This review may contain spoilers
Twists and turns of fate make life unpredictable.
I was interested in watching Miotsukushi after seeing a GIF of the heroine on a boat. Without looking deeper into the story, I immediately jumped in, and I have no regrets, because this is truly a masterpiece.
Miotsukushi is my 19th Asadora, and it ranks in my top 3 most rollercoaster-like Asadoras. The twists of fate shape the heroine’s journey. It has the most unpredictable plot I’ve seen, and it feels like every possible conflict of that era is packed into Miotsukushi.
After watching it, my heart feels tight, the story is beautiful, but it leaves a bittersweet taste. Especially since it ends just as the Japanese war era concludes, around 1945–1946. But in a way, that’s what makes the ending so powerful: it feels full of hope, open to countless dreams.
♡ THINGS I LIKE:
1. The Heroine.
Kaoru is a character who truly fits the era she lives in, she feels like the embodiment of the ideal young woman of that time. She’s timid, shy but kind, sincere, polite, honest. At the same time, she has a love for literature and is athletic. What I especially love about her is that she’s also brave and always expresses her feelings and thoughts. She takes full responsibility for her choices. I really adore her character.
2.The Heroine’s Family.
Even though her family situation is complicated, since Kaoru was born to a concubine, Miotsukushi portrays it beautifully. I love the harmony within the Bando family. Her father is strict but deeply loves his family and tries his best to be fair. The official wife is a woman with a gentle heart, yet open-minded for the sake of the family. Kaoru’s mother is sincere and devoted to her husband and the family. Her older sister has a strong will but clearly cares for her family. And my favorite character is Kaoru’s younger brother, Eiichiro, he is Kaoru’s support system, accepting her from the very beginning, always there for her, and protective. I really loved it when he said “To me, both are onee-san.”
3. The Two Love Interests.
Honestly, both of them have their flaws, but they each have beautiful qualities in their own way. Soukichi is full of charisma, the first love and clearly Kaoru’s endgame. Umeki is sincere and patiently waits for Kaoru for years. It’s both touching and painful to see how fate twists the happiness of Kaoru, Soukichi, and Umeki.
4. I like the development of Kaoru's character.
She started out as a timid young girl. After getting married, she became a pillar of the Yoshitake family. When she lost her husband and returned to the Bando family, Kaoru changed. She found her passion in soy sauce making and showed incredible creativity in marketing her products. Eventually, she became a director at Iricho. And when the war began to intensify, Kaoru became the key figure in reviving the family’s legacy business, Iricho.
5. I learned so many new things.
From the soy sauce-making process, to the passion of the fishermen and how deeply rooted their trust is with terms like Kuro-fujyo, Maiwai (the finest fisherman's clothing). This was also the first time I saw a weapon of war depicted in an Asadora. I also learned about Senninbari, and even the meaning behind the word Miotsukushi. There’s still so much more!
6. The resolution of the conflict between the land and the sea people.
From the very beginning, there was constant tension between the soy sauce shop and the seashore fishermen, Iricho vs. Yoshitake always at odds like oil and water. But Kaoru and Soukichi overcame all of it. Kaoru was the biggest reason they were able to reconcile, eventually uniting and supporting each other through the war. I especially loved how the Yoshitake family helped take care of Kaoru’s twins during the war. And one of the most touching scenes was on Iricho’s 300th anniversary, when the Yoshitake fishermen came to congratulate them and bring gifts. That scene was incredibly meaningful and beautiful.
7. The Ending.
One of the things I like about the ending is when Soukichi proposes to Kaoru at Umeki's grave. Even though Kaoru rejects him because she wants to rebuild Iricho, Soukichi doesn’t give up on her, even after waiting 21 years and Kaoru also realizes that she still(always) loves him.
♡ THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
1. The politics.
I understand that Miotsukushi is set during wartime, so political themes are inevitable. But out of all the wartime Asadoras I’ve watched, the political elements in this one run much deeper. The part I disliked the most was when activists came to Iricho and how Kaoru’s sister involved her in it.
2. Soukichi slapping Kaoru in episode 80.
I didn’t cry through most of the episodes, until this scene. All of Soukichi’s sweetness and gentleness vanished in that moment. how he turned his back coldly on Kaoru, how he refused to be honest with her, and how he placed her between the Bando and Yoshitake families. Kaoru had to sacrifice her own happiness. And all because of politics. Yes, I really hated the politics in Miotsukushi.
3. Umeki’s inferiority.
I also didn’t like the scene where Umeki’s inferiority complex surfaced, he became cowardly, got drunk, and was rude to Kaoru, saying so many hurtful things, even though he’s usually kind and caring. Both love interests have their flaws, but I’m thankful they both returned to their better selves later on.
4. Kaoru’s motherhood isn’t shown enough.
It’s a shame that Kaoru’s motherly side isn’t explored more. There are only a few scenes of her with her children. Those scenes really add life to both her character and her children, and I wish there were more of them.
Overall, even though it’s not my favorite, I still really like Miotsukushi!
The core of Miotsukushi is Kaoru’s journey through the many twists of fate in her life. Miotsukushi covers everything: family relationships, romance, struggles during the war, the effort to keep soy sauce production alive, fishermen and their beliefs, politics, and so much more.
