A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You

A heartwarming romcom and my all-time favorite for the genre

[EDIT: I have now completed all ten episodes of the show <3)
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Sometimes, love doesn't need loud, elaborate declarations for it to be felt. Sometimes, it can be felt strongly with just having someone to greet you when you're home, someone to share a meal with, someone to have a casual conversation with over dinner, and someone to sleep beside you. They are all just simple acts that are done in everyday life, but even then the warmth it emits is something you would always treasure. Because no matter how mundane it all is, having someone you love and care for to live such an ordinary life with you is what makes it special. And that is essentially what Nami Urakaka Ni, Meoto Biyori is.

From the very start, Meoto Biyori lived up to its main premise: that it’s a romantic comedy depicting the ordinary life of an arranged marriage couple during pre-war Japan. Nothing more, nothing less. And that made the show so addicting. It was just refreshing to see romantic comedies at its very core, showing a relationship grow from the roots and flourish as time passes with a few awkward moments along the way. In every episode you could see how they grow closer and closer, and there wasn’t any moment of regression. Every heart-fluttering moment, no matter how conventionally tropey some it is, is portrayed so sincerely that it feels giddy yet heartwarming at the same time. To provide a more comprehensive review:

STORY – the show itself doesn’t promise excellent storytelling, which you might expect in acclaimed dramas like First Love. Instead, the story itself leans more to depict ordinary life. And that made it very special. One thing I would like to note is that compared to other arranged marriage dramas, the show never made the arranged marriage the point of the show; only the starting point. Whatever Natsumi and Takimasa did to progress their relationship was due to their actual free will and interest in one another, rather than them thinking that “we’re married now, so we have no choice by to make it work.” They naturally started closing in on the distance without forcing it, and let their affection grow without restricting their feelings from moving to the next level. But then, it's not really all giddiness. Since the story itself is set in pre-war Japan, the story also delves deeper into the couple’s inner anxieties surrounding the tensions that are rising at that time, especially since Takimasa (the husband) is part of the Navy. With this, it brings an extra element of heaviness as we peek through the life of people who lived through that period of uncertainty, of a “peace” that is threatened by an upcoming conflict.

Moreover, I LOVED how they made use of a narrator! Honestly, I dislike doramas with narrators because I think it overemphasizes the fiction behind it all, but for this dorama it worked out very well in adding more depth to the main characters. It adds a lot to the comedy department too!

THE MAIN COUPLE – Individually, I loved that while both Natsumi and Takimasa exhibit characteristics of a conventional dorama FL and ML, they have so much more depth to them than the stereotypical ones so far. Natsumi is naïve and innocent, but also honest, forward, and steadfast. She’s timid, but never passive. Takimasa is stern (though the "coldness" only lasted for one and a half episodes lol), but is also awkward, unintentionally & intentionally expressive, honest, and caring. It is very refreshing to see them provide a new take on personalities we’ve been seeing for years.

As a couple, I personally think that by far, Natsumi and Takimasa is one of the healthiest fictional couples I’ve seen in the world of Asian dramas. Even from when they were still "married strangers", Natsumi and Takimasa have always been concerned and gentle with each other. They exhibit maturity despite their inexperience in relationships in general. They communicate their feelings well, they don’t forcibly cross boundaries, and they choose not to rush things. They even trust each other ENTIRELY, that even in bouts of jealousy they think that “Natsumi/Takimasa is not the type of person to betray me.” They are also very sensitive to each other’s emotional needs and ensures that they are met. Moreover, they even ask for consent when they try to start doing something physical (even if it's just holding hands), which I love. And the moment they became affectionate, they let their feelings flow naturally.

However, what I find most refreshing about Natsumi and Takimasa is that they barely have misunderstandings because they don’t shy away from talking about uncomfortable topics (that other dorama couples would AVOID talking about at all costs, making us all pull our hair out). With the both of them, it was the first time where I didn’t undergo the process of having to convince myself of the love the characters had for one another. Even without words, it was already very obvious.

