Shojiki Fudosan Season 2 (2024)

Heartwarmingly healing.

This is one of (if not simply) the most healing drama I've seen in a while.

I'm not sure how to review each of the aspects—story, acting, music, rewatch value—but what I do know is that it never felt like anything was missing as I went through each of the episodes, hence the 10/10s. The whole cast's chemistry was great; the banters and exchanges were nicely written. That background music you'll hear at the resolution of each episode is just heartwarming. I don't think I'll ever rewatch this anytime soon, but having been following the drama every week, this drama just feels like home.

I feel like the intention of the whole series was a way to expose and amplify the good and healing qualities in us both as an individual and as a community. And even if Shoujiki Fudousan's universe felt kinda utopian, I believe it just shows how much potential we can manifest in our daily lives. Hence, as far as the story goes, I'd just say it's been a great vehicle for the writer to showcase this goodness and healing process. Nothing particularly forced or anything like that, major plot-wise.

One example as to why I keep mentioning "healing" is that it just so happens that every time one of the characters felt like doing something bad, the surrounding characters and the environment eventually keeps preventing them from doing so. I'm mentioning this because it just feels like the most notable aspect of the drama's theme for me personally.

Long story short, if you want a heartwarming, light-hearted show that effortlessly makes you feel like becoming a better person tomorrow, give this a go.

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Good enough but not as hot as the original

It's a show about honest realtors without qualifying who exactly they're talking about. Despite the fact that Nagase is now more honest than he was on the first season and remains the nominal "Honest Realtor," in reality he has been surpassed by his sidekick. I feel like Tsukishita is the real star of season 2. The character with the most heart and the caring personality is not only skilfully acted but has now been endowed with the grit and knowledge that she lacked in the original series.

I like that there is still zero romance surrounding Tsukishita. That lets her character grow without diversions and distractions. Nagase isn't so lucky. The weird relationship sideplot with Emamoto only got weirder. And the rest of the cast didn't improve. The whole Minerva cast was shallow and vindictive for reasons that still make no sense. I had hopes for Hanasawa-san but her progress was mixed. And Kamiki must have been rescued from the villain reject dumpster behind Disney studios. All of them are too easily let off the hook as far as I'm concerned.

I think that this show survives and thrives on the guest characters more than it does on the main ones. Until episode 9, that is. Episode 10 is a hot mess that pulls a multi-year project out of thin air for the real estate drama but mostly sets up annoying cliff hangers for a third season. Maybe in season 3 the Tokage character will find his place. So far he seems to exist for the sole purpose of making Millennials sound like boomers when they talk about Gen Z.

Season 2 is a step down from the original series but still stands up alright by itself. If you liked the original you should watch it.

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