This is the most complex Asadora I’ve ever watched and the one with the sweetest romance scenes. My favorite part is how Kaoru and Soukichi’s relationship begins. I highly recommend Miotsukushi if you enjoy complex, emotionally rich stories! It’s an Asadora that will always hold a special place in the depths of my heart ♡
Miotsukushi is my 19th Asadora, and it ranks in my top 3 most rollercoaster-like Asadoras. The twists of fate shape the heroine’s journey. It has the most unpredictable plot I’ve seen, and it feels like every possible conflict of that era is packed into Miotsukushi.
After watching it, my heart feels tight, the story is beautiful, but it leaves a bittersweet taste. Especially since it ends just as the Japanese war era concludes, around 1945–1946. But in a way, that’s what makes the ending so powerful: it feels full of hope, open to countless dreams.
♡ THINGS I LIKE:
1. The Heroine.
Kaoru is a character who truly fits the era she lives in, she feels like the embodiment of the ideal young woman of that time. She’s timid, shy but kind, sincere, polite, honest. At the same time, she has a love for literature and is athletic. What I especially love about her is that she’s also brave and always expresses her feelings and thoughts. She takes full responsibility for her choices. I really adore her character.
2.The Heroine’s Family.
Even though her family situation is complicated, since Kaoru was born to a concubine, Miotsukushi portrays it beautifully. I love the harmony within the Bando family. Her father is strict but deeply loves his family and tries his best to be fair. The official wife is a woman with a gentle heart, yet open-minded for the sake of the family. Kaoru’s mother is sincere and devoted to her husband and the family. Her older sister has a strong will but clearly cares for her family. And my favorite character is Kaoru’s younger brother, Eiichiro, he is Kaoru’s support system, accepting her from the very beginning, always there for her, and protective. I really loved it when he said “To me, both are onee-san.”
3. The Two Love Interests.
Honestly, both of them have their flaws, but they each have beautiful qualities in their own way. Soukichi is full of charisma, the first love and clearly Kaoru’s endgame. Umeki is sincere and patiently waits for Kaoru for years. It’s both touching and painful to see how fate twists the happiness of Kaoru, Soukichi, and Umeki.
4. I like the development of Kaoru's character.
She started out as a timid young girl. After getting married, she became a pillar of the Yoshitake family. When she lost her husband and returned to the Bando family, Kaoru changed. She found her passion in soy sauce making and showed incredible creativity in marketing her products. Eventually, she became a director at Iricho. And when the war began to intensify, Kaoru became the key figure in reviving the family’s legacy business, Iricho.
5. I learned so many new things.
From the soy sauce-making process, to the passion of the fishermen and how deeply rooted their trust is with terms like Kuro-fujyo, Maiwai (the finest fisherman's clothing). This was also the first time I saw a weapon of war depicted in an Asadora. I also learned about Senninbari, and even the meaning behind the word Miotsukushi. There’s still so much more!
6. The resolution of the conflict between the land and the sea people.
From the very beginning, there was constant tension between the soy sauce shop and the seashore fishermen, Iricho vs. Yoshitake always at odds like oil and water. But Kaoru and Soukichi overcame all of it. Kaoru was the biggest reason they were able to reconcile, eventually uniting and supporting each other through the war. I especially loved how the Yoshitake family helped take care of Kaoru’s twins during the war. And one of the most touching scenes was on Iricho’s 300th anniversary, when the Yoshitake fishermen came to congratulate them and bring gifts. That scene was incredibly meaningful and beautiful.
7. The Ending.
One of the things I like about the ending is when Soukichi proposes to Kaoru at Umeki's grave. Even though Kaoru rejects him because she wants to rebuild Iricho, Soukichi doesn’t give up on her, even after waiting 21 years and Kaoru also realizes that she still(always) loves him.
♡ THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
1. The politics.
I understand that Miotsukushi is set during wartime, so political themes are inevitable. But out of all the wartime Asadoras I’ve watched, the political elements in this one run much deeper. The part I disliked the most was when activists came to Iricho and how Kaoru’s sister involved her in it.
2. Soukichi slapping Kaoru in episode 80.
I didn’t cry through most of the episodes, until this scene. All of Soukichi’s sweetness and gentleness vanished in that moment. how he turned his back coldly on Kaoru, how he refused to be honest with her, and how he placed her between the Bando and Yoshitake families. Kaoru had to sacrifice her own happiness. And all because of politics. Yes, I really hated the politics in Miotsukushi.
3. Umeki’s inferiority.
I also didn’t like the scene where Umeki’s inferiority complex surfaced, he became cowardly, got drunk, and was rude to Kaoru, saying so many hurtful things, even though he’s usually kind and caring. Both love interests have their flaws, but I’m thankful they both returned to their better selves later on.
4. Kaoru’s motherhood isn’t shown enough.
It’s a shame that Kaoru’s motherly side isn’t explored more. There are only a few scenes of her with her children. Those scenes really add life to both her character and her children, and I wish there were more of them.
Overall, even though it’s not my favorite, I still really like Miotsukushi!
The core of Miotsukushi is Kaoru’s journey through the many twists of fate in her life. Miotsukushi covers everything: family relationships, romance, struggles during the war, the effort to keep soy sauce production alive, fishermen and their beliefs, politics, and so much more.
This is the most complex Asadora I’ve ever watched and the one with the sweetest romance scenes. My favorite part is how Kaoru and Soukichi’s relationship begins. I highly recommend Miotsukushi if you enjoy complex, emotionally rich stories! It’s an Asadora that will always hold a special place in the depths of my heart ♡
Was this review helpful to you?
