1
Fondueforkharpoon
On a little rock somewhere, looking at the stars
It didn't stick the landing
Boy oh boy but do I have some conflicting feelings about this show!
I went into it with some pretty strong reservations given how viscerally uncomfortable power imbalance and consent issues in relationships (no matter how fictional) make me, but I decided to give it a go anyway because of the screenwriter and directors' involvement in shows like Jack o' Frost and Old Fashion Cupcake, both series that I absolutely adore.
Given that initial hesitancy I have to say I was both positively and negatively surprised by Taikan Yoho.
On the one hand it is technically excellent - the cinematography is brilliant, the editing and pacing are well though-out and cohesive, and the performances are stellar.
There is also the fact that the main characters' relationship, unhealthy and co-dependent as it may start out, seems to improve significantly as the show goes on, so much so that I became genuinely invested and was even sold on the idea that yeah, these two do love each other in their own, confused way don't they.
The intimacy the two share feels natural and believable even when set against the backdrop of so much emotional turmoil and denial.
On the other hand, all that promising build-up pretty much goes out the window with the final episode.
To explain:
I was surprised by how many similarities Taikan Yoho has to Utsukushii Kare, at least where the main characters' dynamic is concerned.
It's clear from the start how terrible both Mizuki and Yoh are at communicating (Yoh being especially guilty of this) and how much of their issues stem from the deep insecurities both of them seem to harbour about their relationship. But instead of making use of this premise and actually developing the characters (rather than just explaining their motivations), the show completely shoots itself in the foot by veering in distinctly the wrong direction, in my opinion.
Because rather than showing the characters taking steps towards a more even footing with one another, which is exactly what makes Utsukushii Kare work so well, they settle even more into their respective roles with Mizuki becoming uncomfortably domineering and essentially none of their misunderstandings cleared up, which makes any progress the two previously made feel completely inconsequential.
And kind of heartbreaking, too, given how Mizuki previously indicates he loves it when Yoh doesn't simply obey blindly but also shows his wants and needs.
Putting that aside, I don't even think the show works properly as a depiction of a healthy D/S dynamic.
Granted, I am not particularly well-versed in the subject so take what I say with a grain of salt (a much more reliable and in-depth analysis on the topic can be found here, should you be interested: https://www.tumblr.com/lutawolf/725726059919736832/my-person-weatherman-or-taikan-yoho?source=share), but I do know that what's most important in such relationships is communication and clearly drawn boundaries. And while Yoh's and Mizuki's relationship does bear many strong resemblances to certain types of D/S relationships, those vital features are clearly missing from their dynamic.
I don't regret having watched the show, nor would I discourage anyone else from watching it, but I do think it's important to be aware of the series' short-comings, especially where delicate but highly important topics like consent and power are concerned.
I also can't help feeling disappointed that the story didn't live up to its potential but rather falls prey to some of the most egregious cliches of the genre, especially with such a talented production team and cast .
I went into it with some pretty strong reservations given how viscerally uncomfortable power imbalance and consent issues in relationships (no matter how fictional) make me, but I decided to give it a go anyway because of the screenwriter and directors' involvement in shows like Jack o' Frost and Old Fashion Cupcake, both series that I absolutely adore.
Given that initial hesitancy I have to say I was both positively and negatively surprised by Taikan Yoho.
On the one hand it is technically excellent - the cinematography is brilliant, the editing and pacing are well though-out and cohesive, and the performances are stellar.
There is also the fact that the main characters' relationship, unhealthy and co-dependent as it may start out, seems to improve significantly as the show goes on, so much so that I became genuinely invested and was even sold on the idea that yeah, these two do love each other in their own, confused way don't they.
The intimacy the two share feels natural and believable even when set against the backdrop of so much emotional turmoil and denial.
On the other hand, all that promising build-up pretty much goes out the window with the final episode.
To explain:
I was surprised by how many similarities Taikan Yoho has to Utsukushii Kare, at least where the main characters' dynamic is concerned.
It's clear from the start how terrible both Mizuki and Yoh are at communicating (Yoh being especially guilty of this) and how much of their issues stem from the deep insecurities both of them seem to harbour about their relationship. But instead of making use of this premise and actually developing the characters (rather than just explaining their motivations), the show completely shoots itself in the foot by veering in distinctly the wrong direction, in my opinion.
Because rather than showing the characters taking steps towards a more even footing with one another, which is exactly what makes Utsukushii Kare work so well, they settle even more into their respective roles with Mizuki becoming uncomfortably domineering and essentially none of their misunderstandings cleared up, which makes any progress the two previously made feel completely inconsequential.
And kind of heartbreaking, too, given how Mizuki previously indicates he loves it when Yoh doesn't simply obey blindly but also shows his wants and needs.
Putting that aside, I don't even think the show works properly as a depiction of a healthy D/S dynamic.
Granted, I am not particularly well-versed in the subject so take what I say with a grain of salt (a much more reliable and in-depth analysis on the topic can be found here, should you be interested: https://www.tumblr.com/lutawolf/725726059919736832/my-person-weatherman-or-taikan-yoho?source=share), but I do know that what's most important in such relationships is communication and clearly drawn boundaries. And while Yoh's and Mizuki's relationship does bear many strong resemblances to certain types of D/S relationships, those vital features are clearly missing from their dynamic.
I don't regret having watched the show, nor would I discourage anyone else from watching it, but I do think it's important to be aware of the series' short-comings, especially where delicate but highly important topics like consent and power are concerned.
I also can't help feeling disappointed that the story didn't live up to its potential but rather falls prey to some of the most egregious cliches of the genre, especially with such a talented production team and cast .
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