This was one of the dramas I wasn't planning on watching, then started out of boredom but turned out to be a pleasant watch. Watching it made me forget all my problems and the things I stress about, and gave me a warm feeling. I enjoyed every second of it. I can't say they it has anything that stand out, but more of a number of things coming together in harmony and giving us this heartwarming fun dorama.
The drama is really about bringing people together. The title is about the ever changing form a family takes as time goes on and how we find ways to adapt at every upcoming change. I love that our hero Daisuke, played by Katori Shingo (my first time watching him - he did pretty well) is a typical introverted who treasures his time alone, only to have to deal with his extraverted father Yozo, played by Nishida Toshiyuki, who has no consideration for such issues. Another highlight is the growing relationship between Daisuke and his new ototo, and mostly the hearwarming relationship between Yozo-san and Kota. Then there's Ueno Juri playing lonely Hanako, with her lazy demeanor that takes out her boredom by complaining about anything, getting nicknamed *Complainer Hanako*. I enjoyed her bickering relationship with Daisuke, her mother, played by the lovely Fubuki Jun. Actually my favourite part of the drama was the relationship of Yozo and Ricchan and how they affected everyone around them with their warmth. Arakawa Yoshiyoshi as Daisuke's colleague doubled the fun, and the addition of Tanaka Kei was a great welcome. That guy needs to get a leading role next!
There were more. It's a huge cast and the drama gave the spotlight to most of them, and we saw both main and supporting characters grow throughout the drama.
Nishida Toshiyuki was at the center of it all. He brought lightheartedness to the drama, but can be a firm father figure when needed to, and when he gets emotional you can't help but get carried away by it. There were many instance I understood Daisuke's frustrations, and it would've drove me crazy if I was in his place, but the moment Yozo-san makes amend or explains himself, I just can't help feel for him and want him to be forgiven.
Anyways fun drama worth checking out ;)
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Story: (9/10) This dorama is about family, marriage, friendship, comradeship. It is like every "Romance" J-dorama I see it addresses the reluctance of the MC to get married, and people around them pressure them to get married. I know that Japan has a low rate of marriage/low-birth, but sometimes this kind of stories can get a little preachy. Anyway, like in "Kekkon Dekinai Otoko", this is the story of a mature guy, Daisuke, who is pleased to live alone and doesn't want to get married at all. He is completely happy living in his own "castle" (as he likes to call his apartment, who looks gorgeous, btw) and drink his beer. Alone. That changes once his father comes with Kota, Daisuke's new younger brother, and imposes his presence in his "castle". Also, around the same time, Daisuke befriends his neighbor, Hanako.
Daisuke is not as anti-social nor awkward as Kuwano, but he is grumpy. It is not hard to sympathize with him. I would also be grumpy if my precious space was invaded by people. But those people are all kind, with a good heart, although there are also some that can be a bit bothersome (like all-happy-girl Tanaka-san).
Hanako deals with her own problems, her mother also comes and invades her personal space. And her ex-husband wants to get back together. Like many other J-dramas (a thing I absolutely love) is that the ex-husband is a good man, not evil nor bothersome. Same with Daisuke's ex-girlfriend.
All characters that become a friend sort of, thanks to Daisuke's dad, was likeable. Specially Sasaki-san (I adore this chubby actor, he is so funny!). This dorama is mostly about that, how Daisuke's dad comes back to his son's life and changes everyone that is around Daisuke.
For people looking for a romance: I wouldn't call this a romance, I prefer to call it a deep bond, a true friendship, a camaraderie.
Cast: (8/10) Ueno Juri was excellent, I was moved by her tears. Not a moment I thought "oh, this is Nodame". Too bad her hair was so awful, but she is so pretty I could ignore it sometimes. Same with Shingo. I didn't see Shingo, but Daisuke. They were both excellent. And of course, Sasaki-san was also terrific. Many people praise Daisuke's dad but I am not a fan of this actor. I think he has many mannerisms that annoyed me. He is always saying: "ano sa", "ano ne". Mizuhara Kiko was terrible as Tanaka'san, she pouts so much it is annoying. Kota, the younger brother, was pitiful, but I dislike when pitiful characters don't talk and go there with their head down. On the good side, I think that he looked like a Japanese Harry Potter. And also a bit like Yuriko Yoshitaka.
We have 4 mini-reunions in this show: Ouran High School Host Club (Haruhi and Honeysempai, and coincidence! he was called "Haru"); Tiger and Dragon (Shishou and Jumptei Jump); Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (mother of the killer, brother of the killed one), and Shingo and Arisa.
