This drama might remind many j-dorama watchers of an older drama "Tiger and Dragon". The reason is, both are written by Kudo Kankuro, lead by Nagase Tomoya playing a character learning an old art from a character played by the legendary Nishida Toshiyuki. Both dramas use this opportunity to teach about Japanese culture and demonstrate how this art still has an influence on our modern society and should be preserved. Also, I have to say, the combination of those three is GOLD. Kudo-Sensei knows how to use all the potential of both actors, who have some of the best on-screen chemistry.

This story was very simple yet very elaborated. As I watch each episode, I find myself pondering about different topics. Even re-evaluating previous judgments. It's not really about the story, but how it presents day-to-day life. The moments AFTER the great gestures and talk of sacrifice, the moments after making the promise to change, take up a new responsibility, or give up something deemed a waste of time. Those moments are very real. Those are the moments we rarely see on screen. They lack the theatrical needed to emphasize certain actions or characters, yet they are the most real and hit much closer to home.

It's easy to say that children should take care of their elder parents, and hail the nurses that do the job instead of said children. But we forget that sometimes it's just not feasible. Nurses are paid to do that job, while the children need to earn a living WHILE taking care of their elders. This can be stressful and cause anxiety to all parties involved. However, that doesn't mean that children should just leave it to professionals. Just like there was a time their parents couldn't be replaceable, as adults, there are things only THEY can do for their parents.

Another thing related to this subject reflected in this drama is the complicated emotions that come with such responsibility. The family issues can be perceived as particular to this story, yet they are more of standard in our society today. We don't hold our parents at a height where we don't question their actions anymore, but we forget all the sacrifices our parents made and the difficulties they went through, just to give us a better life than they had. However, as outsiders looking in, it's easy to think "why are those children treating their elderly parents this way" without knowing the hardships said parents are presently causing, nor the traumas they inadvertently caused. Because they are all flawed humans.

Although touched upon lightly, the complications of marriage, the cause of divorce, and the consequences were beautifully portrayed. The road of a crush turning into a relationship, the relationship turning into the mundane everyday life, etc.

Those were just some of the topics explored masterfully in this drama.

The characters in this drama were both extraordinary and very ordinary. Depending on where you are in life, each character felt very authentic. Very early on I felt that Juichi is ME. At least, at my current stage in life. I haven't seen Nagase Tomoya in better shape (looks AND skills), he was lovely, annoying, cute, and dumb. His sister Mai is probably these in every household. She's the one most depended on yet most ignored. She's sensitive and very sensible to those around her. They couldn't have cast anyone better than Eguchi Noriko. In subtly manners, she made the character glow. The father/grandfather played by is probably the most present character in our lives. Annoys us, makes us laugh, roll our eyes, cry. No one other than Nishida Toshiyuki could have done it. The forever baby brother, the black sheep, the middle child, all are present. The relationship between each character and its growth felt very authentic. I loved how Juichi saw himself not in his son but in his nephew and went out of his way to stand by him in ways no one did in his time. That generational difference is palpable.

As far as storytelling goes, the drama uses foreshadowing with the use of Noh, as well well as hints in the narration. I didn't pay attention at first and got caught by a few surprises. However, couldn't fault the story as I recalled the foreshadowing. In this end, it's the type of story that you will accept love no matter the direction it takes. It'll make you laugh out loud, it'll make you cry, it'll make you frustrated, but mostly it'll entertain you.

If I talk about drawbacks. Although as individuals I love their characters, I didn't feel the chemistry between Nagase Tomoya and Toda Erika.

There is just too much to say about this drama, I don't know where to stop so I will stop here. Everyone should just go watch it. Believe me, you won't regret it. The biggest downside is that the drama eventually comes to an end while you still want to see more of the Miyama family. I miss them so much T_T