Glass Heart

It's about music, not about the story

Usually when you watch a musical, music compliments the story itself, gives it layers and reveals hidden emotions of the characters and their pain and\or love to us. With this drama, it is completely vice versa - here, the story compliments music. Sounds, music, Naoki's songs are the main characters in this drama. In one episode, he says that he's writing all of these songs just to pull the noise out of his head. And this drama literally felt like watching this sounds and noises coming out of his head

There's not much plot. It basically sums up to creating the group, going through struggles, succeeding and that's it. Even a little plot twist didn't have that much of impact at all. I also personally not a big fan of open endings, so this is why my rating is 9.5. It was great in terms of the story until the last ep - because that one was just a huge performance without tying up all the plot lines. We don't know what'll happen to the characters after it.

Characters. I love all of them. Even if there's not much going on, the characters shine. We have eps that are focused on certain character and their story, aside of Kazushi, unfortunately. He's the only one not getting his own background story out of the main four. Surprisingly, there are side characters with a deep and properly written personalities even though they're on the screen for just a couple of episodes. And THE acting, every one of the actors gave an incredible performance, they put all of themselves in it.

Romance, bromance, found family. Main four truly works so good together, you can see all sorts of connections between them, and it evolves throughout the show. There's a huge found family plot - they care about each other deeply, but what truly binds them together is music and passion to perform, like they're completely different, but the sound brings them closer.

Romance is here too - it's truly just a little bit, and the love theme of the drama is more about the whole group, than about Akane and Naoki, but they did even this little bit beautifully. Don't expect the full-blown romance, expect the gentle kind, the "I'll be there for you always" kind.

And, finally, a bromance between Sho and Naoki that could easily be written as a romance, honestly, it was a great full of love relationship between them. I personally loved both romance and bromance, I truly feel like Naoki loves all 3 of his bandmates, it's just his love takes a different form with each of them:
- For Akane it's romantic love and the love that pulled him back from his own head
- For Sho it's admiration and the love that brought him back the happiness for playing the music
- For Kazushi it's more friendly love and the love that challenges his songwriting

The production and the music. This drama is mesmerizing. It's filmed like a movie, there's so many pretty shots and sounds, when they sing you can truly feel like you're on the stage there with them. And the whole OST... I don't even know where to start. I feel like it was made by musicians for musicians, and it's done flawlessly - even little bits of playing instruments between the scenes and the intro is so in tune with everything. As I said in the beginning, music is the main character, that's why the songs here are about the feeling and not really about the story, which is actually refreshing to see in the musical. I enjoyed it so much, but I think the way this drama works is not for everyone. You just need to decide what you want more - the story or the music. And if the music is your choice, this drama is for you

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As a fan of both Takeru and Keita, I was drawn to this series right away. The cinematography is stunning, visually compelling with beautifully composed shots.

In terms of the story, of course I have not read the manga so I really have no idea but in my personal opinion the romance subplot felt a bit forced and unnecessary. Personally, I think Akane and Kazushi would have made a much more fitting couple. I was honestly hoping Naoki wouldn't fall for Akane. What I had envisioned instead was a more bittersweet closed ended ending: Naoki’s death leading to Yukino or perhaps the former manager stepping up as the new vocalist. It would have been powerful to see Naoki leave behind his music, including new songs, as a legacy for the group. Now I'm curious how the Season 2 would go, if there will be one.

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A Resonant Ode to Music, Marred by Familiar Flaws

Glass Heart is a vibrant, soul-stirring journey that positions music as both a character and a lifeline. This J-drama follows Saijo Akane (Yu Miyazaki), a passionate college drummer ousted from her band on the cusp of their debut. Her path crosses with genius multi-instrumentalist Fujitani Naoki, who recruits her for his ambitious new band, TENBLANK. Alongside guitarist Takaoka Sho, and keyboardist Sakamoto Kazushi, the series weaves a tale of music as salvation, personal growth, and bittersweet romance. Glass Heart delivers an electrifying experience that’s as much a concert film as it is a drama. Yet, despite its highs, the series stumbles with uneven pacing and predictable tropes.

