Effectively of us, this yr I solely have one drama hold-over from 2023. It each completed airing and was executed being subbed earlier than the clock hit midnight. I simply didn’t fairly have the time to observe it earlier than then! I do know one or two of you’re in all probability shocked given I put it as my favourite drama of 2023 with out seeing the ending however… you’re going to only ignore that inconsistency simply as soon as for me okay?
As a result of, what I wrote there nonetheless largely stands. It’s nonetheless my favourite drama from 2023 that I watched, the vast majority of, in that very same yr. Earlier than I gush all concerning the oshi of the drama, Toma, I imply, Shuichi, I actually imply Katayose Ryota of Generations from EXILE TRIBE – I’ll provide the quickest run down potential concerning the premise you’re all stuffed in.
Tailored from an online manga of the identical title, our story stars Nakajo Hitomi (Suzuki Airi) whose a quite extraordinary workplace girl at a look. Her principal ardour outdoors of labor is supporting her favourite i.e. oshi stage actor Kiryu Toma (Katayose Ryota) – gathering his merchandise, attending his fan conferences, stage performs, and extra is what brings her pleasure. Sadly for her, Toma abruptly retired from appearing and disappeared… just for him to reappear as Takagi Shuichi. Aka her new boss. Hitomi acknowledges him immediately after which struggles along with her obligations as a fan, along with her relationship to him at work! It results in some critical hijinks that might solely come from this unbelievable state of affairs, which very a lot bemuses Takagi.
I’m a fairly hot-and-cold to the concept of romantic comedies. I for one, hate the time period RomCom because of the early 2000’s invasion of them within the states. The vast majority of which I get the nostalgia for, however watching any of them in a contemporary context makes my pores and skin crawl. Japanese RomCom’s are a detailed cousin, however considerably totally different. Largely because of the cultural sensibilities of each romance and comedy parts – the latter of which particularly in Japan are inclined to conflict with my very own opinions of what’s humorous.
Nevertheless, Oshi ga Joushi ni Narimashite (Oshi ga Joushi) appeared much more in my wheelhouse. As somebody whose aware of 2D, 2.5D, and actual life Oshi tradition I figured I’d get the vast majority of the in jokes relating to the tradition and humor of these followers. I dig J-Romance sequence general, since I desire the normally slower, however a bit extra whimsical parts of them. The comedy could be the most important make or break issue…
And Oshi ga Joushi, at the very least for me, hit the best marks when it comes to comedy. The number of comedic parts did play rather a lot with Oshi tradition, and conditions revolving round it. As somebody in on these elements, as a lot as Hitomi ocassionally gave me second hand embaressment, I discovered myself laughing along with her simply as a lot. It helped rather a lot that there have been two feminine comedians, Yuriyan Retriever who performed Motoko, Hitomi’s BFF, and Inada Miki who performed Asuka, Hitomi’s co-worker to work off of. They not often began the comedy parts, however knew how you can end scenes with some nice timing. I can inform that there was quite a lot of enter from the ladies on display and off, for the reason that jokes did poke enjoyable at feminine followers, however by no means crossed into being demeaning.
Talking of which, I used to be pleasantly shocked by Suzuki Airi as Hitomi, and what she delivered to the desk. I’ve solely been conscious of her as a mannequin, and former member of ℃-ute, a Howdy! Undertaking idol group that was energetic between 2005 and 2017. I knew she would probably draw upon her personal experiences as an idol, and reflecting on her personal fan base. It actually confirmed in her efficiency as Hitomi in the very best means.
It’s actually laborious to clarify to of us who aren’t into idol tradition and or don’t know what an ‘Oshi’ or ‘Bias’ is. That’s in all probability the most important aspect of this drama that received’t click on with a normal viewers. Nevertheless, the truth that Hitomi has a lot delicate nuance to her is what completely offered me on Suzuki Airi’s efficiency. The very fact Airi was in a position to so nicely articulate the mannerisms of a fan clearly caught in a pickle and making an attempt to do the proper factor – issues like her avoiding Takagi at first, then realizing she wanted to be much less suspicious, and many others. She even had her self imposed Oshi Guidelines, that she tried to translate from fandom to work place, all felt so actual. Then seeing the transition, even probably the most tough moments in episode 4 ahead, as an grownup girl genuinely falling in love with the true man in entrance of her was extremely satisfying.
