Marumo no Okite (2011)

You'd think that a show featuring a talking dog would center on the talking dog, but, no, this sweet family drama is, like the generally darker works of Sakamoto Yuji (author of Ashida Mana's previous series Mother), much more about how families can and do form beyond the norms of the nuclear model.

The central character here is Mamoru/Marumo who decides to take care of the twins of his late friend so that they won't be separated. He is woefully unprepared for being a parent, but learns quickly and soon comes to love his unexpected little family. Abe does a solid job of portraying his character's growth.

As usual, Ashida Mana will bring you to tears in the final episode with a prodigious amount of subtlety and complexity to her performance though, it must be said, Suzuki Fuku does manage some of the heavy lifting that final episode as well.

It's largely a comedic drama, but there is some exploration of meatier issues as well. The okite or rules that serve as a moral for each episode do make the show a bit didactic and tend to push the series into After School Special territory. However, they are also used as a key plot point in the resolution of the drama and so probably can be forgiven.

All in all, the show is well acted, mostly light fare with some emotional punch.

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