This drama is one of those with great characters which you learn to love over time. It's strengths comes from exploring various character dynamics and different personalities in the world around them. And, while the format is a little odd and sometimes repetitive, it can also be a powerful catalyst for transformative moments in the plot. This interesting use of the format did elevate my opinion of the show as a whole.

First let me say that the premise of the show is intriguing; we don't see much content about podcasts right now. Now, I'm not too sure on the subject of the podcast itself, which is on chain restaurants, something most people don't get especially excited about. I wouldn't be too bothered by this oddity, but they spend a not insignificant amount of time every episode talking about different restaurants, which by the end became a little boring. In fact, I think it may have been unnecessary to include the recording of a podcast in nearly every episode. It was occasionally a powerful tool for emotional revelations in the character, but oftentimes it seemed to be explicitly stating things the viewer could already pick up on. Also, it would have been interesting to see the podcast incorporated a bit more into the plot, but I also understand why they didn't and respect that creative decision.

Besides these flaws, there are a number of things going for the show. First, the chemistry between the protagonists is outstanding. They interact naturally and form realistic bonds that we become attached to by the end. This is also helped a great deal by the natural charisma of the main character Misono. One of my favorite things about the show is how, over the course of the episodes, they explored several minor characters around the office, displaying interesting personalities and how they interact with the protagonist(s). It was reminiscent of Gintama in their variety of characters and The Office in the powerful bonds between them. Without these things I doubt I would have enjoyed the show.

So should you watch it? Well first, if you're interested in chain restaurants in Japan then by all means this is the show for you. If you're not but you're interested in podcasts or the idea of making podcasts, or you're just looking around in general, consider this: On the one hand, the episodes are short (20 mins) and there are few (12) so it's not a big time commitment to watch. The format is mostly episodic so a few episodes will give you an idea of what to expect for most of it. On the other hand, the real strength of the show comes in the characters and dynamics it builds over time, so you can't really discredit it from the get go. With this in mind: For those of you looking for something light and fluffy that still carries emotional weight, I will recommend this drama, but otherwise (if you're looking for a story about fame or excessive drama), I'd say look elsewhere.