Reverse of her, Katayose Ryota as Kiryu Toma after which Takagi Shuichi was fairly the deal with. It was due to him, for probably the most half, that I wished to observe this sequence within the first place. He of all male ‘idols’* at the moment in favor would have probably the most attention-grabbing perspective on this. Ryota was touted for a really very long time as a bachelor, solely to shock everybody New 12 months’s Day 2023 with a wedding and being pregnant announcement to his spouse Tsuchiya Tao. Seeing how he utilized navigating ‘the stage’ verses retirement and ‘actuality’ as a personality, I once more have little doubt he pulled from his actual life.
It’s additionally simply attention-grabbing to see his development through the years. He’s not my ‘oshi’ in his group (that goes to Sano Reo lmao) however in some way I’ve managed to see all his movies and an honest chunk of his dramas. Seeing him tackle a wide range of roles, from pupil to ER assistant, each as a principal character, secondary solid, and even a couple of cameo’s he’s proven quite a lot of development. It’s much less casting him on his face and fame alone lately, however on his real benefit as an actor. Whilst an informal fan, it actually does make me proud. (However not as a lot as I’m of Reo, lmao)
Transferring onto extra technical elements, I’ve to say that Oshi ga Joushi seems actually customary, however slick. The scenes are set as much as learn nicely on digicam, good lighting, glorious closed and public units, strong blocking. Nevertheless, they lack a ‘wow’ issue that might deliver it to the subsequent degree. The audio is strong as nicely, the solid articulates their traces nicely and it’s good on the ears. Your milage will very on the opening theme (“Dance the Life Away” by Katayose Ryota), and ending theme (“Saikyo no OSHI!” by Suzuki Airi) as one minor level.
About the one factor that got here as a unfavourable had been a number of the plot factors. Episodes one by way of eight had been actually strong, every level clicking into the subsequent one quite naturally. This bought derailed a bit in episode 9 and ten which felt a bit disjointed. I couldn’t inform if this was an government transfer so as to add filler because it was an finish of the yr drama, or one thing with supply materials. Episodes eleven and twelve bought us again on observe which I appreciated rather a lot. It’s simply one of many uncommon events, the place I want we had a good nicely executed ten episodes, over 12 the place we bought a bit of misplaced within the sauce.
I’ll say as a last constructive for the sequence, is that I used to be genuinely shocked by the secondary solid. All of them are fabulous actors as numerous factors of their careers, however meshed collectively very nicely. There appears to be quite a lot of real solid chemistry that blossomed on display. I used to be additionally impressed that our secondary solid, particularly Junya (Ueda Keisuke), and Kazuki (Takano Akira) additionally had some strong improvement. They felt fairly actual when it comes to beliefs and habits that labored rather well. I want that that they had a bit extra time on display and in-between main factors to actually shine extra. i’m assuming that it’s in all probability higher lined within the manga this time round.
My last ideas, is that I do suggest Oshi ga Joshi ni Narimashite. If you happen to’re somebody with an Oshi (of any type!) this drama will you should definitely get amusing or two out of you. Even in the event you aren’t and are simply on the lookout for a nicely made romantic comedy from the current previous – this one’s for you. In fact, I’d be remiss to not say it… but when your Oshi/Bias/Fave is on this one, regardless of the dimensions of their position, it’s nicely value watching.
*Katayose Ryota is a part of Generations from EXILE TRIBE, underneath the expertise company LDH Leisure. LDH has a strict coverage that anybody, male or feminine, is to not be known as an idol. They are going to use phrases like artist/expertise/performer/vocalist as a descriptor. It’s additionally used so as to hold their expertise seen as human beings. Due to this fact not held to bizarre/unneeded requirements that the standard ‘idol’ is held to. That being stated, Generations from EXILE TRIBE features on the identical gross sales, advertising and marketing, manufacturing, and many others as a conventional idol teams apart from not utilizing the phrase ‘idol’.
