S. Yue Michaelis

Drama series follows the life of actress Tetsuko Kuroyanagi (asiawiki-2016)

I felt like I was watching an Asadora, only much much shorter (7 episodes of 25minutes long approx). There were times where it was lively and uplifting, and others where it was sad. As expected, since this is a semi-biography of Tetsuko, who has lived forever and it is one of the most popular TV personality in Japan. Since she has been for many, many years, she has met numerous people and many have died; friends, colleagues... so it was expected to be sad.

This is the kind of role I love to see for Mitsushima Hikari. Of course she is beyond amazing in sad roles like "Mother" and "Soredemo..." but I prefer to watch her in quirky, lively roles, like this one. I don't want to see her cry anymore :(

There are many cameos, of actors who I knew beforehand had a guest role (Ryo, which makes it a mini-reunion from "Gomen Seishun") and others who were a completely surprise (Daichi! and Matsuda, which makes it a mini-reunion from "Quartet").

Synopsis

15-year-old Ikeuchi Aya was an ordinary girl, the daughter of a family who works at a tofu shop, and a soon-to-be high schooler. However, odd things have been happening to Aya lately. She has been falling down often and walks strange. Her mother, Shioka, takes Aya to see the doctor, and he informs Shioka that Aya has spinocerebellar degeneration - a terrible disease where the cerebellum of the brain gradually deteriorates to the point where the victim cannot walk, speak, write, or eat. A cruel disease, as it does not affect the mind in the least. How will Aya react when told about her disease? And how will Aya live from now on?


I read some reviews; most of them said that "they cried a liter of tears" while watching this dorama. Now, I love to cry when I read/watch inspiring/touching story, but I don't do it necessarily all the time. So I doubted I was going to with this dorama, with all the hype. And it turned out the title is not misleading at all. There was a constant runny nose during the whole 45minutes, especially around episode 5. This dorama is beautiful, touching, sweet, and everything that is positive. Sawajiri Erica is a wonderful actress (I only heard about her after "her scandal"). She has a beautiful smile, and when she cries, you will cry. In spite of her terrible disease, she smiles to encourage herself and her family. I was so mad and sad in the episode where she talks to her classmates... I dare anyone not to cry in this one.

At first I was not impressed with Ryo; he seemed to sullen and with one expression only. Besides, I've read his character was made-up; he did not exist in the real Aya's life. But eventually, I warmed towards him, and the few times he cried, it was impossible not to be moved; by his tears (my, one tear after another; he can really cry) and by this doomed love. Honestly, most of the times, I am never moved by doomed loves, but it was an exception with Aya and Asou-kun. Every time they were together I was thinking "why? why can they be happy?".

My favorites actresses were (besides Sawajiri Erika, of course) Yakushimaru Hiroko as the mother and Narumi Riko as Ako, the sister. Poor mother, she has to face this disease with a encouraging smile for her daughter, and she had to gave in many things. I can't imagine her pain. She was the first to notice that her daughter had a problem, she was the first to know the terrible truth, and she had to stand up in school against selfish parents.

As for Ako, who is a tsundere, was a supportive younger sister, and the episode where she talks to her brother (who was ashamed to have a disabled sister) was beyond moving (I had a big lump in my throat... to be honest, that lump did not go away for the entire 11 episodes).

I love this story. I love the soundtrack (all songs, including the one that the students sing twice). Each episode ended with the words of the real Aya, taken out from her diary, + pictures of her in school, in bed, in her wheelchair; with her family, friends...

Highly recommended. And be prepared to shed multiple tears.

My rating: 10/10