Escape (2025)

A Gem That I Won't Be Forgetting Anytime Soon <3

This drama is not deep, ground-breaking nor does it deliver something life changing. What it does present to us is 10 episodes (and 3 side-story episodes) of absolute enjoyment!

ESCAPE is one of the most engaging dramas I have watched in recent times, making me look forward to Wednesday every week. The story is almost silly at times but balances its humour with the right amount of heavy and emotional topics (such as child neglect, gambling addiction etc.). Every character was presented and handled beautifully. As an audience, we have been introduced to each character with enough background (or are provided with the same overtime) to relate to, sympathize with or care about them.

Hachi and Linda are the main characters with the most amazingly strong chemistry. There was supposedly nothing romantic (at least explicitly) between them until the final episode and yet their every interaction, even if playful, felt special and after the initial episodes, they made me feel like I had butterflies in my stomach. Their relationship started out pretty rocky but what they eventually evolve into is based on unconditional love and companionship. Hachi's special powers/condition don't scare Linda, instead she allows him to believe in himself and become better. Similarly, Linda provides Hachi with reassurance that there is someone in this world whom she can trust, someone who will hold her hand without hesitation. Hachi, Linda and Hikaru give us the most heartwarming moments, depicting the most perfect found family.

There are also characters I hate, such as Bandai and the journalist, Shiraki, but I can't help but agree that their intrusive and hateful characters were necessary tools to take the story forward while explaining us the plot/background and shining light on the motivations of various characters. The headache we receive by these two and Yamaguchi is balanced with the camaraderie moments between Hachi, Linda, Gan-san and Riri and also all the new characters our MCs meet in their journey. Komiyama-san and the junior detective's gradual senpai-kouhai relationship is also pretty cute. Even the initially annoying social media influencers make their way to your heart. I feel pity for Yamagi Keishi's character and believe he redeemed himself by the end of the drama, salvaging his relationship with his daughter as much as he could.

Overall, this is certainly a drama that you would not regret watching (provided that the humour and plot is your cup of tea)!

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I don't usually get obsessed with non-BL or BL-adjacent drama. However, this drama totally stole my heart! It's weird to think that a story with this premise could be as positive (the only word I can describe it as) as this. I think the story handles the theme quite well, and as someone who is mostly optimistic, they are handled with a hopeful approach, which I am delightful for.

Hachi and Rinda are so cute!! I know this isn't really a romance but their chemistry just feels so natural that you can't help but root for them. I think their chemistry (and banter) is the strongest part of this drama. I like them so much that I put Sakurada Hiyori and Sano Hayato on my Oshi list after watching this.

Overall a very enjoyable watch!!

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