This review may contain spoilers
To say the least, this show exceeded my expectations in more ways than just one, in terms of everything from the writing, acting, casting, to even how attached I'd get to the show itself.What impressed me the most however, was the excellent characterisation of every single character. Each and every single character, including the large variety of guests every episode, had their unique eccentricities that remind you how this show mainly focuses on its comedy aspects, but writes them so well you end up just finding every character endearing. Despite how many new characters are introduced every episode however, it never gets overwhelming but instead adds on to the fun by expanding the world through the eyes of Ayako seeking desperately for a partner.
Also, I love how it touches on more than just Ayako's own marriage hunting story as the story sometimes turns its focus to Ayako as an individual, or another character entirely - such as Rin's story of finding love and Oike's journey with his journey in finding himself. And while this may be a show about a woman seeking a marriage partner, it doesn't push the "women must get married" agenda to you. Instead, it presents the message that people should live for themselves and want they truly want in life, thankfully.
Fukuda Maki, as a comedian, made this show fun to watch with her slapstick comedy and such unique to her main career. However, as an actress, she makes it easy to emphatise with Minami Ayako's fears, anger, hesitations. She's so realistic in a sense it almost hurts as a fellow "average" woman watching. Yamada Kusoo is well and true an asshole, but for reasons that could never make you hate him properly. Yagi Yusei especially, makes Yamada a character you can't help but adore due to his cute mannerisms and honest heart. His variety of facial expressions every week made Yamada truly come alive (yes, ironically).
While I may not consider this a personal favourite of mine (hence the overall rating only being a 9.5 according to my rating system), I definitely found myself attached to show (or at least the characters) to cry so hard to a happy ending in the end. There's simply nothing I can complain about the show, and it wouldn't even be an exaggeration to say it was truly perfect, both as a life lesson, or a silly little drama you'd watch to laugh hard about.
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A Chaotic Yet Charming Journey
Marriage Hunting 1000 Knocks is a peak JDrama. This is the kind of series that makes staying in the world of dramas worthwhile. The essence of the series reminds me so much of my favorite anime, Gintama. The story has a lighthearted tone. You'll be immersed in the silly, loud, fourth-wall-breaking dialogues between the characters, but don't turn your brain off because the story also brilliantly and sincerely tackles real-life issues regarding marriage faced by people worldwide.I love Japanese dramas that delve deep into nuanced subjects or issues and leave no stone unturned. This is the best example of that. The protagonist's journey of marriage hunting, where she tries everything possible to find the right partner, leads to a bonkers, chaotic, and strangely meaningful ride.
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