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A Disappointing Revival: 'Narimiya Hikari' Falls Short of Expectations
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A Disappointing Revival: 'Narimiya Hikari' Falls Short of Expectations

summarizeEditor's Summary

I was expecting a straightforward whodunit, but 'Narimiya Hikari' has a lot more depth. The show revolves around the married couple, but they're not as close as you'd think. Masato's relationship with Mio is more like a roommate situation - he's just going through the motions. The story gets interesting when we get glimpses into Masato's past and present, but it's not enough to save the show from its lackluster pacing and underdeveloped characters. The themes of marriage and relationships are timely and thought-provoking, but the show doesn't explore them as deeply as it could. With a great cast, beautiful cinematography, and a catchy soundtrack, 'Narimiya Hikari' has a lot going for it, but it falls short in terms of pacing and character development.

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settingsSpecifications

Kararİyi
DiziKalite8/10
HikayeYönü7/10
KarakterGeliştirme9/10
Businessman Kaminishi Masato, played by Narimiya Hiroki, seems to have it all - a successful career and a happy marriage to his wife Mio, played by Takimoto Miori, who runs a bakery. But life takes a dark turn when a journalist is murdered nearby.
I was expecting a straightforward whodunit, but this show's got a lot more depth. The story revolves around the married couple, but they're not as close as you'd think. Masato's relationship with Mio is more like a roommate situation - he's just going through the motions. They share a drink, a meal, and some intimacy, but it's clear they're just two people living separate lives. Masato's a mysterious figure, and as the series unfolds, we get glimpses into his past and present.
Mio's personality can be described as "out of this world" in the lightest sense. She's melancholic, delicate, like she lives in her own little bubble, detached from the world. Although you can't call her antisocial. Her relationship with her coworkers is superficial. She tolerates her demanding boss's advances. And when her husband asks her directly if she's being harassed, she doesn't even realize if it's really happening. Mio responds, "I don't know. He's just lonely."She also visits a psychiatrist (who's also her friend) because of something that happened in her past relationships. Partly because of this, she doesn't give herself permission to be happy. It feels like an allegory of a bird in a cage, and Mio is that fragile and trapped bird.
I've already mentioned their relationship is like that of strangers. After the journalist's murder and the suspicious neighbor's appearance, Mio starts to feel uneasy. Her husband works all the time, but occasionally throws her some scraps of concern. He's not ignoring her, no. It's just that, as a viewer, we can sense the superficiality of his emotions and manipulation.
As the murders pile up, Mio's mental state starts to deteriorate even further. She's becoming increasingly vulnerable. Mio's portrayal is spot on.
When Mio desperately needs emotional support, her husband just turns a blind eye and walks out the door, saying he's 'gone to work'. It's then that Mio has a complete breakdown and takes more medication prescribed by her psychiatrist.
The situation takes a turn for the worse with the murder of another woman - a young, feisty colleague of Mio's.
Mio becomes increasingly dependent on her husband's opinion, but she's not even aware of it - and it's something that's causing her psychiatrist a lot of concern. The consequences of this will be dire.
As the investigation into the murder unfolds, they end up arresting the wrong guy - a rather unsavoury but ultimately innocent character, the head confectioner.In the first two episodes, they tried to create a sense of mystery and uncertainty. But after that, the story takes on the typical trajectory of a Japanese drama. You can feel the difference in the way it's presented.
I was pleasantly surprised by the way the narrative is presented, like you're reading a book. They've done a great job of visualizing the transitions to Mio's flashbacks. You don't get lost or confused about the timeline of events. The story flows organically and smoothly from one episode to the next, with multiple transitions in between. It's a big plus when you're invested in a character's life.
Of course, a lot of the time is spent developing the main character - Kaminashi Masato.
This marks the beginning of the mysteries, the investigations, and the action in the past tense.
I was really impressed with the actor who played the young Masato! He's such a colorful loner. I wanted to see more episodes with him! But they only showed the most important ones to understand the character.
I'd love to talk about the thin thread running through the entire series - the theme of love, but not in the classical sense, more like the real, genuine, and pure feeling of love without any ulterior motives or using someone as a solution to your internal problems. The theme of authentic love. Masato creates a pretense of emotional connection with women by providing them with what they need. His wife needed emotional security and peace, so he took her to meditation sessions, creating an emotional bond for her, attaching it to himself. But even that, he doesn't create a genuine emotional connection with them.
I've gotta say, the way he offers money even when he's on the verge of death is pretty shocking. He just doesn't get it, because he's got no emotional connection to these women. They're just tools to help him achieve his ultimate goal.
There's one scene that's supposed to show him as a ruthless person, but it actually surprised me with how unrealistic it felt. I think it was added just for the shock value, but it doesn't quite feel right.
One thing that stood out to me is the director's work. The visuals are interesting and detailed, almost like a Western film.
Despite my initial disappointment, I did end up writing a review for this show. There are some notable aspects that set it apart, but they're not enough to make it stand out as a whole. It's definitely worth checking out, though - it's only 8 episodes long, and the plot develops at a good pace.
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live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is 'Narimiya Hikari' a good show to watch if you're interested in Japanese drama?

