Eroi Kareshi ga Watashi wo Madowasu (2021)

There is life under the surface of dead brain comedy.

This show could have been a very good one and at moments it was.
It strengthened my interest in Japanese social comedy past the annoying and ludicrous reactions in some scenes that usually hold me back. Actually, this jdrama landed not too far away from being a hidden gem. Here is why.

First the writer pulled off surprisingly realistic and deep character. Most of the characters have more layers to them than what is hinted at the beginning. Take the groom to be Keigo for example, The stainless charming prince turns into a double standard jerk and finally into a despicable coward. Each layer slips in a very natural way, in harmony with the story development, not forced at all. The same occurs with Hitomi's mother and sister who have much more to their characters than what their silly introduction lets on. You can catch a glimpse of the struggles and doubts the mother has come across even if just hinted. Finally the main lead Manabu is the finest example of these “layers” paradigm. His character is quite disappointing at first as a marriage wrecker (not that he does anything to be a marriage wrecker actually), so straightforward and dull. But as the story develops his inner layers appear and let on a mature, respectful and bright personality, who was just waiting for someone like Hitomi to come and shake his world.

In addition to good characters writing, the issues it deals with really hit home. First I thought I would never relate to the show. What is a young woman supposed to do : give up to a fling or be a sensible person who invests in her future? That kind of dilemma doesn't strike any chord with me and I was about to give up on the show when it took a different path. It's built around the idea that double standards and hypocrisy deeply shape our choices. Social status is obviously assumed as a major thing in Japanese culture and society (or at least that's what I understand from my limited knowledge), nothing new here. But this show succeeds in showing some of the powerfull social structure that leads to it. It does not come only on your personal choices, but on all your interactions and values. As a European I could perfectly relate to this analysis.

Unfortunately though, what the show misses is still crucial.
Mainly time and substance. To tell the mother and sister's character development, Manabu's change of heart. And above all to account for Hitomi's poor decision making which really doesn't make any sense with her character arc.
Last but not least, what a poor and rushed happy ending. This show deserved much better.

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Social Criticism At It's Most Confusing

This was so much fun, while I did want to beat a few people up as well as mute the mom and sister... I still found myself enjoying this just a little bit to much...

As this is a drama that talkes about class, and by that I do no mean school class, or being classy but the actual blue collar white collar socioeconomic class... power relations, masculinity the works and it does it beautifully... Fine you may need to dig a bit and there are a lot, and by that I mean a lot lines that are there to show the absurdity of gender and class conventions that if taken out of this satire context would seem a bit sexist... So they are pretty much putting these things out there. I am willing to admit that some of the stuff they put out there had me guessing wondering are they serious or are they just trying to show this stuff as the line between progressiveness and whatever I should call it can feel a bit blurred... And thing do become kind of absurd... And I guess I liked it.

While I hated the female leads mom and sister I did really enjoy watching all four leads, their lines, thier characters, their interactions mimics.. muscles... As well as the use of the word sexy" and "uterus".

That said the wrap up was a bit to fast, so I would like a few more episodes. But other than that this is an easy binge and a whole lot of fun...

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