I watched this series with the expectation that it would be "strange" from a non-Japanese person's perspective, and it was--but certainly not in a bad way. I'm sure I missed some cultural nuances and subtleties here and there, but it was, on the overall, interesting and moving. The narrative is told mainly from the perspective of Tokunaga as he builds his career as a manzai artist and sustains a very special relationship with his friend Kamiya. Following Tokunaga has been a unique emotional experience for me, and Kamiya's role in his life doesn't make that any less idiosyncratic. The relationship between the two contributes to the overarching mood of the series, which I think is a very integral element that makes both the storyline and the viewing experience one of a kind. This experience, to put simply, gives a punch that nothing else can--it's exactly like Kamiya and Tokunaga's comedy: bizarre, unhappy, but full of life. I wish I could say more, but I can only do so after giving this another rewatch or even reading the book--after I've immersed myself in Japanese culture enough.