The Premise:

At its core, Glass Heart is about broken people finding harmony through music. Akane, a drummer with raw talent but shaky confidence, is betrayed by her original band, setting the stage for her arc. Naoki, a prodigy haunted by personal demons, sees her potential and pulls her into TENBLANK, a band he envisions as a musical revolution. The ensemble—rounded out by Sho’s quiet intensity, Kazushi’s flamboyant charm, and Toya’s brooding rivalry—faces internal conflicts, creative pressures, and external competition. The show’s title, Glass Heart, reflects its thematic spine: the fragility and transparency of human emotions, mirrored in the creation of art that’s both delicate and piercing.

The series blends band practice, live performances, and personal drama. The plot builds toward a climactic performance, tying together threads of sibling rivalry (Naoki and Toya), romantic tension, and Akane’s journey to self-belief.


Strengths:

1. Music as a Living, Breathing Force

The standout feature is the music itself. Yojiro Noda’s original songs—think J-rock with progressive and jazz undertones—are nothing short of phenomenal. Tracks like “Glass Heart” and “Forever Eve” (featuring a cameo vocal by (G)I-DLE’s Miyeon) are anthemic, emotionally charged, and perfectly synced with the story’s peaks. The OST isn’t just background noise; it evolves with the characters, reflecting their growth. For instance, early tracks are raw and chaotic, mirroring TENBLANK’s rocky start, while later songs gain polish and harmony as the band gels. The decision to have the cast train for over a year on their instruments pays off spectacularly—live performances, filmed with tens of thousands of extras, feel like attending a real J-rock concert. The authenticity is palpable; you can almost feel the drumbeats and guitar riffs through the screen.

2. Stellar Performances and Chemistry

Takeru Satoh’s Naoki is the heart and soul of the show. His portrayal of a charismatic yet tortured genius is magnetic—whether he’s shredding a guitar solo or unraveling in quieter moments, Satoh commands every scene. His real-life role as co-producer likely fueled his investment, and it shows. Yu Miyazaki, as Akane, brings a relatable vulnerability, though her arc occasionally feels overshadowed by Naoki’s intensity. Keita Machida’s Sho is a quiet standout, his understated pain and loyalty stealing scenes, while Jun Shison’s Kazushi injects humor and heart. Masaki Suda’s Toya, Naoki’s estranged brother, adds a layer of tragic rivalry that peaks in a tear-jerking episode 6 confrontation. The band’s chemistry—honed through real music training—feels organic, making their triumphs and tensions believable.

3. Visual and Emotional Spectacle

The production quality is top-tier. Concert scenes are a masterclass in cinematography, with sweeping drone shots, vibrant lighting, and slow-motion captures of sweat and passion. Offstage, the directors use classic J-drama aesthetics—rain-soaked confessions, soft backlighting—to amplify emotional beats. Masakatsu Takagi’s score complements Noda’s songs, adding delicate piano and string motifs to quieter moments. The show’s emotional core—music as a healing force—resonates deeply, especially for anyone who’s ever found solace in art. Scenes like Akane’s first drum solo or Naoki’s vulnerable confession about his illness hit like a tidal wave, leaving viewers (myself included) reaching for tissues.

4. Cultural and Thematic Resonance

Glass Heart feels like a love letter to J-rock and the creative process. It captures the grind of band life—endless rehearsals, ego clashes, and the euphoria of a perfect performance—while exploring universal themes: overcoming self-doubt, mending broken bonds, and chasing dreams against odds. The sibling dynamic between Naoki and Toya adds depth, their shared past unraveling through music rather than heavy-handed exposition. For fans of J-dramas like Nodame Cantabile or anime like GIVEN, this is catnip—a blend of passion, music, and melodrama that feels distinctly Japanese yet globally accessible.


