Passes time, but wastes talent.
🌟 Welcome to (Less) Sex In The City, Tokyo 2023 style. Is it ok to have ex sex? Why can't we just live de facto and stay in love, instead of being married and miserable? Should i just do the same thing my parents did, or live like a millenial would in most parts of the world?These modern relationship dilemmas are explores through Mukai-kun, a hesitant young salaryman. The show, reminiscent of the John Cusack film, "High Fidelity", navigates love's complexities and missed opportunities. Despite a capable cast aged up to 60 including Akaso Eiji in a role that massively ignores his amazing comedic and emotional talents, the series falls short. Haru shines as a progressive female lead, but the lack of mature plot and physical intimacy diminishes its impact. Okayama Amane is the hidden gem of the show, with his comedic timing and comic physical presence.
The show's pace and limited exploration of modern adult themes, hinder its potential. Like so many modern Japanese dramas, this one largely pretends physical intimacy does not exist.
Still, this show offers a moderate viewing experience, best enjoyed without high expectations and while waiting other releases.
🌟 Thank you for reading! Follow to be notified of future reviews! ~ Fumiyawagi
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A different kind of approach to romance and relationships
This drama is not focused on the romantic ending of the main character but rather, focused on every kind of relationship (romantic or not) the main character have with other people.From having some sparks with a new person only to find out that everything was only according to your imagination because you assumed that everything they do or think concerns you, to getting back together with someone you thought was only a one time thing and then ended up talking about marriage before ultimately ending it all together, to jumping back to a long term ex and finding out that they just got out of another long term relationship and only entertained you again to not feel lonely, and lastly, ultimately ending up with a realization that the person you utterly pronounced as someone you will never ever end up with unexpectedly became someone who you can no longer live without whether as good friends or forever lovers.
Murai-kun really did go through a lot of rollercoaster of feelings because of all the relationships he has had. Seeing not only the romantic relationships are being highlighted, the drama shows a versatile way of dealing and showing how we too can experience daily relationships such as friendships, families, and romanticness. A lot of these relationships gave me an unexpected turn to myself where I tend to question and think of the situations the characters were in as if I were in their shoes. Through this drama, I also had the chance to have multiple realizations about some people's approach and perspective when i comes to dealing with their own situations and messes.
I sort of understand the opposites' perspective too. Through the side story of Mami and her husband, Genki, at first I didn'ty like how Mami didn't just come clean with Genki in the first place and led on ultimately leading them both to almost collapse individually upon filing for divorce and then ended up staying together doing something more of the hassles of "unmarried but living together" but happily. I really felt like they could've have had a better option with their relationship given that they were already married and Genki was ready to fly to the moon and back for Mami. If Mami only was patient with Genki by coming clean and making him understand her point to view a bit more, maybe they wouldn't have had to get divorced and do more than the bare minimum for all the requirements of the society. Although I do understand Mami's point of view and desire to go against the normal societal rules, I wish she would have just talked properly with Genki about it before she went out and acted like a complete brat about it. I may say that with this side story, women are starting to question and live outside of the societal rules that the patriarchs established to be the "norm". Having yourself as an equal individual in a relationship is a refreshing approach in starting to deal with and fighting this "norm" we are all used to be in.
Among Mukai-kun's relationships, I regretted not seeing a huge and obvious progress with Sakaido-san. I really loved them from the beginning. I was expecting them to go steady with each other but the drama ended with an open ending where they only declared to one another that they want to see each other face-to-face, vaguely implying that they are seeing each other on a different light all while keeping their closeness as friends still a priority (or so I think). I want to see them beyond friendship and more of a lover trope. But ALAS! I know some of us also have those kinds of people in our lives where we leave it up to fate and destiny but still value the friendship no matter what happens.
A lot more happened to this drama than I could ever imagine and could ever speak of here. Overall, this drama approached the unspoken thoughts and desires of people about the societal norm about relationships into a manageable and digestible way that even an average person like me could comprehend and linger thoughts of even after watching this.
Was this review helpful to you?
Enjoyable All the Way to the End
Like all great Japanese dramas, this one explores the complexities of romantic relationships and the nuances of inner turmoil. What happens to people and how do they react when they begin to realize what "dependence" does to their individual identities?What I loved:
- the understated and very realistic acting by the entire ensemble cast
- no anime-like comedic tropes
- the exploration of the definition of independence
- how characters behave and have patterns of speech that matches their personality
What was iffy:
- the subplot of Mami & Genki-Kun was too drawn out
> could have progressed and been resolved faster
- Kanda and Sakaida's break was too abrupt
- would have felt more complete if we got to see her telling Kanda what he did wrong
> that would have followed the pattern of storytelling whereby a problem in a relationship is exposed for what it truly is.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Historia para reflexionar
La historia se centra en el personaje masculino, quien ha estado soltero durante 10 años y aún no ha superado su relación anterior, sin comprender por qué terminó. Gran parte de la trama se desarrolla en el restaurante de su cuñado. Aquí, son las mujeres quienes cuestionan el amor y el matrimonio, mientras que los hombres siguen las convenciones sociales en busca de una pareja para toda la vida. No se trata de una historia romántica, sino más bien de un examen de las relaciones humanas y una reflexión sobre lo que verdaderamente deseamos.Was this review helpful to you?
