35-Sai no Shojo (2020)

An outstanding drama that only gets better as the story unfolds

Before I begin my review, let me briefly summarize the plot. The story revolves around a girl named Nozomi, who was in an accident at the age of 10 and has been in a coma ever since. However, 25 years later, on her 35th birthday, she miraculously regains consciousness - only to realize that she is no longer 10, and the world is neither the same as it used to be nor how she had hoped it would be. She then embarks on a long journey toward adulthood with the help of her family and a childhood friend.

Although the time-travel plot isn't particularly unique, what sets this drama apart is its thoughtful portrayal of growing up. Unlike many dramas with a similar concept, it doesn't rely on cute or lighthearted moments. Instead, it takes a more realistic approach to the protagonist's emotional development. She begins with the mind of a child trapped in the body of a 35-year-old woman, then gradually experiences the different stages of adolescence - from middle school to high school - before finally maturing into an adult.

I also loved the portrayal of the family - the individual members, their flaws, and the way they relate to one another. They’re imperfect, yet somehow perfect in their own way.

Lastly, can we take a moment to appreciate Shibasaki Ko’s incredible performance as Imamura Nozomi? What impressed me the most was how she captured even the smallest details of a child’s behavior - the way they cry, the way they speak, and even how they refer to themselves in the third person. Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone else playing this role as perfectly as she did. She was simply phenomenal.

Of course, no drama is without its flaws. While I wouldn’t say there were any major issues, there were a few moments that could have been handled better. For example, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with how the mother’s death was portrayed. Although it wasn’t unexpected, it felt a little abrupt. I also had mixed feelings about Nozomi’s job, Mana’s award, and Tatsuya’s career. Everything was wrapped up so quickly that the final 10 minutes felt a bit rushed and, at times, unconvincing. It almost seemed like the drama was trying to give every character a happy ending, when a more subtle conclusion might have felt more natural.

Aside from that, everything else was nearly perfect, from the supporting cast’s performances to the cinematography and even the OST. The soundtrack, in particular, is probably one of the best I’ve heard in a J-drama, and I don’t think I’ll be forgetting it anytime soon.

Overall, I’d highly recommend this drama to anyone looking for something simple yet captivating, with a heartfelt story that avoids unnecessary cringe or exaggeration. It’s definitely worth checking out.

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A modern fairytale rooted in reality

Despite some little flaws, this drama was like a breath of fresh air and I enjoyed it a lot.
It talks about growth and sorrow in a way which is both symbolical and realistic: family, love, self improvement, compassion and forgiveness are all part of the story...it feels like watching a fairy tale in real life, in fact I loved all the references to the book "Momo" by Michael Ende!
All the actors did a good job; Shibasaki Ko and Sakaguchi Kentaro were absolutely brilliant, they seemed deeply involved with their characters!
I hope that a lot of people will decide to watch it! :)

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