable sinner. But at times Dr Goto's constant success and beatific smile reminded me of the lead in the 2017 American series "The Good Doctor," which I dropped for being an insufferable hagiography of one individual.
To get to my key point, though: I disagree with every comment and review complimenting this dorama for being sweet or optimistic.
I can't help but be informed by my own experiences when I watch and review a drama. So, having lived in beautiful rural shitholes like that island, I was all but triggered by memories of living among a bunch of small-minded ingrate hicks who will happily drive a competent professional out of town by mob rule and then blame the government for not having one. If you sent them Jesus they'd crucify him. This community, to the very end, is undeserving of a physician or personality like Dr Goto. The only thing that saves them is that he is a complete and total doormat.
I guess it was a bit too realistic and hit too close to home for me there. The story is well told but as a romantic, feel-good redemption show I found it unconvincing to the point of being painful. I hope that what comes later in this series is better.
Watch it? You probably should since it's a reference for later works and only the first in a series. But if you really need positivity and a welcoming community you ought to look at later shows like Nijiiro Karute or Barakamon instead.
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