A quiet and moving film that has stayed with me... Many scenes are so understatedly brilliant that you may not realize how good they are until after the movie ends. I keep thinking about it.
I really like this drama. It is thoughtful and thought provoking on gender issues, yes, but it's also a very engaging story. I am not transgender, nor do I have anyone in my life who is, so I can't really say if its portrayal of the subject matter is or isn't helping or hurting those who are. But I can say that, for myself, the show has affected me in such a way as to evoke even more respect and empathy for those who are (not that I was lacking it to begin with). I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel it is a positive portrayal. And it is a show worth watching.
My friend in Tokyo watches this every morning before she leaves for work. I thought I would watch a few episodes so that we would have a few more things to talk about while we're apart. At first, I thought it would be too "girly" for my taste, but I was quickly hooked. The drama is powerful and the struggles that Sumire and her friends face and overcome are universally human. I really love this show.
This was really, really well done. Complex and realistic characters. Deep and touching romance (though quite understated). Personal struggles with ethics and honor. And all happening within a historical backdrop that begins with Japan's painful defeat in war and carries us through to its emergence as an economic power. I intend to watch it again.