Weaknesses:

1. Pacing and Plot Hiccups

The biggest flaw is pacing. The first three episodes are electric, setting up Akane’s fall, TENBLANK’s formation, and Naoki’s vision. But episodes 4–7 sag under subplots that feel contrived—like a forced love triangle or a rival band arc that leans too heavily on clichés. The show regains momentum in the final three episodes, but the mid-season slump makes the 10-episode run feel like it could’ve been trimmed to 8 for tighter storytelling.

2. Underdeveloped Romance

Romance is a weak link. Akane and Naoki’s chemistry is teased but never fully ignites, hampered by predictable will-they-won’t-they beats. Compared to the novel, where their bond is more nuanced, the drama leans on tropes (e.g., dramatic rain scenes) that feel rote. Some fans on X expressed frustration over the lack of queer subtext, especially given the genre’s history (GIVEN vibes), and I agree the show misses a chance to explore deeper emotional layers. Sho’s subtle feelings for Akane are more compelling but underexplored, leaving the romance feeling like an afterthought next to the music.

3. Clichéd Tropes

While the music elevates the story, the plot occasionally leans on tired J-drama staples: the brooding genius, the underdog’s rise, the rival with a heart of gold. Naoki’s illness arc, while emotionally potent, feels like a convenient plot device to heighten stakes. Similarly, the rival band’s motivations are cartoonishly villainous at times, undermining the show’s otherwise grounded tone. These clichés don’t ruin the experience, but they make it less inventive than it could’ve been.


Final Verdict: A Must-Watch, Flaws and All

Glass Heart is a triumph of passion over perfection. Its music is a character unto itself, brought to life by a committed cast and stunning visuals. Takeru Satoh’s Naoki is a revelation, and the band’s journey—from chaos to harmony—is deeply moving. Yes, the pacing wobbles, and the romance doesn’t always land, but these are minor cracks in an otherwise shimmering glass heart. For J-rock fans, J-drama lovers, or anyone who’s ever found refuge in music, this is a binge-worthy ride. I’d give it a 8.3/10—not flawless, but unforgettable.

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I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

This was an interesting series, but the script was lacking in some areas. Although slightly confusing, it started off really good. However, the script unraveled a little bit towards the end and did not fully explain some things. I was also not a fan of the romantic storylines. It was clear the main focus was the music which definitely outshined the script. The cast did an outstanding job making this script come alive and creating very engaging characters. This also had visually stunning cinemaphotography.

Random Note:

My major complaint is the ending which was very abrupt, well for me anyway. It almost gave a hint of a second season.



******Potential Spoiler Alert******

I’m slightly confused about Naoki’s medical condition and its link to him staying in the music industry.

I understand this was adapted from a novel, but I felt the love triangle between Naoki, Akane, and Kazushi was unnecessary. This already had a lot of other story elements to make this interesting.

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Underwhelming

It starts off great with impressive production, stunning visuals, solid direction and top notch cinematography. It even has a story to tell. But does it touch your heart?? For me, it didnt.

Yes, there were a few nice moments here and there but strangely, i never felt excited while watching it. I could see the great visuals, the beautiful music and the good acting yet i didnt connect with any of the characters nor did i feel engaged in the storyline. At times, it even felt boring.

The ML was quite unlikable for me. I understood his character arc and backstory but i still couldnt bring myself to like him. It always felt like a wall between him and his bandmates, as if he never truly cared about them. The FL came off as just an overly ambitious fool.

The romance wasnt a major part of the drama but whatever was there felt lukewarm and unconvincing.

They also underused the side characters, none of them stood out or felt particularly interesting. Even the villain was a caricature at best.

Overall, this was average at best.

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Whiplash and the art of motorcycle maintenance

A friend in graduate school at Northwestern during the late 90's and early 00's spent some of his free time working for the college radio station. On occasion, he had the opportunity to interview one of the alternative artists as they would appear in the Chicago metro area. One such artist (Neko Case) not only had performed on stage multiple times during his stint on radio but also had a mutual who regularly hosted parties and they bumped in to each other a few times in this context as well. When Ms. Case was headlining the music stage at the local summer arts festival, I expressed to my friend how much I enjoyed her music and hoped to catch her performance. Surprisingly, my friend had no such warm and fuzzy feelings towards the alt-country singer. He recounted that both as an interview subject and as a person in a personal setting, she was not at all interested in discussing music or seemingly anything else with anyone who was not a fellow musician.

