Again in 2022, when this sequence was first introduced I used to be so positive that I used to be going to observe it straight away. I imply Iwata Takanori, like all the time, was a giant enchantment level for me. And now that I’ve seen a number of extra of Shinohara Ryoko’s works, I used to be very assured I might get pleasure from her efficiency on this sequence as nicely. I assume being two years late to the social gathering isn’t too unhealthy.
Hiraga Sakura (Shinohara Ryoko) appears to dwelling in a dream. She’s married, runs a profitable hair salon along with her husband and is envied by many. Sadly, as a consequence of an accident a number of years earlier she had to surrender being a hair stylist. Behind the scenes not solely is her husband dishonest on her however abusing her on prime of it. Like many she is trapped in her state of affairs with none routes of escape. Upon the recommendation of a Feng Shui specialist, she seeks out a goldfish for companionship and to fix her circumstances. That’s the place she meets Toyoda Haruto (Iwata Takanori), a goldfish shopkeeper which adjustments her circumstances.
I don’t wish to prattle on an excessive amount of at this level however I’ll say it for any new readers simply in case – infidelity dramas are usually not my jam. I can solely watch about two dramas the place it’s a central theme a yr. Simply know I’m a type of delicate souls who hates the primary premise with a ardour.
I’ve to say that I went into this sequence just a little blind in any other case. I had no concept what to anticipate from a title like that apart from the tremendous apparent metaphors and the like. I used to be pleasantly stunned by the execution of the story. Whereas Sakura, Haruto and Sakura’s abusive husband Takuya (Ando Masanobu) are the core trio the place a lot of the motion is concentrated, Fishbowl Wives does discover the opposite dynamics of spouses of their separate bowls in the identical retailer so to talk.
The totally different dynamics of the wives, particularly people who have been additionally having martial points, outdoors of infidelity have been fascinating. “The Outsourcing Spouse” in episode two was simply probably the most superficial, and bathroom customary for lots of affair dramas. It was a very good set-up to distinction with Sakura’s circumstances, and “The Renovation Spouse”‘s circumstances. I appreciated that whereas “The Lunchbox Spouse” did additionally discover having an affair, the circumstances as to why she did it was so outlandish and excessive that I truly cheering for her when she lastly did. “The Lunchbox Spouse” additionally had a number of martial points outdoors of infidelity touched upon.
Exterior of our principal forged, I most loved seeing the dynamic and execution of “The Chaperone Spouse” the perfect. Sadly, infidelity was inescapable at this level. Nevertheless, the dynamic that Sanada Saya (Ishii Anna) and Sota (Inukai Atsuhiro) had as a pair was simply probably the most relatable for the final viewers. The metaphor used relating to working was just a little too apparent, even for somebody as unathletic as I, nevertheless it was nicely executed. The very fact the duo managed to speak to at least one one other earlier than an excessive amount of injury was additional executed was a welcome change of tempo.
That’s to not say that Sakura, Haruto, and Takuya’s dynamics weren’t fascinating. They have been after all. Sakura and Haruto’s dynamic was framed in that uber slick, visually interesting whereas nonetheless being in attain romantic was simple. The precise pressure that Sakura and Takuya had as a pair, and the way, when and the place that pressure would shift over the course of eight episodes saved me on my toes.
The issue is, like I’ll proceed to say till the top of time about Netflix, it lacked influence as a story, not visually. I nonetheless remembered the attractive visuals of watching the fireworks via goldfish tank visuals of episode two. Or the tremendous cool aquarium date within the latter half of the sequence. And sure after all, seeing Iwata Takanori’s complete precise ass extra then as soon as, for value of a $15.99 subscription, was nicely price it. However except for the visuals these Netflix dramas depart little room for better thought. As a lot as I hated how the story ended as least one thing like Even when You Don’t Do It gave me extra to chew on between episodes and post-watching.
Which leaves me in a little bit of a conundrum of the best way to actually add to this, or finish it. Fishbowl Wives is a reliable piece of media that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. There’s much more good features to the sequence then negatives, in my extremely biased opinion. But, I can’t outright say if that is one thing I’d suggest to people. When you’re not use to the Netflix components of manufacturing, I’d say give it a go if not one of the aforementioned bothers you – which this does have each intercourse scenes, consensual and never, and nudity none of which I discovered overbearing or extreme – or an actor is one in every of your should watches.
