Waru (2022)

Motivating Business Drama

A comedy and business drama which will leave everyone wanting more because of positive and motivating setting. Each episode has a positive closure which leaves you stress free while you watch it. It highlights gender bias ness issue in Japan. Even though the manga that this show is based on is old, they have done good job bringing the current issues faced in Japanese workplace into the story.

The story is based around a clumsy girl from not so good university who finally found a job after applying in so many companies, who has positive approach to everything when it comes to work. Even at the setting where things are going against her, instead of taking it to heart and getting demotivated, she becomes energetic and just goes about work hard. Kinda reminded me of myself when I started internship, but the difference is, I got tired midway and couldn’t bring that motivation while the fictional main lead doesn’t get tired of any negative energy around her. She goes around changing everyone’s view about her. So that was fun to watch, the ideal situation where people keep going and win heart of people with their good hardworking nature.

Since this is a fictional, of course the characters introduced in the drama are not completely evil or bad, all seem to be good at the end of the day. Unrealistic but refreshing.

Romance is there but in form love at first sight, finding that person and working hard to be able to reach that person’s level. And then all the hot men falling for the clumsy hardworking positive girl because of her bubbly personality.

Imada mio looked so much like Takahata mistuki,(and a bit like sugisaki hana) that I didn’t recognise her at first. Her acting resembled that of how Takahata Mitsuki, Sugisaki Hana and Mizuki Arisa are when they are playing bubbly positive main lead. I think that was what bothered me the most, (even though I looked away from the east going, all good people set up of the office) because I wish she didn’t copy Takahata Mitsuki’s acting style so much.

The problems mentioned and solutions in the drama are again quite simple and stress free that’s why it is refreshing to watch if you want something motivating to watch. Will I watch again? Yes, to see the fun comic side of this story and Eguchi Noriko & Imada Mio’s pair being all fun and comical, which really made the drama special and fun to watch.

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Upbeat and positive female lead tacking workplace challenges for women employees.

Not knowing what to expect, I started “Waru: Hataraku no ga Kakko Warui Nante Dare ga Itta?” blindly. That’s a mouthful for a drama title and let’s just use the English title, “Bad Woman, Akujo” for this review. 🙂

Not going to lie, I was a little taken back initially by the overly optimistic and bubbly female lead, Tanaka Maririn, played by the beautiful and talented Imada Mio. I am usually not a big fan of this type of female character, but I have to say, Imada Mio charms me and portrays Maririn is the most adorable way that I can’t help but root for her.

“Bad Woman, Akujo” has a pretty simple plot of women empowerment and advancement in the workplace. Through the career advancement of our heroine, she was mentored by Minegishi Yuki, to advance through her career in the old-fashioned company, trying to break the glass ceiling. Supporting Minegishi with her plan, Maririn grows and meets lovely colleagues along the way. The mentor/mentee relationship is lovely to witness with a few hilarious scenes.

Romance is a side plot. Maririn is liked by two awesome and handsome male characters, yet she goes after the supposedly ‘perfect’ Mr. T. O. (Boooo!). Don’t expect much of the usual rom-com fluffiness as this is a backdrop to a more powerful and important plot.

Each episode tackles a different issue that women employees might encounter at work. Due to the drama format, it does seem like everything is resolved rather easily within an episode. I am glad that enough time is dedicated to JK5 and the hardship to execute a system and change habits in the last few episodes, and also not to ignore issues that other employees also faced. But if you want a deep dive into each issue, this is not the drama for it.

I have a very enjoyable time watching "Bad Woman, Akujo" with a lovely and adorable female lead who won’t back down in the face of challenges. A few good-looking guys don’t hurt either. But if you don’t like Maririn’s personality, this will be a difficult drama for you to enjoy. Despite not having big complaints, this drama also doesn't give me that emotional punch that I feel with dramas I usually rate 9+. My gut tells me this is an 8.5 drama.



Completed: 1/19/2025 - Review #535

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