Tokeiya no Musume (2013)

This short drama is terribly underrated in MDL, it is a nice hidden gem of the year. Firstly, this drama has a quite strong emotional impact, aside of its excellent production. Shame many reviewers disdain this very important aspect on how good the show is. That impact is the main reason I should write this review.

As what the info tells us, the story is about a presumed connection between a watchmaker and a girl, namely Ryo, who think herself as the watchmakers' daughter. This assumption, is the main trigger of the story development. As it progresses, we are shown layers upon layers of those two characters, that are peeled one after another by chains of events.

The impact and the main idea the writer wants to convey make us forget whether she is really her daughter or not. In the end of the day, it is the compassion towards other and forgetting the sad and regretful past that what the story pursue after, not the mere aforementioned fact. We could see that the watchmaker slowly as the story progresses manages to break his own old shell of past burden of heaviness by his encounter and interaction with Ryo. My favorite scene is when they go to Ryo's home at Fukushima, which was ravaged by tsunami. I almost cried on that scene, it is so simple but strikes deep into your heart.

The actors taking part in play with utmost enthusiasm, especially Kunimura and Sawajiri who played the two leads. Kunimura manages to portray emotional struggles without saying words. You could tell what's on his mind even if his character deals with intricate mechanical watch. And I love to see Sawajiri playing a role she has never done before. Her character is lively but full of depths and not as simple as your usual heroine character. Glad to see her back with her technical abilities intact after many years of hiatus.

All in all, a nice watch at the end of the year. Recommended

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