THE ACTORS – To be honest, I first doubted the chemistry of Yoshine Kyoko and Honda Kyoya when they were first announced as the cast. I’ve watched some of their previous dramas, and I couldn’t imagine how their chemistry would turn out. But Kyoko and Kyoya had an amazing chemistry and they seem to adjust to each other’s frequencies very well. Kyoko would rely on subtle emotional delivery to balance out the (initial) stoicism of Kyoya’s character, and Kyoya would match Kyoko’s level in scenes where Natsumi’s emotions are heightened. As a viewer, I felt SO much emotion even with their glances and hand-holding. They didn’t even need an intense slowed stare-down with a romantic background music for you to feel that “wow, Takimasa and Natsumi are in love.” What I found to be the most heart-fluttering moments were them glancing at each other with no music at all, but it’s obvious from it that all they see is each other. It has so much weight to it.

While both their characters require animated reactions (which JDramas are infamously known for), they never made it feel cringe or awkward. Actually, I found it lovable.

For the actors themselves, even though Yoshine Kyoko is 8 years older than the age of her character, she perfectly encapsulated the innocence and naivety of Natsumi. Her clumsiness wasn’t a bothersome clumsiness, but a cute one. Her portrayal of loneliness over a husband that has to consistently leave their home for work is very convincing and it really sets a serious tone. Honda Kyoya, on the other hand, was a surprise for me. He decided to offer something fresh as Takimasa, showing that he’s capable of more than what he’s normally typecasted as. He did very well in portraying a stern but internally awkward man. And, even from his facial expressions alone, you can see how Takimasa’s walls are crumbling bit by bit as he softens and acknowledges his feelings for Natsumi. Also, since much of Takimasa’s character in the first episodes could only be discerned from his inner thoughts, he did a really good job of “appearing cold,” while his eyes say otherwise. Both of them captured the essence of Natsumi and Takimasa from the manga while also making them their own, and I honestly couldn’t imagine a Natsumi that is not Kyoko, and a Takimasa that is not Kyoya.

THE SIDE CHARACTERS – I’m not even exaggerating. This is the first and only drama where I actually rooted and looked forward to the stories of the side characters. Fumiko and Fukami were very interesting characters, since they were the opposite of Takimasa and Natsumi’s traditional marriage. They were the ones who add discussions over the foundations of marriage. But even then, their chemistry is superb. Hope that Koseki Yuta and Yamamoto Maika would have a separate project in the future!

THE CONS – Of course, there is no perfect JDrama (though this one is nearing it for me). The very prominent con of this dorama is the CGI. It’s literally very meme-able that even Japanese viewers say “this drama is popular, please give it more budget.” Especially in EP 2, wherein there’s a scene where they were under the moonlight; if it wasn’t for Kyoya and Kyoko’s chemistry at “that” scene, I wouldn’t have ignored that ridiculously large moon at the background. Literally laughed so much at one Japanese viewer saying that they could basically see Armstrong with how big that moon was. Also, they occasionally use a “stage play” format for flashbacks. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like it takes away from the weight of that specific flashback and its contribution to the plot, and I wish it could have been presented normally. However, I can see that it was endearing to some. Maybe it’s just personal preference. Lastly, I think it would have worked better if they didn't take up so much time doing flashbacks during the last episode.

Overall, I would honestly very much recommend this drama to anyone who’s interested in watching it, if this is a genre of romance that you’re into. It’s the type of drama that you can come home to after a tiring day, to remind you of how much warmth there is in a gentle love and life. A home you could return to, just as much as Natsumi is to Takimasa, and Takimasa is to Natsumi.

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A very wholesome and soft love story!

The drama followed Natsumi, who suddenly found herself in an arranged marriage with Takimasa Ebata, an officer in the imperial navy. What unfolded after that was a quiet, slow-burn romance that was both heartwarming and realistic considering the time the story was set in.

The drama was set against a very traditional, pre-war backdrop, which gave their interactions a kind of that old-school charm. But what really sold me was how emotionally healthy their relationship became. There was mutual respect, affection and honest communication.
At first, Takimasa came off as emotionally distant and hard to read, a classic reserved man but through small moments and genuine effort, the two started to build a connection that felt so honest and adorable.

The romance was soft, thoughtful and at times adorably awkward. They shared such a natural chemistry, full of sweet moments and the occasional dorky laugh.

