Hotaru no Hikari [Season 1] – Review

I have an admitted addiction to Asian TV dramas despite the fact that they are, on a whole, absolute rubbish. My love is really the result of a few absolute knockout hits that got me addicted to the genre. Hotaru no Hikari (2007) is one of those rare, exceptionally good TV dramas. The 10-episode series (adapted from the manga by Hiura Satoru) is about 20-something Amemiya Hotaru. Though she has a fairly glamorous job in the office of a famous interior design company, Amemiya is what the Japanese refer to as a ‘himono-onna.’ This roughly translates to ‘dried fish woman’ and refers to women who pretend to have a neat and fashionable appearance in public, but secretly turn into lazy slobs when they are at home. Though lovely, Amemiya has little interest in dating or marriage and prefers to hang out at home in messy pajamas, drink beer, eat snacks, and never clean. (So, yes, this is a show about Constantine.)

Amemiya’s comfortable life in the traditional Japanese home she rents is turned upside down when the son of her landlord, unaware that Amemiya lives there, moves in after his divorce. To make matters worse, it just so happens to be her boss Takano Seiichi. Using the typical J-drama disregard for reality, both Amemiya and Takano refuse to move out of the house and begin to live together. Of course, Takano is shocked to discover how sloppy Amemiya really is and most of the initial episodes are spent with him mercilessly teasing her and implying that he will reveal her secret. Hotaru no Hikari falls into the romantic comedy genre and the first few episodes exist to establish Amemiya’s character and her dynamic with Takano. The series might feel slow in the beginning but it quickly gains momentum when Amemiya begins to fall for coworker Teshima Makoto. Turning to Takano for advice and assistance, the two set off to win her Makoto’s heart. Of course, the audience knows that Amemiya should really be with Takano and most of the plot’s tension revolves around their flirtation. Eventually, the two manage to get over that annoying Japanese habit of never revealing private feelings and continue to live together happily in their home.

Hotaru no Hikari strikes a good balance between romance and comedy while staying away from the overly melodramatic territory many Asian dramas get trapped in. This is, in no small part, due to the all-star cast involved in the show. Ayase Haruka (recognizable from tons of popular dramas, Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, JIN) has great comedic timing as Amemiya and manages to make her character as ridiculously adorable and loveable as possible. Most of the show rests on her capable shoulders and she portrays a sloppy himono-onna quite gracefully. Fujiki Naohito is also a veteran of many great J-dramas (most notably, Ichi Rittoru no Namida) and is utterly charming as Takano. Kato Kazuki is likeable enough as Makoto and possesses that stereotypical effeminate charm that younger Japanese men seem to have mastered. Hotaru no Hikari really possesses the caliber of acting that is so painfully lacking in most J-dramas; this really makes the series shine, despite some rather transparent and unbelievable plot devices.

Of course, the show possess many traits typical of Japanese dramas – there is some petty rival between Amemiya and another girl and the show down plays any sexual tension in favor of the personal connection between Amemiya and Takano. Despite their age difference, Amemiya and Takano just get along so well that one can’t but wonder if this is what most Japanese people hope to get out of marriage. Hotaru no Hikari is a romantic comedy, and by that right may appeal primarily to women. But, if you’re looking to indulge yourself in the guilty pleasure of Asian rom-coms, Hotaru no Hikari is one of the best out there.