{Edit: there is a guy who played the personal trainer of Hanako at the gym. For days I was "who was that guy?". He isn't in any of the cast lists. Then I remembered. He was one of the butlers of Mei-chan no Shitsuji.}
Music: (9/10) I love the music "Unpredictable Story", bye Ellie. There are 2 versions, one slow and one faster. I think I prefer the slow one but even so,both are beautiful. Currently in my playlist.
Rewatch value: (9/10) this is one of those dramas that can be recommended to anyone. I don't think there would be a person, male or female, who wouldn't like this. It is easy to watch, it is charming, it is not slow, it is real.
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Is the story unique or amazing? Nope, its not. But thats not the point, this drama is about life, its about family, relationships, friends and so on… Particularly noteworthy are the gradual changes in the characters of both our male and female leads, slowly opening up to others around them and confiding in them. But the story isnt only about those 2 leads, everyone is involved in this, all the other characters… What I take the story of this drama to be expressing is that marriage or love is not necessarily a prerequisite to creating a family. Friends, acquaintances, daily banter and happiness/sadness is what makes up a family. Or, another way of putting it: A true family isnt only constituted by its form (marriage etc), but its the substance, the things that go on within it, the people that make up a family.
But anyways enough of that serious stuff, Katori Shingo was awesome here, as usual - he portrayed his character quite well. Ueno Juri as well (I started to like her ever since Nodame… ). The relationship/quarrels between them were entertaining and addictively good. Other characters like Nishida Toshiyuki (the father) and Arakawa Yoshiyoshi (a workplace colleague) added depth and humour to the drama. Key thing was I thought everyone’s acting was pretty natural, as expected of a drama that resolves around family and life - and i think most, if not all of the cast nailed it.
(Side note: Some say this drama is similar to Kekkon Dekinai Otoko. That might be true, especially with the male lead's character, but the story is generally different, and this has more of a family/ daily life feeling to it)
Rewatch? Definitely why not, its awesome.
Anything else? Music was catchy and addicting.
Is it perfect? Of course not - but that was nonetheless a day well spent…
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A must watch
As an introvert who highly values privacy and personal space, I could relate so much to the main character in this drama. It's the main reason why I love watching this show. I agree with most of ML's perspectives, even though I feel that some of his actions can be a bit rude, especially towards his father. However, I understand his reasons behind it. By the end of the drama, I couldn't help but feel exhausted at the thought of having someone like his father in my life.Nevertheless, I absolutely adore the dynamics between all the characters in this show. The unexpected interactions between ML and FL are particularly intriguing.
Overall, this drama is one that makes me wish I could erase my memory just to experience the joy of watching it all over again.
p.s I experienced a significant post-drama syndrome after watching this show. It had such a profound impact on me that I've been constantly searching for other dramas with a similar theme, even after months and up until now.
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Famille je vous hais, comme disait Gide !
Alors j'ai adoré ce drama, parce que j'adore les dramas "tranche de vie".Bien sûr, les deux égoïstes antipathiques du début, vont peu à peu se "déboutonner", on saura pourquoi ils ont fait ces choix de vie, et bon gré mal gré ils vont réapprendre à se frotter aux autres.
Le père de Daisuke et son sans-gêne donne lieu à des scènes cocasses, et à travers les accrochages avec son fils, on en apprend toujours plus sur ce dernier.
L'évolution des personnages, les liens qui se créent, les frontières qui s'ouvrent, les barrières qui tombent, petit à petit on est pris dans l'atmosphère chaleureuse et en même temps très réaliste du drama.
Les acteurs sont tout très bons, et particulièrement les quatre principaux protagonistes. Shingo Katori n'est pas du tout la "crevette traditionnelle" et il assume parfaitement l'originalité du personnage, Ueno Juri, eh bien on sait déjà qu'elle réussit tout ce qu'elle entreprend !
Maintenant que j'ai vu la fin, je dirais qu'elle n'est ni mauvaise ni ratée, mais que j'aurais pu m'en dispenser. En quelque sorte elle enfonce le clou, ne nous apprend rien et j'aurais bien préféré rester sur la fin de l'épisode 9, tellement fine et intelligente dans la description délicate du chemin parcouru par Daisuke et Hanako.
Enfin c'est aussi un drama d'adultes, qui travaillent (leurs boulots existent vraiment, ce n'est pas qu'un décor). Par contre, la musique et la chanson : non !! je pensais que les Japonais n'avaient pas de chanson, ben ils en ont, hélas !!
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