This anecdote may not paint Neko Case is the most positive light but her solo music remains magnificent and her vocals with Vancouver's New Pornographers are among the finest to be recorded in the last thirty years. This retelling is not so much about her and her shortcomings as a human being but as a relief upon which to discuss musicians and music in general and art and what's it, y'know music and art, all for? What's so great about it?

In "Glass Heart", Satoh Takeru's main character, Fujitani Naoki, is a genius. Viewers know this not only because viewers see him extemporaneously turn a simple melody in to a Mozart-level composition, but also because every character around him says at every opportunity that he's a genius. The first part of that is enough. The second part gets a bit tiresome. Nevertheless, Naoki is a genius and recruits fellow aces of guitar, keyboard and drums to form his new band. To the extent that "Glass Heart" succeeds, it's thanks to the perfect casting of Machida Keita as the stoic and aloof-on-the-surface guitarist and Miyazaki Yu's ferociously unhinged musical sequences on the drumkit. And the camera work and editing for said musical sequences are legitimately stunning.

But the plot is wafer-thin and meanders in-and-out of Naoki's troubles which never really create any emotional impact because Naoki himself doesn't seem to feel anything other than a compulsion to write more songs, perform once in a while and have somewhat robotic interactions with people who have either supported or antagonized him. Had any of the bandmates showed some exasperation with Naoki like any normal human being would have, it would have added some badly needed connection with how things usually operate here on Planet Earth. And Naoki is exasperating. As a positive, he's somewhat mercurially amusing as this easily distracted, stream of consciousness creator. But he's also sporting some pretty toxic and unhealthy traits that get the "it's ok because he's a genius" treatment.

Further, Saijo is a confounding character. While playing the drums, she's an absolute mastodon. When she puts the drumsticks down, she's a mouse. This character needed to be more mastodon. Much much more mastodon.

Where "Glass Heart" really falters is that it very explicitly wants to express why music is so great and important and how this musical genius' creativity is so wonderful. And it's not at all convincing.

The primary issue is that it's all entirely inward-looking. This wonderful thing that Naoki does is generally accomplished with him in some sort of trance where he's wholly unaware of his surroundings or attempts by his bandmates to communicate with him. The big transformative experience by the members of Tenblank is their realization that their performance as a band IS how they live and that their lives without their shared musical exploits are less meaningful.

Which is great.

For them. The musicians.

But music that is only meaningful for the musicians is just a series of notes and words strung together. "Glass Heart" makes some glancing attempts to involve other characters but it's the half-brother from a rival band (musician), a manager who wanted to be a singer (musician), a sinister record exec who's background is a songwriter (musician) and a messy idol-style singer (musician). None of them nor any audience member or anyone have any impact on what "Glass Heart" proclaims as its message. To be clear, it's great that the creators enjoy their process and are fulfilled in their pursuits. But to "Glass Heart" that's the end of it. Music for the musician. It's enough to be the tree in the zen proverb of the tree falling in the forest when no one is around. Hint: that's not all it's supposed to be.

For those that are interested, "Inside Llewyn Davis" is a master class on a musician discovering fulfillment in his art.

As for "Glass Heart", it's fine as an extremely long form music video but isn't much of anything else.

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Great music does not compensate a weak plot

Glass Heart - it was Good, it could have been amazing

This became Hongrang 2.0 for me , a great drama( loved first 6 eps) downrated by weak plot and rushed ending with forced romance.