Even the inner monologues, which usually signaled "misunderstanding trope incoming" in many J-dramas were used very well here. They actually gave a deeper look into how both leads were feeling rather than dragging the story with forced conflict.

I find it rare to find a drama that felt this sincere, especially when set in such a formal and emotionally reserved era. But somehow, this one managed to balance its historical context with warmth, humor, and just the right amount of romance.

The second couple were very different from the main couple. They were your classic "enemies to lovers" trope but they grew on me. The banter, the realisations...Their love story was as adorable as the leads. I wouldn't mind a spin off for them.

Acting-wise, I think everyone did a solid job. I have watched enough J-dramas by now that their sometimes over-the-top expressions don’t really bother me that much anymore. It just feels like part of the charm.
The costumes and cinematography was pretty and I really liked the narration style here.

Overall, this drama became my go-to comfort watch. I started this for Honda Kyoya, but stayed for everyone and everything. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys love stories with minimal angst.

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Folks, are you cherishing the small moments in your life?

➥ First Impressions
Sometimes a drama doesn’t need grand twists or dramatic conflicts to leave a lasting impression. A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You is simplicity at its best - just like the words in its English title, it is truly calm and beautiful. If you enjoy soft, slow, gentle love stories - especially awkward or shy first-love dynamics - this one absolutely deserves a spot on your watchlist. I also have a soft spot for wartime stories, which is another reason this drama had been on my watchlist for quite some time.

➥ A Story About Finding Joy in Small Moments
Set in Japan during 1936-37, with the looming shadow of war in the background, the drama quietly depicts everyday life - particularly the lives of families connected to the navy. At first, I did struggle a little with how women were portrayed, mostly limited to housework and domestic responsibilities. As a modern viewer, it felt uncomfortable initially. I also wasn’t completely sold on the male lead’s expressions in the beginning; at times they felt a little exaggerated. However, as the story progressed, I realized that these small issues mattered less because the emotional core of the drama lies elsewhere. At its heart, the story is about learning to cherish the small things in life, especially when the future feels uncertain.

➥ Two Love Stories, Two Different Dynamics
The drama presents two romances, each with its own charm.

The main love story follows two introverted individuals brought together through an arranged marriage. The husband serves in the navy, which means he is often away for long periods of time. Despite the distance, the unfamiliarity, and their shy personalities, the couple slowly begins to understand each other. What starts off as awkward and hesitant gradually grows into something warm and comforting. Their relationship becomes a quiet safe space built on patience, respect, and unspoken affection.

The supporting couple, on the other hand, brings a completely different dynamic. One character has no desire to marry, while the other is a charming casanova who believes women are only interested in him because of his family name and face card. Their interactions feel like a playful clash of values and personalities, yet their story unfolds into something surprisingly mature and adorable. Even with limited screen time, their romance is incredibly endearing.

➥ The Beauty of Quiet Storytelling
Beyond the romances, the drama also highlights themes of family bonds, friendships, and sibling affection. With war looming in the background, the characters face uncertainty and worry - yet they continue to live their daily lives with resilience. The storytelling here relies on small gestures, quiet moments, and unspoken understanding. There are very few grand romantic declarations, but the affection between the characters feels deeply genuine and heartfelt.

One scene that stayed with me is when the main couple creates a handmade board game using milestones from their own daily lives. Watching them add what might seem like mundane moments - yet seeing the pages fill up quickly - was incredibly touching. It was a simple but powerful reminder to appreciate the small joys in everyday life.

➥ Overall Thoughts
Watching this drama feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket or sipping a comforting cup of tea. It’s gentle, soothing, and quietly emotional. Another drama that gave me a similar feeling was Barakamon, so it was really nice to find something that captured that same warm, peaceful atmosphere again.

The story doesn’t rely on shocking twists or over-the-top drama. Instead, it focuses on small, meaningful moments - and somehow leaves you smiling long after the credits roll. Sometimes we simply need stories like these. And for that reason alone, I would definitely recommend giving this drama a watch at least once.

P.S. I have a soft spot for themes of fireflies. It started with the song by Owl City, and then of course the anime works Grave of the Fireflies and Hotarubi no Mori e. Both had sad endings, so I was a little apprehensive when fireflies started appearing in this drama. Thankfully, it all ended beautifully 😅

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Enjoyable & Uncomplicated

This was an uncomplicated watch that I enjoyed for the most part.

