Mother (2010)

You know a drama's good when it makes you cry. You know it's excellent when it turns you into a snivelling wreck every single episode. Thus, my main issue with Mother was what it cost me in Kleenex.

The most devastating thing about this drama (and there are a fair few to choose from) is that you know there's no way it can end happily. It's very premise sets it up to have at best a bittersweet ending.It is extremely well written in this respect, and believable throughout. I found myself truly invested in the characters and the storyline, desperately hoping both Nao and Reina could find safety and happiness on a more permanent basis than constantly being on the run.

I would now spend a paragraph picking apart the faults of this drama, except I'm rather convinced it doesn't have them. Everything from the acting (Ashida Mana may have become my favourite child actor of all time through this drama) to the movie-esque quality to the filming records it down as a must-watch in my book. It truly is once watched, never forgotten.

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Parents, you can't choose them. When I watched this show, I remembered how lucky I was with the parents I have.

So what exactly is the show about? I mean you have read the synopsis, and maybe would like to have another push towards why you should watch this incredible show. And believe me, when I say incredible I mean that in every way.

The show is most definitely about the relationship between a mother and a child, and how the two main characters tackle the trials they are given during the course of the show. So what makes it so good?

Maybe you could have guessed it, the character interactions. Ashide Mana and Matsuyuki Yasuko deliver a great performance regarding the interactions between a mother and a daughter. Their trials will make you laugh, cry or just smile weirdly because it's so cute *ahum*.

I mainly stated the two main characters here, but the supporting cast is great as well.

The story progresses in a well-written manner while never forgetting the realism they need to maintain during the course of the show. The story doesn't let you play ball, they throw the ball at you from the get-go, and you will keep following the ball until it finally reaches your glove. The pacing in the show may be slow to some, however incredibly fitting due to the shows Slice-of-life nature.

Because of the well-written storyline and the great acting, you will start rooting for the main two characters hoping they will get that final happy ending, because as you could’ve guessed, the story isn’t a light one. It’s about acceptance, Overcoming trials without giving up, family and so much more.

So why do you need to watch this? The well written story combined with great actors deliver a touching emotional story. This show will stay with you for a long time. It is one of those shows that makes you ponder for a bit while remembering the show, coming to the conclusion that it was a great watch.

So I heartily recommend it to anyone who doesn’t dislike slice-of-life shows. Because if you do watch it, you are in for a treat.

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