Hanawake no Yon Shimai (2011)

I loved this series. I never thought I'd find such an interesting take on female characterization and deconstruction of female stereotypes in this drama by the time I started watching it. I was faced with my own pre-conceptions of internalized misogyny more than once and I thank it for showing me better. The sisters seemingly represent prototypes of female characters, showing in the surface what the viewer can easily assume, whereas the only character who really knows them fully is non other than their mother, whose figure is extremely important. This drama works on the value that women give themselves versus the one society gives them in a lot of moments, especially in Takemi's character but also in every one of the sisters. Takemi superficially seems the careless gorgeous heart-breaker, Fujiko seems like the obsessive over-achiever, Sakurako seems like the girl who just wants to settle down in the most traditional way and Ume seems like the artsy teen with low self esteem. And they are that. Only in part. Discovering these characters throughout the series is like seeing the tip of an iceberg to then explore what's lying beneath. And, as a girl, I felt very deeply many of the worries and tribulations these girls go through. Yes, there are some plot-lines that could have been better taken care of and some characters that could have been more developed, but all in all, it's a drama where girls are the center and they're realistically portrayed, all funny exaggerations and caricature moments aside. I really loved this drama.

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Ok, I really hated Takemi at first, but that’s probably what they want. And the way everyone fell for her, it didn’t make that much sense, but that’s probably what they want too. But as the story progressed she became like my heroine: taking care of her children, parents and sisters, although doing it in a strange way she never expected to be thanked. Mizuki Arisa did a great job portraying the different sides of Takemi.

But the other sisters made me attached to them too. You kind of know how each of them feels and can’t help but cheer for them. This is not just about how each of the sisters finds their love, but mainly about how they discover the importance of the family and learn more about each other.

Aside from some unnecessary scenes or others you just have to stop trying to understand, expect some tearing and a great family-drama series.

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