Great Show!

I just finished the show and I do not agree with some of the comments saying that the show is bad. Please watch this show if you come across it. The one thing I can agree is that some parts of the characters personality/how they talk are overly dramatic at times. Which I think affects how people will interpret the show and why maybe some people in the comment section state that the show is therefore bad. However, I assume that may just be part of Japanese culture in comedy/expressing ones-self, esp during serious comedic moments, so I cannot and will not comment on a different culture. But I do not think that took away from the story line or the show portraying how impulsive choices can change the course of your life. The writers were not afraid to tackle really hard conversations. Especially shameful actions made in Japanese society. If you go against the law, you are seen so differently amongst Japanese people. And you see how Masubuchi Tobio is affected by those actions. Towards the end of episode 10 he is let go because of his past, he has no girlfriend, and he has no children of his own. Which he pictured having all of those things prior to the horrific incident. He landed up really with nothing except long term guilt.

I also appreciated how the show didn't for a stereotypical happy ending. Some people in the comments say that Tobio deserved a happy ending. But I felt the ending was very ealistic to how life goes sometimes. Sometimes we do something so fucked up you can't come back from it and it can change your life forever. There were some moments I THOUGHT some characters such as, Ichihashi Tetsuto would never acknowledge their wrong doings too, but the drama later surprised me that the character acknowledged his contributions. I think each character represents someone flawed, immature, impulsive, angry, hurt, etc. Nobody was seen as a perfect person in the story. And 4 friends did not just go about living life and live their happy endings. But boy, was I super surprised, this whole show was super captivating and I appreciated how life just hits you in the face aspect of the show. Like you feel what the characters are feeling, what they are thinking, and what their process in coming to terms with their choices feels like. So when the ending came, I was or I felt hit with reality too. Because I kinda did think in the end that they'd all live happily and stay friends. You see 10 years later how drastically their close bonds ended between each character and how reality finally hit each of them differently. Especially how Aokawa Renko and Masubuchi Tobio did not end up together. That kinda shocked me because Renko tells Tobio she will wait for him. But ironically neither person communicated with one another because, life happens. Each character had a unique perspective on the choices they made and contributed to the horrible incident. It makes you sad because their bond as friends was special, enjoyable in good and in bad times. Which we all experience in real life, we think when we are young we-will be together forever. But how life can change so many relationships so fast.

Good show overall, please watch. I give the acting, story, and music 10/10.

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Great Show a Modern Depiction of Modern Society

I really enjoyed this drama, there are way too many stereotypical drama's with basic plot lines. Such as always a pretty girl obsessing over the hot guy/vice versa. Or just pretty women in general doing pretty related things. It is refreshing to see a Japanese drama making fun of society. Because I could go on and on about the stereotypes in drama's. I really love how in a way the women talking into the camera are being honest about Japanese societal expectations . My favorite scene had to be in episode 10 where you see young women being idols saying they want to spread courage. And a woman close to middle/old age is like, "Courage, how hilarious, want courage. How about me, a basic looking average woman get up there and do that. Now that takes courage. smh, the youth who look beautiful spreading courage, what a joke."

This show portrays Aya, a young woman who dreams and idolizes her youth and what adult hood would be like with imaginary and made up scenarios. Romanticizing money, love, popularity, our future, marriage, etc, etc...When Aya is a teenager, you see how she detests her hometown and how she judges everyone who lives there. But we also see how adults do not believe in their youth, but direct and assume what a person should do with their time. In addition, her teacher even tells her to go to a basic college. Because why try right? However, Aya bases all of her happiness perceptions on capitalistic/trivial things we think make a good and happy life. Seeing people around her and thinking, I feel sorry for that poor fellow over there. Which is a scene we see where high school girls are hanging outside of a convenient store, enjoying their time together. But to Aya she thinks this is a waist of time because she assumes nothing will become of them. People stay stuck in this town, etc.