Some things that I would have loved to see were her character have a bit of character development as his did. It would have been nice to have less flashbacks. The last episode had flashbacks that summarized basically everything that happened in their relationship. This also happened somewhere around the middle of the show. It felt like a sort of recap. For the most part, I don't enjoy an abundance use of flashbacks and this was no different as I feel it didn't do anything for the story.

I did like the chemistry between the leads. However and while I enjoy a good slow burn, their relationship moved at a snail pace because of two reasons. One was his job . Being a navy officer took him away from home for long periods of time. And second, their personalities. If one of them had been more outgoing than the other, there would have been fireworks, at least that's what I would like to think. Although, there were some sweet scenes, the drama was also plagued with dead fish kiss scenes. These made me wish they didn't have any kiss scenes at all because that killed the possibility of any extended fluffy feelings I could have felt. I also enjoyed Taki-kun's jealousy era.

Also, while the ending seems sweet, Benshi comes in breaking the magic once again to remind us that the period the characters live in is the Showa period. I never liked Benshi.😬

7.5/10

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kinda boring...

Okay, don’t come at me but I honestly feel like the second lead couple had a more interesting storyline than the main couple. The first 1–5 episodes were enjoyable, but as the drama went on, the plot started to feel repetitive and boring. There weren’t many major conflicts toward the end, so it ended up feeling more like watching a couple’s vlog than an actual drama.

The only reason I managed to finish it was because I was rooting for the second lead couple. They had that classic enemies to lovers dynamic, which made their relationship way more fun to watch.

As for the ending, it was just okay, but definitely not memorable. I wouldn't say this drama was a peak experience, but it’s decent enough if you’re just looking for something to kill time.

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Two strangers, one photograph standing in for a groom, and the most genuinely earnest romance

A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You is a slow-burn arranged marriage drama set in 1930s pre-war Japan. He is a naval officer who expresses himself with the blunt sincerity of a man defusing a bomb. She is an airhead with quiet steel underneath. Together they are an absolute disaster and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.

What sets this drama apart is how confidently it sidesteps its own conventions. The jealousy never spirals. The misunderstandings resolve through actual communication. The brooding male lead turns out to be just genuinely, hopelessly clueless. It sets up every familiar romance trope and quietly does something more interesting instead every single time.

The second couple mirrors the leads beautifully without stealing focus, the pre-war backdrop adds weight without overwhelming the warmth, and the writing is disciplined enough to earn every feeling it generates.

Ten episodes felt both too short and exactly right.

9/10 — unhurried, unguarded, and the kind of unforgettable you don’t see coming.

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I watched A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You mainly because of Honda Kyoya.. But I ended up liking it way more than I expected.. It’s actually fun.. Their first interactions were so awkward that even I felt awkward watching.. But that’s the whole point right?? The story is about how they slowly navigate that awkwardness and get closer.. Considering they had never met before [ at least that’s what they believed at the time ] not even for their marriage, it made sense.. Honestly before watching, I thought Yoshine Kyoko was a miscast.. But after finishing, I can say she was perfect for the role.. Her chemistry with the ML was amazing..

I hate misunderstandings in dramas, especially when writers use them just to create angst while treating open communication like it’s some kind of disease.. But here their relationship feels healthy.. Even when there were misunderstandings or poor communication, they didn’t drag it out.. Instead they realized their mistakes and talked things through properly.. And honestly, their misunderstandings were just silly things, but fun to watch..

Special mention to the supporting cast, they all did a really good job.. The second couple’s story was good and enjoyable to watch.. I especially liked Yamamoto Maika, she was great here.. It actually took me a while to realize she was also in Marriage is Difficult for a Ninja, she was good in that one too.. I couldn’t find any other dramas of hers that I would want to watch, but hopefully there will be more in the future.. I also appreciated how the FL’s family genuinely cared for the ML.. And the final episode was satisfying to watch..

There were drawbacks too.. For one, the budget.. It was obviously low.. From the costumes to the CGI, everything felt a bit underwhelming.. But I guess the story made up for it..

