Teaser is up!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqtsM8aj1A DMM should put this series on Netflix along with the season 1. Maybe we international fans should comment on their YouTube channel.
It might have been better if Tanabe Momoko is the main lead. She has a strong aura for lead role & her acting is actually the best of all the casts here.
After watching Episode 7, I'd say it's mind-blowing!! I've never been this super-excited so often from watching any serial drama. I couldn't help but wrote an early in-depth review! I did not use AI to write the review, so if you want to read any heartfelt & honest review, feel free to check that out (no spoilers). https://mydramalist.com/profile/HomeScreenAlchemist/review/602244
Yes, indeed! There's a subtle clue at the end of Episode 6 when Sota took Sayuri out to confront her. There's…
I keep this as a spoiler (you may want to do that too): I don't think it's his. That black car is an older model cheap Honda kei-car. Very cheap 15+ year-old car. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Zest#/media/File:Honda_Zest_Spark_01_(cropped).JPG His car would be a much "higher class" one. My guess it could be someone that hasn't been revealed yet, like the reporter from the gossip magazine (who interviewed Hatano for the article). There's a twist or two to the story that we need to see just yet for the remaining 3 episodes. There's plenty of times, lol.
The one that was used to frame Sota was on the opposite direction, and it also captured this black car from its driver's camera.
After watching the Netflix version of episode 7 (the English interpretation on the sub would make me understand a bit better than the Google-translate from Japanese close-caption when I watched earlier on TVer), I think what Mariko told Sota on the rooftop was almost "demanding" him to look after her for her safety. That's not from a love-impulse, but someone that she could really trust. At that point she seems to have a bad feeling already that Sakura was behind the murders of her step-mother (and also Tateiwa).
But at the same time Sota will be more in danger now. Being watched by Sakura & also wanted by Hatano. Episode 8 will be a blast to watch. We also haven't seen the roles of Mariko's father's best friend (who played golf in the early episode) and the gossip magazine reporter who interviewed Hatano.
Actually, there's a "knife scene" at the very beginning of episode 1 (the opening scene of the drama).…
My analysis based on early clues in the episodes 1 - 7 🧐:
- The murder of Mariko's mom was quickly deemed as "suicide" despite evidences suggest more towards murder (from the retired police officer who's now the plants shop owner visited by Sota). That means someone higher-up in the police force tried to cover it. If it's done by the son of a cop, that would be very plausible. Bribery by a wealthy individual is also likely.
- Hatano seems to do dirty things just for money, like a typical blue-collar street criminal. From the photos found by Sota inside Mariko's father's room, he's connected with Mariko's father and her stepmother Sayuri. What happened between them so far is still a mystery. Hatano may try to kidnap Mariko again for money.
- Sayuri might had an affair with Mariko's father (she was a mistress), even years before the death of Mariko's mom, and her motives were mostly for money and power (taking over Nose family business in the long-term). At first, I thought Mariko's mom was killed by some crazy conspiracy involving Sayuri & Hatano, but on episode 6 when Sayuri bought the white flowers from the flower-shop she didn't seem to realize the direct connection between the shop-owner and Mariko's mom. It seems unlikely that they were the murder co-conspirators. Sayuri might also knew it was Sakura who killed Mariko's mom, but because it would be beneficial for her (to become official wife of Nose) she had kept quiet. But when she found out he tried to date Mariko (using her grandma), she kind of freaked out.
- There should be a reason for that creepy cop Sakura decided to kill Tateiwa. If that wasn't because Tateiwa found-out about something terrible involving Sakura, he wouldn't do that. The knife is also one of the clues, because it belongs to Sakura.
- Sota could end up become a murderer himself, but only if he sees Mariko in danger in front of his eyes. He's obsessive-protective to Mariko, and he told Sayuri a couple times that he will not forgive anyone who hurts Mariko. He might have to spend time in jail, but Mariko will wait for him. A good romantic-drama kind of ending is very likely.
But of course, I could be wrong... 🤪 Let's see how things unfold. There are still 3 episodes left, and we still don't know the motives of everyone involved surrounding Mariko & the Nose family. That may leave room for crazy & unexpected plot twists.
Well, he is definitely "obsessive," but you can take it however you want.
"obsessive protective" is the term. Morally it's not a problem, but legally it may become problematic. Still somewhat an "invasion of privacy" even though his intention is benevolent.
The detective guy is so creepy as hell. I strongly hope they don't let Yukimura die in the end.
Actually, there's a "knife scene" at the very beginning of episode 1 (the opening scene of the drama). My guess is that in the end, Sota eventually had to kill that creepy police detective guy because that guy wanted to either kill or rape Mariko. I feel that the detective guy is the true psycho here who killed Mariko's biological mother because she rejected his obsession/infatuation for her 25 years ago. On episode 7 it shows his painting, which seems like it's Mariko's mother (also played by Okazaki Sae) and a brief scene of his past encounter with Mariko's mother.
Episode 6 was AMAZING!! One episode per week is killing meee
Yes, indeed! There's a subtle clue at the end of Episode 6 when Sota took Sayuri out to confront her. There's a parked black car with a driver in it. The camera actually stays to focus on that car for a couple seconds after Sota & Sayuri both has passed it. I believe that would record everything, including what's being done by detective Sakura to Sayuri after Sota left the scene. Can't wait for Episode 7.