As the show goes on, you see Aya change jobs for money, picking men for money, picking friends based on stature, spending money to impress people. Ironically, Aya meets a great in the beginning of the show, a nice guy from her hometown. But dumps later on "better men." Aya thinks there is nothing better than just simple for of happiness. I say better loosely, because she thinks their stature is better, therefore she will date that person. There really is no genuine love expressed between all the supporting characters and Aya. Everyone is dating someone for something. And if someone wants something, they will justify why they want it. However, there re brief moments each character talks into a camera expressing the harsh realities for the reasons why people act the way that they do. Its funny, everyone knows how stupid everything is yet everyone continues participating in the capitalistic societal pressures. I would say there are some things I can relate to Aya on as a young person. You romanticize all of these things that society tells you makes your life worthy. But in reality, its a waist-less and soul-less existence. Because nothing is as grand as dreams. Dreams are wonderful because everything we ever desire comes true. But in reality, society can affect how we make choices.

Overall, I loved this drama. I hope they make more like this. Its really good to have shows that present the realities of life. Esp how capitalism drives us to make choices for money and not for genuine happiness.

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Amazing Great Drama that can be applied to current times in 2023

I watched this drama back in 2011, I was 17. I never had an opportunity to give this show a review. I must say, reviewing this now as a 28 year old woman. This show can def be related to current times and issues. I wish more Japanese dramas came out like this one. Because there are so many issues like this in current society being discussed. Please watch this drama if you come across it. The acting/story line/topics are done and brought up very well in this drama. Showing a loving family figuring out how to help their daughter who knows she is a male. Vs the other daughter who is being forced to live as a woman. They are juxtaposed very well together. Because you can see how parent's handle certain issues based on placing their insecurities onto the child. Vs letting your child figure it out and being there for them and love them unconditionally.

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Well written drama

I would say, this is a drama that had great back and forth, amazing dialogue, and did a very good job executing characters and their personalities. Sometimes when a show has a lot of dialogue, the characters get lost in the sauce. Or sometimes the show can drift. But everything written was acted and dialogue were done very well. I very much enjoy the show and the plot twists. The show is meaningful, how life is precious and how we don't always get a second, third, or fifth chance. And how just because we do good deeds, does not mean their good because we want to do them. You should never do something you don't actually intend or want to do. As you kinda see how the main character in the beginning just does good deeds for the sake of restarting life. But once they come to know that they only have one more try in being a human. They then realize doing things because you want to and care are the most important.

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I wish this show as a lesbian show

Ok so first I wanna say


Story: The story is very good. However, please keep note I am judging based on only watching 2 episodes and half of the third episode. As I was watching the story, characters, are is very good. However, I cringe watching the main character, making the same mistakes over and over and listen to her negative thoughts. At times I have to pause the show because its way too much for me to handle. I felt like I could feel the second hand embarrassment. Because Eriko takes it way too far. Watching Eriko spiral when Shouko did not answer her phone was hard to swallow. Since that is where the story really begins. And shows how Shouko's feelings set the tone for the rest of the show.

Characters: Shimura Eriko: I thought maybe the show was inferring in some aspect that Eriko may be a lesbian? But I could be wrong. It only read as such because she seems to really need or want validation from women, not inherently men. Plus the scene of her riding on the back of Shouko's bike also felt very gay. Not from Shouko's perspective, just solely Eriko. And she has a pattern of being hurt by her female friends for not putting so much effort in remembering her. But I was wondering if her friends have told her that she is being too much. Because when her friend told her she went to see a movie with another person and not invite her made her very upset. Which I can understand to an extent. Because you would think your friend group would invite you if you are all friends. However, nothing you can control if two people are more closer to someone than you. She takes it very personal. I wish this character was healthier and just expressed how it hurts her being left out. But I understand this show is a psychological show. But I interpreted this as some kind of trauma response? This is just my observation as I am a lesbian. I kinda wish the show did go in a lesbian direction. Because sometimes people who are in the closet or do not understand their sexuality make or do strange decisions that may not make sense to someone not having the same experience.

I really have nothing to say about the other characters. I think they are all well written and serve their purpose.

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