Currently Watching: Woman

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” - Diane Mariechild

“Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with fears you didn't know existed."  -Linda Wooten

Hi guys, I would like to share with you an amazing drama that I feel is quite underrated. It’s not quite like other Jdrama that I have watched; it’s not a detective drama nor a comedy, something Jdramas are mostly known for. This a slow-paced, heartwarming drama that just somewhat pulls you in and won't let go.   

Woman is a drama that brings together director Nobuo Mizuta and screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto, 3 years after their collaboration on another heartwarming drama Mother.  

There is no other way to introduce Woman than to say that it’s a brilliant drama about single mothers who really have it hard. 

After Koharu’s (Mitsushima Hikari) husband, Shin (Oguri Shun), dies in a train accident, she has to bring up her kids alone. This is where our story really starts. Plagued by financial and later health difficulties, she ultimately finds her way back to her mother whom she hasn't seen for 20 years, and we get to see how their relationship evolves from there. 

Main Cast


The main female  characters, a strong, quiet, cheerful and optimistic mother that would not hesitate to sacrifice herself for her children. 


A cheerful, optimistic 7 year old, who will amaze you by the maturity that she possessed beyond her age daughter.  


A shy, caring, and obedient 4 years old, who will bring a smile on your face and tears to your eye.


The dead husband who seems  to have been a quiet yet carefree man. Although we only see him in flashbacks, he’s cast as a main  character because the story is a little wave around him and the consequences of his actions. 

Secondary Cast
Yuko Tanaka as Sachi Uesugi - A strong, quiet yet caring woman. Koharu  and Shiori mother. 

Fumi Nikaido as Shiori Uesugi - A shy and award art student’s with a dark secret. 

Kaoru Kobayashi as Sloth’s chan - An affectionate nickname given to him by Nozomi and Riku. He is an affectionate, caring and shy man who seems to have spent 20 years of his life trying to reunite his wife and her daughter. He’s Shiori’s father.

Issei Takahashi as Yugo Sawamura - A straight forward doctor who takes his patients' misery upon himself. 

Mitsuki Tanimura as Aiko Sunagawa - A taciturn, selfish and seemingly inconsiderate resident doctor who seems to want to involve herself in other lives when  her own life is somewhat messy. 

Takahiro Miura as Ryosuke Sunagawa - A shy and caring bank employee trying to come to terms with being a single parent and friend to Koharu. 

Asami Usada as Yuki Kamata - Koharu's colleague and seemingly only female friend, who struggles with her recent divorce and raising two children.


Why You Should Watch It
Now that we have met all the characters what should I say about this drama that would make you want to watch it? I personally was not familiar with Mitsushima Hikari as an actress, so seeing her in action was a really fresh experience for me. Suzuki Rio is such a precious discovery too that you can only feel drawn to the drama even if it’s not something you will usually go for. When you start episode 1 you kind of see how Koharu deals with her situation in 3 years before meeting her mother.   

I don’t know what appeals to me in this drama. Maybe it's the realism in which it’s delivered, there is no over the top cliché situation that is so hard to grasp that the audience may find themselves frustrated for being taken for fools. No,Woman realistically portrays the few problems at hand: single motherhood, divorce, finances and friendship. But mostly it brings an amazing light to the complexity of human emotions and the bond between parents and children. 

If you are trying to find a fast-paced drama, full of melo-comedic moments, well this is not it. Though I would not be so fast as to discard the melodramatic part of this drama. Yes there’s drama but it’s such drama that is easily found in real life. If  you are just  looking for a drama  that is peaceful yet still tugs on your heartstrings then you have find it.  Enjoy.