It’s one of those shows that I want to wait til it’s complete and binge….but…the writing is so on-the-edge-of-the-chair…
Now that you brought Hitchcock to the table (hope the table can handle his weight, lol), this has exactly his style & vibe. Like his movie Rear Window, we can have hours of debates like "is that considered voyeur?". Same here, "is that considered stalking?".
There's another mystery J-drama currently airing, called "My Grandfather, the Master Detective". That one has more Agatha Christie "detective-style" mystery. Not too bad, but it certainly lacks the thriller & suspense/gripping aspects, can get boring fast after a few episodes.
Hello,FYI, you can download japanese subtitles from TVer and use Google IA / gemini to get fairly accurate subtitles.
Thanks for the tip! 🙏 May consider doing this for any dramas that don't have English subs available anywhere. For this one, I guess waiting for Netflix is just fine.
Is he a nice guy or is he a stalker? Please tell me bcse if it is the later I'll stop watching.
It's a drama for adults. It's never telling us what's right or wrong, and there's also never black or white. One person's "angel" can be another person's "demon" so to speak. It presents us with elements that only each of us audiences can figure out by evaluating every characters (from moral/ethical, psychological, & legal perspectives), and then decide which one that's actually more relatable to myself. This is exactly what makes some J-dramas (not all) to be much deeper. It can be a good tool for self-reflection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtDl1KOJvwk
Teaser is up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqtsM8aj1A
Airs: Sep 17, 2026 - Oct 8, 2026 on DMM TV
5 Episodes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqtsM8aj1A
Airs: Sep 17, 2026 - Oct 8, 2026 on DMM TV
5 Episodes
2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb10CgKY-L0
2014: https://youtu.be/lC4neGOivxE?si=Q47d-OxtZ5h-LddE&t=116
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqtsM8aj1A
DMM should put this series on Netflix along with the season 1. Maybe we international fans should comment on their YouTube channel.
I've never been this super-excited so often from watching any serial drama. I couldn't help but wrote an early in-depth review! I did not use AI to write the review, so if you want to read any heartfelt & honest review, feel free to check that out (no spoilers).
https://mydramalist.com/profile/HomeScreenAlchemist/review/602244
I don't think it's his. That black car is an older model cheap Honda kei-car. Very cheap 15+ year-old car.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Zest#/media/File:Honda_Zest_Spark_01_(cropped).JPG
His car would be a much "higher class" one. My guess it could be someone that hasn't been revealed yet, like the reporter from the gossip magazine (who interviewed Hatano for the article). There's a twist or two to the story that we need to see just yet for the remaining 3 episodes. There's plenty of times, lol.
The one that was used to frame Sota was on the opposite direction, and it also captured this black car from its driver's camera.
But at the same time Sota will be more in danger now. Being watched by Sakura & also wanted by Hatano. Episode 8 will be a blast to watch. We also haven't seen the roles of Mariko's father's best friend (who played golf in the early episode) and the gossip magazine reporter who interviewed Hatano.
Just realized I typed a rather lengthy comment here, so I thought it's more appropriate to put them together into a neatly-written review. Feel free to check that out (no spoilers):
https://mydramalist.com/profile/HomeScreenAlchemist/review/603774
- The murder of Mariko's mom was quickly deemed as "suicide" despite evidences suggest more towards murder (from the retired police officer who's now the plants shop owner visited by Sota). That means someone higher-up in the police force tried to cover it. If it's done by the son of a cop, that would be very plausible. Bribery by a wealthy individual is also likely.
- Hatano seems to do dirty things just for money, like a typical blue-collar street criminal. From the photos found by Sota inside Mariko's father's room, he's connected with Mariko's father and her stepmother Sayuri. What happened between them so far is still a mystery. Hatano may try to kidnap Mariko again for money.
- Sayuri might had an affair with Mariko's father (she was a mistress), even years before the death of Mariko's mom, and her motives were mostly for money and power (taking over Nose family business in the long-term). At first, I thought Mariko's mom was killed by some crazy conspiracy involving Sayuri & Hatano, but on episode 6 when Sayuri bought the white flowers from the flower-shop she didn't seem to realize the direct connection between the shop-owner and Mariko's mom. It seems unlikely that they were the murder co-conspirators. Sayuri might also knew it was Sakura who killed Mariko's mom, but because it would be beneficial for her (to become official wife of Nose) she had kept quiet. But when she found out he tried to date Mariko (using her grandma), she kind of freaked out.
- There should be a reason for that creepy cop Sakura decided to kill Tateiwa. If that wasn't because Tateiwa found-out about something terrible involving Sakura, he wouldn't do that. The knife is also one of the clues, because it belongs to Sakura.
- Sota could end up become a murderer himself, but only if he sees Mariko in danger in front of his eyes. He's obsessive-protective to Mariko, and he told Sayuri a couple times that he will not forgive anyone who hurts Mariko. He might have to spend time in jail, but Mariko will wait for him. A good romantic-drama kind of ending is very likely.
But of course, I could be wrong... 🤪 Let's see how things unfold. There are still 3 episodes left, and we still don't know the motives of everyone involved surrounding Mariko & the Nose family. That may leave room for crazy & unexpected plot twists.
There's another mystery J-drama currently airing, called "My Grandfather, the Master Detective". That one has more Agatha Christie "detective-style" mystery. Not too bad, but it certainly lacks the thriller & suspense/gripping aspects, can get boring fast after a few episodes.