✅️ Visuals, styling ( omg those sweaters 🤩) cinematography , production quality top notch 💯
✅️ Music, loved all the songs , so good, so catchy. Do note half of this drama is music. We see them performing a lot of songs , and the story is often told via the songs lyrics. I liked that but if you are not a fan of the music you might not like it. I one have not skipped any music scene. 💯 energy and feels!
✅️ Good and positive life messages. Kind and honest characters.
✅️ Male leads. All have amazing screen presence. The tensions among them and their on screen chemistry was awesome. My favorite scenes were between Toya - Naoki and Naoki -Sho
✅️ the hands homoerotic two scenes 🔥 those were fire and unexpected.
✅️ acting

😐 while all the 3 female characters we saw had good acting I kept telling myself their screen presence pales compared with the male leads. I mean the trio and even Jun are all show stealers. Couldn't help to wonder how the drama would have looked if FL have been played by Imada Mio or Anna Sawai for example.

🚫 this drama would have been better without any romance. The kiss scene felt forced and flat.
🚫 if they wanted some romance focus, they should have developed more Akane - Kazushi relation. That ship was sailing and can't belive how cute was jealous Jun 🤩. I was so rooting for him.
🚫 the plot was the weak side. Except a good twist in ep 5 it was predictible, even nonsense sometimes and that is a pitty because there could have been so many other band related interesting topics they could have explored.
Overall still a good watch 8/10 ❤️

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J-pop Rulez!

It was a challenge to write this review. Not because it is meh. Quite the contrary, when it is good, it is amazing! However, in the cold lights of a post-concert low, you do notice issues. In that sense, it is . . uneven.

Firstly, the acting of our ML! While he is always good and dependable in his dramas, he is next level in this. He is the heart and soul of this series. Period. ;)

This is also where the phrase double edged sword takes on some significance.

With such a strong ML, there is little room for the other actors to showcase their acting chops. Not that they did a bad job. Each have their moments in the sun (or rain, for that matter). Yet they pale when Takeru-san is shining so brightly. He is also the executive producer. No pressure.

Secondly, the music! Any fans of j-pop, progressive rock and even jazz will rejoice. It is a roller coaster ride from start to finish. It runs the gamut from mega live concert to impromptu recital in a music store. While the actors are not professional musicians, they trained and practiced really hard for their roles and it shows. Add a bit of movie magic and voila! Awesome, believable performances. Salut! J-pop deserves a chance to blossom.

However, it does cut both ways. If you are not into the music, then this show will be opaque to you. You can still watch it as a fan of the star, but it will be a challenge to enjoy it to the fullest.

Thirdly, the script! Oh, what a glorious mess! There is an overarching plot of sorts. It mostly makes sense. It also reserves the right to do whatever it wants to move the plot along and take detours. There are the prerequisite angst, a dollop of romance and low-key family feud. In that regard, it has a hint of a mockumentary. It is a journey, for sure. There is much healing and growth in the characters. Just don't ask too many questions. The lows will come. Enjoy the highs while you can. ;)

Fourthly, the characters! This is a Pandora's box. Some characters have depth you can drown in, yet others are nothing more than one dimensional archetype. I don't want to pull each character apart because I'm not writing a doctoral thesis. ;) Every character is flawed. Some do feel a bit self-serving though.

My one real gripe is the nasty producer. He is portrayed as a megalomaniac star maker. You can almost imagine him waking up each morning chanting "if I can't control you, I'll destroy you!!!". Consider the industry they are in, and horror stories of exploitations. It feels oddly sanitized.

Lastly, the production! Wow! Just wow! Sure, there are some rough edges but where it counts, this show delivers! The direction, cinematography and staging should be studied in relevant courses. Performing on a moving boat is a challenge at the best of time, but on a wine dark sea?

The final concert is chef kiss! They have 5000 jumping and screaming extras! Even if all of them are volunteers, the logistics is still mind blowing. This is on top of sundry location and studio shots, both of performances as well as "regular" dramatic scenes. Many behind-the-scenes staff needs to take a bow. Bravo!