Overall, it was a good watch.. A simple slice of life love story.. It’s just two genuinely pure people navigating their way through marriage, falling in love and being silly along the way.. It really shows how love is built through those small, seemingly meaningless moments we share together..

P.S. This drama for some reason reminded me of My Happy Marriage.. It's time for a rewatch I guess..

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Adorkable yet clumsy couple finding their bearings as a new married couple.

“A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You” aka “Nami Uraraka ni, Meoto Biyori” is a sweet and cute Japanese period drama about a young married couple. This is a great stress relief drama with a fun opening theme song (I like the piano version, too), and complemented with a beautiful soundtrack of background music that matches the historical setting very well.

Our young couple are both innocent and naive, adorable yet clumsy, straightforward and honest. Their initial awkward and careful interaction was fun to watch. It’s really an enjoyable journey to see how they grow to care for each other despite tough times. What’s unique about this drama is that it’s not just about a young couple, but a Navy couple. It’s already hard to marry someone you don’t know, but adding to that is the extended time being away from each other because ML is in the Navy. You never know when he’s called away, and if he ever lived to come back home. Despite this black cloud of war looming above their heads, our leads make the best of the time they have together.

I am a sucker for awkward yet adorable characters, and in “A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You”, we have two adorkable leads. I had a lot of fun witnessing their growth, shy yet honest expression of feelings, even though the plot is nothing exciting but of their everyday lives. There are many memorable and heartwarming scenes as they navigate and find their bearings in a new relationship. They are supported by a lovely cast who are fun and caring.

The secondary couple is totally different. They are more experienced and worldly, mature and independent. I enjoy their bickering and outsmarting each other. I would have loved to see them a little more, but they have just enough screentime to make me fall in love with them.

If I have to pick on this drama, I would like FL’s over-the-top expression to tone it down a little. I am fully aware that this is very subjective and since this is an adaptation from a manga, actors often exaggerate. I do think that there are times when Yoshine Kyoko’s facial expression appears fake and disgenuine. But for the most part, she has great chemistry with Honda Kyoya. But given the historical setting, Yoshine Kyoko looks a little too mature to pass for a young and innocent girl, especially when Honda Kyoya has a more youthful look. Another minor complaint I have is I can’t tell which house they are in. One scene they could be at the parents’ house and then the next they are at the lead's own home. The living room looks very similar and there’s no mention of where they are.

I have to say, Honda Kyoya and Koseki Yuta both look very handsome in this drama, so much better looking than in the previous dramas I’ve seen. Honda Kyoya looks great in his white uniform yet in more casual wear, he looks adorable and clueless at the same time. The beautiful Yamamoto Maiko who exuberates classiness and cuteness.

“A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You” is a lovely historical slice-of-life drama. I wish there were more Japanese period dramas like this in a beautiful small town setting. It’s just a simple drama about two lovely characters living their everyday life.


Completed: 7/9/2025 Review #601

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morally corrupt

If Germany made a light romance set in 1936 Berlin — with the male lead, say, a young SS officer and the story mostly ignoring what the Nazi regime was doing — it would feel very uncomfortable, maybe even offensive, because of the real atrocities tied to that time and group. and here Japan goes with this one. wtf.. it’s just feeding into the narrative of Japan saved asia and where peaceful and where victims espically when this is what is taught in textbooks. the fact even a Nazi tried saving China from Japanese and a show like This is out and thriving. even the name. “calm”. horrible.

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Two Cutie Patooties who fall in love ??

A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You

2025

📺: Viki 10 eps

◇1930s

◇Arrange Marriage

◇Sweet Romance

◇HEA

I feel like the writers of Jdramas are finally listening to us 🥹

For me personally, it has been impossible to find a Japanese drama where the leads respect each other.

Most of them are written that our male lead is a walking red flag and excuse all his behavior and he NEVER apologizes.

Not this one, they make mistakes and apologize almost iimmediately. I can't tell you have refreshing that was.

For that alone, this drama has my respect. Now that being said it's not perfect. The kissing scenes especially in the 2nd half could have been better. I understand censorship with Japanese dramas but it didn't make sense to the plot. This drama is told to use like it were a play of sorts and it took me out of the story from time to time. It wasn't bad just not used to that type of storytelling.

