A giant trampling-truck dead set on getting to its destination.
While unpredictability is good to keep the audience interested, twisting things forcefully leads to an unsatisfactory resolution.. Which makes me understand the somewhat low score for what I consider another aptly produced and executed drama for its time! Where the cast is ample and varied, and everyone is fleshed out into indelible characters. Personally, I try to watch anything with Aragaki Yui-san in it. Her part is the reason to watch and the core of the show! She has a well defined persona and convictions, as well as a matching upbringing/background with lots of memorable scenes that work as a great foundation. Although at times, it seems the script loses direction and seem unfocused.. and you squint and remember "this is still her story, right?".
Make no mistake! This drama was a very enjoyable and interesting watch. With strong enough emotional moments, noteworthy developments and with some very good dialogue and satisfying interactions! What else can you ask for in a drama? But in the end, it IS a drama for which people have expectations that must be met. I'd say I'm content with what I got! And Yui-san continues to make me love everything she is a part of.
I do feel that no male lead can match her acting, charm and presence.. and while Ryo Nishikido does a good job at a guy whose kindness seems more like indecisiveness, he does little to feel deserving of the role (which feels overwritten at points). More importantly, the children were impressive! Kanon Tani easily being my favorite personality to watch in recent years (sad to see her career not taking off). Oh, and Hiroyuki Hirayama's Shindo character was really cool at the end.
I'm not sure I would recommend this as your "introduction to Japanese dramas", but the contents are rich enough for me to insist on tracking it down.