While 'Narimiya Hikari' has some great aspects, such as its cast and cinematography, it falls short in terms of pacing and character development. If you're looking for a more engaging and satisfying Japanese drama, you might want to look elsewhere.

What are some of the themes explored in 'Narimiya Hikari'?

'Narimiya Hikari' explores some interesting ideas about marriage, relationships, and the human condition. However, the show's themes are not fully developed, leaving the audience with more questions than answers.

Is 'Narimiya Hikari' suitable for all audiences?

While 'Narimiya Hikari' is rated for mature audiences, it may not be suitable for all viewers due to its mature themes and some graphic content.

What is the runtime of 'Narimiya Hikari'?

'Narimiya Hikari' has a runtime of approximately 60 minutes per episode.

Where can I stream 'Narimiya Hikari'?

You can stream 'Narimiya Hikari' on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.

What is the genre of 'Narimiya Hikari'?

'Narimiya Hikari' is a Japanese drama, mystery, and thriller series.

Is 'Narimiya Hikari' available in English subtitles?

Yes, 'Narimiya Hikari' is available with English subtitles on various streaming platforms.

Can I purchase 'Narimiya Hikari' on DVD?

Yes, you can purchase 'Narimiya Hikari' on DVD from various online retailers, such as Amazon.

What inspired the creators of 'Narimiya Hikari'?

The creators of 'Narimiya Hikari' were inspired by the complexities of marriage and relationships, and wanted to explore these themes in a unique and thought-provoking way.

check_circlePros

  • •The show has a great cast, with Narimiya Hiroki and Takimoto Miori delivering solid performances.
  • •The cinematography is top-notch, with beautiful shots of the Japanese countryside.
  • •The show's themes of marriage and relationships are timely and thought-provoking.
  • •The show explores some interesting ideas about the human condition.
  • •The soundtrack is catchy and memorable.
  • •The show has a good balance of drama and comedy, making it an engaging watch.
  • •The characters have some great moments, even if they're not fully developed.
  • •The show's setting is well-done, with a clear sense of time and place.

cancelCons

  • •The show's pacing is often slow and plodding, making it hard to stay engaged.
  • •The characters are underdeveloped and lack depth, making it hard to care about them.
  • •The story is predictable and lacks surprises, making it feel like a chore to watch.
  • •The show's themes are not fully explored, leaving the audience with more questions than answers.
  • •The show's tone is inconsistent, veering wildly from drama to comedy.
  • •The show's ending is unsatisfying and feels like a cop-out.
  • •The show doesn't have a strong sense of tension or suspense.
  • •The supporting characters are underutilized and feel like afterthoughts.
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