This drama takes place in the 1930s so you will see some traditional elements and beliefs in the plot. I personally liked it and I thought it was sweet at times.

Another thing that I found endearing was how awkward they both were. It was sweet how hard they tried to understand each other.

Overall I enjoyed my watch of this one and would recommend it. A good one-time watch for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️



#jdrama #asiandrama #Japanesedrama

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A sentimental journey to a simpler time

I'm just going to say it upfront. I want to love this show, but ends up liking it but not loving it.

It is set in 1930's Japan where mass media is limited to newspapers and periodicals. Some live very sheltered lives. Arranged marriage is the norm. In this case, the show builds a lot of the comedy around the cohabitation trope. Not only are our OTP total noobs in dating, but the very idea of cohabitation is alien to them! Neither of them knows how to behave around a spouse who is basically a stranger. We bear witness to their growth, discovery and romance. It does work . . some of the time.

For me, this show is too cringey. Yes, there are some cute and swoonworthy moments. The show knows this. It loves to recap them for us. That's fine, they are highlights after all. What is less fine is the characterisation of our leads.

As the series is based on a webcomic, there is a lot of exaggerated acting from our leads in every episode. Works well in a 2D panel but live action needs to be more aware of space and timing.

Early scenes when our OTP first start living together made me wince. Both are constantly pulling faces and stumbling around as they try to "hide" their surprise reactions to the most mundane situations. They also use a lot of inner monologue as if their scrunched up faces is not telling enough.

I suppose Japanese audience are more used to this style of acting. I have seen this in other productions, but this is one of the more extreme cases. I pity the ML when he has to put on the "constipation" face so many times. The FL would jerk and stutter repeatedly. Her brain seems to get overloaded and she'd act like an out of control robot. Naïve, stoic and inexperienced does not equate stupidity and ineptitude.

To be honest, you'll need industrial grade rose-tinted glasses to enjoy it to the fullest. As if to highlight this, no other character behaved like them. There is a 2CP who are also navigating their way towards an arranged marriage yet their interactions are perfectly normal. In fact, it is fun to watch the 2CP's verbal jousting as part of their courtship.

The show, like their life, does settle down as time passes. The old tropes like commitment, misunderstanding and jealousy rear their collective heads. Thankfully, they are quickly dealt with and left no lasting damage. This is definitely angst lite.

In the end, it is a fun watch but with caveats. There are some good ideas and the unusual setting spiced things up. It is also interesting to see how the pre-war Japanese society functioned. However, the delivery made it difficult to fully engage.

Another issue is the timing of this series. It is set in 1936-37. Japan invaded China in 1937. That eventually led to an all-out war in the Pacific. While the show ends on a sweet and positive note, there is an amazingly destructive storm on the horizon. I won’t even mention over 300 thousand Japanese sailors died by the end of WW2. Not to mention atrocities and countless civilian deaths.

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Lovely but...

If I had to review this drama for the romance and comedy, I would give it a solid 8. The characters' chemistry is really good and the story compelling. Most of what was shown in this drama was lovely and heartwarming in many ways but, in order to watch this drama, I had to put aside all knowledge of Japan's history in the 20th century.

I'm not japanese but, most of my childhood, I attended a school created by the community and even I had the opportunity to live in Tokyo for a while. All this to say that I am no stranger to the culture and its history, and that as a consequence I have my own educated opinion which it's very positive but I also believe the negative can't be ignored.

To set a japanese story in 1936, it's certainly a choice. But making your leads a navy officer and his wife makes my eyebrow rise in suspicious (IYKYK). This was an issue for me because it was always in the background and driving the story and character's experiences (as the very final narration clarifies, with no qualms). There was even offhandedly comments from supporting characters about the current political situation. As much as I wanted to "enjoy" this drama, I couldn't help but wonder if I was watching a revisionist story, maybe even subtle propaganda, trying to paint certain group of people in a better light and sweep under the rug some of Japan's darkest chapters in the history of the country, region and world.

Maybe I'm wrong. Like I mentioned before I'm not japanese, so I would actually prefer to listen to someone who is, what they have to say about this drama.

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