To be honest, I'm still a little giddy from watching the finale last night. I know the show is not perfect. Every time I try to recall some mental note I made on an issue, my mind is swamped by an earworm tune, and the afterglow of their performance.

Not to worry. I would be nitpicking anyway and we can’t have that! ;)

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Amazing journey in a crazy world of music!!

this drama really catched my attention from the very first moment of the raining scene where the deep passion for music prevails!! it was the starting point where Akane and Naoki met firstly and started this marvelous journey to make their wonderful music reaching everybody!!!

●Akane: I like in her personality that she doesn't give up easily though she was criticized by many fans of Tenblank that she is an unknown one and won't make the band working to do well with her presence but her insistence to always persisting on mastering to be the best drummer made her path to be successful that I liked all her scenes playing so hard and passionately drums but to be honest in the romantic part for her, I didn't like the fact that for the sake of loving Naoki, she brought him with her to write music though knowing music would destroy him after knowing about his health issue...

●Naoki: he is the major complete package star of this drama!! he is the pillar that gave the most shining parts of this show!! too simply he is marvelously performing music and singing perfectly!! he is having such rare beautiful and tender voice that would make everybody melting with his lyrics and living with his words...
I don't think I had ever seen any person who would be deeply addicted to writing songs even under the most hard situations and environment when he was facing serious medical problem or in the middle of deadly freezing weather!!! I would believe Naoki is a real music artist with his realistic and mind blowing acting!! I like his quirky side of character adding some fun to the show...
it was a great transition for once when after making the music his first priority in life to finally having mutual feelings for Akane...

●Sho: he is one of the most likeable person that I really think he gave the show its worthiness alongside Naoki!! I just admire that deep friendship he is cherishing with Naoki!! he is the savior, caring and considerate for his best friend, he is the one shining when playing guitar so passionately that I was surprised this actor would perform in such splendid way!!
I am in love with all the scenes of them together when they get to know each other at the start...

●Kazushi: though he wasn't in a good term with Naoki, considering him a rival in music and romance but I like his scenes when playing harmoniously music with the band but he couldn't deny that he was affected with the presence of Naoki all the way being in members of the same band...
he was impressive how caring for Akane though starting on the wrong foot but he meant to say to her that he liked her music when realizing that with time and noticing her crush for Naoki, I would have wished if they made Kazushi and Akane a couple together...

●Toya: just when looking at him singing with Naoki that was one of the best firing scenes that really was literally dazzling!! their interactions and chemistry are so captivating that I can feel the heat of living every single lyrics they are singing...
he is another hidden gem in this drama who played so amazingly that led to make it sucessful and worthy to watch and gave splendor for the show!!
I was surprised that he is the half brother of Naoki but the later played an important role to make the hostility fading away until reuniting together in a one marvelous scene of their great singing!!

the other supporting characters were so good and well choosen, they did a great job in acting... Yukino and Naoki played so good togther as duo in singing and really stole the attention!! I can't forget the jealousy of Akane when seeing them together but it is normal for such promising star like Naoki for showing girls are having crush on him making a complicated love triangle alongside the unrequited love of Kazushi for Akane...

I think that they should have added here Sho, Kazushi and Akane to the main characters alongside with Naoki cause thay play the same important roles as members of the same music band!! I like all the music albums of Tenblank that was so impressive and enjoyable to hear!!! all their concerts carried wonderful emotions like breaking the earth with their loud power of music that I can't get over them!!

I would say that I gave 8.5 rating for the reason of romantic part, though I like Akane with both Naoki and Kazushi but don't know feeling it was unpleasant to make it an unrequited love from only the side of Kazushi to end giving up on her after that and would be better if she gave a chance for a relationship with him instead of only clinging on Naoki and thinking that Kazushi could be a nice person to her... but anyway the romance part is a subplot and the focus majorly was on music!!

I felt the drama began so strongly and started to be more interesting in the three last episodes especially the final episode was heavenly magnificent like watching a live concert but wished if they showed us what happened to the medical issue of Naoki cause it ended shortly like missing this part which made me too giving this rating...

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