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    Almael
    Member
    **This is a repost: Mar 21, 2017**

    Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu/We Married as a Job

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0f845ac22cdc326330ba57e77d479bfd0f1bb492a5aa2d6546f43730f036bc8d.png" />

    Type: love comedy

    Genre: social life, love

    Year: 2016

    Introduction:

    The show is an adaptation of a Manga of the same name: Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu/The Full-Time Wife Escapist by Umino Tsunami.

    Summary:

    Moriyama Mikuri, highly educated and recently graduated, has a problem finding a stable job. Depressed and frustrated she develops a bit of a job hunting phobia. Her father arranges for her a housekeeping job at Tsuzaki Hiramasa’s apartment.

    When her parents suddenly move to the country side she brazenly proposes to Hiramasa a contract marriage. What began as just an employment becomes romance.

    Critique:

    The show is more than just an Aragaki Yui aka Gakky show for her fans. I like her but I didn’t intend to watch the show at all because of that. However, once I realized the machination I kept watching it. It’s obviously a well (government) supported show based on many research papers which came out that year (2016). The show enjoyed a lot…lots of promotions through many many aired specials, appearances, interviews & shows.

    Aragaki Yui plays Moriyama Mikuri, well versed in house work, but her habit of expressing uncalled “good” ideas have made her unpopular in her jobs. Her personality and demeanor is of the classic japanese girl/woman represented by Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, the de facto official Japanese image. And is outdated this year (2017) by Sanio’s new angry red panda (Aggretsuko or Aggressive Retsuko, see anime of the same name 2016). The other important notion is the housewife is still a respected career in Japan. Gakky’s acting is as good as ever since her first movie 10 years ago and she looks (nearly) exactly the same also (a feature of the show). You can look forward to her split second mimic changes when she realizes a lie; and following her cunningness.

    Hoshino Gen as Tsuzaki Hiramasa is an IT system engineer, the top ace at 3I and self-proclaimed pro-bachelor. His insistence on keeping his tranquile pro-bachelor gives Mikuri a hard time to approach him. He represents japanese men who have no experience with women and are “happy” being left alone. And he got lots to hide. Hoshino Gen provides the show with his Koi song.

    Ishida Yuriko (San from Mononoke Hime) as Tsuchiya Yuri is Mikuri’s “deprived & accused sex-crazed” aunt, a department chief at a cosmetic company. Before she realized her career centric life has left her being a single with no hope of ever finding family happiness. To her Mikura is the daughter she never will have and insists being called Yuri-chan.

    Otani Ryohei as Kazami Ryota is Hiramasa’s co-worker and playboy who intends to snatch Mikuri away for himself. Due to circumstance, Ryota and Hiramasa fight it out in secret.

    Likewise all of the cast consists of good actors.

    Aside from the show’s story the show features more or less detailed discussions about unmarried couples. This is done using various forms

    1. A documentary form with interviews and other TV re-enactments and psychology lessons featuring Mikuri.

    2. Wherein the main actors discuss their opinions, economic options, social appearances, arrangements and rules.

    3. Real life situations wherein the pair faces disaster

    4. Some social engineering. This was too targeted and it seems these were withdrawn in the nick of time.

    Although, it’s marketed as a comedy it’s rather ordinary with funny good scenes achieved in part by various forms of acting rather than just dialogues. I really like this part.

    As is obvious the show depicts the modern day situations of women and women living together, a different point of view from classic forms (see “Nagareboshi” or “Marumaru Tsuma” reviews). Some other minor mentions are public dissatisfied view on globalization and national economy, and the realization that young people in most countries no longer have a need to own a car.

    In the beginning Hiramasa and Mikuri have a contract defining the duties and responsibilities of husband (employer) and wife (employee). The marriage is institution similar to a company. It’s a strict and inflexible system representing Hiramasa’s inability to break out of his self created bachelor prison. As time passes and new situations appear the system is tentatively adjusted but retains a clear distant relation between employer and employee. I’m most unsatisfied that the system is finally replaced, yet, not as extensively discussed in the very last episode. It leaves me wishing the show was longer than just 11 episodes. It should be noted that the ideal relation the show appears to hint is the classic form. Although, the show covers both sides it leans more toward men because Hiramasa’s situation is tantamount to the story and the system’s development. At times it feels somewhat like a love guide for low-esteem, shut-in, and NEET japanese men. The good part was Mikuri’s pointing out the exploitation of women/housewife and her invented love exploitation.

    Even if you are not interested you should still take a look at the discussions. Although, spread all over the place and at times not long lasting, I think the story makes it worth to keep watching for the discussions.

    Miscellaneous stuff:

    *They built the whole inside and outside of the house & company floor in a studio. The date painted on the wall changes.

    *Shinichiro Azumi, Pittanko kan kan’s host, is featured in one version of the Koi dance of the ED. All versions can be seen in the specials. The dance has become popular.

    *The show features a lot of references to other shows and mangas including “Sanada Maru”.

    *Mikuri’s city council ticket ~men should share by getting pregnant and her regret not being a scientist to make it possible.

    *The daydream victory of Mikuri’s housework labor party.

    *The show & cast won a number of awards (wikis not yet updated)

    etc.

    Verdict: 9

    Cast 10

    Cast performance 9

    Script/Directing: 8

    https://i.imgur.com/jRLuufq.jpg" />

    Gakky comparison

    https://i.imgur.com/A2aGtHcl.jpg" />

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38606355

    Koi dance

    [BBvideo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD7tFt7kRN0[/BBvideo]

    image is mirrored!

    [BBvideo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKyLtbqltro[/BBvideo]

    special

    [BBvideo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzGAyfXcfrg[/BBvideo]

    the love rivals

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGLZXiCAUMQ