This review may contain spoilers
Spread your wings
"Tsubasa" is the 30th asadora that I've watched [Trumpet sounds]. With "Tsubasa," I expected to really dislike it due to reviews and comments I've read on this website and other sites. When I started to watch, I was pleasantly surprised and I really liked it. However, the comments ultimately have some merit. The last half of the asadora isn't as good and I believe that's due to a strange tonal shift. Let me explain...
The first half is full of over-the-top comedy mixed with somewhat melodramatic emotional moments. I actually really liked this vibe, though I've noticed that a lot of people disliked it [lol]. In the second half, it switches to a complete melodrama with comedic moments few and far between. I think the melodrama and comedy only worked when they were both used equally. I'm not sure why it changed and I was pretty disappointed with the tonal shift. Aside from that, "Tsubasa" also has some issues with its plot. Let's get into that now.
I think the plot starts to go downhill FAST with the introduction of the character, Jonouchi Fusako (played by Fuji Manami), as a sort-of villain. Around the same time, the heroine Tsubasa (Tabe Mikako) and her boyfriend Shota (Koyanagi Yu) break up. This isn't necessarily a bad plot but contributes to the "meh"-ness of the last fifty or so episodes. So many bad things happen in the last of the drama that it feels too much and I honestly started to tune out. On top of that, Jonouchi is basically a cartoon villian until almost the end and they quickly tried to give her some actual character.
Despite the tone and plot issues, I was happy that I never grew to dislike Tsubasa played by the sweet Tabe Mikako. She's not the strongest asadora heroine, but her character stays consistent throughout. I kind of wished she had chosen Manase (Takuma Takayuki) at the end, though the age difference is a kinda creepy. I thought her leaving Kawagoe would've fit in with the "spread your wings" messaging of the drama, but her choice is not out of character so I can't hate it. Aside from Tsubasa, I really liked her mother Kanoko (Takahata Atsuko) and her grandmother Chiyo (Yoshiyuki Kazuko). The dynamic between these three is really interesting and I liked that it was resolved a little at a time. The friends and neighbors of the town are almost all fun and add to the humor of the series. Special shout-out to Issey Ogata, whom narrates the asadora and also plays "Radio Man", a figment of Tsubasa's imagination.
All-in-all, I'm not sure if I can recommend "Tsubasa" considering the majority opinion. I can only speak of my own experience and I had fun watching this asadora even if I myself don't think it was the best or anything.
The first half is full of over-the-top comedy mixed with somewhat melodramatic emotional moments. I actually really liked this vibe, though I've noticed that a lot of people disliked it [lol]. In the second half, it switches to a complete melodrama with comedic moments few and far between. I think the melodrama and comedy only worked when they were both used equally. I'm not sure why it changed and I was pretty disappointed with the tonal shift. Aside from that, "Tsubasa" also has some issues with its plot. Let's get into that now.
I think the plot starts to go downhill FAST with the introduction of the character, Jonouchi Fusako (played by Fuji Manami), as a sort-of villain. Around the same time, the heroine Tsubasa (Tabe Mikako) and her boyfriend Shota (Koyanagi Yu) break up. This isn't necessarily a bad plot but contributes to the "meh"-ness of the last fifty or so episodes. So many bad things happen in the last of the drama that it feels too much and I honestly started to tune out. On top of that, Jonouchi is basically a cartoon villian until almost the end and they quickly tried to give her some actual character.
Despite the tone and plot issues, I was happy that I never grew to dislike Tsubasa played by the sweet Tabe Mikako. She's not the strongest asadora heroine, but her character stays consistent throughout. I kind of wished she had chosen Manase (Takuma Takayuki) at the end, though the age difference is a kinda creepy. I thought her leaving Kawagoe would've fit in with the "spread your wings" messaging of the drama, but her choice is not out of character so I can't hate it. Aside from Tsubasa, I really liked her mother Kanoko (Takahata Atsuko) and her grandmother Chiyo (Yoshiyuki Kazuko). The dynamic between these three is really interesting and I liked that it was resolved a little at a time. The friends and neighbors of the town are almost all fun and add to the humor of the series. Special shout-out to Issey Ogata, whom narrates the asadora and also plays "Radio Man", a figment of Tsubasa's imagination.
All-in-all, I'm not sure if I can recommend "Tsubasa" considering the majority opinion. I can only speak of my own experience and I had fun watching this asadora even if I myself don't think it was the best or anything.
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