Okashi no Ie (2015)

I would give this an 8, which for me means, I liked it a lot, but I'm giving it an extra point because it has masterpiece qualities to it. It's such a unique drama. It's short, slow paced, and it doesn't focus on a direct story line, but it has such a powerful way of invoking the feels through it's atmosphere, music, dialogue and characters. This drama just had a unique way of coming out of the screen and working on the inside of me. There were several moments where I felt touched and moved, but what was interesting was that it was not in a way you would expect. It was different in a good way. It was even sad, but in a good way. I also really loved the movie quality film production, and the acting was very good.

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STORY:
It didn't need grand settings, situations, or even words just to get the drama's messages across the viewers. It was simple yet touching. The major points and plot twists in the story were executed with the right timing. Maybe, I was just a little confused (and curious at the same time) during the first few episodes since it didn't directly present a concrete story line right at the beginning.

CAST/ACTING:
The cast was superb. And no, I am not exaggerating about it. Their acting made me really feel that this kind of story does really happen and that how they acted is the way people react to this kind of situation. Also, let me just say, "oh, Odagiri Joe."

MUSIC:
All I can say is that the first few lines of the ending song gets through and pierces my heart. Bow.

OVERALL:
I was entertained by the story (I laughed and cried a lot) and at the same time I was reminded of a lot of good things about life and growing up (or old). I will certainly watch it again. :)

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Wow, it’s been 2 years since I watched this drama.

When I dived into this drama the only reason for me was Odagiri Joe. What I was left with after completing the drama in one sitting was a bunch of feelings.

This drama is like life itself, you don’t have a clear ongoing storyline, but still the story flows by slowly like the lil water in the backyard of the shop.

The characters were nearly all as insecure about life, love, money and employment as my real life friends are at their age.
You can find yourself very clearly in their struggles.
They were just lovely, hateful, funny and merciless as all of us.

The OST was perfect for the drama and reflected the emotions in a good way.

I’m sure one day I’ll watch it again.

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This drama is very much a "slice of life". Within this show are all representations of life and it's ups and downs, goods and bads, forevers and for nows, for betters and for worse. The story was told as if it was a movie, how life begins and where we go from where we started from and where and how we end, but the fact that it was played out and told as a drama with 10 episodes really goes to show the cast's and the writer's talent, skill, real honesty, love, and pride for this story.

This is a very unique story, in fact, I've only seen a small handful of shows that come close to resembling this storyline. However, this story in itself is so tangibly real that it's almost scary. We enjoy where we are with our friends and family, in our safety net, but then once our world gets widened with new people and new interests... it's simply that "life goes on". This drama is quite literally telling a life story of someone who civilization would consider "normal" in society; friends, family, a job, etc... But, if this was just a "normal" story, then it would not have been made into one of the most realistic, loving, honest, genuine stories I've ever had the pleasure of watching.

I think the cast is what really made this story so special. At first I wasn't too sure about Odagiri Joe's role, however, as I continued watching, I continued to fall in love with not only his character but how he grew as a person within this story and his role in "society" as a whole. From someone who was in one business to move so quickly, and so well, into another (not to mention new) field of work is something only someone with immense talent and love for his profession as a whole can do so well; it was almost as if he himself, personally, was moving through life and not his character. It was wonderful to see Katsuji Ryo in this story, I believe he was just as good (if not even on par or a little better) as Odagiri Joe. Katsuji Ryo first stole my heart in "Tokyo Dogs" and this show was the perfect place to see him transform in to such a different character.

This story is amazing and heart wrenching and ridiculously talented and filled with love.

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A Slice of Life done right!

If you're like me, you think the slice of life genre is generally overrated and boring. However, there is something very special about this drama that sets it apart from the others. It has become one of my favorites and I can see myself re-watching this gem and never growing tired of it. In two words: It's real. From the natural dialogue to the way romance is portrayed, everything in this drama feels real. You feel like an additional friend sitting with this diverse group of characters in the back yard of a dying sweets shop. It doesn't feel like the actors are acting. It's that natural! I've never seen a drama encapsulate "life" so well...all the ups and downs, joy and pain. This show has zero melodrama or pretentiousness, just the way I like it. The ending song is amazing too and perfectly fits. As a fan of Odagiri Joe, I decided to check this drama out and I'm so glad I did.

Rating:
10/10

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