Mitsushima Hikari plays aspiring Olympic boxer Makoto (Mako for short) and is trained by her father, former boxer Aoki (Yakusho Koji). Compared to the first episode, this one made me laugh a lot and wish that Mitsushima would do more comedies because she’s hilarious. Sakamoto nails it with the witty dialogue that shows the antagonistic relationship between the two as they fight inside and outside the ring. Aoki sabotages all of Mako’s social relationships, driving away her boyfriends and tagging along on her dates. He’s pretty much the dad no girl ever wants to have. Aoki always wanted a boy, naming his daughter Makoto, a common boy’s name, instead of Yuka, like her mother wanted. He just ignores the fact that she’s a girl, even throwing her first bra in the river. Mako isn’t content to suffer alone though; when she sees her father has a new girlfriend, she threatens to break her hand unless he breaks up with her.

Though Mako’s suffering is played for comedic effect, you do get a sense of how much she’s suffered to meet her dad’s demands and her frustration with the fact that she doesn’t have his recognition. So, in spite of all the grief Aoki gives her, Mako keeps at boxing, even though she doesn’t have a talent for it. It isn’t until she fails to qualify for the Olympics that she finally gives up, not of her own accord, but because of the agreement between Aoki and Mako’s mother. The look on Mako’s face speaks volumes about how hurt she is that her dad’s given up on her and reaffirms her belief that she’s not good enough for Aoki.

It all boils over when a year later, Mako visits Aoki the night before her wedding. It’s a raw exchange revealing how even though Aoki was aware that pushing Mako was putting a strain on their family, it wasn’t something he could give up on. He tries to convince Mako to go back to boxing and the two end up duking it out to see if it’s marriage or the Olympics. The fight is about more than though. It’s really Mako’s last chance to prove herself to Aoki and when she manages to knock him out like she did the day her mother left, it’s like he realizes her ability and accepts her.

Both episodes were solid from beginning to end, showing different perspectives of a father daughter relationship, so I look forward to what else Oyaji no Senaka holds.